Beccar Varela > Buenos Aires, Argentina > Firm Profile

Beccar Varela > The Legal 500 Rankings

Argentina > Compliance Tier 1

As the first Argentine law firm to establish a white collar and corporate crime department, Beccar Varela is known for its expertise handling internal investigations and criminal proceedings,  including complex cross-border matters. The team also advises clients on anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing, as well as the implementation of related compliance programmes, risk assessments and monitoring. Other areas covered include asset tracing and recovery, anonymous whistleblowing and business ethics. Compliance and anti-corruption expert Maximiliano Nicolás D’Auro co-leads the practice with white-collar crime veteran Manuel Beccar Varela. Partners Gustavo Papeschi (anti-corruption and compliance) and Francisco Zavalía (white collar and corporate crime, cybercrime and regulatory compliance) provide further senior-level expertise, with senior Dorothea Garff the key contact at associate level.

Argentina > Fintech Tier 1

Beccar Varela has invested in developing a truly dedicated fintech offering for a number of years and is called on by banking and non-banking players in the space for regulatory, structuring, investment, financing and public relations advice. The team handles all the key fintech verticals, including challenger banks, e-wallets, payments, open banking, cryptoassets, crowdfunding and insurtech. Banking and regulatory-focused partner Daniel Levi co-leads the team alongside corporate and M&A partner María Shakespear and banking and finance expert Pablo Torretta.

Argentina > International trade and customs Tier 1

Beccar Varela advises local and international corporate clients on complex international trade and customs matters, and is also called on by sovereign governments for support on all aspects of trade policy. The practice provides broad coverage of all trade issues, including the import, transit, and export of goods, international distribution agreements, international sale of goods, dispute settlement, trade remedies, anti-dumping investigations, import licenses and rules of origin. On the customs side, the team handles transfer pricing, goods valuations and the implementation of international customs tax structures, as well as representing clients in the courts in a range of complex lawsuits and administrative claims. The team is co-led by Augusto Vechio, an experienced international trade specialist with expertise in World Trade Organisation (WTO) and MERCOSUR rules; and Guido Krolovetzky, who is known for his focus on the customs law aspects of domestic, regional and international laws and regulations governing the sale of goods. Senior associate Camila Corvalán provides key support on antitrust, competition, consumer defence, fair trade and international trade matters, with fellow seniors Agustin Perrino and Mariano Plaza handling work related to WTO and Mercosur rules.

Argentina > Public law Tier 1

Beccar Varela handles a variety of public law work at the federal, provincial and municipal levels for clients in the transportation, infrastructure, life sciences and technology sectors, among others. The team’s expertise ranges from public procurement, bid processes, public works, infrastructure concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs), to government contracts, public finance, zoning and highly regulated industries. The firm is also well-versed in contentious public law litigation, handling administrative and judicial review procedures including injunctions, class actions, and appellate reviews. Juan Antonio Stupenengo focuses on constitutional, administrative and regulatory law and co-leads the practice with Oscar Valdez, who focuses on public procurement, infrastructure concessions and PPPs. Administrative and regulatory law-focused associate Juan Pablo Perrino is another key name, as is Santiago Barbarán, who has wide-ranging public sector experience.

Argentina > TMT Tier 1

Beccar Varela’s full-service TMT practice is called on for advice and assistance regarding data protection and privacy, software licensing, digital advertising and fintech, as well as telecoms infrastructure matters that include landing rights, cell tower construction, satellite networks and subsea cabling. The team’s wide-ranging client base includes infrastructure and service providers, content developers, multimedia and entertainment groups, and software and technology developers. The practice is co-led by Emilio Beccar Varela, a respected industry figure with vast experience across media and entertainment, telecoms, IT and IP; and litigation and disputes-focused Florencia Rosati. Versatile counsel Mariana Lamarca Vidal is the main contact at associate level and has a broad practice that includes coverage of various TMT-related corporate, contractual advisory and litigation matters.

