Specialised in environmental conflicts and litigation, Estudio Gabriel Macchiavello’s deep bench of expertise is made up of 14 lawyers and 5 paralegals dedicated to environmental counselling and litigation. The practice draws from this strength to represent companies in lawsuits and administrative procedures related to collective damages, mass toxic torts, environmental damages, remediation and recovery of damages, as well as providing international and domestic corporations with advice on technical environmental standards and regulations. The firm also adds broad multidisciplinary expertise to its focused environmental work, namely transactional, compliance, permitting, legal audits and insurance. Leading the team are experienced environmental law practitioners Hugo Bunge Guerrico, Pedro Zambrano, Juliana Salvucci, Belén Counduros and Ramon Santamarina. Other key names in the practice include the recently promoted partners Florencia Borsani, who focuses on environmental, regulatory, health and hygiene advice; and environmental litigation expert Andrea Karina Gonda.
Environment in Argentina
Estudio Gabriel Macchiavello
Practice head(s):
Hugo Bunge Guerrico; Pedro Zambrano; Juliana Salvucci; Belén Counduros; Ramón Santamarina
Key clients
YPF
PBB Polisur (Dow group)
Pla
Monsanto – Bayer
Industrias John Deere Argentina
Nestlé Argentina
Exxon Mobil
Sherwin Williams
Central Puerto
Cofco International International Argentina
Total Austral
Chevron
Sinopec
Syngenta Agro
Wintershall (Basf group)
Trafigura Argentina
Arauco Argentina
Work highlights
- Representing YPF in an environmental lawsuit related to past contamination of surface water and sediments of a water course near a major oil refinery (the largest in the country) located in Ensenada, Province of Buenos Aires.
- Advising Exxon Mobil, Total Austral, Wintershall and YPF in massive torts litigation, which seeks the remediation of the alleged environmental damages in the Neuquén Basin, province of Neuquén.
- Advisory services to PBBPolisur (Dow) regarding administrative proceedings before the authorities of the Province of Buenos Aires, such as sanctions and permitting matters.
Marval O’Farrell Mairal
Marval O’Farrell Mairal’s environmental practice ‘stands out for its high professional level and in the quality of its work, legal analysis, neatness, punctuality and availability’. The compact team nevertheless handles the spectrum of environmental matters, from regulatory issues and litigation, to due diligence and M&A transactions - with a particular specialism in handling the environmental aspects of infrastructure, manufacturing, oil-and-gas, and conventional and renewable energy projects. Another strength is litigation, including criminal cases related to environmental pollution and infractions. Leading the team is Francisco MacÍas, whose expertise includes environmental claims, particularly in the energy and natural resources sector. At associate level, experienced seniors Gabriel Fortuna (who is active in environment matters relating to the mining, food, energy, manufacturing and oil and gas sectors); and Jimena Montoya (whose practice centres on environmental regulatory matters, audits and due diligence), are also key names.
Practice head(s):
Francisco Macías
Testimonials
‘The MOM team in environmental matters stands out for its high professional level and in the quality of its work, legal analysis, neatness, punctuality and availability. They are always friendly and maintain very good interpersonal. They adapt to new technologies with ease, and are always willing to collaborate. As for billing, it can be said that it is a rather onerous resource. Clearly the firm stands out favorably compared to other professionals in the field.‘
‘We work mainly with Gabriel Fortuna and Alejandra Cortiñas. They stand out for their high professional level and in the quality of their work and legal analysis; their neatness, punctuality, availability and kindness.‘
Key clients
Volkswagen Argentina
Grupo PSA (Peugeot Citroën)
Tuboscope (National Oilwell Varco)
Raízen Argentina
Danone Argentina
Glencore
Cargill SACI
Compañía General de Combustibles
Compañía Mega
Adecoagro
Pachon (Xstrata)
Copetro (Oxbow)
Petro AP
TGS (Nopec) _ Spectrum
Summit Agro Argentina
Work highlights
- Advising Volkswagen in connection with the environmental proceedings related to the so called ‘diesel gate’ scandal.
