Historic Lateral Hire in Central America: BLP adds Jorge Arenales, founding partner of ARIAS LAW in Guatemala  

After twenty-five years at ARIAS LAW, corporate lawyer Jorge Luis Arenales has joined BLP as a new partner. The incorporation reaffirms BLP’s commitment to be the leading firm in Guatemala and Central America, and strengthens the firm´s corporate, transactional and financial practices.

Jorge’s brilliant career has been consistently recognized for years with the highest distinction in all elite directories; Chambers & Partners ranks him in Band 1 in both Corporate M&A and Banking & Finance; The Legal 500 includes him in its prestigious Hall of Fame, and IFLR recognizes him as a Market Leader.

Jorge said: "I am very happy and excited to open a new chapter in my professional career by joining BLP and contributing to its current success. I love its culture and people, as well as the vision of the organization. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s expansion and consolidation efforts".

BLP´s founding partner David Gutiérrez, commenting from BLP’s Madrid office, said, "Arenales brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record to the firm. His experience in corporate and financial matters will greatly enhance our ability to serve our clients in the region. Jorge’s arrival is great news because it strengthens the regional operation and continues to connect us more and more with the European market. Jorge is not only an excellent lawyer with a lot of experience and international connections, but also a great person. We are very happy to have him in our firm".

Rodolfo Salazar, founder of the BLP Guatemala office, highlighted the "human quality, talent and entrepreneurial spirit in new frontiers that Jorge will bring, in addition to a friendship that is strengthened with his arrival".

Arenales was a founding partner of ARIAS LAW in Guatemala, and for more than two decades he led the corporate and finance department, specializing in advising international companies in mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and commercial matters. His experience extends to regulated industries in complex transactions, including energy, oil, gas and telecommunications.
His expertise in project finance and restructuring, together with his experience in public procurement, civil and corporate litigation and commercial arbitration, make him a major asset for BLP in the region.

Jorge will be based mostly in Paris, where he lives with his wife and little daughter, but he will be travelling back and forth from Guatemala continuously. He commented: "I am happy to have found a firm with a Thinking Outside the Box mentality that offers flexibility to its partners depending on their personal needs. In fact, with BLP this philosophy does not come from Pandemic, it has always been this way. It is a philosophy that allows everyone to develop the best of themselves with commitment and enthusiasm, and it translates into an excellent partnership of support and collaboration. It also makes it easier for the firm to attract and retain the best talent, and it is one of the keys to its success. I want to be part of this, and I feel I’m in a happy place". "BLP has an ambitious strategy for the European market, being the only firm in Central America with this vision", he added.

Currently, Jorge is also the Invest Guatemala Agency’s representative for Europe. Invest Guatemala is a Public-Private Investment Promotion Agency, part of the Guatemala No Se Detiene plan, which aims to attract investment in Guatemala. This experience further demonstrates Jorge´s versatility and ability to offer comprehensive advice in various sectors.

This is not the first time that BLP adds a prominent lawyer from ARIAS LAW. In 2020, Salvadoran lawyer Zygmunt Brett also joined BLP after 24 years at ARIAS LAW.

Arenales’ decision to join BLP demonstrates his confidence in the firm’s progressive regional platform and commitment to excellence.

With this addition, BLP consolidates its position as the leading legal advisor in Central America, and his extensive experience and exceptional skills in corporate and financial matters will undoubtedly contribute to the firm’s continued growth and success in the region.