Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos houses a practice group 44-strong (including 11 partners) that covers the full range of corporate and M&A work. The group’s representative expertise ranges from joint ventures and private equity / venture capital deals, to the acquisition of private and public companies, domestic and cross-border transactions, corporate mergers and spin-offs, and corporate restructurings. The firm fields multiple highly-rated partners, including: corporate law and contracts specialist Sergio Díez; Gerardo Varela, whose M&A track record includes energy, retail and aquaculture sector deals; Cristián Herrera, an adviser on corporate and transactional laws (as well as foreign investment and securities regulations); corporate, commercial, real estate and M&A expert, Juan Pablo Matus; and Carlos Pérez-Cotapos, who assists with corporate, natural resources and mining law matters. Senior partner Francisco J Illanes, José Luis Letelier and Gonzalo Grez are additional key practitioners, along with younger partner Andrea Saffie. The first line of advisors was further strengthened in July 2023 with the hire of Nicolás Lustig, who returns to private practice after more than 15 years in various in-house positions – most recently some eight years at BHP. Within the firm’s senior associate ranks, María Francisca Salas and Sergio Balharry both advise on M&A deals.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' seven-member mining practice is highly active in mining sector-related M&A deals, joint ventures and projects. In the projects space, it advises on the exploration, development, financing and operation of mining projects, as well as worksite closures; while on the M&A front, the firm’s track record includes high-profile acquisitions and sales of mining companies and assets (copper, gold, silver, nitrates, iron ore, coal and salt). The practice is jointly led by corporate, commercial, mining and environmental law specialist Carlos Pérez-Cotapos, who routinely advises on mining investment projects, mining companies’ M&A deals, and mining-related project financing; and Gonzalo Grez, an expert in mining high-tech contracts, community issues and land access, who advises companies on mining, energy and regulatory matters in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. Within the firm’s associate ranks, senior Cristóbal Herrera has significant experience in mining-related constitution processes, mining property defence work, and litigation involving mining issues; and the practices of Patricio Turner, María Belén Fuenzalida, Lucas Antúnez and Sebastián Manzur also feature mining-law related matters.

Chile > Real estate Tier 1

Full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a real estate team that is well known for substantial real estate M&A deals, including the purchase and sale of large shopping malls, office buildings and the real estate assets of utilities. Other areas of expertise include greenfield real estate projects, such as industrial plants and data centres; the regulatory aspects of urbanism and territorial development issues; long-term lease agreements; and the real estate side to M&A-related due diligence. The department also assists with the construction side to industrial, commercial and energy projects. The practice is led by real estate project specialist Juan Pablo Matus. Experienced associate Daniela Fierro assists with the negotiation of sale and purchase agreements, leases, easements, urbanism and project development.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

The eleven-strong banking and finance practice at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is routinely mandated on complex cross-border and structured finance deals. The department also houses specialists in project finance involving the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors; acquisition finance and domestic corporate financings; and significant restructurings of international and domestic corporations. It additionally fields experts in secured financings for agriculture producers and fish farming operations, as well as derivatives and trade finance. Regulatory work is another key practice for the firm, while fintech is a notable growth area. The team is jointly led by senior partner and finance, banking and capital markets expert Francisco Illanes; Rodrigo Sepúlveda, who routinely advises banks on the financing of electricity distribution and generation projects; and Juan Antonio Parodi, an expert in financing, refinancing, syndicated loans, and infrastructure project finance. Within the associate pool, Sergio Balharry‘s broad practice includes bond issuances, while Teresita Fernández's workload covers guarantees and credit documents.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

