Barros & Errázuriz > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Barros & Errázuriz > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 1

The large, specialised banking and finance team at Barros & Errázuriz has evolved from being primarily borrower-focused to representing predominantly lenders, as it does today, while maintaining an active borrower-facing practice. It particularly stands out for its energy and infrastructure project-finance expertise, and benefits notably from the firm’s ability to leverage the expertise of its real estate, energy, environmental and regulatory practices. The firm is also part of the Affinitas network, which facilitates the regular exchange of information on regional banking, finance and capital markets developments involving Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The department is co-led by project and corporate finance specialist Francisco De la Barra, and corporate and structured financing expert Enrique Barros. Also integral to the department are Bernardo Simian, whose broad practice covers financing and capital markets, and longstanding banking and finance lawyer Nicolás Balmaceda. The next line of key advisers features structured and corporate financing partner María Olga Rivera (who was raised to the partnership in March 2022), and Vicente Cordero, whose career includes several years working in New York. At senior associate level, both Valentina Villalobos and Nicole Ubal advise on project and corporate financing matters.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 1

The sizeable capital markets practice at full-service law firm Barros & Errázuriz routinely advises companies looking to obtain resources through the issuance of securities and public offering of bonds and shares (both in the domestic and international markets). The ‘very good' firm is also recognised for both its provision of regulatory advice to the Chilean authorities and its highly active investment funds practice. The team is led by debt and equity issuance specialist Luis Alberto Letelier, who is flanked at partner level by widely-respected capital markets' transactions expert Cristián Barros; Víctor Barros, whose expertise covers all aspects of bonds work; and experienced regulatory practitioner Javier Díaz. Within the senior associate ranks, Juan Ignacio Galdámez is admitted to practice in both Chile and New York; Fernando Campino advises issuers and securities' intermediaries (as well as those of investment funds); and Francisco Vial is experienced in securities' regulations. Former senior associate Cristián Risopatrón left for Salfacorp in March 2022.

Chile > Consumer and advertising law Tier 1

The experienced 11-strong practice at Barros & Errázuriz has an enviable track record in class actions and mediation processes involving the Chilean Consumer Law Authority (SERNAC). Notably, the group houses specialists in a wide array of industries, including water distribution, mobile services, satellite TV, education, real estate, and healthcare. The principal figures are civil and commercial litigation and arbitration expert Javier San Martín, whose practice takes in consumer law-related work as well as class action and individual lawsuits; Luis Eduardo Toro, a competition and antitrust practitioner (and litigator), who is experienced in telecoms, energy and pharmaceutical sector-related matters; administrative law specialist David Cademartori; and civil and commercial litigator José Luis Corvalán, who is also active in consumer law matters. The senior associate to note, litigation and arbitration practitioner Isidora Fernández shows ‘very good judgement' and is experienced in class actions, consumer law, and injunctions before Chile’s courts of appeal.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

‘On an equal footing with top-tier law firms in New York' according to one client, Barros & Errázuriz's sizeable team regularly advises on private acquisitions, sales, cross-border takeovers of listed companies, corporate restructuring programmes, and acquisitions of controlling and minority interests. The practice is co-led by corporate department head and renowned M&A expert, Pablo Guerrero and Bernardo Simian, whose practice takes in both M&A and foreign investment. Other key partners include tax leader Fernando Barros; managing partner and capital markets specialist Cristián Barros; and corporate law, foreign investment, M&A and joint venture practitioners Emilio Vásquez and Carlos Ducci. Sergio Eguiguren, Vicente Cordero and Luis Alberto Letelier are also all experienced M&A advisors, while dispute resolution leader José Tomás Errázuriz additionally advises on corporate law. Experienced in the acquisition and sale of companies, Lucas Marinovic was promoted to partner in March 2022, and counsel Daniela Peña assists with corporate law, M&A and restructuring work.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 1

Barros & Errázuriz's data privacy group is regularly mandated to draft, edit and implement complex privacy policies. The team also reviews an array of contracts involving personal data transfers, along with assessing the legal implications of clients’ business models in Chile. The ‘bold and inventive' group is led by TMT sector and personal data protection specialist, José Ignacio Ovalle, whose recent track record includes leading advice to DirecTV Chile on its internal information security and privacy policy; and former chief legal adviser at the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Andrés Rodríguez, who was promoted to partner in April 2023 and focuses his practice on the telecoms and IT sectors, as well as data privacy work. Providing key associate-level support, Magdalena Rojas' experience includes advising clients on IT procurement and the adapting of processes and contractual documents to Chile’s personal data protection legislation; and -at the more junior end- Fernanda Irrazabal, who is active in the firm’s telecoms, technology and data protection group.

