FIRM BRIEFINGS OTHER JURISDICTIONS
the $1 billion concession contract of the Moín Port. Centro América Abogados advised the Costa Rican Institute of Pacific Ports on the ap- proval process in the General Comptroller of the Republic of Costa Rica of the Concession of Caldera Port. The $30 million concession closed in February 2012.
Gutiérrez Hernández & Pauly
2012 Firm Overview Cross-border experience
Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela
Most active disciplines Disputes: Financial and corporate, Public, Tax Financial and corporate: Equipment/asset finance, M&A, Private equity, Project finance Public: Competition, Construction, Employment, Projects, Regulatory Tax: Corporate tax, Indirect tax, Transfer pricing
Key energy sectors Renewables
Key infrastructure sectors Airports and aviation, Ports and shipping, Rail, Roads
Key partners Guillermo E Zuniga, Alberto Pauly
Founded in 1976, Gutiérrez Hernández & Pauly has been an active player in the Costa Rican energy and infrastructure markets. In De- cember 2012, the firm counseled and directed an EPC project to con- struct a 15.3MW wind farm worth over $45 million. The firm has participated in the last two wind energy projects built in Costa Rica, up to 65.3MW, during the last five years. The firm negotiated the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) and all the related contracts under such umbrella. One of the firm’s partners was the Chief Counsel of the de- veloper of one of the wind farms. Gutiérrez Hernández & Pauly has participated and advised several clients regarding the supervision of the construction of the airport Daniel Oduber Quirós.
Nassar Abogados
2012 Firm Overview Cross-border experience
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua
Most active disciplines
Disputes: Public, Tax Financial and corporate: Banking, Equipment/asset finance, M&A, Private equity, Project finance Public: Competition, Construction, Employment, Environmental, Land, Projects, Regulatory Tax: Corporate tax, Indirect tax
Key energy sectors Oil and gas, Power networks and distribution
Key infrastructure sectors Airports and aviation, Education, Ports and shipping, Rail, Roads
Key partners Carolina Argüello, Hugo Chavarria, Guillermo Flores
Nassar Abogados has cultivated its profile in the Costa Rican legal mar- ket for over three decades. The firm has given legal advice on energy for self-consumption, regulations affecting energy in local jurisdictions, procurement procedures for infrastructure projects, contracts with the
ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE | LATIN AMERICA 2013 85
government’s Energy Institute, and solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generation projects. Attorneys Tomás Nassar and Hugo Chavarría are representing a Eu-
ropean client, whose identity is confidential as this stage, in an M&A transaction involving a hydroelectric generation facility in Costa Rica. More generally, Nassar Abogados is involved in an exploratory stage
of the possible financing of upcoming private wind energy and hydro- electric power projects awarded by the government. Attorneys Alina Nassar, Guillermo Flores, and Daniela Beirute are
providing counsel to Jan de Nul Luxembourg with regard to municipal, tax, and public law issues surrounding the client’s dredging works at one of Costa Rica’s primary ports, Puerto Caldera. In October 2012, the firm advised INDRA regarding administrative
sanction procedure, obtained a reduction in the fine from $1.2 million to $130,000 and secured an agreement from the Costa Rican Oil Re- finery to end the contract stage one year in advance of the initial term.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez
2012 Firm Overview Cross-border experience
Colombia
Most active disciplines M&A, Project finance
Key energy sectors Oil and gas, Renewables, Traditional power
Key partners Mary Fernandez, Marisol Vicens, Hipólito García, Kirsys Reynoso
Competitors describe Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez as having “very good and capable lawyers.” Another said, “We do a lot of work with them and they are definitely a top firm.” Particularly recognised is Marisol Vicens, the firm’s leading energy partner. She has been in- volved in the industry since 1998 and has been working with the gov- ernment on its 20-year improvement strategy for the country’s energy sector. The firm itself is expecting to see growth in the number of trans- actions it handles in the coming year, having already had inquiries from potential investors about the government’s plans to add two gas and two carbon plants. In August 2012, Headrick closed a 57MW solar energy project for
GESTAMP SOLAR. The transaction involved obtaining all necessary permits, real estate for installing solar panels, a decree from the presi- dent to begin construction, and a power purchase agreement, all of which the firm was asked to complete before the new Dominican gov- ernment came into office. The firm also represented non-energy regu- lated users, MercaSID and Induveca, in negotiating and obtaining power purchase agreement for their facilities.
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