Argentina > Banking and finance Tier 2

The Beccar Varela banking and finance team is known for its transactional capability, with experience in cross-border financing and refinancing deals with complex underlying collateral structures, as well as corporate, project and asset financings. Advising on the foreign exchange implications for bank lending is another busy area, with the practice also at the forefront of regulatory matters in the fintech space, and active in the fast-growing sustainability-linked loan and bond markets. Pablo Torretta, Luciana Denegri, Daniel Levi and Maximiliano Nicolás D’Auro jointly-lead the practice, which also continues to draw on the vast experience of veteran M&A and banking partner Roberto Fortunati. Torretta brings extensive forex, restructuring and international financing experience to the table, with Denegri an influential figure in the development of Argentina’s sustainable finance ecosystem. D’Auro, who is also prominent in the firm’s compliance practice, advises banks on financing, refinancing and regulation; while Daniel Levi, who leads the firm's fintech group, played a leading role in Ualá’s pioneering purchase of Wilobank, the first acquisition of a bank by a fintech in Argentina. The practice strengthened its senior ranks in 2022 with the partner promotions of refinancing and restructuring expert Felipe Videla and Lucía Degano, the latter of whom heads operations in the firm’s regional office in the free trade zone in Uruguay. At associate level, seniors María Victoria Pavani (capital markets); and Gonzalo Ochoa (banking/foreign exchange regulation) are the key contacts.

Argentina > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 2

Beccar Varela handles financial restructurings and bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings for international and national clients across a range of industry sectors. The team covers out of-court negotiations, prejudicial proceedings, credit recovery, insolvency and bankruptcy reorganisation proceedings, and debt restructurings. Litigation is another strong area, with the firm managing a large portfolio of proceedings, including cross-border matters, at provincial and national level. Martín Gastaldi is a well-known insolvency, bankruptcy and dispute-resolution expert. He leads the team alongside private equity practitioner Tomás Allende and banking specialist Pablo Torretta. Federico Sosa, who covers complex litigation, class actions, and insolvency and bankruptcy; and corporate and banking lawyer Felipe Videla, who was raised to the partnership in April 2022, are the other key contacts.

Argentina > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Beccar Varela is sought out for advice on enforcement, merger control, investigations, counselling and compliance, as well as cartel-related litigation. The team is particularly well-known for its competition law expertise in the cement, automobile and technology sectors, and has also been active on credit-card abuse investigations. Practice head Agustín Waisman is recognised for his competition and antitrust experience, and is also strong in the areas of consumer protection and gaming law. Augusto Vechio, co-head of the firm’s international trade and customs team, provides additional senior level support, with senior associates Camila Corvalán and Mercedes Pando leading the second line.

Argentina > Consumer law Tier 2

Beccar Varela advises local and international consumer companies on fair trade and consumer regulations including advertising, product labelling, product liability, e-commerce, internet-related matters and intermediary liability. Other areas of expertise include sweepstakes, promotional activities, loyalty programmes and recalls, with clients also turning to the firm for support on contentious matters, class actions, individual damage claims and litigation involving fair trade and consumer protection regulations. The practice is co-led by dispute resolution lawyers Federico Sosa and Gonzalo García Delatour, with additional senior support coming from competition and antitrust department head Agustín Waisman and Ignacio Flores - whose practice covers a range of areas including manufacturer liability and consumer law. Rocío Alejandra Labán, who covers civil and commercial litigation, is the main contact at associate level. Senior associate Noelia de Belder departed to take up a role in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in  June 2022.

