Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Capital markets Tier 1

With a long-established presence in both the national and international capital markets, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría‘s nine-member group covers both market entry and exit work. The team’s representative experience ranges from the issuance, registration, placement, trading and offering of securities, to advising on prospectuses, agreements, and stock market and over-the-counter market-related deals. The firm also houses highly active corporate governance and compliance practitioners. The practice is co-led by country manager Andrés Sanfuentes and Federico Grebe, who both have longstanding experience in assisting national and foreign companies with major capital markets transactions; and Marcela Silva, a specialist in advising underwriters and issuers of bonds and shares. In January 2023, IPO and debt issue practitioner Constanza Rodríguez and international capital markets financing lawyer Daniel Parodi were both elevated to director level, while former practice co-head Marcelo Armas retired from practice. Principal associate Guillermo Vial is also a key team member. Since publication, Parodi has been raised to the partnership - effective as of December 2023.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

With 'deep and comprehensive knowledge of various jurisdictions', Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's 23-strong M&A and corporate practice is highly focused on corporate advisory work (both contractual and commercial), as well as major investment operations, such as M&A deals, divestitures, joint ventures, spin-offs and other significant strategic transactions. The firm also houses specialists in a range of sectors, particularly energy, finance, technology, forestry and agriculture, along with infrastructure, healthcare and pharma. The group fields several experienced partners, namely: M&A, private equity and corporate law specialist Federico Grebe; Andrés Sanfuentes, who maintains a wide-ranging M&A practice; commercial transactions expert Juan Pablo Wilhelmy; and experienced corporate law, M&A and financing practitioner Alberto Pulido A. Also integral to the department, Carlos Alberto Reyes is an energy and mining-project specialist, while Nicolás Santana (a former international associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s New York office), was raised to partner in early 2023. At non-partner level, director Constanza Rodríguez's practice incorporates M&A, capital markets and corporate law; while principal associate Guillermo Vial focuses on corporate law, M&A, infrastructure, project finance and capital markets. Since publication, Vial has been raised to the partnership - effective as of December 2023.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's ‘great team of lawyers' is particularly well known for its mining-related M&A and project finance credentials; the group’s expertise takes in due diligence, deals involving mining issues, and mining contracts. The firm additionally houses a robust mining dispute resolution practice. Mining and natural resources group leader Juan Paulo Bambach is an expert in corporate law, M&A, energy, mining and natural resources, and enjoys a track record that includes high-stakes transactions on behalf of national and international mining exploration companies; mining and energy law expert Jerónimo Carcelén ‘provides an exemplary service'; while María Paz Pulgar (who was promoted to counsel in March 2022) is experienced in major mining deals. At associate level, principal Felipe Ossa P handles mining-related regulatory issues, in addition to advising mining companies on corporate, M&A and financing matters. Former senior Natalia Czwiklitzer and principal María José Sotomayor both left for in-house roles during the course of 2022.

Chile > Environment Tier 1

The six-lawyer environment and sustainable development practice at full-service international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría has an enviable market reputation for high-stakes environmental projects. The team’s expertise takes in domestic environmental procedures (including project development and permitting issues), the environmental aspects of local and international M&A and financing deals, and high-profile administrative and judicial environmental litigation. Department head Juan José Eyzaguirre has long-established experience in major environmental projects and disputes;  Felipe Arévalo (who was raised to the partnership in January 2022), is an administrative and judicial environmental litigator; and former Carcelén, Desmadryl, Guzmán & Tapia name partner, Matías Desmadryl, is a water resources, environment and natural resources specialist. At principal associate level, Mario Mozó routinely acts on the environmental law aspects of the energy, mining, agribusiness and infrastructure sectors.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's sizeable 20-strong projects practice acts in a wide range of areas, particularly in the renewable energy, mining and water sectors. Its expertise covers negotiating project contracts, environmental assessments, permitting, and community affairs. The team also assists with the negotiation of partnerships, strategic alliances and joint ventures with third parties, as well as project acquisitions and sales. On the infrastructure side, the team is active in transportation, hospitals, schools, telecoms, real estate developments, and water and sewerage systems. The practice is jointly led by transactions and development expert Carlos Alberto Reyes; banking, financial and infrastructure project specialist Andrés Sanfuentes; and Marcela Silva, whose practice covers the lender-side of mining, infrastructure and energy project financing. The second line of key advisers includes Daniel Parodi (promoted to director in early 2023); and senior associates Guillermo Vial (complex projects), and construction and engineering-focused Mario Fava. In early 2023, former practice co-head Marcelo Armas retired from the firm. Since publication, Parodi has been promoted  to the partnership - effective as of December 2023.

