Henry Comte

Partner

Email
henry.comte@legalsa.com

Languages
Spanish, English, and French

Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property and Technology, Arbitration, Estate Planning

Team
LEGALSA Guatemala

Practice and Professional Life

His professional practice focuses on Civil Procedural Law, Commercial Law, Administrative Law, Banking Law, and Constitutional Law; Criminal Law in business-related matters ("white collar crimes"); Intellectual Property Litigation, including actions against piracy and counterfeiting, unfair competition; Administrative Litigation related to state contracts, tenders, and concessions; Intrasociety conflicts, including minority protection; consumer rights; misleading advertising, and Arbitration.

 

Additionally, he leads the team of lawyers who are litigating intrasociety conflicts in some of the most important national corporate groups in Guatemala; these complex disputes have involved multiple civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional actions. Henry and his team have also been very active and successful in defending the acquired rights of various holders of government concessions.

Education

- Master's degree in Finance (LLM) with specialization in entrepreneurship, Universidad Francisco Marroquín/Tulane University (2015).

- Master's degree in Intellectual Property (pending thesis), Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

- Postgraduate studies in Merchant Law, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain), 2003

- Postgraduate studies in Constitutional Law and Parliamentary Law, Universidad de Salamanca, 2006

- Bachelor's Degree in Legal and Social Sciences, Attorney and Notary, Universidad Francisco Marroquín (1998).

Awards and honours

- Leading Individual - Tier 1 in Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 Latin America 2023

- Recommended Lawyer - Band 3 in Dispute Resolution by Chambers & Partners 2024

Memberships

- College of Attorneys and Notaries

- International Trademark Association (INTA)

Our Services

Practice Areas

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Arbitration

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LEGALSA has a team of experts in arbitration with diverse backgrounds: arbitrators, litigators with ample experience representing claimants and respondents, expert advisors in international disputes, and academic coaches to winning teams at prestigious international moot court competitions.

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Administrative Law

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LEGALSA advises, assists and represents clients in government procurement and concessions, including preparation of bids and technical proposals  for government tenders, review and negotiation of contractual terms, legal  management of contracts and defense in related contentious administrative, civil and criminal proceedings.

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Banking and Finance

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LEGALSA provides comprehensive legal counsel and services to domestic and international banks and financial institutions. We represent borrowers, lenders and facilitators in all types of credit facilities, including syndicated loans, lease contracts, secured and unsecured loans and lines of credit.

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Constitutional Law

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LEGALSA advises and represents clients in strategic filing of writs of amparo and claims of constitutional violations, in relation to ongoing disputes.

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Corporate / M&A

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LEGALSA advises  and assists clients on corporate, commercial, regulatory, tax, contractual  and governance issues for new and established companies, both domestic and international, particularly in the sectors of banking and finance, food and beverage, call centers, maritime services, technology, telecommunications, energy and agroindustry.

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Tax Law

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LEGALSA advises, assists and represents clients in government procurement and concessions, including preparation of bids and technical proposals for government tenders, review and negotiation of contractual terms, legal management of contracts and defense in related contentious administrative, civil and criminal proceedings.

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Real Estate

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LEGALSA counsels developers and promoters, buyers and sellers, landlords and renters of commercial, residential and tourism real estate projects, and provides comprehensive legal services, including procurement of permits, drafting of contracts, registration of titles, negotiation of transactions and corporate and tax structuring.

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Immigration Law

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LEGALSA provides its clients with services and assistance related to the migration status of their employees and collaborators, both nationally and internationally, thus facilitating their stay in the country, whether for work, business, or any other type of regulated residence according to the Migration Code. This includes obtaining temporary and permanent visas and residencies, as well as support in immigration regulations.

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Foreign Investment

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LEGALSA provides comprehensive legal advice and assistance to foreign individuals and companies interested in investing in new business ventures in Guatemala, whether through affiliates, branches, acquisitions, joint ventures or new legal vehicles.

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Estate Planning

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LEGALSA advises clients on the design and execution of tax planning for all types of businesses and corporate transactions. We have developed a specialized estate planning practice which helps our clients to prepare for a smooth succession and transmission of family wealth through the design, structuring and execution of tax-efficient and enforceable legal structures, vehicles and protocols.

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Intellectual Property and Technology

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LEGALSA manages all types of intellectual property issues, whether contentious or non-contentious. Our team is amply experienced in strategic management of international IP portfolios; procurement, maintenance, enforcement, purchase, sale, licensing and franchising of trademarks, patents, copyrights, designs and domains; IP litigation against unfair competition, counterfeiting, piracy and other infringements on IP rights, including unregistered IP.

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Privacy

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LEGALSA advises clients on issues of privacy and confidentiality, including best practices, design and implementation of privacy policies, procedures and notices, drafting of non-disclosure agreements and clauses, consent forms for the use of personal data, and consent management for the processing, use and domestic or international transfer of personal data bases.

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Dispute Resolution

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LEGALSA has one of Guatemala’s larger and more experienced teams of highly – qualified  specialists in dispute resolution. We are particularly effective in the management of highly complex, “bet the house” disputes, including civil, commercial and administrative litigation, arbitration, credit recovery, writs of amparo, extra – judicial negotiations and criminal proceedings.

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Startups LEGALSA

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At LEGALSA we have a division specialized in legal advice (mainly pro bono) for emerging ventures and new technology projects.