García Hellebuyck Abogados
DR. DAVID ALEJANDRO GARCÍA HELLEBUYCK

DR. DAVID ALEJANDRO GARCÍA HELLEBUYCK

PARTNER

Chamber Ranked in Global 2026
Chamber Ranked in Latin America 2026
Chamber Ranked in Global 2026
Chamber Ranked in Global 2026
Attorney specializing in Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Procedural Law, and Arbitration.

Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public with more than fifteen years of experience in the field of Private Law. I worked for seven years in the Courts of Second Instance, where I gained significant experience related to judicial disputes arising in the commercial sphere. I later worked in the private sector as Director of the Litigation and Arbitration Department at the firm Torres Legal.

At present, I devote my legal practice to the area of Commercial Law, both from a corporate and business perspective and in the litigation of judicial and arbitral proceedings at García Hellebuyck Abogados.

In the academic field, I hold a Doctorate in Private Law from Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado in partnership with the Autonomous University of Barcelona; likewise, I hold a Master’s Degree in Corporate Law from Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (UCA), another in Intellectual Property and New Technologies Law from the International University of La Rioja, Spain, and a further Master’s Degree in Business Law from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

I have extensive judicial experience acquired during my several years in the Judiciary, where I served as a legal clerk and acting secretary to the Courts of Second Instance, handling, in such capacity as a judicial officer, various complex disputes in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Commercial Law, and other areas. In addition, I have served as a speaker, panelist, and professor in Commercial Law (corporate law and contracts), Civil Procedural Law, and Arbitration.

Former President of the Salvadoran Chapter of the Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club (CEIA). I currently serve as a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in London, United Kingdom, as well as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Latin American Arbitration Association (ALARB). I am also an authorized arbitrator at various Arbitration Centers in Mexico and Central America.

Professional background
  • PARTNER at the law firm GH Abogados, S.A. de C.V. (2018–present) (ghabogados.com.sv)
  • DIRECTOR of the Litigation and Arbitration Department as an associate attorney at the law firm Torres Legal. (2016-2018) (torres.legal/)
  • JUDICIAL CLERK AND ACTING CLERK at the First Civil Chamber of the First Section of the San Salvador District Court within the Judiciary. (2014-2016) (csj.gob.sv)
  • JUDICIAL CLERK in the Third Section of the San Vicente District Court within the Judicial Branch. (2010-2014) (csj.gob.sv)
Experience in Corporate Practice
In the private sector, I have advised clients in the transportation, logistics, retail, services, food, agriculture, fertilizer, industrial equipment, automotive, pharmaceutical, and construction industries on commercial, corporate, contractual, municipal, administrative, intellectual property, health registration, and litigation prevention matters.
Experience in legal litigation
In the private sector, I have handled civil litigation involving property rights, statutes of limitations, easements, inheritance, property claims, the invalidity of legal instruments and acts, and the rendering of accounts, as well as matters of contractual and tort liability.

In commercial matters, I have successfully represented clients in litigation related to distribution contracts, transportation, surety bonds, insurance, maritime law, intellectual property rights, shareholder disputes, business acquisitions, contracts, and claims for damages, within the agriculture, fertilizer, industrial equipment, pharmaceutical, and construction industries, securing the adoption of injunctive relief and favorable damages awards for the clients I have represented.

I have also participated in administrative litigation challenging the legality of administrative acts that have caused harm to companies in various sectors, such as electronic money providers, insurers, commercial enterprises, and companies in the telecommunications sector.

Arbitration Experience

I have participated in domestic and international arbitrations, under ad hoc rules and institutional rules, as counsel, arbitrator, and secretary to arbitral tribunals. I have also participated as local country counsel in investment arbitrations before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington, D.C.; in addition, I have handled annulment actions against awards in domestic and international commercial arbitrations. A summary of the cases is as follows

ICSID:

  1. 2022: Type of Proceeding: ICSID Case No. ARB/21/46. Type of Dispute: Investment Arbitration between HSBC Latin American Holdings (UK) Limited v. Republic of El Salvador. Role: Local counsel for the international firms Laborde Law and Arbitraje y Litigio Iberoamericano S.C., on Salvadoran law.