Chile > Real estate Tier 1

‘Very meticulous in its approach to real estate work’, market stalwart Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría acts for both international real estate investment funds and domestic real estate developers on major developments and transactions; and the team has enviable sector experience in residential condominiums, shopping centres, hotels, and apartment and office buildings, as well as urban and rural property-related developments. Practice head José Tagle is an expert in real estate investment funds, urban matters and corporate real estate law, whose caseload typically takes in residential projects, office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, mixed-use developments, multi-family projects, and agricultural real estate investments. Recently-promoted principal associate Cristóbal Uriarte acts, in turn, for agricultural and forestry clients, in addition to advising on real estate projects and related M&A deals. Former principal associate María Eugenia Badilla Lepe left the firm for IVM Abogados in March 2022.

Chile > Water law Tier 1

The Santiago office of full-service international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a five-member team that consistently advises on major projects that require water; the ‘very committed, attentive and high-level’ group is particularly focused on the mining, energy, sanitary, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Its assistance covers environmental impact studies; hydroelectric power plants, and salt and desalinated water supply projects; the underwriting of long-term water supply contracts; and appearing before the General Directorate of Water, General Comptroller of the Republic, ordinary and special courts of justice, and Environment Superintendence. The firm’s water resources offering is led by ‘excellent water law technician’ Matías Desmadryl, whose track record includes being appointed Chile’s General Director of Water between 2010-2012, during which time he spearheaded the establishment of Chile’s National Water Information System. Supporting Desmadryl at associate level are administrative and water law expert Francisca Mendoza; and Franco Valenzuela, who is experienced in high-profile sanctioning procedures before the General Directorate of Water.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

With ‘extensive experience in financial matters‘, full-service legal practice Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a seven-member banking and finance practice that acts for both foreign and domestic banks and financial institutions (as well as borrowers and sponsors) on major transactions. Core areas for the group range from energy, mining and infrastructure project finance, to syndicated financing, aircraft finance (including aircraft lease and financing operations), and offshore bonds and shares issuances. Following the early 2023 departure of practice co-head Marcelo Armas , the group is jointly led by the ‘always well-informed and accessible‘ Marcela Silva, an expert in the financing of mining, infrastructure and energy projects; and recently-elevated director Daniel Parodi, who regularly assists with asset, project and corporate finance. The duo are also flanked by banking, finance and infrastructure projects expert Andrés Sanfuentes, along with senior associates Pedro Pablo Valenzuela (‘very independent and thorough‘) and Ignacio Chomalí, both of whom handle domestic and cross-border banking and finance deals, along with project finance work. Since publication, Parodi has been raised to the partnership - effective as of December 2023.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

International law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría has an enviable reputation for heavyweight bankruptcy work. The team’s credentials cover liquidation and reorganisation proceedings, as well as cross-border insolvencies and defence-side creditor matters. Notable recent experience includes representing certain creditors during the reorganisation of LATAM Airlines. Country manager Andrés Sanfuentes, an expert in banking, financial and infrastructure projects is the key figure on the financial side; however, the practice lost disputes specialist Jorge Vial, who frequently acted on major cross-border insolvencies and reorganisations, and Ignacio Larraín (whose broad practice included representing debtors and lenders in insolvency proceedings), with the pair’s departure to re-establish their own firm in September 2023.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 2

The ‘highly specialised and experienced lawyers' at international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría houses a nine-member team that routinely advises on employee hirings and terminations, unfair dismissal, HR company policies, due diligence, internal employment audits, and restrictive covenants. The group also comprises experts in subcontracting, outsourcing, labour taxation and compensation packages, along with collective bargaining, union relations, labour litigation, social security, and M&A-related employment issues. The practice is co-led by labour, employment, social security and immigration specialist Paulina Miranda, whose practice encompasses new areas such as "#MeToo" , gender pay gaps, gig economy work and AI, along with data privacy, internal investigations and compliance; and recently-raised partner Sergio Montes, who is a labour and social security law expert. Experienced senior associate Aref Cosma advises on the employment side to major transactions, including M&A deals.