- Advising Compañía Mega on a class action and three claims for damages filed against several companies seeking remediation of environmental damages caused by the disposal of liquid effluents.
- Advising Oxbow Carbon in connection with several environmental collective actions filed by citizens from the Ensenada and Berisso districts seeking a reduction of air pollution and compensation for damages supposedly caused by a petcoke plant.
Venditti Hierro Quinteros
As a boutique specialised in environmental law, Venditti Hierro Quinteros knows the field and can provide comprehensive advice that covers regulatory, judicial and transactional matters. The firm’s broad expertise in the area includes the assessment of environmental liability, representation before administrative agencies, advice on contractual environmental issues and environmental compliance audits and due diligences. In addition to this the practice handles a range of environmental damage claims and defence in cases of civil liability (toxic tort actions) and associated criminal liability. Environmental and regulatory expert María Magdalena Venditti co-founded the firm with fellow team leads Mariana Hierro, whose strengths include environmental, industrial and oil-and-gas matters; María Carolina Quinteros, who focuses on natural resources and environmental law issues; and Lucía Sesto, whose practice is centred on environmental standards and administrative sanctioning procedures. The firm has also been growing at associate level with the February 2022 hires of semi-senior Florencia Nocera from Buenos Aires’ environmental regulator APRA, and junior Andres Di Maio from Franco Abogados.
Practice head(s):
Lucia Sesto; María Magdalena Venditti; Mariana Hierro; María Carolina Quinteros
Testimonials
‘The Venditti Hierro y Quinteros team adapts flexibly to the demands of its clients and their legal/environmental situation. Due to its experience, capacity and knowledge, the firm achieves a good understanding of the client’s operational reality in order to later have an accurate diagnosis and thus achieve good advice, with good results for the company when implementing what is advised. With these qualities, the fees are adequate and in many cases economical. It also has a website for monitoring legal obligations that can be adapted to the needs of its client.‘
‘Carolina Quinteros has great experience advising different types of companies, with complex and different realities, where I was able to prove it by working with her in several of those companies. In addition to her experience, her technical knowledge of the legislation and the legal/political reality of the moment is added. Quinteros manages to deepen the problems of her client, working as a team with the different areas to finally give accurate advice. ‘
‘Lucia Sesto has experience, as well as knowledge, achieving the necessary empathy with her client to give good advice.‘
Allende & Brea
Representing clients in the extractive and industrial sectors, Allende & Brea’s advice includes business and human rights issues, operational social licenses, green financing, climate change and renewable energy matters. A key strength is assisting on compliance with Argentine environmental legislation, and the team combines this with experience in environmental due diligence, litigation and administrative proceedings, corporate governance and anti-corruption, as well as advising clients on the Argentine legal aspects of greenhouse gas emissions disclosure. María Morena Del Río focuses on administrative and environmental law, including sustainability and governance matters; she co-leads the team with mining and natural resources expert Florencia Heredia. They are ably supported by highly-specialised senior associate Martín Alejo Prieto.
Practice head(s):
María Morena del Río; Florencia Heredia
Testimonials
‘Extensive knowledge of the regulatory framework and global trends.‘
Key clients
Allkem (merger of Orocobre and Galaxy Resources)
La Primavera Argentina
YPF
Ferrero Argentina
Fundación Oncológica Anna y Elena Bonatti Rocca
Innovative Seed Solutions Argentina
FMC Química
Syngenta Agro
Unipar Indupa
Minera del Altiplano (Livent Corporation)
Milliken Do Brasil Comercio Textil e Representacao de Productos Quimicos
Estancias Unidas del Sud
Aspen Argentina
Banco Itaú Argentina
Sherwin Williams
Ball Envases de Aluminio
Resource Capital Funds
Sprott Capital Partners
Scotiabank
Work highlights
- Advises Galaxy on environmental, social and governance matters related to one of the most important lithium projects of Argentina, the Sal de Vida Project.
- Advising La Primavera Argentina in connection with the potential impact of the construction of a road by the provincial government through the property that could cause environmental damages in the protected area.
- Provided environmental advice to the underwriters (Scotiabank and Sprott Capital Partners) on the initial public offering of Mineros on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Brons & Salas
Active in general environmental consultancy, compliance and due diligence, Brons & Salas’ primary focus is advising on the environmental law aspects of corporate transactions, which the team combines with strong regulatory and legislative practices. The multidisciplinary expertise in the team covers the key, inter-related sectors of mining, renewable energy, nuclear energy and oil and gas. Guillermo Malm Green is practice head and is best known for corporate litigation arising from environmental issues and advising multinational companies and individuals on the environmental facets of M&A transactions. Specialist associate support is provided by senior Maria Agostina Mandrini who has some 14 years in the sector and focuses on environmental litigation, compliance and audits, and remediation matters.
Practice head(s):
Guillermo Malm Green
Testimonials
‘We can say that we have a fluid relationship, which allows the team to possess a deep understanding not only of the aspects of legal advice, but of the functional aspects of HP, creating a synergy as an added value.‘
Key clients
The Clorox Company
Schlumberger Argentina
Hewlett Packard (HP Inc. Argentina)
3M Argentina
Mercedes Benz Argentina
Ecolab Argentina
Grupo Peñaflor
Rotoplas
Coster Packaging
Kimberly Clark
Work highlights
- Managed to obtain the approval of the reconversion of one of Clorox’s plants that had been declared a polluting agent by ACUMAR.
- Work on the approval of the Planet Partners Program for used toner and ink cartridges coming from consumers in Argentina.
- Advised Mercedes Benz Argentina in a significant environment-related complaint entitled “Beatriz Silvia MENDOZA et al v. ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT et al, on damages”.
Bruchou & Funes de Rioja
With a focus on the environmental aspects of commercial transactions and project development, Bruchou & Funes de Rioja handles a range of advice in the field, including analysis of the environmental implications new productive projects and conducting environmental impact assessments. The practice also has considerably experience in environmental conflicts and litigation, as well as preventative advice. Sebastián Vedoya is a key name for environmental issues, particularly those arising from mining and hydrocarbon projects. He co-leads the team with Sergio Arbeleche, who handles environmental matters related to contracts, administrative regulation, and constitutional and international public international law. Also notable: recently promoted partner Juan Zocca specialises in administrative and environmental law, while senior associate Pablo Crimer focuses on environmental law and natural resources.
Practice head(s):
Sebastián Vedoya; Sergio Arbeleche
Key clients
Barrick Gold Corporation
First Quantum Minerals
Patagonia Gold
Dow Chemical (Argentina)
Nabors Argentina
Cargill
Minas Argentinas
Petronas Argentina
Lundin Mining Corporation
Yamana Gold
Minera Agua Rica
Oxiteno
Nicoll (Aliaxis)
Unipar
Ugen (MSU)
Minera Peregrine Argentina
AES Argentina Generación
Work highlights
- Advising Barrick Gold Corporation and its Argentine subsidiaries on their operations in Argentina, including environmental matters of national and binational nature.
- Provided legal advice to AES Argentina on environmental compliance, permitting, litigation, administrative proceedings, etc.
- Provided environmental legal advice to Cargill regarding its agribusiness’ activities (permitting, compliance, etc).
Baker McKenzie
Working closely with its public law, dispute resolution, M&A, energy, mining and infrastructure practices, Baker McKenzie’s multidisciplinary team can advise across the spectrum of environmental issues. Santiago Maqueda is the go-to name in the area and his team is particularly strong on environmental compliance, class action litigation arising from environmental harm, environmental authority proceedings, and advising on national and global regulatory trends. The latter point includes complex issues around producers’ extended responsibility, global warming regulations, carbon credits and the disposal of soon-to-be-banned substances.
Practice head(s):
Santiago Maqueda
Key clients
Shell
Wal-Mart
Albemarle
China Triumph International Engineering Co
Shawcor
Work highlights
- Advising and assisting Shell’s subsidiaries in Argentina with an environmental lawsuit in the Province of Neuquén.
- Advised Albemarle in connection with the lithium properties it operates in the Province of Catamarca, Argentina, known as “Project Antofalla”.
- Advising China Triumph International Engineering Company on evaluating potential environmental liabilities and risks related to a solar plant project in the Province of Córdoba.
Beccar Varela
Manuel Frávega joined Beccar Varela in February 2022 after the departure of Angeles Murgier in 2021. Frávega focuses on environmental law, as well as bringing experience in corporate, public law and litigation, gained during his time managing environmental law departments in global companies. His team has particular expertise in due-diligence related to the environmental aspects of corporate transactions, notably transaction prices, guarantees and eventual responsibilities in M&As, transfers of on-going concern, purchase of assets, concession contracts, and the installation of industrial premises. The practice also provides multidisciplinary advice on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) business models.
Practice head(s):
Manuel Frávega
Key clients
Kimberly-Clark Argentina
LITSA (Líneas de Transmisión del Litoral)
Total EREN
Swift Argentina
FCA Automobiles Argentina
Cosan Lubricantes(Moove)
Work highlights
- Advised Total EREN on the environmental aspects of commercial transactions related to renewable energy projects.
- Advising Swift’s legal team on general environmental legal matters in Argentina, including regulatory, permitting and compliance issues for five operative facilities located in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Cordoba.
- Advising FCA Automobiles Argentina on the environmental aspects of commercial agreements and on general environmental legal matters in Argentina, including regulatory, permitting and compliance issues.
Franco Abogados
A small but longstanding player in the sector, environmental and safety-regulation boutique Franco Abogados has strength across a comprehensive range of consultancy issues, audits, administrative defence, litigation and training programmes. The team is particularly respected for complex contentious work, with extensive experience in reparatory and criminal actions. Founding partner Horacio Franco is a veteran practitioner with a 25-year plus trajectory in the sector; well regarded, he advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. A similarly experienced practitioner, Eugenia Bec provides additional partner-level capacity and input. The small team was strengthened with the hire of mid-level associate Natalia Mollard from Abeledo Gottheil Abogados in early 2021.
Practice head(s):
Horacio Franco
O'Farrell
O'Farrell specialises in advising clients primarily drawn from the heavily regulated sectors on administrative claims against the Argentine state at the local, provincial and federal levels, including environmental matters related to the extractive industries, electricity and telecom. The group combines expertise from the firm's public law, regulatory, energy and litigation practices to assist with matters ranging from land remediation to urban visual contamination. Public law and economic regulation experts Jorge Muratorio and María Agustina Fanelli Evans co-lead the team, along with Agustín Siboldi
, whose focus is on energy matters.
Practice head(s):
Jorge Muratorio; María Agustina Fanelli Evans; Agustin Siboldi
Key clients
ENI Petroleum
AMX Argentina
DYCASA
Resinas Concordia
Pampa Energía
YPF E E
Latinoamericana de Energía
Naturgy BAN Natural Energy and Natural Servicios
Compañía General De Electricidad
Transener and Transba
Parques Eólicos
Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica de Tucumán
Energía de Entre Ríos, Sociedad Anónima
Empresa Jujeña de Energía
Unipar Indupa
Fundación Torcuato Di Tella
CYCSA
Work highlights
- Advised ENI regarding environmental issues related to the bidding process for the offshore exploration and exploitation of petroleum.
- Advice and representation of América Móvil subsidiary Claro Argentina as a defendant following a claim by the city of Posadas (Province of Misiones), that the release of non-ionizing radiation by antennas could potentially be detrimental to the community’s health.
- Advice to DYCASA regarding the environmental requirements required to be able to initiate construction projects in the Province of Buenos Aires.