Arbitrator:

  1. 2024: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-03-2023 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of contract. (Chair of the Arbitral Tribunal). The award became final because the appeal was dismissed by the Third Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 127-ALA-24, thereby ensuring its enforceability and finality.
  2. 2023: Type of Proceeding: International ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Type of Dispute: Breach of Contract concerning the remodeling of the International Airport against an autonomous public works institution.
  3. 2022: Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-10-2021 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of a pharmaceutical distribution agreement.
  4. 2020: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-01-2020 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of lease agreement. The award was confirmed on appeal before the First Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 1-APL-2021.
  5. 2020: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Type of Dispute: Breach of an LACAP Contract against a Municipality. The award was confirmed upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the Second Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 2-RNLA-2020, thereby ensuring its enforceability and finality.

Secretary:

  1. 2025. Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Type of Dispute: Breach of construction contract.
  2. 2024. Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-03-2021 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of concession agreement under LACAP by a Municipality. The award was confirmed upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the First Administrative Litigation Chamber under Ref. 1-NLA-2025, thereby ensuring its enforceability and finality.
  3. 2024. Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration in Equity, reference: AI-01-2023 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: shareholder dispute and compensation for damages.
  4. 2023: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Type of Dispute: Breach of an LACAP Contract against a Municipality.
  5. 2022. Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-01-2022 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of construction contract.
  6. 2022. Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-08-2021 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of contract.
  7. 2022. Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-07-2021 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of contract.
  8. 2021. Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-05-2021 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of contract. The award was annulled upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the Second Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 1-RNLA-21.
  9. 2021. Type of Proceeding: International ad hoc Arbitration in Equity (“dispute board”). Type of Dispute: Breach of construction contract.
  10. 2021. Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-03-2020 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of contract.
  11. 2021: Type of Proceeding: **Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-02-2020 (CAMARASAL). Type of Dispute: Breach of Construction contract.
  12. 2019: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Type of Dispute: Breach of an LACAP Contract against a Municipality. The award was confirmed upon completion of the appeal proceeding before the Administrative Litigation Chamber under Ref. 1-APL-2020, thereby ensuring its enforceability and finality.
  13. 2019: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Type of Dispute: Individual action for proprietary liability against the directors of a company and compensation for damages.

Party Counsel:

