Melanie Avea is Senior Associate at BLP in Guatemala City, has over 12 years’ experience in the legal field. She specializes in Intellectual Property, advising national and multinational companies on registration, protection, and defense of their Intellectual Property rights. She has extensive experience managing trademark portfolios, patents, and copyrights in Central America. Additionally, Melanie has experience negotiating and drafting industrial and intellectual property contracts and providing regulatory advice on sanitary registration of products. She also directed the firm’s Notary and Registry in Guatemala. Melanie joined BLP as an Associate in 2022. Currently, she works in the ??Intelligence and Business Development department.

Education
Law degree, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala, 2011.

Significant Accomplishments
BLP advised H&M a Swedish multinational chain of fashion on trademark filing, prosecution, and enforcement for the assets of H & M HENNES & MAURITZ AB in Guatemala. 
Trademark portfolio management for BMI FINANCIAL GROUP. BLP was retained to provide trademark advice and trademark portfolio management. In this multi-jurisdiction matter, the BLP Guatemalan office coordinated all portfolio strategies..
BLP advised Meta platforms with high-level advice in relation to a new Instagram function launched in El Salvador and Guatemala.   
BLP advised Astellas Pharma Inc. on industrial property matters, and we oversee their portfolio of invention patents. 
Total Leasing FINCO, S.R.L. BLP has advised the Costa Rican company during due diligence by conducting a legal review of the Guatemalan Company in a comprehensive due diligence report addressing all relevant matters before investment.

Professional Associations

• Guatemalan Bar and Notaries Association (CANG)
• International Bar Association: Member