Chile > Real estate Tier 1

Acting for a range of domestic and international developers and investment companies, Barros & Errázuriz’s 13-strong real estate practice has a strong market reputation for its ability to create innovative acquisition structures. It also advises on real estate associations and consortiums, and the financing of real estate development projects. The group additionally stands out for its experience in infrastructure and construction (including telecoms infrastructure); and is routinely sought out for its regulatory credentials, in relation to city planning, administrative law conflicts, tourism, and urbanism within industrial areas. Co-leading the team, José Ignacio Ovalle’s practice encompasses the development of building projects, condominiums, shopping centres, offices, ports and hotels (both in rural and urban areas); Patricio Solórzano is a residential, commercial and industrial real estate project expert; and Oscar Ruiz-Tagle advises on territorial planning, and urban and environmental regulations. At counsel level, Alejandra Aránguiz is experienced in urban, regulatory and municipal administrative law, while senior associate María Teresa Diez focuses on real estate, corporate and urban planning matters.

Chile > Tax Tier 1

‘One of the top firms in Chile for tax and private client matters’, Barros & Errázuriz’s 16-strong practice tax is widely respected for its tax structuring and implementation credentials, both at national and international levels. The practice’s coverage encompasses corporate transactions and reorganisations, transfer pricing, and tax treaty application. It also has a strong market reputation for wealth planning matters and is increasingly active in tax disputes. Co-heading the group, founding partner Fernando Barros’ practice includes the implementation of corporate and financial structures; and Carola Trucco has longstanding experience in advising major companies on tax matters, particularly as regards cross-border operations, M&A and business reorganisations. Further support is provided by ‘excellent lawyer’ Tomás Kovacevic who was raised to the partnership in March 2022 and whose experience includes some three years at the Ministerio de Hacienda; experienced tax counsel Magdalena Munita; and -at senior associate level- Maria Lucia Marraccini, a former Ministry of Finance tax policy adviser, and Mauricio Bascuñán, who focuses on tax disputes. Former senior associate Fernanda Becker left the firm in October 2022.

Chile > TMT Tier 1

‘Fully aware of the regulatory changes in Chile', Barros & Errázuriz's TMT practice acts for both domestic and foreign companies, including fixed and mobile operators, satellite operators, digital applications, and free-to-air and paid television services. The team is also sought out by internet service providers, over-the-top (OTT) media services, technology providers, e-commerce and social media platforms, and telecom infrastructure companies; its experience covers the full range of corporate and regulatory matters as well as obtaining all necessary permits and licenses required under local legislation. Additionally, it is increasingly active in 5G and satellite broadband matters, as well as major technology projects in Chile. The practice is headed up by longstanding TMT specialist José Ignacio Ovalle, whose ‘knowledge of the industry is very impressive', and who advises on a wide range of regulatory and commercial issues impacting the telecoms and technology sectors. Elevated to partner level in April 2023, former senior associate Andrés Rodríguez is experienced in telecoms, IT and data privacy; and key associate Magdalena Rojas advises several telecoms service providers in Chile.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

Barros & Errázuriz's practice has a strong market reputation for both bankruptcy and restructuring work and boasts a track record that includes the representation of several major clients in judicial and non-judicial reorganisations, as well as bankruptcy law-related contentious proceedings. Additionally, the group advises on the acquisition of the assets of companies subject to liquidation or reorganisation procedures. The firm's membership of the Affinitas network is also of note since it facilitates a regular exchange of significant information with peers from Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The team is led by Javier San Martín, whose dispute resolution practice includes substantial bankruptcy issues; and José Luis Corvalán, who acts for debtors and creditors in heavyweight liquidation and reorganisation procedures. At associate level, the disputes practices of both Alexis Cespedes and Milton Gutcovsky encompasses insolvency work.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

The ‘dynamic‘ competition and antitrust department at full-service firm Barros & Errázuriz acts in major cases before the TDLC, in addition to assisting national and international clients with FNE investigations. It is also highly specialised in concentration notifications before the FNE and increasingly active in its assistance to companies seeking to prevent future anti-competitive conduct (through reviews of commercial policies, establishing of business protocols and/or implementation of compliance programmes). The department is led by litigation and arbitration expert Luis Eduardo Toro; Francisco Bórquez heads up the firm’s merger-control practice; and José Luis Corvalán's track record encompasses domestic and international arbitration and competition matters before the TDLC. In the firm’s associate ranks, senior Catalina Villalobos (mergers, litigation and anti-competitive practices) is a 2021 recruit from the FNE; and Josefina Poblete also maintains an active antitrust practice.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