Acting for issuers, investment banks, placement agents, financial advisers and investors, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 11-member department routinely advises on public and private debt and equity offerings in both Chile and the international markets. Its expertise ranges from IPOs, securities and private placements to American depositary receipts. The practice is jointly led by senior partner Francisco J Illanes, whose practice specialisms cover finance, banking, M&A and telecoms, in addition to capital markets; Rodrigo Sepúlveda, an expert in the issuance of debt and capital instruments; and Juan Antonio Parodi, who advises issuers and underwriters on domestic and international debt and equity capital markets' deals. Within the associate ranks, Sergio Balharry‘s experience covers the creation of security interests, while the more junior Teresita Fernández, Constanza Saiz, Glen Rybertt, Cristóbal Thompson and Javiera Diaz round out the group.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 14-strong competition team has been active in both contentious and non-contentious matters of late, including on large-scale merger controls and high-stakes cartel and unilateral conduct-related litigation. It has also assisted with complex procedures concerning the pharmaceuticals industry and TV-rating measurement tools. The practice also acts for the firm's large consumer goods client base and additionally benefits from the firm’s notable specialism in IP. Juan Cristóbal Gumucio, an expert in merger control issues, cartels, unilateral conduct, and compliance programmes; and M&A partner Gerardo Varela, who also assists with competition law matters, are the principal practice figures. At associate level, seniors Camila Rojas, Catalina González and Cristóbal Lema are all highly involved in merger-control issues, while José Manuel Donoso currently advises on competition law work, in addition to corporate matters.

Chile > Consumer and advertising law Tier 2

The 11-strong consumer and advertising law department at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos advises companies such as Ripley, Mercado Libre, Levi’s, H&M and Forever 21 on an ongoing basis regarding consumer law. The team also regularly acts for large Chilean advertisers such as Coca-Cola and Soprole. The group is highly active in class action litigation, in addition to assisting with web sale-related terms and conditions, collective mediation procedures with the Chilean National Consumer Service, and product information, labelling and pricing regulations. The practice of technology, privacy and media team head Rodrigo Lavados covers advertising and consumer protection work, while litigation and arbitration specialist José Ignacio Azar was elevated to director in January 2023. Senior associate Gabriel Pensa advises on advertising ethics and consumer protection matters.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

The 18-member arbitration practice at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has a strong track record for major arbitrations involving international infrastructure disputes, shareholder conflicts, and mining companies’ energy-supply contracts. The arbitration group, which includes two CAM Santiago arbitrators, is jointly led by national and international litigation and arbitration specialists Florencio Bernales and Fernando Urrutia; Raimundo Moreno, whose track record includes CAM Santiago proceedings, as well as investment arbitrations under the ICSID rules; and Jorge Boldt, who maintains an arbitral practice in addition to his litigation, compliance and criminal liability caseload. Growth in the group includes the January 2023 promotion of José Ignacio Azar to director; while at senior associate level, Trinidad Torres and Lorena Avendaño regularly second Bernales and Boldt (respectively) in arbitration proceedings. Former senior associate José Pedro Villablanca joined Frías & Lagos Abogados as a partner in March 2023.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

‘Highly committed to clients’ needs', Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' sizeable, 18-strong  practice regularly litigates against the State and its related agencies. The group’s wide-ranging practice covers environmental, regulatory, energy and mining disputes, as well as conflicts over securities, tax, construction, insurance, torts, competition and consumer protection. Its specialisms further extend to defence-side class actions. The principal practitioners are: complex disputes expert Florencio Bernales (‘a benchmark figure for litigation'); Fernando Urrutia, a specialist in construction-related cases and insolvency proceedings; Raimundo Moreno, whose experience incorporates contractual and tort claims; and white-collar crime expert Jorge Boldt. Promoted to director level during 2023, José Ignacio Azar leads the firm’s consumer law and class action practices, while at senior associate level, Trinidad Torres acts in securities' investigations and cross-border disputes, while Lorena Avendaño maintains an active civil litigation and criminal defence practice.

