Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Páez Pumar y Cía stands out as one of Venezuela’s most comprehensive service offerings. Transactional and non-transactional practice areas are both excellent. Litigation is a strong suit, while its strength in insurance and reinsurance sets it apart from much of the competition. The firm scored a coup in 2023 when it hired four partners from a competitor, a rare development in this market.
Management is understanding of its lawyers’ needs; it offers flexi-time policies and allows experienced lawyers to work from home when necessary. The firm also reports that its new internal mentoring programme that pairs associates with partners has helped ease the burden on lawyers during the covid-19 pandemic. Partners help their mentees with academic, education, career paths and developing client relationships.
Mendoza Palacios has also stepped up its efforts in the compliance area, as US sanctions on the Venezuela administration expand and banks and multinationals feel their effects. The impact of US sanctions has also led to a growing load of disputes and restructuring mandates.
The firm has also welcomed interest from foreign companies looking to snap up opportunities in Venezuela’s depressed market. A solid energy practice still sees work, despite collapsed oil prices and overall economic chaos.
Offices
Mendoza Palacios has offices in Caracas and Venezuela’s third-largest city, Valencia.