Full-service Chilean law firm Barros & Errázuriz fields a 19-strong dispute resolution practice that acts in a range of civil and commercial litigation-related domestic and international arbitrations; and in addition to housing several arbitration counsels, the practice includes experienced arbitrators. The ‘highly-qualified' department regularly represents clients in major construction project-related arbitrations and is increasingly involved in commercial disputes involving shareholder and share purchase agreements. Recent matters include high-stakes proceedings before CAM Santiago, ICC, and the Chamber of Commerce of México. The practice is jointly led by commercial arbitration expert and ‘exceptional lawyer', Luis Eduardo Toro; and founding partner and José Tomás Errázuriz, who is ‘capable of anticipating opponent’s moves with his unique skills'. Other experienced arbitration partners include Javier San Martín, David Cademartori and José Luis Corvalán; while at senior associate level, Isidora Fernández, and the recently-promoted Nicole Nannig and Milton Gutcovsky all act in arbitration proceedings. Former associate Cristián Pérez left for an in-house role at Grupo Pasmar during 2022.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

‘Dedicated to cases‘, the 19-strong disputes group at full-service law firm Barros & Errázuriz acts in a range of civil and commercial litigation, including domestic and international arbitration, mediation proceedings, and matters before Chile’s regulatory agencies. The practice’s representative expertise covers contentious proceedings involving civil and commercial law, tax, bankruptcy, real estate, construction, and antitrust issues; and it is particularly experienced in regulated sectors, such as energy and telecoms. The team is jointly headed by Luis Eduardo Toro, whose disputes workload covers telecoms, energy, contractual liability and damages; and name partner and dispute resolution expert José Tomás Errázuriz. Also integral to the practice, Javier San Martín focuses on disputes, consumer protection, reorganisations, and individual and company liquidation; public law head David Cademartori acts in civil and administrative litigation; and José Luis Corvalán is an experienced civil and commercial litigation practitioner. From the senior associate pool, seniors Isidora Fernández, Milton Gutcovsky and Nicole Nannig are all active litigators.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons Tier 2

With significant experience in a range of energy matters in Chile, Barros & Errázuriz's large’ 13-member practice covers energy contracts, regulatory issues, energy M&A, joint ventures, project finance, and associated disputes and arbitration. Recent highlights include advising various power generators and banks on complex power purchase agreements, tenders, and large-scale transmission and green hydrogen project developments. The key practitioners are dispute resolution leader José Tomás Errázuriz, whose track record covers both major energy projects and energy litigation; Fernando Garrido, an expert in energy and natural resources-related project developments, financings, litigation, M&A and general corporate matters; and Cristóbal Pellegrini (a partner since January 2022), who advises on energy projects, finance, M&A and litigation. Former senior associates Pedro Pablo Ballivian and Verónica Vergara left the firm for drinking water company Esval and utility company Colbún in August and November 2022, respectively.

Chile > Environment Tier 2

With ‘expertise that is hard to find in other firms', Barros & Errázuriz's eight-strong environmental team advises on environmental assessments, permitting issues, relations with local authorities, and social conflicts and community matters. The practice also fields experts in preventive advice, compliance, enforcement proceedings and litigation before the environmental and ordinary courts (including the Supreme Court). Additionally, the team demonstrates experience in water rights law, proceedings before Chile’s health authorities, urban planning and climate change matters, along with waste management, recycling and aquaculture regulations. Fernando Garrido heads the firm’s water rights' practice; while director Matias Montoya, a former Environmental Assessment Agency general counsel, is noted for ‘his knowledge of environmental issues' and advises on environmental assessments, environmental compliance, litigation, and due diligence. In the associate team, senior Mara Angelini and Cristóbal Gil both focus on environmental issues. Former senior Ignacio Urbina moved to Estudio Fermandois in September 2022.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Fielding ‘a very good team with excellent advisers’, Barros & Errázuriz’s large team is consistently involved in the development and financing of sizeable infrastructure and energy projects in Chile. On the development side, the group’s infrastructure capabilities include tender processes and public and private works concessions in relation to highways, prisons, seaports, airports, and logistics centres; while in the energy space the practice is frequently involved in both generation and transmission projects. The team is also active in mining companies’ desalination projects. Nicolás Balmaceda, who has longstanding experience in industrial, infrastructure, energy and real estate projects co-leads the practice with Francisco De la Barra, an expert in project developments and financings, and infrastructure-related transactions. Fernando Garrido, who focuses on power generation and transmission projects is also a key practitioner; as are recently-promoted partners Cristóbal Pellegrini, who advises major energy companies; and María Olga Rivera, whose experience includes the acquisition of electricity companies. Diego Ovalle and Nicole Ubal are experienced senior associates.