Argentina > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Beccar Varela is a ‘trusted partner’ that multinationals, private equity firms and local SMEs turn to for support on the structuring of complex acquisitions and disposals of controlling and minority stakes, corporate reorganisations, spin-offs, and joint ventures. In addition to its active transactional practice, the team also provides day-to-day corporate advisory support to a large portfolio of domestic and international clients in a range of sectors, with its expertise in technology, financial services, agribusiness and energy particularly noted. Heavyweight M&A lawyer Roberto Crouzel co-leads the practice alongside standout transactional expert María Shakespear; ‘outstanding’ M&A lawyer Alejandro Poletto; and respected private equity and private client adviser Ramón I Moyano. Ricardo Castañeda, previously with YPF, has deepened the firm’s energy and power expertise, with natural resources department head Roberto Fortunati also making a valuable contribution. Other key partners include experienced cross-border M&A lawyer Tomás Allende; corporate and banking all-rounder Carolina Serra; and Lucía Degano, who runs the firm’s regional office in the free trade zone in Uruguay. Counsel Eugenia Radaelli (M&A, corporate advisory and banking & finance) spearheads the practice’s second line with senior associate Luciana Liefeldt another key contact.

Argentina > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Beccar Varela advises plaintiffs and defendants on civil and commercial litigation, as well as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including arbitration and mediation, with mandates ranging from bet-the-company litigation to major ICC, LCIA and even ICSID arbitrations. The firm, which is known for its expertise in contractual disputes, also has a leading white-collar crime litigation practice. The experienced practice group is co-led by Gonzalo García Delatour (civil and commercial litigation, insolvencies, bankruptcies and arbitrations); Eduardo Güemes (civil and commercial litigation); Martín Gastaldi (restructuring); and Federico Sosa (complex litigation, class actions and insolvency). Seasoned litigation and arbitration veteran Rafael Marcelo Lobos is another key name on the senior partner bench, which receives extensive support from a dynamic second-line of associates specialising in disputes, including Pilar Lodewyckx Hardy, Fernando Kreser, Rocío Alejandra Labán, Sofía Deferrari, Victoria Rabasa, Yanina Salemme Duprat and Máximo Capón.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 2

Beccar Varela works with national and international clients in the thermal, hydro, wind, solar, bio-gas and hydrogen sectors. The team covers the full electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, and major-consumer work; and has experience working on major government privatisations, international bids and concession contract renegotiations. Developers and owners also turn to the team for support on the drafting and negotiation of EPC agreements, including risk assessment and structuring. Renewable energy is another active area, where the practice - a prominent member of the Argentine Renewable Energy Chamber (“CADER”) - advises on public bid processes and financing mechanisms. Respected energy and natural resources lawyer José Carlos Cueva leads the team in tandem with Ricardo Castañeda, who energy clients turn to for advice on M&A, corporate law and project finance matters.

Argentina > Insurance Tier 2

Beccar Varela advises local and international insurers, reinsurers and brokers on the formation, acquisition and divestment of insurance companies and the transfer and sale of customer portfolios. The team also handles regulatory matters; premium collection agreements; claims reports and contentious matters and litigation; and is a "go-to" adviser for online marketplace operators moving into the insurance sector. Insurance specialist Daniel Seoane leads the practice and draws on deep experience as both an in-house lawyer with global insurers and as private practice counsel. Agustín Luis Duarte, who represents insurers and brokers in judicial proceedings related to major accidents and class actions; and Daiana Mari (regulatory issues and claims reports), are the key names at senior associate level.

Argentina > Labour and employment Tier 2

Beccar Varela helps local and international clients to plan for, mitigate and address all types of labour matters, from complex and contentious cross-border transactions to collective bargaining, dismissals and migration. The team also advises on drafting work contracts, compensation plans, misconduct and disciplinary matters, mass layoffs, and labour due diligence. Practice head Álvaro Galli handles a range of labour matters, including social security, compensation, expatriate regimes and senior staff recruitment and dismissals. A strong team of associates, including seniors Romina Possetti, María Eduarda Noceti and Diego Muslera Larcade, along with counsel María Muriago, provide experienced support. Since publication, Noceti has been raised to the partnership - effective as of November 2023.

Argentina > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 2

Life sciences clients call on Beccar Varela for support on commercial matters, IP, litigation, and M&A related to the industry. The team is well-versed in the regulatory aspects of clinical trials and drug approvals, and main industry players also turn to the practice for advice on orphan drugs, the country’s exception access regime for pharmaceutical products, and medicinal cannabis' matters. Dynamic young partner Ana Andrés leads the team and has already built a strong reputation in the market for her ‘very good knowledge of the industry’. Life sciences and corporate-focused associate Julieta González provides primary support.

