With a prominent environmental litigation practice, BKM | Berkemeyer regularly represents clients at both the administrative and criminal levels. Environmental compliance is another focal point for the team and its regulatory advice on the energy sector spans electricity, hydrocarbons and renewables. It also excels at guiding companies with operations in Paraguay through liaisons with local communities. The group’s expertise in the sector also sees it advise on matters involving biofuels and hydrogen production. Particularly active in the agribusiness sector, the team boasts specialised knowledge in areas such as the sale and transportation of agricultural chemicals and the development of animal feed and fertiliser. The practice also demonstrates prowess in niche areas, such as projects involving GMO products. Yolanda Pereira leads the team; a significant part of her practice focuses on environmental liability, advising clients on regulatory matters, licensing and permitting related to environmental, natural resources and energy projects, including oilfield concessions. Hugo T. Berkemeyer and Carla Sosa also play leading roles in the team.
Environment in Paraguay
BKM | Berkemeyer
Responsables de la pratique:
Yolanda Pereira
Les références
‘BKM stands out for its cordial relationship, precise attention and desire to collaborate in obtaining excellent service.’
‘Yolanda Pereira is dedicated, very focused on achieving the proposed objective of the consultancy, and a person of unique warmth.’
Principaux clients
ECB Group
Coca-Cola
Polygon
Dow AgroSciences Paraguay
Azar Internacional
TFG 616 SA Land
Dentons | Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena
SOE Rutas del Este
Syngenta Paraguay
Puma
Silvipar
Principaux dossiers
- Advising ECB on its investment in Paraguay aimed at installing an industrial plant for the production of biodiesel.
- Advising Coca-Cola on an ongoing basis on environmental matters and issues related to the impact of its activities on local communities.
- Providing Puma Energy Paraguay with legal advice and regulatory support on environment, health and safety, and product quality matters.
Ferrere
Ferrere remains ahead of the curve in terms of environmental and climate change matters in Paraguay, advising on carbon offset credits, green hydrogen and ammonia production, and green bonds and sustainable finance. Its pre-eminence in regulatory matters sees the environmental team advising an extensive roster of both local and international clients on licensing issues, compliance audits and due diligence, as well as legislative processes. The group also boasts a strong transactional practice, advising on M&A and commercial transactions within the sector. Environmental disputes are another area of expertise, and the team provides representation in administrative, judicial and arbitral proceedings. Counsel Guillermo Jover heads the practice; with an established reputation in the sector, he has played a leading role in the voluntary carbon space, advising an impressive clientele of carbon credit buyers, developers and sellers, as well as assisting national legislators with a bill to regulate the carbon markets. Senior associate Marcelo Rodríguez is a specialist environmental litigator, litigating enforcement actions, obtaining environmental licenses and approvals and defending clients in administrative and judicial proceedings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Guillermo Jover
Les références
‘Guillermo Jover is extremely knowledgeable and user friendly.’
‘The team of lawyers with whom we work stands out for their strong knowledge of national legislative issues in environmental matters. I highlight its willingness to collaborate with others (companies, NGOs, etc.), in addition to having cutting-edge information regarding trends in environmental issues.’
‘Professionalism, quality training, proactivity, teamwork.’
Principaux clients
MSU Agro
BXR Agro
Interbarge
Vale
Archer
Impala Terminals
Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)
International Development Bank (IDB)
Navíos Logistics
Blink Bioscience
Grupo Bimbo
Amazon Web Services
Air Liquide
Siemens
Mosaic
Marfrig Global Foods
Hidrovias Do Brasil
Trafigura PTE
Atome Energy
Valmet
Consorcio Costanera Sur
Leoni
Agri Terra
Darling Ingredients
Heinzel Group
Nyne Waters
The Nature Conservancy
Grupo Favero
Agroempresa Forestal
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Darling Ingredients on its $1.2bn acquisition of Gelnex.
- Advised Marfrig Global Foods on the environmental legal framework in Paraguay and assisted the client in navigating the process for the obtention of its meat processing plant’s environmental licenses and approvals, coordinating technical evaluations, reports, and on-site inspections with third-party environmental consultants.
- Assisted Heinzel Holding GmbH in the initial shares acquisition of Paracel, advising on the environmental legal framework in Paraguay and the environmental requirements involved in the construction and operation of the pulp mill project.