Chile > Public law Tier 2

With ‘an unmatched level of knowledge of public law practice’, Barros & Errázuriz’s public, administrative law and economic regulation department is particularly focused on constitutional and administrative law, as well as economic regulation. Its representative experience ranges from tariff-setting administrative procedures and contentious administrative proceedings, to administrative sanctioning procedures concerning the natural gas, telecoms, electricity, healthcare, education, and water and wastewater sectors. Other areas of strength include administrative contracts, government liability, public procurement, and maritime concessions. The widely-respected group is co-led by arbitration specialist José Tomás Errázuriz and David Cademartori, whose ‘level of knowledge is difficult to find’. Cademartori’s experience encompasses administrative proceedings before government entities, and civil and administrative litigation before Chile’s ordinary courts of justice. The associates to note are public law-focused senior Martin Gutiérrez, along with Marissa Baldazzi, Valeria Donoso, Cristóbal Millar, and Cristián Dorador (‘an excellent lawyer with a bright future’). The firm also boosted its constitutional offering recently, with the September-2022 hire of former Constitutional Court president, Juan José Romero.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 2

The seven-member VC practice at full-service firm Barros & Errázuriz acts for both national and international start-ups and investors throughout all stages of companies’ development, including growth and financing stages, as well as exit phases. The ‘very good’ department advises clients from several industry sectors, ranging from AI, technology and fintech, to food and beverages, retail, media and entertainment, among others. The group also regularly interacts with a range of incubators, accelerators and investors, including StartUp-Chile, a high-profile business accelerator in Latin America. Jointly leading the team are M&A expert Sergio Eguiguren, who further heads the firm’s innovation and entrepreneurship practice; and recently-promoted partner and technology M&A specialist Lucas Marinovic. Foremost among a second line of advisers is counsel Magdalena Munita (an early 2022 hire from Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría), who brings tax experience to corporate VC work; Juan Sebastián Alonso is currently studying in New York.

Chile > Compliance Tier 3

Barros & Errázuriz's compliance group routinely advises on Chile’s anti-money laundering and anti-bribery rules, as well as the country’s counter-terrorism financing legal framework. Its expertise covers internal investigations, enforcement actions, the design of compliance programmes, and defence-side administrative investigations. The team is co-led by regulatory expert Javier Díaz, who assists with regulatory examinations, voluntary disclosures, internal investigations, and transactional due diligence; and managing partner Cristián Barros, whose practice also covers compliance work. At senior associate level, Francisco Vial is on hand for regulatory compliance advice.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

The six-lawyer mining practice at full-service law firm Barros & Errázuriz routinely assists with obtaining, defending and acquiring mining concessions. The group also advises on mining industry-related transactions, including associated due diligence processes and the negotiation of related corporate documentation. It further assists with non-traditional financings (through royalty and streaming agreements), option agreements, and mining leases. The practice is led by Felipe Allende, who acts for mining companies and mining-focused investment funds - primarily as regards transactions and financings; and experienced senior associate Martin Vial, who is particularly focused on mining concession processes.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 3

The ‘very strong team' at full-service firm Barros & Errázuriz provides ongoing employment law advice to over 100 different clients from a range of industries, including manufacturing, education, retail, mining, automotive, telecoms, and finance; the group is also increasingly active in both employment litigation and contentious administrative claims against the Labour Authority. The seven-strong department further comprises experts in immigration, global mobility, and expatriation-for-work purposes. The labour and employment practice is led by Juan Cristóbal Iturrate, who assists with both day-to-day matters and collective bargaining processes. In April 2023, María Fernanda Espinosa, an expert in the labour aspects of M&A deals, was raised to partner. Senior associate Pavel Alvarez , in turn, specialises in complex employment trials.

Chile > Insurance Tier 4

Barros & Errázuriz's insurance team routinely assists major insurance companies with both corporate and regulatory matters. Its workload ranges from the incorporation of insurance companies, to corporate governance issues and share participations in insurance companies. The team also assists with the regulatory aspects of technical reserves, investment rules, and risk management and internal control systems. It additionally acts in contentious administrative procedures. The practice is co-headed by corporate law specialist Carlos Ducci; and Javier Díaz, a former lawyer for the Securities Prosecutor’s Office of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. Senior associate Albert Harsch also advises on insurance work.