Emanuel Retana
Consultant
Emanuel Retana has a solid track record in international arbitration. His practice encompasses the resolution of commercial and investment disputes, with a strategic focus on Latin America. He has represented multinational companies in sectors such as energy, mining, oil & gas, infrastructure, distribution, and financial services, among others. His professional practice in international arbitration is complemented by his experience in constitutional law and litigation.
In addition to his professional practice, Emanuel has actively contributed to the academic training of new lawyers as a university lecturer and coach in international arbitration competitions. Likewise, he has promoted the development of arbitration in Latin America through professional networks such as CEIA, GYA, Young ICCA, and others.
Recognition
• 2nd place in the Arbitration and Mediation Essay Contest by FLACSO.
• Sciences Po Scholar.
Representative Experience
• A multinational pharmaceutical company in a dispute arising from the termination of a vaccine distribution contract (US$175M)
• A multinational beverage company in several disputes with various distributors over the termination of distribution contracts, also providing compliance advice to mitigate risks in the drafting of new contracts
• A regional financial group in a dispute arising from insurance coverage under an LMA terrorism and sabotage policy in a hydroelectric project affected by social unrest (US$23M)
• A sovereign state in constitutional and administrative law matters related to the electricity sub-sector and energy transportation
• A multinational company in the oil & gas sector in several multi-party/multi-contract disputes arising from the operation and management of service stations
• A regional financial group in a dispute related to the collection of insurance coverage from international insurers/reinsurers under a bankers’ policy for criminal/dishonest activities by senior employees
• A telecommunications company in a dispute against a public entity arising from the sale and installation of a weather radar
• An international infrastructure company in a dispute against a public entity arising from road construction works under FIDIC contracts
• A public port services company in a dispute related to crane services at the terminal and the scope of exclusivity obligations (US$55M)
• A multinational food and beverage company in an arbitration related to the provision of transportation and logistics services
Speaking Engagements
• “Problemáticas Actuales en la Ejecución de Laudos Arbitrales”, virtual (2024)
• CEIA Capítulo Guatemalteco, “Arbitraje Bajo el Mecanismo de Solución de Controversias Comerciales entre Centroamérica”, Guatemala (2023)
• CENAC, “Capacitación Profesional para Abogados de la Procuraduría General de la Nación”, Guatemala (2023)
• Guatemalan Young Arbitrators -GYA-, “Third Party Funding en la Realidad Latinoamericana”, Guatemala (2022)
• Guatemalan Young Arbitrators -GYA-, “El Tribunal Arbitral”, virtual (2020).
Selected Publications
• El impacto de los Moot Courts en la formación profesional: Una experiencia cercana, in L. Badilla (ed.), Arbitraje y Mediación “Saberes y Conocimientos”, FLACSO (2024)
• Algunas consideraciones en relación con la prueba testimonial en arbitraje internacional, Arbanza (with Lorena Solari e Ignacio Arroyo) (2022)
• Ley aplicable al acuerdo arbitral, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala (2021)
• Tribunal Split in Guatemala Case: Uncertain Recidivisim or Present Breach?, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (with Rocío Monzón) (2020)
• Fighting COVID-19 Guerilla Tactics in Arbitration, The Treaty Examiner (2020)
Admissions
Emanuel is admitted to practice law in Guatemala.
Education
Emanuel is a cum laude law graduate from Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala and holds an LL.M. in Transnational Arbitration and Dispute Settlement from Sciences Po, Paris, where he was a scholar.
Languages: English, Spanish, French.