Vouga Abogados
Vouga Abogados‘ environmental law team operates at the forefront of the sector, advising on leading projects, such as Paracel’s pulp plant and the development of new legislation in the area. Recently, the carbons market has been a particular focus for the team, with advice ranging from carbon credits to carbon reduction projects. Its strength in regulatory aspects is reflected in its advice on environmental licenses, due diligence and special environmental protection regimes. The team is also active in environmental litigation, both administrative and judicial. Rodolfo Vouga heads the practice, alongside Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa, whose impressive roster of clients includes Paracel, Tigo and British American Tobacco. Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga is also a leading figure in the team. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Manuel Acevedo assists a diverse clientele of international institutions and public entities in obtaining environmental licenses and permits and participating in public procurement procedures. With a strong administrative background, associate Walter Vera advises on environmental investigations initiated by the state and excels in due diligence processes that involve environmental documentation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rodrigo Fernandez de Nestosa; Rodolfo Vouga Muller
Les références
‘Vouga’s team is always characterized by its commitment to providing practical and out-of-the-box solutions in simple terms for every legal challenge faced by our business. The team keeps in mind our ethos and big-picture priorities, ensuring that all recommendations protect our relationship with our stakeholders while complying with local regulations and internal policies of a multinational company.’
‘Vouga has proven to be a reliable business partner with transparent billing and a quick turnaround.’
‘Rodrigo Fernández is a stand-out from Vouga with his deep legal knowledge and immersion in the commercial necessities and priorities of our business. Along with his wide experience in matters of counterfeit products and general IP, Rodrigo is always available with quick, practical, cost-efficient advice that keeps in mind the ethos and commercial relationships of our company, while maintaining our strong focus on compliance.’
Principaux clients
ecosecurities
Sistema B
ADM Paraguay
Paracel
Nextar
Paresa (Coca-Cola)
Tigo (Millicom)
Copetrol
British-American Tobacco
Lesaffre
Principaux dossiers
- Actively participated in the drafting and discussion of the first law on carbon credits in Paraguay.
- Advised a Swiss company in the development of its first emission reduction projects in Paraguay.
- Advised on a large reforestation project on the negotiation and execution of marketing and sales agreement of future carbon credits (along with Latham & Watkins).
Ebro - Firma Jurídica
Working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ebro - Firma Jurídica is regularly involved in the drafting of policy and regulations within the environmental sector. The team also advises a growing list of companies and corporations on environmental compliance. Fredy Francisco Génez Báez leads the team, and his practice focuses on matters related to sustainable development.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fredy Francisco Génez Báez
Les références
‘Fast, precise, attentive, friendly.’
‘The attention.’
Principaux clients
Bayer Paraguay
Tetra Pak Southern Cone
CIE
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
La Paraguaya Inmobiliaria
PNUD
Investigación para el Desarrollo
FAO
Ball Corporation
Cooprogetti
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Ball Corporation – Paraguay on the systematisation of regulations for its environmental and occupational health and safety management system.
- Advised Consorcio Cooprogetti on the preparation of environmental technical specifications for water and sanitation works.
- Advised FAO-ONU on regulations regarding reforestation.
Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja
José Sosa Fracchia and Juan Carlos Boggino lead the environment team at Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja, with a strong focus on regulatory issues; the practice advises on environmental liability issues, plans and licensing. It also has a successful track record in obtaining authorisations from the relevant authorities for acquisitions in the environment sector. The group represents clients in civil and administrative disputes, including environmental litigation. Horacio Peroni is a key member of the team, advising on regulatory matters within the environmental sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
José Sosa Fracchia; Juan Carlos Boggino
Principaux clients
El Precurso
Cordillera Exploration
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting FLS Group with a project to convert 68,000 hectares of degraded grassland into 50,000 hectares of sustainably managed commercial plantations and 18,000 hectares of reforested, mosaic-planted nature conservation areas.
- Representing Cordillera Exploration regarding the prospecting permit application and the application for an environmental licence.
- Advising a Switzerland-based investor on due diligence to undertake a land sale agreement for cattle investment and a lease agreement for future projects, including a meat processing industrial plant.