Chile > Labour and employment > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Carey has vast experience in assisting national and multinational companies with their hiring processes, compensation packages, terminations, labour auditing and subcontracting. Other areas of strength include corporate policies, labour law due diligence during M&A deals, internal investigations, and employee taxation. The firm also regularly advises on collective bargaining processes and labour law litigation. It acted for packaging solutions group Amcor Flexibles in the labour law due diligence surrounding the acquisition of Alusa, the largest flexible packaging business in South America; and it advised a global mining contractor in two trials, regarding anti-union practices and wrongful termination litigation. Oscar Aitken ‘has excellent insight into the labour law authorities’; and Francisca Corti was made partner.

Boutique labour law firm Munita & Olavarría is recommended for its advice to national and multinational companies on their hiring processes, compensation benefits and pension plans, and labour law auditing. The team also assists with compliance issues, corporate policies, subcontracting, workforce reductions and company restructurings, as well as work-related illnesses and accidents, work permits and visas, complex employment litigation and collective bargaining processes. The firm is a member of Ius Laboris, an international alliance of law firms which specialise in labour and employment law, pensions and social benefits. Vice-president of the Employment Lawyers Association of Chile Enrique Munita is recommended for labour law litigation and social security legal services, as well as the contractual and corporate issues regarding individual and collective labour law. Cristián Olavarría, Paola Casorzo, José Luis de Marchena and Marcela Salazar are also highly rated.

Labour law is undoubtedly Uribe, Hubner & Canales’ forté. The practice’s scope of advice covers all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, and its employment lawyers litigate on a regular basis before the courts. Alfonso Canales has ‘a very strong reputation’ in the market, and is highly rated for strategic human resource planning, collective bargaining and labour law litigation; and Enrique Uribe is a permanent adviser to the labour committees of the Chilean Construction Chamber and the Confederation of Production and Trade. Marcelo Soto is recommended for his experience in corporate employment law and collective bargaining; and Sebastián Parga has vast expertise in advising companies on individual and collective labour law.

The practice at Barros & Errázuriz covers collective bargaining issues, the defence of labour law claims and due diligence during M&A deals. Other key areas for the group include executive contracts in relation to corporate acquisition and sales processes, and corporate advice on individual labour and social security legislation. The team acted for Hewlett-Packard in a collective bargaining process. Juan Cristóbal Iturrate is highly rated.

CMS Carey & Allende is particularly focused on advising mining sector-related companies on collective bargaining negotiations, and the team is experienced in assisting clients with visas and foreign employees’ immigration requirements. The practice also has a robust employment litigation practice; advises on M&A-related labour law issues; and prepares and reviews labour contracts. The team successfully assisted Unilever Chile with several collective bargaining processes. Enzo Canales is ‘recommended for his commitment to clients’ and ‘ability to create strong relationships’.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is best known for its expertise in collective bargaining, immigration and the labour law issues of company restructurings. The practice is also recommended for its experience in compensation packages, stock-option plans and labour benefit-related tax issues; and it has specific sector expertise in retail, mining, IT, consumer product manufacturing and technology. The team acted for Automatic Data Processing in a collective bargaining process; it also assists Ripley on a daily basis. Ricardo Tisi is recommended.

Grasty Quintana Majlis & Cia.’s practice was recently active in collective bargaining negotiations, including relations between companies and unions; complex labour law litigation; and employee hiring and termination issues, workplace health and safety, and immigration matters. The team acted for Parque Arauco in labour-related disputes, as well as on stock-option issues. Christian Alvarado is the key contact.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría significantly grew its practice through the hire of Paulina Miranda from boutique labour and employment law firm, PMV Abogados. The scope of the firm’s expertise includes due diligence and internal employment audits; hiring and termination of employees; HR company policies; and restrictive covenants, subcontracting and outsourcing. Other key areas include employment-related taxation and compensation packages, collective bargaining processes, union relations, and labour litigation. The team acted for GNL Mejillones on employment law matters, including union relations and compliance policies. Jaime Salinas Toledo heads the labour litigation and collective labour law practice.

