How to Find a Lawyer

Nicaragua’s legal system is based on civil law with the Supreme Court to review administrative acts.

If you plan to start a business here, or buy/sell property, you will definitely need the services of a good attorney.

Your lawyer can help you understand the complexities of the Nicaraguan legal system, help you to navigate government bureaucracy, and assist you in any other legal matters that may arise.

If you are not fully bilingual, be sure to choose a lawyer who is. It is also a good idea to find a lawyer with a bilingual assistant or secretary, for moments when the attorney is not in the office or dealing with another matter.

Ask other expats around town to recommend a lawyer. Certain lawyers are very competent and thorough, but painfully slow. Others are quicker, but can be sloppy. Many attorneys specialize in certain areas of the law, due to their areas of expertise or because of personal contacts they have to help them facilitate paperwork and procedures quickly.

If you are starting up a business, ask other reputable Nicaraguan or expat entrepreneurs which attorney they used. If you are buying or selling a property, ask someone with previous experience, or ask a real-estate agency to recommend a lawyer. If using an in-house real-estate agent, you are well advised to get a second opinion from an independent lawyer.

Stay on top of your lawyer to make sure things get done on time. Make regular appearances at the office to make your face seen and check on progress.

Some lawyers will ask for half the payment up front, which usually prods them into action. But don’t necessarily assume that things are getting done in your absence. Be a presence.

Before hiring a lawyer, find out what their office hours and availability are. One of the best lawyers in Granada, for example, works bizarre hours through the night and is virtually absent from the office during daylight hours.

Make sure you have your lawyer’s office and cell phone numbers in case you need him or her in an emergency. If your lawyer is always in meetings or out of the office, this is a sign your work is probably being neglected and you have chosen the wrong lawyer.

You may need a specialist to deal with your specific case. Some people find it’s a good idea to have several lawyers for precisely this reason.

It is also important to note that Nicaragua’s judicial system is, unfortunately, still politically charged, with nearly 8 out of 10 lower judgeships occupied by Sandinista judges. This might be something you want to keep in mind before hiring a lawyer. What is your lawyer’s political affiliation? A lawyer who was hiding out in Miami during the revolution might have a different relationship with judges than a Sandinista lawyer.

Take your time and look around when you are trying to find an attorney. This should be fairly easy since we have included a list from which to choose. But remember to inquirer others about your potential lawyer’s reputation, work methods, rates and integrity.

If you find yourself in a jam before finding a lawyer, contact the American Embassy for assistance or see the list at the end of this section.

Lawyer’s fees, or honorarios, vary. Just because a lawyer is expensive doesn’t mean he or she is efficient. Likewise, you shouldn’t select an attorney only because his or her fees are low.

We recommend purchasing a copy of, Diccionario de Términos Jurídicos by Enrique Alcazar. It is a complete English/Spanish dictionary of legal terms.

The following is an alphabetic list of English-speaking, Managua-based lawyers and public notaries listed on the U.S. Embassy website. The Embassy includes a disclaimer saying it does not guarantee the professional ability or integrity of any of them. (the asterisk following some of the names indicates that attorney has his or her signature at the U.S. Consulate, facilitating the authentication of local documents for use in the United States).

• Gloria ALVARADO and Associates

Industrial Property Law, Commercial Law, Banking Law, International Law/Foreign Investment, Privatization, Real Estate, Labor Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Litigation Del Lacmiel, 5c. Arriba, 300 mts a la Derecha, No. 75 Tel: 505-277-4028, 278-7708; Fax: 505-278-7491 E-Mail:alvasoc@ns.tmx.com.ni mailto:alvasoc@ns.tmx.com.ni Website: N/A

• Guy Jose BENDAÑA-Guerrero and Associates

Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Law, Chemical Patents, License Negotiation, Industry Models, Trademarks, Patents, Pharmaceutical Patents, and General Intellectual Property Practice. Porton Antiguo Hospital El Retiro, 120 mts. al Lago Tel: 505-266-5696, 266-5697; Fax: 505-266-8863 E-Mail:guybengu@ibw.com.ni mailto:guybengu@ibw.com.ni Website: www.guybendana.com.ni

• Francisco José BOZA Páiz and Associates (*)

Business, Fiscal and Banking Law Parque las Madres 1 c. al Lago, Casa No. 1603 Tel: 505-266-8860; Tel: 276-0004 Ext. 15800; Fax: 505-266-2374 E-Mail: N/A Website: N/A

• Carrion, Somarriba & Asociados., Fernando R Somarriba de Valery

Corporate, Commercial, Banking Laws, Foreign Investments, Patents, Trademark Laws.
Colonial Los Robles # 45 Del Hotel Colón 2 1⁄2 c. al Sur Apartado Postal 2422 Tel: 505-267-1020, 267-2003; Fax: 505-267-1005 E-Mail:carmonal@tmx.com.ni

• García & Bodan Abogados y Notarios Públicos

General Manager, Terencio García Corporate Law, Finance Del Restaurante “La Marsaillaise” 1⁄2 c al Sur. No. L-15 Apartado Postal 2536, Managua Tel: 505-270-5008; Fax: 505-278-0928 E-Mail:terencio@garciabodan.com.ni Website:www.garciabodan.com.ni

• Grupo Legis

Banking, Judicial, Corporate, Property, Tax and Public Law, Associate to Martinez and Gutierrez in Miami, Florida Ministerio de Defensa, 1 c. Oeste y 30 vrs. Norte #422, Apartado Postal 6208, Managua Tel: 505-222-4694, 222-2187; Fax: 505-222-2098 E-Mail: Legis@ibw.com.ni Website: N/A

• LÓPEZ Argüello & Associates

Patent and Trade Marks, Foreign Investment, Banking, Customs, Foreign Trade, Real State Corporations, Administrative, Commercial, Civil, Labor and Tax Law, Oil and Mineral, Agency and Distribution Agreements, Insurance, Litigation and Arbitration Canal 2, 300 vrs al Oeste, 25 mts al Sur Tel: 505-266-0803, 268-3070; Fax: 505-268-0017 E-Mail:gla@lopezarguello-asoc.com Website: N/A

• Alvaro MARTINEZ Cuenca, Doctor in Law

Corporate Law, Trademarks and Patents, Litigation, Expertise in Negotiations Centro Comercial San Francisco, H-5 Tel: 505-2771032, Fax: 505-278-0330, Cellular: 505-884-4224 E-Mail: amc@datatex.com.ni Website: N/A

• Mauricio MARTÍNEZ Espinoza

Civil and Criminal Law Altamira D'este, de la Farmacia 5ta. Avenida 1c. Sur y 1c. arriba , #644 Tel: 505-277-4195; Cellular 505-885-8004 E-mail: N/A Website: N/A

• Juan Alvaro MUNGUIA A., Luis Chávez Escoto and Associates

Banking and Securities Law, General Corp., Commercial Law, Leasing & Project Finance, Foreign Investment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private & Administrative Law, Telecommunications, Mining/Oil/Gas, Environmental, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Labor Law,
Litigation and Arbitration/Bankruptcy/Product Liability, Pharmaceutical, General Insurance, Aviation & Shipping Law, Taxation and Customs Law, Real Estate Law Portón Hospital El Retiro, 1c al lago, 1c arriba, 1⁄2 c lago Tel: 505-266-7102, 266-1211; Fax: 505-266-4156
E-Mail:jmunguia@ibw.com.ni Website: N/A

• Taboada & Asociados, José Evenor Taboada