According to clients, the real estate lawyers at Alegalis ‘know what they need to do and they deliver‘; the practice is also highlighted for the ‘diversity of specialisation among the team members‘, which allows it to handle the gamut of real estate matters as well as related financial issues and disputes. The firm has a standout track record in advising major Guatemalan and regional developers on the construction of commercial, office, residential and mixed-use projects, including assisting with cross-border financial structures to enable clients to invest in and develop projects abroad. Other areas of expertise include the sale and acquisition of property units, and real estate tax and regulatory matters. Director Andrés Rodríguez steers the practice and acts for an impressive roster of developer clients. Managing partner Juan Antonio Mazariegos is also a leading figure in the team, noted for his ‘extensive legal knowledge‘. Associate Mirna Marroquín provides capable support.

Alta QIL+4 Abogados is highly praised by clients as ‘a group of specialists in the real estate area that has no equivalent in Guatemala‘. The team combines its expertise in this sphere with the wider firm’s strengths in tax, M&A, commercial and financial matters to advise on the full life cycle of real estate projects. The team primarily acts for major developers of residential, commercial and industrial projects, assisting with everything from the acquisition of land and the structuring of agreements with suppliers and sub-contractors to the creation of co-ownership regimes and the sale of the final units. In addition, it has considerable experience in the negotiation of long and short-term lease agreements. Eva Cacacho, who is singled out for her ‘experience and accessibility‘, leads the practice, supported by senior associate María Fernanda Ovalle, who rejoined the team in May 2022 after a short assignment in-house at construction company Grupo Krea, and associate Karen Tzoc.

Lexincorp houses a full-service real estate practice that is particularly well known for its strength in project finance and tax planning, drawing on the support of the firm’s experienced teams in these areas. Counting major domestic real estate developers among its clients, the department focuses on the construction of high-end commercial and residential properties, assisting with the acquisition of land, obtaining government permits, drafting construction agreements and the structuring of corporate regimes for the sale of the finished units. Practice head José Andrés Fuxet has wide-ranging experience in real estate matters; in addition to advising on project development, he frequently assists with the creation of condominium and horizontal property regimes.

The real estate team at Consortium Legal leverages the firm’s full-service offering to advise on all financial, environmental, corporate and tax issues relating to the development of major projects, with a recent emphasis on the high-end residential and industrial sectors. The team has broad expertise spanning project finance, the acquisition, sale and renting of properties, the constitution of horizontal property regimes and tourism-related matters, and acts for an impressive array of large developers. At the helm of the practice, Alfredo Rodríguez brings his extensive corporate, tax and foreign investment experience in real estate matters, and Sandra García de Zedán advises on the full range of residential (including public housing), office, industrial park and tourism projects. The talented line-up of associates includes Jaminie Recinos, Mario Pivaral and Cristina Samayoa, who joined from Alegalis in September 2022.

Legalsa‘s ‘team of effective professionals‘ brings together expertise in both transactional and contentious matters to handle a wide range of real estate mandates, with particular strength in assisting major local developers with the construction of luxury residential and office buildings. The team stands out for its track record in property-related disputes (supported by the firm’s top-flight litigation department), but is also adept at advising on project finance, construction agreements, the acquisition and sale of properties, and the negotiation of lease agreements (with an emphasis on the retail sector). Jointly leading the practice are founding partner David Font, who has notable experience in project finance, the ‘efficient, knowledgeable and approachable‘ Johann Hartleben and senior associate Mónica Linares, who is an expert in horizontal property regimes and construction permits.

A founding member of the Guatemala Green Building Council, which focuses on sustainable development, A. D. Sosa & Soto has a wide-ranging real estate practice. The team has recently seen a significant uptick in project development mandates, particularly in the residential sector, and advises on all stages of the project life cycle, from financing and securing government permits to construction contracts and the sale of the completed units, and also demonstrates strength in assisting retail and hospitality sector clients with the negotiation of lease agreements. José Javier Sosa and Rodolfo Sosa jointly lead the practice; both are experienced across the full spectrum of real estate matters.

Arias‘ has a broad regional presence and full-service offering, which are clear assets for its multinational clients, which frequently turn to the firm for advice on the sale, acquisition and leasing of real estate, as well as related tax, regulatory and litigation matters. The team also counts land development projects among its core areas of expertise, assisting with drafting construction contracts and obtaining permits in different municipalities. Luis Pedro del Valle took over leadership of the practice following the departure of Jorge Luis Arenales in March 2023 and draws on extensive corporate and finance experience to advise on real estate transactions, ably assisted by senior associate Jorge Ordóñez.

The real estate practice at boutique firm Bermejo & Bermejo wins praise from clients due to the ‘expertise of its lawyers‘ and its ability to team up with the firm’s corporate and tax departments to provide a multidisciplinary offering in this space. The firm is best known for its niche strengths in the structuring of horizontal property regimes for mixed-use housing, commercial and office buildings and in advising building administrations, but it also has significant experience in project development and the sale and acquisition of real estate. Juan Carlos Bermejo steers the team alongside Luis Pedro Bermejo, who is singled out for his ‘great expertise in municipal regulations‘.

Lex Atlas was launched in October 2022 by Ignacio Andrade Aycinena and his team from Sfera Legal and draws upon his extensive real estate experience to handle a steady stream of contentious and transactional matters in the sector. The team has a notable strength in advising major domestic telecoms and energy companies on the leasing of real estate and on disputes over the ownership of land, and also assists with real estate acquisitions and any related tax and compliance issues. Alejandro Solares Solares, who made partner upon joining the firm, leads the practice, with experience in real estate transactions, condominium regimes and procurement.