Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Larrain y Asociados Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons

‘Distinguished by a very thorough knowledge of energy issues‘, Larrain y Asociados Abogados advises a range of companies on the gamut of energy projects, including wind, diesel, gas, carbon and hydro; moreover, its broad gas industry expertise covers liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreements, regasification services, transport agreements and gas concessions. The seven-member group is also routinely mandated on energy and gas-related administrative and regulatory matters, along with regulatory and contractual energy and gas supply litigation, particularly claims before the Energy Panel of Experts, and ordinary, arbitral and antitrust courts. The practice is co-led by Jorge Granic, who has enviable experience in electricity regulation, power purchase agreements, power transmission projects and renewable power; and natural resources, energy law and project finance expert Cristóbal Morandé. Also highly regarded, of counsel Ricardo Peña’s energy expertise covers pipelines, power generation, and upstream, transmission and refining issues; and Joaquín Larrain is an experienced gas regulatory practitioner. At associate level, Javiera Méndez advises on the regulatory side to energy and gas work, while Francisco Cerda  assists with the development and regulatory aspects of energy projects.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

A go-to firm for project development, financing and construction, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ areas of recent growth range from desalinisation and seawater conveyance projects, to mining industry-related matters. Other recent highlights cover highways and toll roads, ports, bridges, hospitals, public concessions, industrial facilities and the energy sector in general. The 15-strong group advises on all stages of projects, its expertise covering ownership structuring, permits and community engagement plans, as well as related disputes. Widely-respected project development, infrastructure and energy and natural resources specialist Jorge Granic co-leads the team in conjunction with Arturo Bulnes, who advises on projects involving the concession of public works and services. Other highly-regarded advisers include construction contract-focused litigator Carlos Aravena; of counsel Ricardo Peña, who routinely structures energy and infrastructure projects; Cristóbal Morandé and Juan Carlos Bulnes, who both act on a broad range of project matters; infrastructure and energy project specialist Joaquín Larrain; and Juan de Dios Ferrada, who regularly structures complex project partnerships and joint ventures. Associates Javiera Méndez, Francisco Cerda, José Spoerer and Michelle Inzunza are all active team members.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

Larrain y Asociados Abogados ' banking and finance practice routinely advises banks, insurance companies, agents and companies on large-value loans at both domestic and international levels. The six-member team’s credentials cover acquisition and structured financing, along with the financing of energy, petrochemical, mining, and public and private infrastructure projects. Recent work particularly focused on project finance deals, corporate and bilateral loan agreements, and the modification and restructuring of previously-negotiated credit facilities. The department features project finance specialists Patricio Montes and Diego Garay (a partner since early 2022), while energy and natural resources expert Jorge Granic advises on the financing of industrial projects. The next line of key advisers features Cristóbal Morandé and Joaquín Larrain, who are both active in project finance work; and experienced associates Teresita Vinagre and Michelle Inzunza.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

The eight-lawyer mining practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados acts for major mining companies at survey, exploration, development, construction and operational stages. It also advises on the acquisition and sale of mining companies and mining assets; and is sought out by mining clients to negotiate royalty agreements, as well as key supply and infrastructure project contracts for gas, fuel, chemicals, mining equipment, and train and port services. The practice is jointly led by Jorge Granic, whose clients include a number of major mining companies; and Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice encompasses energy and natural resources, project finance, M&A, and commercial and corporate law. Growth in the team includes the 2022 promotion of project development and financing specialist Joaquín Larrain to partner; while Francisco Cerda (a former foreign associate in Herbert Smith Freehills' New York office) and Javiera Méndez (energy, gas, public law and regulated services) are the associates to note.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