BAZ|DLA Piper is recommended for its experience in collective bargaining; compensation structures, incentives and stock option plans; complex litigation cases, such as labour accidents, anti-union and human rights claims against employers; and workforce restructurings. The practice also assists with internal discrimination and harassment investigation claims; due diligence during M&A deals; and executives’ expatriation processes. The team successfully acted for Somacor in a complex collective bargaining process; and defended Komatsu Cummins against an anti-union claim. Other highlights saw the team represent Skout in the termination of operations in Chile, which involved the termination of employment agreements. Luis Parada is recommended.

Luis Lizama Portal & Cía. Abogados has a strong name for its experience in collective bargaining matters, labour law-related compensation, and the labour and employment law aspects of corporate restructurings. Other areas of strength include labour law litigation, and the firm fields practitioners with specific sector experience in manufacturing, energy, mining, construction and agriculture. Luis Lizama is the key name.

Noguera, Larrain & Dulanto (NLD) is recommended for both labour law advisory assistance and labour and employment-related litigation. The team acted for Finning Chile, a machinery sales company, in a significant case involving collective bargaining. Ramón Domínguez is highly rated.

Morales & Besa’s ‘lawyers efficiently integrate both commercial and legal matters’. The team recently advised on labour law disputes, collective bargaining matters and ongoing labour law and immigration matters. Highlights saw the team successfully advise Bredenmaster on a collective bargaining agreement with two unions. Fernando Arab is ‘very precise and always available’.

Porzio Ríos García’s expertise includes compliance work; collective bargaining and union relations; individual and collective contracts; and unfair dismissal litigation. The team is also recommended for health and safety regulations; employee benefits; social security and pension law; immigration law; and executive transfers. It acted for a multinational company in internal misconduct and sexual harassment claim investigations. Ignacio García and senior associate Fernando Villalobos are recommended.

Prieto’s team regularly defends the firm’s clients in labour litigation matters and assists with collective bargaining procedures; it is also recognised for labour-related corporate advice. Active clients of the practice include Engie Energía Chile, Sodexo Chile, Plaza and Yamana Gold. Christian von Bergen and senior associate Cristóbal Raby are the key advisers.

Allende Bascuñán y Compañía Limitada’s team has particular sector expertise in mining, agriculture, science, aviation, and construction. It assisted Philips Chilena with its restructuring, which involved modifications to individual and collective contracts. Andrés Garrido is highly rated.

Aninat Schwencke & Cia’s Rodrigo Ugarte is well known for individual and collective labour relations, corporations’ labour matters and labour law disputes. The team successfully defended Synapsis against an alleged breach of collective contract claim, regarding a performance bonus.

Baker McKenzie Chile is well known for cross-border executive transfers and multinational company employment matters; the practice also distinguishes itself through its labour law-related mining sector expertise. Andres Valdes led the defence of Trane de Chile against an employee’s work accident damages claim.

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana is experienced in collective bargaining matters, expatriate issues and immigration procedures; and the team regularly acts before the labour courts. The firm also fields lawyers with sector experience in construction, retail, mining, services, education and healthcare. It successfully defended Nephrocare Chile against a complex unfair dismissal claim. Alejandro Álvarez is recommended.

Fontaine & Cía is focused on individual employment contracts and social security benefits, as well as collective bargaining processes, including company relations with unions. The team is also recommended for labour law litigation, and its lawyers are especially active in the construction, insurance and healthcare sectors. Diego Marín is highly rated.

Guerrero Olivos recently absorbed boutique law firm Estudio García de la Pastora, which was well known for labour law. The practice acts for Universidad Finis Terrae, one of Chile’s most prestigious private universities, on day-to-day labour matters, particularly regarding collective bargaining. Roberto Guerrero del Río is a key partner who is ‘highly experienced’; and senior associate Santiago Doña is recommended for labour disputes, due diligence procedures and collective bargaining.

Larrain y Asociados fields lawyers who are experienced in the preparation of individual and collective labour contracts; developing complex compensation systems; terminating labour relations; collective negotiations; and union relations. The team also regularly represents its clients before the labour courts. Andrés Silva is the key adviser.

Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr is experienced in collective bargaining, M&A-related labour matters, immigration issues and disputes involving terminations, subcontracting and work accidents. The team advised International Paper Cartones on a collective bargaining process. Alberto Rencoret is recommended.