  1. 2025: Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration at Law before the Conciliation and Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT) under EXP. 9-A-2026 and CODE: RE-CCA-53. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Termination of distribution agreement and compensation for damages for non-renewal of the agreement.
  2. 2026: Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration at Law before the Conciliation and Arbitration Center of Panama (CeCAP). Procedural Position: Respondent. Type of Dispute: Breach of financial contract and startup financing agreement.
  3. 2025: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of an LACAP Contract against a Municipality due to non-payment for municipal fee collection services.
  4. 2025: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Corporate dispute between shareholder and company challenging a corporate resolution through an opposition action, and seeking approval of shareholder exit at the real value of the contributions and payment of default interest.
  5. 2024: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration in Equity, reference: AI-03-24 (CAMARASAL). Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of promise-to-sell agreement. The award was confirmed upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the Second Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 4-RNLA-2024, thereby ensuring its enforceability.
  6. 2024: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Corporate dispute between shareholder and company regarding shareholder exit at the book value of the shares and compensation for damages. The award was confirmed upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the Second Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 2-RNLA-25.
  7. 2023: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Corporate dispute between shareholder and company concerning unpaid dividends.
  8. 2022: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Corporate dispute between shareholders of a company, claim for lost income, and compensation for damages.
  9. 2020: Type of Proceeding: Ad hoc Arbitration at Law. Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of construction contract for earthworks at a photovoltaic plant.
  10. 2018: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-03-18 (CAMARASAL). Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of electrical works supervision contract. The award became final because the appeal was dismissed by the First Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 1-APLA-2019.
  11. 2018: Type of Proceeding: International Institutional Arbitration at Law before the Conciliation and Arbitration Center of Panama (CeCAP). Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement arising from a share purchase agreement.
  12. 2018: Type of Proceeding: International ad hoc Arbitration in Equity. Procedural Position: Respondent. Type of Dispute: Breach of representations and warranties within the framework of a business acquisition agreement. The award was confirmed upon completion of the annulment proceeding before the Third Civil Chamber of the First Judicial District of the Central Region under Ref. 196-LN-18, thereby ensuring its finality.
  13. 2018: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-02-18 (CAMARASAL). Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of construction contract.
  14. 2017: Type of Proceeding: Institutional Arbitration at Law, reference: AI-01-17 (CAMARASAL). Procedural Position: Claimant. Type of Dispute: Breach of lease agreemen.
Higher Education
  • DOCTORATE IN PRIVATE LAW, Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado in partnership with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (2021)
    • Doctoral Thesis: Commercial Arbitration by Technological Means (SUMMA CUM LAUDE – unanimous grade of 10 awarded by the five members of the examining committee).
  • MASTER’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS LAW, Autonomous University of Barcelona (2018-2020)
    • Research Dissertation: Arbitral proceedings conducted by technological means from the perspective of the Salvadoran legal system.
  • MASTER’S DEGREE IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES LAW, International University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain. (2016-2017)
    • Research Thesis: Acts of unfair competition in trademark law. Guidelines for a legislative update in El Salvador based on the European system.
  • MASTER IN CORPORATE LAW from Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas”, UCA. (2012-2014)
    • Research Thesis: Judicial treatment of breach of representations and warranties in business acquisitions: an analysis from the standpoint of Salvadoran legislation and case law. (CUM LAUDE – grade of 9.3 awarded by the examining committee).
  • INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM IN LAW, ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS awarded by the Instituto Superior de Economía y Administración de Empresas (ISEADE-FEPADE) and the Escuela Superior de Economía y Administración de Empresas ESEADE of Argentina. (2015)
  • LAW DEGREE (LICENCIADO EN CIENCIAS JURÍDICAS) from the University of El Salvador. (2005-2011)
Other Diplomas, Workshops and Courses
  • Book: “Recopilación jurisprudencial en materia de arbitraje”, ISBN: 978-99961-2-890-5, Mega Editorial, 2024.
  • Book: “Arbitraje por medios tecnológicos”, ISBN: 978-99983-60-05-1, Publishing House of the Evangelical University of El Salvador (UEES), 2023.
  • Article: “Problemas y retos para la ejecución de laudos arbitrales electrónicos con relación al artículo IV.1 CNY 1958” in CHIPANA CATALÁN, Jhoel and DUARTE LAU, Mauricio (Dirs.), Arbitraje y Nuevas Tecnologías, ISBN: 978-612-4887-6-0, Themis Editorial Jurídica, Lima, 2021, pp. 187-2016.
  • Book: “Manifestaciones y Garantías en Contratos de Compraventa de Empresas: Remedios Contractuales en la Legislación Salvadoreña”, ISBN: 978-620-2-47999-8, Dictus Publishing, 2018.
  • Article: Virtual Hearings in Arbitration: A New Post-COVID-19 Reality?, in Revista Ley, Derecho y Jurisprudencia of the Faculty of Law of the Technological University of El Salvador, No. 22, 2020, pp. 114–125.
