José Palma

Choosing between an external legal department and an in-house lawyer requires analyzing the workload, the complexity of the decisions, and the way the company operates. None of the models is superior in all cases. An organization with frequent consultations but not enough work for a specialized position can benefit from external support. Another, with daily negotiations and projects that require constant involvement, may need someone integrated into the team. There is also a third possibility: combining both capabilities.

A contract with suppliers should allow the company to answer specific questions: what will they receive, when will they receive it, how will they check its quality, how much will they pay, and what can they do if the supplier fails to meet their obligations. When these answers are not clearly documented, the transaction…

An annual obligation for a company in Guatemala is not limited to filing tax returns. The company must also document its decisions, account for its partners or shareholders, prepare its financial statements, keep its books up to date, and review that…

Choosing a corporate lawyer should not depend solely on a recommendation, the size of the firm, or who submits the lowest quote. The company will entrust the professional with sensitive information, corporate documents, contracts, negotiations, and decisions that can affect its…

Business legal risks rarely begin with a visible conflict. They frequently originate in outdated documents, contracts that no longer reflect operations, individuals signing without clearly verified authority, labor relationships treated as professional services or assets...

A company can grow commercially much faster than its legal structure grows. Sales increase, workers are hired, new suppliers and clients appear, more contracts are signed, and partners begin to make decisions that previously could...

Many companies only turn to a lawyer when they face a problem: a labor lawsuit, a breach of contract, a dispute between partners, or a customer claim. However, waiting for a problem to arise usually involves higher costs, loss…

Many businesses in Guatemala don't fail due to a lack of sales, but rather a lack of structure. They grow, hire staff, sign contracts, open accounts, gain important clients, and begin operating with a higher volume, but they maintain the same informality with which they...

When forming a company in Guatemala, one of the most important decisions is to define how the company will be managed. In the case of a corporation, there are usually two options: appoint a sole administrator or form a...