Chile > Environment Tier 2

The seven-member group at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is best known for its environmental law advice on complex projects, including its expertise in the identification of political and social issues, as well as legal risks. The practice is also noted for its capabilities regarding the environmental law aspects of the development of energy, food and telecoms facilities; and it is increasingly sought out for high-stakes environmental litigation. The team is jointly led by industrial, energy, infrastructure and telecoms project development expert, Martín Astorga, whose practice encompasses environmental impact assessments, atmospheric emissions, territorial planning, and public contracting; and regulatory law head Gonzalo Jiménez, whose experience covers concessions, permits and other administrative authorisations. The associate ranks include senior Verónica Cuadra, who has experience advising on the recently-enacted extended producer liability (EPR) legislation (Bill N° 20.920); and Raúl Alvarez and Miguel Ortiz, who both maintain active regulatory and environmental law practices.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 2

The ‘highly-qualified work team' at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is routinely mandated to advise on the labour aspects of company restructurings, along with collective bargaining and immigration issues. Other areas of strength for the eight-strong team are stock-option plans, compensation packages, and the tax side of labour benefits. The firm’s international clients further appreciate its membership of L&E Global, a worldwide alliance of international employment law firms. Ricardo Tisi predominantly focuses on advice to companies on labour and social security matters; recently-elevated partner Bárbara Zlatar (‘great analytical skills') leads the group’s immigration practice; and Ignacia López, who oversees the firm’s labour advisory and litigation work, is a May 2022 returnee from Clínica Alemana, where she was human resources manager. Within the senior associate pool, Sebastián Krebs is an experienced labour litigator, while former legislative adviser at the Ministry of Labour, Daniela Valencia, returned to the firm in March 2022.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos’ sizeable projects department is widely respected for its experience in mining, energy and telecoms projects. The firm also houses specialists in infrastructure and real estate; and its full-service offering comprises planning, development and construction issues, along with M&A and financing work. Among the group’s several active advisers, Carlos Pérez-Cotapos acts on mining projects; Sergio Díez’s broad practice includes PPP, EPC and O&M contracts; managing partner Juan Pablo Matus is a real estate and infrastructure project expert; and Cristián Herrera has notable infrastructure project experience. Also integral to the group are Mining law specialist Gonzalo Grez is also integral to the group, as are regulatory law department leader Gonzalo Jiménez and Rodrigo Sepúlveda, whose practice covers renewable energy and Public Works’ Concessions law-related infrastructure financing. Associate Verónica Cuadra is active in regulatory, environmental and energy law work.

Chile > TMT Tier 2

The 13-strong TMT practice at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos routinely assists international and domestic IT, telecoms, media and internet companies with their investments in local companies. It also advises on joint ventures, transactional IP and litigation. On the regulatory side, the group houses experts in IT and media projects; while in the data processing segment, the team freqeuntly acts on large infrastructure projects involving technology aspects. The team is additionally certified in cloud services, with several of its practitioners able to code. The technology, privacy and media group’s principal figures are: Rodrigo Lavados, whose broad practice includes software and database-related IP issues, data privacy, fintech regulation, advertising, and entertainment law; senior partner and financial, banking and capital markets department leader, Francisco Illanes; and finance transactions expert Juan Antonio Parodi. Within the senior associate ranks, both Gabriel Pensa and Eduardo Vilches assist with IT, telecoms and data protection work.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

Representing both creditors and debtors, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' seven member practice has extensive insolvency law experience, its recent track record covering several liquidation and reorganisation proceedings. Clients benefit from the practice’s access to experts in bankruptcy proceedings, financial restructuring, taxation, dispute resolution and white-collar crime. The principal practitioners are Fernando Urrutia, a specialist in business disputes, reorganisations and bankruptcies; and Raimundo Moreno, whose experience covers high-stakes reorganisation and liquidation proceedings, including pre-judicial negotiations during financial-distress situations. Litigator José Miguel Flores, along with corporate lawyers Sergio Balharry and José Manuel Donoso, are the key associates. Former associate José Pedro Villablanca left the firm in March 2023.

Chile > Compliance Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' multidisciplinary department assists companies with the prevention of crimes and administrative infringements, such as internal fraud, investigations by prosecuting authorities, and fraud committed against third parties. The team’s compliance offering also covers the implementation and monitoring of compliance models. The ‘very judicious' white-collar practice head and litigation specialist Jorge Boldt advises on compliance models; and at associate level, senior Lorena Avendaño frequently seconds Boldt in civil litigation and criminal defence matters, while Simona Marquet is also experienced in compliance issues.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 3

The sizeable 14-strong department at full-service practice Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos leverages the firm’s strong technology credentials for data privacy work and notably houses lawyers who are certified in cloud services. The privacy practice also regularly draws upon the firm’s IP, litigation, labour and corporate law expertise. The technology, privacy and media team’s principal figures are software and database specialist Rodrigo Lavados; senior partner Francisco Illanes, who also leads the finance, banking and capital markets department; litigation and arbitration expert Raimundo Moreno; and Juan Antonio Parodi, whose broad practice covers finance-related regulatory work. Key senior associate Gabriel Pensa also assists with data protection issues.

