Cross-border M&A is the cornerstone of the practice at corporate powerhouse Aguilar Castillo Love, which is able to leverage its full-service model and regional presence (with additional offices in Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay) to advise a growing roster of international clients on their investments in the Honduran market. The team is also well equipped to act for local companies, assisting with their international expansions and internal restructurings. The energy sector is a core area of expertise, but the team also demonstrates strength in the financial services (particularly fintech) space. Honduras managing partner Enrique Rodríguez Burchard and Juan José Alcerro Milla, who is sought out for antitrust matters, lead the four-partner-strong team, which also includes all-round practitioners Carolina Aguirre Larios and Victor Alejandro Martínez, and associates Ondina María Santos and Leonel Contreras. The firm also has robust D&I and pro bono programmes, including the Proyecto ACL Mujeres initiative which promotes the participation of women in business.

Widely considered a leader in the Central American corporate arena, Consortium Legal is frequently the first port of call for major multinationals seeking advice on regional transactions, as well as their day-to-day operations in Honduras. Demonstrating strength in the telecoms, consumer goods, tech and financial services and fintech sectors in particular, the firm has a broad corporate practice spanning M&A, corporate restructurings (including reorganisations involving multiple jurisdictions) and the structuring of distribution relationships, as well as antitrust, consumer protection and data privacy issues. José Ramón Paz Morales, who has strong skill sets in cross-border M&A and reorganisations, and José Rafael Rivera, whose wide-ranging practice takes in foreign investments, insurance issues, agency and distribution agreements and franchise law, steer the team. Honduras managing partner José Ramón Paz Padilla and Gustavo León-Gómez are other senior names to note. The firm also shows a robust commitment to sustainability through its membership of the Network for Central American Integration for Corporate Social Responsibility (INTEGRARSE).

The ‘highly professional, efficient and client-focused‘ corporate team at Alta Melara & Asociados takes advantage of its robust domestic experience, as well as the support of its offices in Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica, to play a key role in both local and regional M&A. The team has a particularly strong presence in the financial, automotive and tech fields; its recent record includes advising the purchasers on significant acquisitions in the Honduran banking sector, as well as assisting the distributors of leading car brands on the establishment and expansion of their businesses in the local market. Managing partner Óscar Melara – who is hailed by one client as ‘the best corporate lawyer in Honduras‘ – leads the team with senior associate Melissa Pastrana, who joined the firm from Latamlex / Matamoros Batson y Asociados in March 2023.

Arias‘ full-service model and extensive regional network are clear assets for its predominantly international client base, which covers the banking, insurance, pharmaceutical, food and beverages and tech sectors, to name but a few. The ‘highly skilled and agile‘ team is well versed in M&A, frequently handling cross-border mandates alongside the firm’s other offices in Central America, in addition to advising on corporate governance, commercial contracts and related antitrust and compliance matters. Thanks to its office in the industrial capital of San Pedro Sula, the team is also active in advising companies based in the area’s free trade zones. Practice heads Evangelina Lardizábal, who serves as managing partner of the Honduras office, and Mario Agüero win praise for their ‘extensive experience‘ across the full spectrum of corporate matters. Senior associate Rodolfo Salgado provides capable support.

Hailed by clients for its ‘great technical experience‘ and ‘strong communication skills‘, the corporate team at BLP is particularly sought after by leading multinational companies with a presence in Honduras, frequently advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional deals with support from the firm’s other offices in the region. Demonstrating standout expertise in the tech, telecoms and energy sectors, the team remains a strong performer in M&A, in addition to advising on corporate reorganisations, and the launch and closure of operations in Honduras. José Miguel Álvarez, a ‘reliable ally‘ to clients on the full array of corporate matters in Honduras and Central America, leads the team with experienced energy sector specialist Karla Aguilar. The talented junior line-up includes director Roy Zavala (a key contact for regulatory authorisations and antitrust clearances), senior associate Ivis Alvarado and associate Alí Ordóñez. The firm has also established an Innovation Commission focused on identifying and implementing new technologies to reduce turnaround times and deliver cost-effective services.