Bibliographic and academic production
  • Article: “Problems and challenges for the enforcement of electronic arbitration awards in relation to Article IV.1 CNY 1958” in CHIPANA CATALÁN, Jhoel and DUARTE LAU, Mauricio (Eds.) Arbitration and New Technologies, ISBN: 978-612-4887-6-0, Themis Editorial Jurídica, Lima, 2021, pp. 187-2016.
  • Book: “Representations and Warranties in Business Sale Agreements: Contractual Remedies in Salvadoran Law,” ISBN: 978-620-2-47999-8, Dictus Publishing, 2018.
  • Article: Virtual Hearings in Arbitration: A New Reality Post-COVID-19?, in Law, Law, and Jurisprudence Magazine of the Law School of the Technological University of El Salvador, No. 22, 2020, pp. 114-125.
  • Article: “Pre-contractual duties of information” in Revista de Derecho Privado y Social (Journal of Private and Social Law) of the National Council of the Judiciary, No. 3, 2018, pp. 67-73.
Participation as Arbitrator in International Arbitration Competitions – Moot
  • Arbitrator (judge) in the semifinals of the II Inter-University Arbitration Competition (Moot ICC Costa Rica) – 2022.
  • Arbitrator (judge) in the semifinals of the Inter-University International Arbitration Competition – Moot Mexico 2021–2022 of the Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM).
  • Arbitrator (judge) in the preliminary rounds of the I Inter-University Arbitration Competition (Moot ICC Costa Rica) – 2021.
  • Arbitrator (judge) in the semifinals of the XVIII Inter-University International Arbitration Competition – Moot Mexico of the Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM) – 2020.
Teaching Experience
  • Professor of Commercial Contracts and Obligations and Commercial Arbitration in the Master’s Program in Corporate Law at the Evangelical University of El Salvador (2022–present).
  • Professor of Commercial Arbitration in the Master’s Program in Business Law at Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas – UCA (2024–present).
  • Professor of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods at Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas – UCA (2021).
  • Professor of Commercial Law and Civil Procedural Law at the Evangelical University of El Salvador (2014–2016)
Nominations
  • “45 de 45”** youngest lawyers with the greatest impact and projection nationwide, by Derecho y Negocios (D&N) magazine – year 2023
  • “Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration Firm” winners at the awards ceremony of Derecho y Negocios (D&N) magazine – year 2023
Consultancies
  • Consultant and member of the Commission for the drafting and implementation of the “New Arbitration Rules” of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (2023–2024)
  • Consultant and proposing member of the “Commercial Arbitration Law” submitted to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, according to ordinary plenary session No. 50 of March 29, 2022, referred to the Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Committee for review
Memberships
  • Member of the roster of authorized arbitrators of the Mediation and Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (CAMARASAL), registered with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of El Salvador (from 2021 to date) https://mediacionyarbitraje.com.sv/
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the First, Second and Third Civil Chambers of the First Judicial District of the Central Region of San Salvador (from 2019 to date)
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the Arbitration and Conciliation Center of the Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala (CENAC) since 2026. https://www.cenac.com.gt/
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the Conflict Resolution Commission of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CRECIG) since 2021. https://crecig.com.gt/
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM) since 2020. www.camex.com.mx
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the Mediation and Arbitration Center of the National Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City (CANACO) since 2021. https://www.arbitrajecanaco.com.mx/es/
  • Member of the roster of arbitrators of the International Conciliation and Arbitration Center (CICA) of Costa Rica since 2024. https://cicacr.org/arbitros-y-conciliadores/
  • Former President of the Salvadoran Chapter of the Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club for the period 2023–2024. Previously Vice President for the period 2021–2022 and Secretary for the period 2018–2020. https://www.clubarbitraje.com/socios/miembros/
  • Member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC – Paris) from 2022 to the present.
  • “Member” (MCIArb): Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London – United Kingdom) from 2021 to the present. https://www.ciarb.org/
  • Member of the International Bar Association (IBA), in the Latin America Forum, being part of the Arbitration Committee, since 2018. https://www.ibanet.org/MySite/Profile/View.aspx
  • Member of the Latin American Arbitration Association – ALARB Next Generation since 2023. https://alarb.org/
  • Coordinator for El Salvador of the Ibero-American Institute of Corporate Law. https://www.linkedin.com/in/iideweb/
  • Member of The Dispute Resolution Board Foundation since 2024. https://drbf.memberclicks.net
  • Member of the Center for Legal Studies (CEJ) since 2015.
  • Former President of Young Arbitrator’s El Salvador (YAES) (2018–2020).
I AM PART OF THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Centro de Arbitraje y Conciliación de la Cámara de Comercio de Guatemala (CENAC)
Comisión de Resolución de Conflictos de la Cámara de Industria de Guatemala
Centro De Arbitraje de México
Cámara Nacional de Comercio de la Ciudad de México (CANACO)
Centro Internacional de Conciliación y Arbitraje (CICA)
Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje – ALARB
International Chamber of Commerce
The Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
Club Español e Iberoamericano del Arbitraje
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Instituto Iberoamericano del Derecho de Empresa