Peru > Competition and antitrust > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Synonymous with competition and antitrust law in Peru, Bullard Falla Ezcurra Abogados is a regulatory boutique comprising lawyers and economists with standout expertise in this arena. Name partners Alfredo Bullard and Alejandro Falla are widely-known experts in the field and both are experienced arbitrators. Co-head of the practice Eduardo Quintana is a former member of both INDECOPI and telecoms regulator OSIPTEL. The firm advises on all matters concerning unfair competition, advertising and consumer protection, to name a few topics, and has a broad client base of domestic and international companies and regulatory bodies including: INDECOPI; OSIPTEL and the Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (OSINERGMIN). Senior associate Lucía Villarán joined the team from The World Bank.

Carlos Patrón at Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados is a leading figure in the field and directs an ‘excellent’ team of associates, of whom Julia Loret de Mola, David Kuroiwa and Giancarlo Baella stand out for their broad experience. The team acts for some of the country’s largest companies, such as Nexus Group, InRetail Perú Corp, Ford Peru and Banco de Crédito del Perú. Mandates include acting for Lima Gas in an INDECOPI investigation into horizontal price fixing and other coordinated practices in the domestic gas market; and representing Supermercados Peruanos on appeal before the consumer protection tribunal of INDECOPI regarding alleged pricing error practices.

Competition and IP boutique Diez Canseco Competencia & PI has successfully established itself since its 2016 opening, largely due to the talents of name partner Luis Diez Canseco, whose ‘experience and knowledge are unbelievable’. The five-lawyer team is ‘extremely knowledgeable’ with ‘nice people, so it is easy and pleasurable to work with them’. A rapidly expanding caseload includes representing gasoline chain PECSA, one of the main actors facing price fixing cartel sanctions imposed by INDECOPI, a case involving 60 companies and the largest such procedure in the regulator’s history.

Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International provides a ‘very high level of service in terms of business acumen, industry knowledge and appropriateness of advice’. It acts for some significant clients in matters ranging from alleged cartels, to price-fixing and unfair competition, for example. The firm is defending construction company Menorca Inversiones in an investigation into alleged misleading advertising in the real estate sector, a matter led by practice head Teresa Tovar, assisted by competition specialist associate Viviana Chávez.

Lazo, De Romaña & CMB Abogados boasts the talents of former INDECOPI commissioner Joselyn Olaechea, an ‘extraordinary professional’ who leads the practice together with senior associate Carlos Rojas, who also has in-house experience at INDECOPI. Capitalising on Olaechea’s network, the firm is expanding both its caseload and client roster – the team is assisting Facebook with ongoing compliance and Grupo Breca and Lima International Airports are new clients. Fernando Salhuana is experienced.

Miranda & Amado ‘possesses an in-depth knowledge of the local legal framework relating to antitrust issues’, particularly since the return of ‘great antitrust lawyer’ Enrique Felices from his government role, who brings ‘additional credibility with clients’ and provides a ‘boost to an otherwise young and dynamic team’. He joins head of department Luis Vinatea. A stellar client list includes Philip Morris International and Toyota del Perú, which the firm advise on daily matters, and Telefónica del Perú, which it is representing in an abuse of dominant position complaint. The team endured four non-partner level departures to in-house roles, including highly-rated counsel Alfonso Rivera.

‘Top legal adviser’ Muñiz, Olaya, Meléndez, Castro, Ono & Herrera Abogados has a strong track-record in a broad range of advisory and litigious competition and antitrust matters. The ‘outstanding’ team of associates, led by senior partner Pierino Stucchi, acts for household-name international companies including Bayer, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Abbot Laboratories. It successfully represented Trans American Airlines in an unfair competition complaint brought by the Peruvian Association of Air Companies. Senior associate José Antonio Bezada is a key lawyer of the practice.

Estudio Olaechea ‘adds value to my business’, says a client, while others highlight the ‘fast response’ and ‘very friendly and open’ lawyers. The team attracts some significant cases as a result, for example, representing Latin American shipping-major Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores (CSAV) in proceedings against six shipping companies alleging collusive practices in the international transport of rolling cargo. Team head Martín Serkovic is ‘excellent’ and his ‘knowledge and negotiation skills are an asset’. Senior associate Mariela Ángeles is ‘efficient’ and gives ‘outstanding advice’.

Full-service heavyweight Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano – Abogados brings valuable antitrust capability to its premium client base – particularly in the power industry – with a capable team under the direction of Verónica Sattler. The practice is representing a group of electricity companies regarding merger control restrictions – the power industry is the only sector in Peru subject to merger control. Pharmaceutical Química Suiza, Solgas and Goodyear are clients.

CMS Grau offers a sector-focused approach and represents some key clients in a variety of matters, including Unilever Andina Perú and Panama’a flag carrier, Copa Airlines. The team has notable expertise in advertising and consumer issues and is advising KLM on a consumer matter relating to ticketing. María Delia Oxley leads a trio of associates, of which Sandra Chicoma stands out for her experience.

Hernández & Cía. Abogados provides advertising, unfair competition, regulatory and antitrust advice to an enviable roster of clients, including Procter & Gamble, Backus-AB Inbev (Peru’s largest brewery), telecom group Bitel and Scotiabank. It was the firm of choice when the China Latin America Investment Fund sought to compile a comprehensive report on antitrust law in Peru; and continues to represent CORSERSAC in INDECOPI’s landmark price-fixing investigation into the gas industry. Enrique Cavero heads the team.

‘Very good’ León e Iparraguirre Abogados has amassed an extensive client base since opening this competition and IP boutique. Name partners Luis Miguel León and Gianfranco Iparraguirre have many years’ experience between them and act for: Backus-AB Inbev following a competitive tender; BBVA Banco Continental, on consumer protection matters; and global consultancy Marsh. Mandates include representing LATAM Airlines in unfair competition cases against other airlines.

The small but expert Lesem Complaw enters the ranking due to the ‘experience and mastery’ of competition law provided by sole practitioner Eliana Lesem. The former head of the tribunal at INDECOPI is ‘one of the best lawyers in the field’ and clients appreciate her commitment, personal attention, and ‘clear and explicit’ advice. Her loyal following includes Colgate Palmolive and Compañía Nacional de Chocolates de Perú, for example.

‘Extraordinary lawyer’ Jessica Hondermann Gómez, a senior associate, heads the practice at Martinot Abogados and has ‘great knowledge of issues of consumer, competition and antitrust’. The firm handles advisory and litigious matters for companies from a range of sectors, such as cocoa agent Compañía Nacional de Chocolates de Perú, casino Egasa Peru and insurance broker Contacto Corredores de Seguros. The team is ‘very efficient and proactive in customer service’.