Argentina > Real estate Tier 2

Beccar Varela advises real estate owners, project developers, property managers, lenders and investors on all aspects of real estate law - including acquisitions, divestments, facilities management, leases, financing and the restructuring of real estate holdings in single asset and portfolio transactions. The team works on commercial office, housing, shopping centre, hotel, mixed-use development and industrial plant projects, and is particularly noted for its expertise in the structuring and use of real estate trusts. Pioneering work in sustainability-linked real estate financing and the tokenisation of real estate properties is also recognised. The practice is co-led by deeply experienced real estate practitioner Pedro Nicholson, a stand out figure in the market who undertakes work of ‘excellent quality’; and transactional-focused Pedro Silvestri.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

Investors, exploration companies and equipment suppliers in the mining industry turn to Beccar Varela for support on the regulatory aspects of the Argentine mining industry, including public law, tax, and financial regulations, as well as labour, land use and temporary importations of machinery. The team serves a broad mix of clients, including senior and junior developers, and covers all phases of the mining life cycle, advising on transactions, provincial permitting issues and negotiations with landowners. The team is co-led by banking and finance veteran Roberto Fortunati, who has long been active in the sector; and corporate, project finance and mining partner Alejandro Poletto.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 3

Oil-and-gas clients turn to Beccar Varela for advice regarding offshore exploration, concessions, EPC and other contractual matters, as well as M&A and joint ventures. The team covers all stages of the oil-and-gas production cycle, including exploration, upstream, downstream, equipment and service supplier matters. Other active areas include land use, environmental regulation and financing. The team is co-led by respected corporate and natural resources practitioner Roberto Fortunati; experienced energy partner José Carlos Cueva; Ricardo Castañeda, whose main area of focus is electricity but who also handles hydrocarbon-related work; and M&A and project finance partner Pedro Silvestri.

Argentina > Environment Tier 3

International and local clients call on Beccar Varela for support on regulatory and permitting issues, new environmental bills that could impact commercial operations, and environmental audits. Environmental due diligence in M&A processes and representing clients in judicial and administrative proceedings concerning waste management, contamination, and clean-ups are other areas of expertise. The practice group's ork in the climate change and carbon credits segement is also noted. Environmental law and climate change expert Manuel Frávega has worked in industry and as a regulator previously, and brings broad experience to the table as practice head. The practice strengthened its bench during the course of 2022 with the hires of senior associate Florencia Marcelli and associate Camilla Caballero.

Argentina > Intellectual property Tier 3

Beccar Varela offers a one-stop shop for all IP issues and prides itself on providing support beyond the traditional patent and trade mark prosecution disciplines. Strategic advice related to the protection, ownership, and enforcement of all kinds of IP rights is a key focus area for the practice group, which also handles contract negotiation and drafting, as as well as coordinating patent and trade mark prosecution. The team is co-led by Emilio Beccar Varela, who complements his IP practice with deep expertise in media, entertainment, telecoms and technology; and well-reviewed IP all-rounder Florencia Rosati, who is a stand-out trade mark, patents and copyright law litigator.

Argentina > Tax Tier 3

Beccar Varela advises national and international clients on a variety of complex tax matters, including tax litigation (at all levels), tax planning, double taxation agreements, transfer pricing and tax free reorganisations. The team is particularly well-known for the strength of its transactional work, handling the tax-related aspects of M&A, project finance, cross-border deals, financing and corporate restructuring. The practice also works closely with the firm’s white-collar and corporate crime department to counsel on tax and fiscal offences. The team is led by Santiago Montezanti, who has more than 20 years of experience advising clients on international tax planning, tax-free reorganisations, M&A and litigation. Senior associate María De Los Ángeles Olano, who advises on local and international tax matters and litigation work, leads the second line with tax law-focused Enrique López an additional key contact.