Chile > Dispute resolution: white-collar crime Tier 3

The white-collar and compliance practice at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos houses experts in cases involving internal and external frauds, unlawful administration, IP, corruption, and tax crimes. The group’s experience predominantly concerns criminal claimants and victim-assessment matters, but it is increasingly defending companies’ interests during criminal investigations. The group is led by Jorge Boldt, who maintains an active defence-side white-collar crime practice, conducts internal investigations and also undertakes risk assessments. First line associate support is provided by senior Lorena Avendaño, who acts in both civil litigation and criminal defence work; while associate Simona Marquet's experience includes internal investigations into fraud, corruption and medical-device failures.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons Tier 3

The longstanding track record at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos covers gas pipeline and coal-fired power plant developments, along with the development and financing of marine natural gas regasification terminal projects. The nine-member practice’s experience also encompasses negotiating power purchase agreements and arbitrations involving breach of energy supply contracts. The experience of regulatory law department head Gonzalo Jiménez, who ‘provides great support during energy transactions', includes advising electricity-consuming companies on tenders; Sergio Díez assists with greenfield wind farm projects; and Martín Astorga advises on the environmental issues surrounding energy projects. Within the firm’s associate pool, senior Verónica Cuadra maintains an active regulatory, environmental and energy law practice.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

The regulatory law practice at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields specialists in defence-side work involving administrative sanctions, or inspections conducted by Chile’s Health Authority, Superintendencies and Under-Secretariats. The team additionally assists with analysing the legality of regulatory provisions; report preparation; and defending the rights of individuals and legal entities before the State Administration (through judicial and administrative appeals). The department’s principal figures are infrastructure project expert Gonzalo Jiménez, who advises on environmental impact studies, concessions, permits, and other administrative authorisations; and Martín Astorga, an experienced adviser on administrative authorities’ sanctions proceedings. Senior associate Verónica Cuadra routinely advises on regulatory, environmental and energy law issues.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 3

The seven-member practice at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos acts for entrepreneurs and emerging private companies during all growth stages. The team’s expertise encompasses corporate governance, long-term service contracts, and shareholder agreements; and it further leverages the firm’s expertise in related areas, such as new technology development, IP, data privacy and corporate law. The principal figures are IP, technology, privacy, start-up and VC expert, Rodrigo Lavados, who assists VC market players with expanding in Chile; and Andrea Saffie, whose industry specialisms include casinos, oil, agro-industrial, hotels, forestry, investment funds, and family offices. At senior associate level, Gabriel Pensa’s experience includes working as in-house counsel for a regional retail group, while Ernesto Eckholt is a recent departee.

Chile > Insurance Tier 4

‘A law firm with extensive experience and knowledge in the insurance space‘, full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos focuses on the construction and retail sectors, particularly in relation to fire, earthquake, robbery and civil liability insurance. The five-strong team’s recent highlights further comprise cases involving credit insurance and cybercrime. The group also advises insurance companies and insurance brokers on the development of new businesses, as well as insurance-related M&A deals. Litigation head Florencio Bernales routinely acts in high-stakes insurance disputes. At associate level, Trinidad Torres is an insurance litigator, and Daniel Washington advises on insurance policies.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos’ seven-strong tax team benefits from the firm’s significant expertise in corporate law and dispute resolution, as well as its mining sector experience. It is also increasingly active in the structuring of investment plans for investment banks and family offices. Heading up the group, Javier Cerón is President of the International Fiscal Association’s local branch; he is supported by associate María Paz De Carcer, who focuses on tax structuring, local and international taxation, and defence-side tax litigation.