The seven-member real estate team at Larrain y Asociados Abogados advises on a wide array of sectors, including hospitality, residential and both non-urban and industrial developments. The group is also on hand to assist with renewable energy, forestry, agricultural and conservation projects, while standing out for its infrastructure and construction credentials. It is also increasingly active in relation to commercial real estate, such as cinemas, gas stations and malls. Jointly heading the department, José Pedro Baraona is a longstanding adviser to developers, lenders, buyers and sellers; and Juan Carlos Bulnes (a former Undersecretary at Chile’s National Property Ministry) is experienced in agroindustry, tourism and conservation work, along with urban matters and developments involving state-owned property. Raised to the partnership in January 2022, Juan de Dios Ferrada acts on real estate developments and acquisitions under both asset and share deal structures. Key support comes from associates Michelle Inzunza, who advises on real estate, public works concessions and project developments, and land contract expert José Spoerer.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ experienced corporate department specialises in M&A, restructuring, day-to-day corporate activities, and asset purchases and sales; and the 15-strong group is particularly active in construction, infrastructure and energy-related M&A deals. The group is jointly led by Arturo Bulnes, whose M&A experience covers the infrastructure, transportation, retail and services industries; and Jorge Granic, an adviser to mining and energy players on corporate and finance matters. Cristóbal Morandé, whose recent track record includes M&A deals involving power, real estate, and commercial infrastructure; Juan Carlos Bulnes, who routinely acts for fund managers and tourism operators; and of counsel Ricardo Peña, a longstanding expert in gas-related matters, are all additional partner level practitioners with considerable experience. Notable growth during 2022 includes the promotion of ‘extraordinary negotiator‘ Juan de Dios Ferrada to partner, and the arrival of ‘great recent addition‘, associate Andrés del Sante from Claro & Cia.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Housing ‘a team of lawyers at the highest level', Larrain y Asociados Abogados is routinely mandated on commercial, civil, bankruptcy, tax and administrative litigation. The nine-member team also acts in disputes brought before Chile’s Consumer Agency, SERNAC, in relation to the energy, water, sanitation and public services sectors. José Pedro Baraona has a strong track record in litigation; Carlos Aravena acts in disputes involving public infrastructure works; and Isabel Palacios -a partner since January 2022- specialises in civil and commercial cases. Tax expert Víctor Manuel Avilés is also a key contentious practitioner. In the associate ranks, seniors César Vásquez and Claudio Torres, along with Macarena Gonzalez, Catalina Cortez, and 2022 hire from Andrade Leiva Abogados, Daniela Baron all maintain litigation-focused practices.

Chile > Environment Tier 4

Chile > Intellectual property Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘'IP practice ‘provides advice that adds value'. The four-member group specialises in industrial property matters, copyright, and plant varieties; and it has particular expertise in licensing contracts and other music industry agreements. The department is also noted for its fusion of constitutional law and IP matters; and its experience extends to litigation before the Chilean Trademark Office, the Industrial Property Court, and the Supreme Court, as well as domain name issues. The group is co-led by experienced partner José Pedro Baraona, who also heads the firm’s real estate practice; and senior associate Sebastián Prieto, who is ‘highlighted for his knowledge of IP legislation'.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados is particularly well known for its representation of mining and education sector clients. The four-member team’s scope ranges from litigation, recruitment and cross-border employment and migratory issues, to collective bargaining, M&A-related employment issues, and general advice on employment and social security matters. The team is led by Andrés Silva, an expert in collective bargaining and general labour-related corporate advice; and -in a boost to the practice- labour law litigator Jorge Parro became the firm’s first-ever director in September 2022. Within the associate ranks, Consuelo Misle and Valentina Calderón both focus on labour law.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Assisting with both tax advisory matters and tax disputes, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ practice also incorporates compliance work, as well the implementation of business reorganisations; and the firm’s sector experience covers energy, gas, mining, airlines, agribusinesses and investment funds. The four-member team is led by tax planning specialist Víctor Manuel Avilés; and within the firm’s associate pool, Eduardo Irribarra is a former adviser to Chile’s IRS, while Manuel Larrain focuses on commercial, tax and customs matters.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration