Prieto Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Prieto Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons

Recent highlights for Prieto Abogados' ‘very responsive' and 23-strong energy and natural resources team include regulatory work, major M&A transactions, the construction of a large energy generation portfolio, and desalinisation projects. Its current caseload also includes the sale of a sizeable distributed generation portfolio and the acquisition, development and construction of non-conventional renewable energy projects (including the associated due diligence processes). The practice is co-led by M&A leader and energy and natural resources specialist, Juan Tagle; and corporate team head Fernando Bravo, who routinely acts for major energy sector clients. The second line of active advisers features Nicolás Yuraszeck K, who has longstanding experience in construction projects, tender processes, project finance, regulatory advice, and energy M&A; and Agustín Martorell, who acts on energy and natural resources-related projects and regulatory matters. At counsel level, Andrea Von Chrismar brings antitrust expertise to energy-related regulatory issues; and Federico Rodríguez‘s wide-ranging practice covers negotiations with developers, corporate matters, financing, and renewable generation projects.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

The six-member practice at full-service legal major Prieto Abogados is routinely involved in Chilean insolvency judicial procedures such as liquidations and reorganisations. The group also leverages the firm’s significant bankruptcy expertise during restructuring and financing negotiations involving defaulting companies and debt negotiations. Its specialisms further extend to international and multi-jurisdictional Chapter 11 matters. In recent highlights, the group advised Banco Internacional on the bankruptcy-related reorganisation of Sencorp. The insolvency and restructuring department is co-led by Benjamín Grebe, a longstanding specialist in creditor-side insolvency procedures; and dispute resolution head Alberto González V, whose practice covers insolvency proceedings and bankruptcies. The associate pool includes Vicente Tapia and Javier Albornoz (2022 recruits from Australis Seafoods and Deloitte Legal Chile, respectively).

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

The ‘very committed‘ six-member capital markets practice at full-service law firm Prieto Abogados has a strong market reputation for debt placements in both Chile and the US. Recent work has also focused on large numbers of bond issues. Other notable areas for the team are major IPOs and public acquisition tender offers (both at domestic and cross-border levels). Of additional note, the firm houses a robust investment funds practice. The team is jointly led by Patricio Prieto L, whose recent experience includes advising on companies’ bond issues; and recently-promoted partner Isabel Wolleter, a specialist in bond issuances and public offering processes. The next line of key advisers features investment funds counsel Maite Larrañaga and active associate José Pedro Poblete.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Full-service firm Prieto Abogados fields a ‘great' five-strong team that regularly acts in contentious and non-contentious TDLC cases. It also assists clients before the FNE in cartel and abuse-of-dominant-position investigations, as well as merger-control reviews and the analysis of concentration operations. The group additionally provides pre-emptive advice to clients, in relation to contracts, antitrust protocols, reports and compliance programmes. Benjamín Grebe, whose practice covers preventive advice, FNE investigations and TDLC cases; and ‘very precise‘ counsel Andrea Von Chrismar, an expert in markets where economic regulation intersects with competition law, co-head the practice. Notable expansion at associate level includes the 2022 recruitment of Vicente Tapia, Javier Albornoz and Carolina Soto from Australis Seafoods, Deloitte Legal Chile and Andes Iron, respectively. Former associates Daniella Ibaceta and Santiago Errázuriz recently exited for the TDLC and LLM studies at New York University, respectively.

Chile > Compliance Tier 2

Prieto Abogados‘ four-member practice is sought out for its assistance with anti-bribery and corruption due-diligence matters, as well as internal auditing and training. It also assists with administrative sanctioning, compliance policy drafting, and the design of internal compliance and crime prevention systems. The compliance team’s expertise further comprises antitrust, labour, environmental and corporate law-related compliance issues; and it can draw upon the firm’s sector expertise in energy, food, TMT, insurance and real estate. Experienced in compliance and anti-bribery matters, lead partner José Andrés Pascual has particular expertise in corporate compliance work. Within the firm’s associate ranks, the practices of both Diego Madariaga and and Catalina Bruner encompass criminal liability issues, obligations to report certain activities to Chile’s authorities, and internal audits and training. Since publication, the firm has hired Romina Garrido -formerly in house at GobLab UAI- as practice director (effective as of December 2023); and white-collar litigator and economic criminal specialist María Jesús Becerra, formerly of Parraguez & Marín – effective as of January 2024.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 29-strong practice at full-service firm Prieto Abogados has an enviable M&A track record in major cross-border deals, private equity transactions and joint ventures; and during 2022, the firm was particularly active in deals involving the insurance, energy, banking, utilities and sanitary sectors. The multidisciplinary M&A team additionally leverages support from the firm’s tax, labour, corporate, environmental and litigation departments. The practice is co-led by M&A, joint venture and bidding process expert, Juan Tagle; and Fernando Bravo, who routinely advises energy sector clients. A further line of experienced partners features energy and natural resources sector expert, José Andrés Pascual; the recently-promoted Isabel Wolleter, who works on both capital markets and corporate and M&A matters; and corporate law, M&A, and infrastructure and construction project practitioner, Nicolás Yuraszeck. At non-partner level, counsels Federico Rodríguez and Maite Larrañaga, along with senior associates Aníbal Larrain and Andrés Laymuns (a July 2022 returnee from Anglo American), are additional active advisers.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Prieto Abogados’ large projects and infrastructure practice is consistently sought out to advise on the development, implementation, financing and acquisition of heavyweight projects. Recent workloads cover transmission lines, renewable energy, mining, construction and toll roads. A quartet of principal advisers co-lead the practice. Juan Tagle’s experience includes power plants (particularly renewables), transmission lines, ports, mining and desalination construction projects; banking and finance team leader Mario Gorziglia is a project finance expert; Nicolás Yuraszeck K has longstanding experience in construction projects, tender processes, project finance, regulatory issues, and related M&A deals; and counsel Isabel Monge is experienced in the financing of mining, electricity transmission and renewable energy projects. The associate to note, Emilio Del Real, advises on project financing, tender processes and construction projects.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

Well-known for its borrower-side credentials, Prieto Abogados' banking and finance team is also mandated by major lenders for significant financing transactions. The department is notably active in deals involving the energy and mining sectors, including project financing, corporate loans and acquisition financings. The group is co-led by project finance and tax specialist Mario Gorziglia (‘strong negotiation skills'); and Isabel Monge, who was promoted to counsel in 2022, has extensive financing experience and is ‘always concerned with details'. Also key to the group are finance lawyer Isabel Wolleter E, a partner since 2022; and ‘very clear' senior associate Aníbal Larrain, who advises on syndicated loans, project financings, revolving facility agreements and international debt placements.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The ‘top-level team‘ at full-service practice Prieto Abogados consistently acts before Chile’s ordinary courts in energy, construction, real estate and retail-related disputes. Other areas of increasing strength include claims and disputes involving the transportation, mining, agriculture, finance, healthcare and software sectors. The firm also houses public law litigation specialists. The combined litigation and arbitration department is co-led by Fernando Samaniego, who acts primarily in real estate, construction and antitrust litigation; and real estate, construction and energy arbitration expert, Alberto González V. At counsel level, Juan Pablo Riesco assists with claims involving public law, consumer rights, real estate, construction and energy, while Agustín Prado and Cristóbal Ipinza are the associates to note. Since publication, the team has been further strengthened with the hire of white-collar litigator and economic criminal specialist María Jesús Becerra, formerly of Parraguez & Marín – effective as of January 2024.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

The ‘very responsive' 10-member mining practice at full-service firm Prieto Abogados advises an array of domestic and international clients (including investment funds) on mining rights - particularly since these have become increasingly critical to the funding sought for the development of energy, infrastructure and real estate projects. The mining department also assists with a range of judicial proceedings and private arbitrations. The team is jointly led director of the firm's environmental and public law practices, Agustín Martorell (who was raised to the partnership in January 2022), whose broad expertise covers environmental law and project development, in relation to the mining, energy, infrastructure, and fishing and aquaculture industries; and M&A leader Juan Tagle, who is also experienced in mining projects. Associates Ignacio Matte (environmental, regulatory and mining law) and Ignacio Quintana (a 2022 hire from BEC Abogados) complete the team. Former seniors Andrés Maldini and Jorge Echeverría left the firm for Solek Holding Chile and Rockville Capital, respectively, during the course of 2022.

Chile > Environment Tier 3

‘One of the best with which clients could work‘, Prieto Abogados‘ energy-focused-environmental law team consistently participates in environmental assessment processes throughout Chile. The team additionally houses real estate industry experts, while also being active in environmental law-related sanctioning proceedings. The practice group’s recent mandates include assisting with environmental damages actions before Chile’s environmental courts in relation to soil, underground water and infrastructure, among other matters. Recently-promoted partner and practice head Agustín Martorell is an ‘exceptional lawyer‘, whose experience encompasses the mining, energy, infrastructure, and fishing and aquaculture sectors; while counsel and former Environmental Assessment Service legal department head, Romina Tobar, is an April 2023 recruit. In the associate pool, Ignacio Matte advises on environmental law and regulatory issues. Former associates Andrés Maldini and Isabel Becerra both departed the firm during 2022.

Chile > Insurance Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' seven-strong team has strong insurance regulatory credentials in relation to the formation of new (or the acquisition of) existing insurance companies. The group also has extensive experience in insurance product-related distribution agreements, such as bancassurance agreements, and mortgage-related, cell phone protection and extended warranty policies. It is additionally active in claims against insurance companies, as well as negotiating tailor-made insurance policies. The department’s principal adviser is insurance regulatory specialist Patricio Prieto L, who advises on insurance distribution agreements, policy drafting, and group policy-related matters. Former associate María Cristina Ríos exited the firm in May 2022 for Coca Cola Andina.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 3

‘One of the top law firms in labour law matters’, Prieto Abogados’ labour, employment and immigration department is routinely sought out for complex labour litigation. The six-member group regularly assists with the labour aspects of corporate matters, as well as maintaining a robust collective bargaining practice. It is also increasingly active on behalf of foreign clients, particularly in relation to immigration work. The team is jointly led by collective bargaining and labour litigation specialist, Christian von Bergen, who acts for companies from the port, mining, electricity and casino sectors; and the ‘outstanding’ Cristóbal Raby, whose broad practice covers defence-side labour litigation. The practice of experienced associate Valentina Flen takes in litigation, social security, immigration, and individual and collective law.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

The ‘proactive, committed and responsible’ 10-member public and administrative law department at full-service practice Prieto Abogados covers public law disputes, sanctioning proceedings, transactions-related regulatory reviews, and interactions with authorities; the team’s recent caseload includes public law matters involving healthcare, telecoms, infrastructure, and  environmental sector clients. The group is led by the ‘very innovative’ counsel Juan Pablo Riesco, who acts for both national and international companies on regulatory and administrative matters. Partner-level support is provided by Fernando Samaniego, whose disputes practice covers proceedings before administrative and regulatory authorities; and Agustín Martorell, a recently-promoted partner who is increasingly active in administrative, public and regulatory law-related work.

Chile > Real estate Tier 3

Providing a ‘great level of service’, Prieto Abogados’ four-member real estate team is regularly sought out for complex projects, as well as ongoing real estate and urbanisation issues. The group’s expertise includes acquisitions, financings, development and construction work, as well as due diligence processes, land use, environmental matters and real estate-associated tax issues. The practice of the firm's dispute resolution head, Fernando Samaniego, also incorporates property law, construction, M&A, and capital markets; he and director Alejandra Bañados, who acts for both national and international clients on real estate and corporate work, are the key practice figures. Former senior associate Camila Urzúa departed the firm for Villarino e Ilharreborde in May 2022.

Chile > Tax Tier 3

The eight-strong team at Prieto Abogados fields specialists in direct, indirect, municipal and inheritance taxes, as well as international taxation and the application of double taxation conventions. The firm also routinely assists with IRS matters (including during audits); and acts in tax litigation before the High Courts of Justice, as well as the Tax and Customs Courts. The team is co-led by Mario Gorziglia, who advises domestic and foreign clients on corporate reorganisations and business structuring; and Leonidas Prieto, who ‘has very detailed knowledge of tax regulation and practice’. At counsel level, Luz María Calvo is a former adviser to the Ministry of Finance’s tax policies department, while senior associate Beatriz Bustos is an April 2022 hire from PCM Abogados.

Chile > TMT Tier 3

Prieto Abogados’ ‘very solid and sharp team’ has a strong reputation for its telephony sector credentials. The 10-strong TMT practice encompasses experience in SUBTEL actions (Chile’s telecoms agency), negotiations with telephony concessionaires, and telephony-related regulatory issues. Recent TMT mandate’s also include major M&A deals. Group head Mario Gorziglia is particularly noted for his telephony industry expertise; and media, entertainment and technology specialist José Andrés Pascual, who ‘stands out for his negotiating skills‘, advises on cinema and television production agreements, sport rights management and the implementation of audiovisual services. Associates Diego Madariaga and Catalina Bruner both maintain active compliance practices.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

Full-service law firm Prieto Abogados fields a five-member team that regularly appears before arbitrators in disputes related to energy, construction, real estate and retail. It is also increasingly active in arbitrations involving mining, agriculture, investment funds, finance, healthcare and software. The group is jointly led by Fernando Samaniego, who is frequently appointed as arbitrator in construction disputes; and ‘great lawyer‘ Alberto González Vidal, who is a real estate, construction and energy disputes expert. Key support is provided by counsel Juan Pablo Riesco and associate Agustín Prado, who both act in civil and commercial proceedings before the arbitration courts.