Bringing to bear ‘extensive knowledge of the legal environment in Honduras‘ and ‘a great problem-solving approach‘, the corporate team at García & Bodán plays an active role in both local and region-wide M&A, leveraging the firm’s sizeable network of offices in Central America. In addition to transactional work, the group is noted for its strong suit in compliance, advising on consumer protection issues and environmental and other regulatory authorisations for companies seeking to operate and expand their businesses in Honduras. Office managing partner and department head Vanessa Oquelí maintains a strong all-round corporate practice, while Godofredo Siercke (a key name for energy-related matters) and senior associates Melissa Ayala (who is based in San Pedro Sula) and Gabriela Aguirre are also notable members of the team.

Domestic firm Gufa Law attracts strong praise for its ‘ability to find agile and effective solutions‘ and ‘extensive knowledge‘ in the field of corporate law. The team plays a prominent role in advising multinational companies with a presence in Honduras on corporate governance, compliance, tax and regulatory issues, with a notable emphasis on the energy and telecoms sectors. Thanks to its close connections with international law firms, it is also well placed to assist with the local law aspects of major cross-border M&A transactions. Managing partner Maurício Villeda Jr, whose broad practice spans M&A, foreign investment and commercial contracts, leads the team. The capable pool of associates includes Julia Sandoval, who has expertise in cross-border transactions, Javier López and Marcela Barralaga, a specialist in regulatory compliance.

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. considerably expanded its client base in the real estate and tourism sectors with the opening of its new Roatán premises in September 2023, adding to its branches in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula (a key location for clients in the maquila industry). The firm also has a strong regional footprint, with additional offices in Guatemala and El Salvador, making it a strong choice for multinational and family-owned companies alike. Under the leadership of Honduras managing partner Odín Guillén Leiva, the team assists with day-to-day corporate, commercial and compliance matters, in addition to corporate restructurings, joint ventures and foreign investments. The deep bench of junior lawyers includes senior associates Iván Flores and Andrea Tercero, and associates Daniel Fléfil, Andrea Pereira and Pedro Canales.

CENTRAL LAW's corporate practice provides comprehensive advice to a host of local and multilatina clients, often teaming up with its offices throughout Central America to offer a regional service. The firm frequently assists clients with the incorporation and expansion of their operations in Honduras, as well as with compliance and commercial contracts, with notable strengths in the energy, manufacturing and BPO sectors. Office managing partner and practice head J. Humberto Medina Alva advises on the full spectrum of corporate and foreign investment mandates, while Claribel Medina de León is a key contact for energy-related matters. The team is rounded out by Ricardo Padilla and experienced senior associate Jorge Romero, both based in San Pedro Sula.

Benefitting from access to an extensive global network, Dentons' ‘excellent‘ corporate practice is strongly geared towards advising multinational companies with a presence in Honduras. The team is adept at serving as local counsel on a steady stream of cross-border M&A, in addition to advising on the incorporation of Honduran entities, the expansion of domestic businesses into other markets in Central America and day-to-day corporate governance and compliance issues. Honduras managing partner Arturo Zacapa, a go-to adviser to a host of international companies on all manner of corporate and IP matters, leads the team alongside Gustavo Zacapa, San Pedro Sula-based Jessica Handal and senior counsel Humberto Salgado, all of whom contribute complementary expertise in labour law.

ECIJA's sizeable footprint in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, as well as its strategic alliance with Taylor Wessing LLP, mean it is well positioned to advise international companies operating in the Honduran market. The team is particularly active in assisting with the incorporation and structuring of new Honduran entities, including obtaining the necessary permits and government approvals to operate in the jurisdiction and handling related tax and consumer protection issues. Rosalinda Cruz Sequeira, an expert in the banking and insurance sectors, Honduras managing partner Roberto Williams, Jorge Arturo Reina and business manager Daniel Williams form the leadership team. Clients also benefit from the firm’s ECIJA Tech offering, which assists with the digitalisation of in-house legal departments.

Central American firm Lexincorp routinely advises regional and multinational clients on day-to-day corporate and commercial issues, including governance and compliance, but is also frequently called upon to assist with the formation of new businesses and the acquisition of Honduran target companies. Thanks to its robust skill set in the field of public-private partnerships, the team is particularly well equipped to advise on the structuring of consortia for the development of major transport and infrastructure projects. Engels Zelaya, who is experienced in M&A and private equity transactions, steers the practice, while Honduras managing partner Benito Zelaya, Nora Amaya and Sylvia Zelaya, who heads the San Pedro Sula office, are other key names at top level.