Mr Juan Zocca > Bruchou & Funes de Rioja > Buenos Aires, Argentina > Lawyer Profile

Well known for the depth of its oil-and-gas and utilities expertise, Bruchou & Funes de Rioja supports clients in these and other sectors on a wide range of public law matters, encompassing regulatory advisory; concessions; expropriations; public procurement; complex disputes and litigation before administrative authorities, courts, and arbitral tribunals. The team strengthened its senior leadership with the April 2022 promotion of regulatory specialist Juan Zocca to the partnership. He now co-leads the practice with established dispute resolution and public law partner Ignacio Minorini Lima. The practice can also draw on the vast experience of administrative and regulatory law of counsel, Carlos De Kemmeter; while Maria Laura Rozan – whose practice encompasses various regulated industries – is the main contact at associate level.

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja is known for its expertise in regulatory matters related to authorisations, permits and licenses for the provision of broadcasting and telecommunications services. Intellectual property is another strong area, with internet, IT, software licensing and fintech matters also covered, as well as class actions, copyright litigation and transactional matters in technology, entertainment, sports and broadcasting. Appointed practice head in 2021, young partner Juan Zocca is an administrative law specialist with a primary focus on TMT matters – particularly as regards telecommunications, media and broadcasting services; he co-leads the practice alongside IP, data privacy and new-technologies partner Alejandro Barrientos; IP specialist Dámaso Pardo; and corporate and M&A lawyer, Santiago Balbi.

Core areas of work for the Bruchou & Funes de Rioja life sciences practice include commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, litigation and M&A; as well as trade mark, patent and other IP matters. The practice covers the pharmaceutical, health, personal hygiene, cosmetics, biotechnology and medical device segments, and is co-led by corporate and M&A lawyer Estanislao Olmos (who focuses on transactional work and commercial agreements in the sector), and IP expert Dámaso Pardo. Promoted to the partnership in March 2022, public law specialist Juan Zocca advises on lifescience-related administrative matters – particularly regulatory issues related to medicinal cannabis, drugs, healthcare and health technologies, the registration of products and companies before the Argentine Health Authority (ANMAT), and the application of the Chemical Precursors Regime to pharmaceutical companies, among other matters.

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja provides clients with support on the environmental aspects of corporate transactions; preventive environmental advice and the management of environmental conflicts and litigation. Environmental audits; project development and impact assessments are also areas of activity. Sebastián Vedoya, an expert in environmental issues arising on mining and hydrocarbon projects, co-leads the practice alongside Sergio Arbeleche, who handles environmental matters related to contracts, administrative regulation, and constitutional and international public international law. At associate level, senior Pablo Crimer -who focuses on environmental law and natural resources- is the contact of note. Additional partner-level expertise regarding Administrative and public law specialist Juan Zocca provides additional partner-level expertise regarding regulatory matters as required. Since publication, Crimer has been promoted to practice head and ‘expert consultant’.