Chile > Public law Tier 2

‘A team with solid knowledge’, the public law department at full-service international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is particularly active in administrative law disputes, and -of late- increasingly involved in urban affairs (on behalf of real estate companies) and public procurement issues. Recent mandates also include acting for telecoms clients, as well as a raft of state agencies and state-owned enterprises. The 10-strong team is led by José Luis Lara, a longstanding expert in public procurement, and administrative and constitutional law. Lara is flanked by public law-focused senior counsel Guillermo Zavala, who also advises on related areas, such as environmental law, regulatory work, public procurement, and municipal and urban law; and counsel Jorge Femenías, a dispute resolution director who is experienced in environmental damage-related liability issues, administrative sanctioning law, and negotiations involving Chile’s public authorities. At senior associate level, Matías Larroulet and Florencia Portales are also key group team members.

Chile > Tax Tier 2

Fielding both experienced senior lawyers and an in-house accountant, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s ‘committed and flexible’ thirteen-strong tax practice focuses on corporate and private wealth matters, domestic and international tax planning, and tax litigation and administrative procedures before Chile’s tax authorities. The practice is co-led by Mario Silva, who assists with corporate and personal taxation, along with tax planning and corporate restructuring; finance, and energy and natural resources sector expert, Guillermo Infante; and tax disputes head Arturo Selman, who was elevated to partner during 2023 and is a former Chilean IRS lawyer. Principal associate Ariel Castillo focuses on tax advisory work, business and international taxation, tax structuring, and reorganisations.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The September 2023 departure of practice head Jorge Vial  and fellow partner Ignacio Larraín  to establish their own firm means in conjunction with director of the contentious administrative and regulatory practice Jorge Femenías means the dispute resolution practice at full-service firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is undergoing a period of transition. Capable senior associate Manuela Cross has been raised to practice director and has experience on mandates concerning construction, infrastructure and consumer protection, along with the the energy and entertainment sectors, insurance-related claims, and litigation concerning real estate disputes, and civil and commercial conflicts. She can call on the deep expertise of senior counsel Jaime Irarrázabal; along with the assitance of counsel Guillermo Zavala on both litigation before the ordinary courts and contentious administrative matters. Josefa Larraín was a 2022 departee for Albagli Zaliasnik.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons

The energy and projects practice at full-service international firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría houses specialists in both electricity law-related regulatory matters and energy transactions. The team’s representative experience covers major M&A deals and energy project financings, along with power purchase and off-take agreements. It also advises on complex engineering, procurement and construction contracts, and operation and maintenance agreements. The team’s principal advisers are projects, energy and M&A expert Carlos Alberto Reyes, whose practice covers natural resources and oil and gas-related transactions and developments, as well as electricity work; and Eduardo Escalona, a specialist in project development, international tenders, and economic litigation before the Panel of Electricity Experts.

Chile > TMT Tier 3

The multi-disciplinary practice at full-service international firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría comprises experts in TMT, corporate law, banking, data privacy and regulated markets. The team regularly advises Chilean food retailer SMU on e-commerce matters, while other notable matters include advising Metropago on the implementation of a prepaid payment method using an an app that enables compatibility between Chile’s transport system and smartphone users. Regional TMT partner Eduardo Escalona is a specialist in the economic regulation of public services, particularly those concerning TMT, energy, data protection and consumers; he is also in charge of the firm’s recently-established Digital Desk initiative.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

The September 2023 departure of practice head Ignacio Larraín  -taking associates Catalina Montero  and Camilo Larrain (among others) with him- sees the competition team at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría now led by capable associate director Gabriel Budnik, who can draw on a decade's experience. He is supported by juniors Pablo Antonio Aguayo and Catalina Commandari.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 4

The four-member team at the Chilean office of full-service regional firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is able to leverage the firm’s strong TMT-credentials for data privacy matters. In addition to housing experts in big data, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and analytics, the group also regularly works alongside its banking and competition law colleagues. A key partner in the regional TMT practice, Eduardo Escalona also co-heads the firm’s digital desk initiative.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 4

The seven-member venture capital and technology practice at ‘first-class’ international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría routinely acts for start-ups, investors, foreign and domestic VC funds, and companies with corporate VC initiatives. The ‘very powerful’ team covers fundraising rounds, internationalisation structures, fintech and regulatory matters, and clients additionally benefit from the firm’s approximately 10-year strategic alliance with Endeavor, which provides mentoring assistance to entrepreneurs when launching in foreign jurisdictions. The principal advisers are Nicolás Santana (‘demonstrates great knowledge of the industry’), who advises start-ups on capital raising; and principal associate and international tax law specialist, María Jesús Ibáñez.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile