She holds a master's degree in law from Harvard Law School and a Juris Doctor degree from the Universidad Autónoma Centroamericana in San José, Costa Rica. Bertha has been a licensed attorney and notary public in Nicaragua since 2000.
Bertha M Argüello has been part of the firm since 2003 and advises clients on banking and financial, corporate and commercial and mining matters. She has coordinated and advised on the opening and acquisition of several banks and financial institutions in Nicaragua, in addition to acting as advises on restructuring, regulatory and compliance matters. He has also advised local and international corporations on financing and investment transactions, as well as security structuring in the country and the Central American region.
Bertha has also been legal advisor to local companies and foreign entities seeking to invest in Nicaragua, including assistance in labor and organizational matters. He has been a member of the board of directors of a supervised financial institution since 2016, as well as its risk and compliance committees, representing the interests of clients and helping to strengthen the entity's presence at the national level. Bertha also advises clients on complex financing arrangements and security structures for regulated and non-regulated entities. His experience also includes working in Arias' expanding employment department, advising clients on various employment matters, as well as corporate and general management solutions.
- Grupo Bimbo sold its confectionery division, Ricolino, to Mondelez for US$1,300,000.000.00. Arias represented Grupo Bimbo led by Bertha Argüello in securing approval for the deal from the local antitrust authority. The firm's support encompassed reviewing local regulatory compliance and negotiating with the local regulators
- Bertha Arguello assisted as the local counsel to IFC in their role as the lender. They were involved in the discussions, planning, and procedures related to the loan issuance to Monte Rosa mill. The financial package from IFC includes a short-term loan of US$15,000,000, renewable yearly for 4 years, and a long-term loan of US$10,000,000 designated for the mill's working capital and for buying essential machinery and equipment.
- Arias acted as Nicaragua counsel to Norfund in the granting of a subordinated loan to BANCO FICOHSA NICARAGUA, S.A. Bertha advised Norfund in the negotiation and structuring of the loan for $10,000,000.00, particularly the regulatory implications of capital structure, subordinated loan and requirements to qualify as such under the financial norms applicable in the country.
- Bertha was local counsel to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the negotiation, structure, and formalities for granting two loans to Mote Rosa mill, a subsidiary of the Sugar Unit of Pantaleón Group, dedicated to transforming sugar cane into sugars, honey, alcohols, and electricity. he IFC Loan consists of a short-term access to US$15,000,000.00, renewable annually for a period of 4 years, and a long-term loan of US$10,000,000.00 destined for working capital of the Monte Rosa Mill, as well as to the acquisition of machinery and equipment necessary for the mill´s operation.
- Bertha advised Grupo Bimbo in negotiations and obtaining the approval of the proposed transaction before the local antitrust regulator. Grupo Bimbo sells its confectionery business, Ricolino, to Mondelez for US$1329 million, whic is subject to local audits and inspection with regards of antritrust regulations. Arias prepared the legal and commercial documents to ensure the validity of the transaction within a antritrust local law perspective.
- Banking
- M&A
- Insurance
- Mining
- Banking
- Financial services
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Law Degree from the Autonomous University of Central America in San José, Costa Rica
- Authorized by the Supreme Court of Justice to practice as a Lawyer and Notary Public in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
- Master of Laws at Harvard Law School, Cambridge