The Legal 500

Carey's ‘very knowledgeable and precise' labour practice stands out as a real international team able to advise clients worldwide in a very country-specific area of the law. Its capability spans social security, restructuring, due diligence and discrimination matters, while the team has also developed an expertise in specialised areas of employment law such as that applicable to international airlines. The practice's sub-division devoted full time to immigration issues attracts a large number of clients to the firm. Highly regarded Oscar Aitken and Paulina Miranda co-head a dozen-strong team which, in recent work highlights, has advised a major international airline on a collective bargaining process; a large European insurance and finance company on the sale of its Chilean subsidiaries; and acted for the employer in one of the country's first wrongful dismissal cases involving non-compete covenants.

'Strong leader' Enrique Munita's labour department at Philippi, Yrarrázaval, Pulido & Brunner is ‘the best, hands down'. ‘Its long track-record in the market, its seriousness and the number of committed lawyers available for each matter' attracts a wide range of international clients from the banking, IT, telecom, pharmaceutical, mining, retail and automotive sectors. The practice handles the full range of labour and employment issues and gets a ‘10 out of 10 in all respects, with a special mention for its timely responses'. Munita is praised for his ‘deep and sound knowledge of human resources and labour matters and his special ability to capture the relevant aspect of any issue'. He advises on the labour aspects of transactions and in collective bargaining processes, as well as pension and benefits, all ‘without compromise for nuances or hidden traps'; he also represents clients in employment litigation. The firm's expertise is often sought in relation to amendments to the country's labour and employment legislation by trade associations and governmental authorities. It is the sole Chilean member of global network Ius Laboris.

Uribe, Hubner & Canales is very well regarded for its employment practice by peers and clients alike and assists names such as retail giant Cencosud, American Express Bank and McDonald's Chile. It is a serious competitor for its larger rivals, a position confirmed by the reputation it has won in the market. The firm advises on the full range of labour and employment matters, including collective bargaining, human resources, compensation and pensions, and its lawyers are seen defending their clients' interests in court on a daily basis. Enrique Uribe Casasbellas, who is an advisor to the labour committees of the Chilean Construction Chamber and the Confederation for Production and Commerce, is a leading practitioner in the field.

Baker & McKenzie's labour practice is flourishing under the direction of Ignacio García, coordinator of the firm's labour and employment practice group. The team advises local and international companies on employment contracts, collective bargaining negotiations, visas and immigration, and internal labour-related policies. It has been particularly busy representing clients in employment litigation proceedings. ‘Efficient and highly knowledgeable' senior associate Nancy Ibaceta wins unanimous praise for her ‘excellent experience in both sophisticated and simple matters'.

Ricardo Tisi heads the ‘very complete' team at Cariola Diez Perez-Cotapos y Cia, which displays ‘creativity, broad technical knowledge and adaptability to its clients' particular requirements'. Reflecting this breadth of expertise, recent highlights include advising Unilever and IT Blue on general labour matters, including assistance on specific issues related to the situation of expatriate executives; acting for Banco Ripley on a process of collective bargaining as well as with its general labour matters including contracts, release agreements and conditions of employment; assisting SGS Chile on the review of labour contingencies and the preparation of a due diligence report; and advising football team Blanco y Negro on the drafting of the players' employment contracts.

Boutique labour specialist firm Luis Lizama Portal & Cía. Abogados has been in the market for ten years and managing partner Luis Lizama is considered ‘the main and most complete advisor in the area of collective bargaining processes in Chile'. Clients praise his ‘vast knowledge and experience' as well as his ‘result-oriented service and good business judge ment'. The eight-lawyer team is adept at collective bargaining, corporate restructuring, general employment matters and litigation while it also provides advice on regulatory frameworks. It applies its expertise to a variety of industries (including mining, telecoms, construction, transport, tourism and financial services), and its client list includes high-calibre companies such as Movistar, DHL Supply Chain and Codelco. In 2011 it successfully advised Banco de Chile in a collective bargaining process with three of its labour unions. Labour litigation specialist Samuel Soto is also recommended.

The variety of instructions received by Barros & Errázuriz in 2011 is indicative of the strength of Luis Eduardo Toro's practice: an occupational illness claim worth $1m; several collective bargaining processes, including one for Empresa de Correos de Chile involving around 5,000 workers; and the labour aspects of the due diligence process preceding Sigdo Koopers' acquisition of the Magotteaux Group. Clients praise the team's ‘fast and technically solid advice and its very up-to-date knowledge'.

Christian Alvarado heads the team at Grasty Quintana Majlis & Cia., which acts on behalf of employers in collective negotiation processes and tribunal cases, including early contract-terminations and sub contractual disputes. Recent instructions have included acting for Oracle Chile on a staff-dismissal case following its merger with a local company, and assisting Oracle Financial Services Software Chile with a range of labour matters in relation to the implementation of its operations in Chile. The team also assists the firm's corporate department in due diligence processes in relation to acquisitions and joint ventures.

Labour is a core practice at Estudio Jurídico Otero and the team's experience ranges from litigation proceedings to administrative claims. It also advises large local and international clients on non-contentious matters. It is the only Chilean member of the Employment Law Alliance. Gerardo Otero is recommended.

Prieto y Cia is a strong choice for labour-related litigation, an area in which the team has been especially busy in 2011, representing organisations throughout the country. The ‘experienced and professional' team advises a high-profile corporate client-base on advisory, contentious, restructuring and transaction-related matters and is praised for its ‘efficiency and good legal judgement'. Clients include companies such as Sodexho Chile, LAN Airlines and Antofagasta Minerals. Recently appointed partner, practice head Christian von Bergen is recommended.

The team at Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr advises banks and financial institutions, retail, construction, engineering and manufacturing companies as well as a growing mining client base on general labour and social security matters. Notable instructions in 2011 included advising General Electric on a number of issues including salaries and benefits, internal policies and regulations, taxation and representing the company in litigation proceedings brought by employees. Other representative clients include Sony Chile, General Motors and Thomson Reuters Latam Trading. Alberto Rencoret heads the four-lawyer practice.