Environmental law is a key specialism at Brons & Salas and the firm is well versed across the full spectrum of matters, at both the provincial and federal levels. On the non-contentious side, the group advises on general compliance issues, environmental management systems, real estate-related matters and due diligence. The firm also handles a significant volume of contentious work, with strong experience in defending clients in administrative proceedings and litigation. Department chair Guillermo Malm Green, who also co-chairs the corporate practice, specialises in due diligence, compliance and litigation.

The former Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena (RMA)'s merger into Dentons -announced in September 2019 and effected over the following months- has to some degree obscured the fact that the firm's top-tier environmental unit spun off into two firms, one half subsequently opening its doors in April 2020 as Estudio Gabriel Macchiavello (in memory of the group's former head). It houses an advisory practice covering safety & hygiene, regulatory matters and environmental law; an environmental litigation and enforcement group that handles all relevant contentious matters; and a 'related practices' area that handles negotiations, contracts and M&A with salient environmental aspects. While the 12-strong boutique remains to be fully 'market-tested' in its new format, there is little doubt as to its bench-strength. Managing partner and public law specialist Hugo Bunge Guerrico handles the strategic direction of environmental conflicts in conjunction with veteran environmental litigator Pedro L Zambrano. Ramón Santamarina  is, in turn, an environmental insurance specialist who also handles corporate, contractual and real estate matters with an environmental aspect. Juliana Salvucci and Belén Counduros, formerly of counsel and senior associate at RMA, respectively, round out the partnership: Salvucci is a contentious environmental specialist and co-directs the firm's judicial and administrative caseload in conjunction with Zambrano; Counduros, who has particular expertise in remediation work, heads up the firm's advisory-side practice, and also handles regulatory, due diligence and permitting matters, along with M&A transactions involving industrial sites with environmental liability. An experienced second line of senior associates includes the disputes-focused Leticia Kruls and Florencia Borsani; and on the advisory front, Andrea Gonda.

Marval O’Farrell Mairal’s team impresses with its ‘professionalism’, ‘immediate response’ and ability to remain ‘informed on all topics’. A popular choice to represent major global energy and infrastructure companies on high-stakes and highly sensitive environmental litigation, the group also advises on regulatory issues and M&A related matters. Francisco Macías, who brings to bear strong experience in energy and infrastructure-related work, heads the department. Senior associate Gabriel Fortuna and semi-senior associate Jimena Montoya are also noted for their increasing prominence in the environmental law area.

Allende & Brea’s diverse practice is arguably best known for representing its impressive roster of mining clients on environmental law matters. However, the group also shines in the agribusiness, transport and energy spheres. On the non-contentious side, the firm advises on environmental permits, audits, due diligence reviews and general compliance matters. The team also handles administrative, civil and criminal litigation proceedings. María Morena Del Río heads the administrative and environmental law department and has strong expertise in litigation and regulatory matters. Mining specialist Florencia Heredia is also a key contact.

The ‘technical’, ‘reliable’ and ‘high-quality’ team at Beccar Varela is praised for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the regulations and the trends in environmental law’. Best known for assisting with environmental due diligence, the group has seen a recent uptick in work for renewable energy companies in relation to the RenovAr energy auction programme. It also has experience in contentious matters, including collective environmental damage claims. Public law specialist Oscar Aguilar Valdez oversees the department, while ‘engaging and inspiring’ senior associate Angeles Murgier leads on day-to-day matters.

Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi’s mining department generates a significant proportion of its environmental work and the group advises major players such as Barrick Gold, First Quantum Minerals and Patagonia Gold on environmental law issues. The team, which also routinely acts for clients in the oil, gas, power and agribusiness spheres, handles a range of environmental permitting, compliance and contentious matters. Mining specialists Sergio Arbeleche and Sebastián Vedoya co-lead the practice group, with capable support from associate Pablo Crimer.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados’ robust oil-and-gas offering translates into a practice that specialises in advising major energy companies, including Shell and Total Austral, on environmental law issues. The group advises on the full spread of related matters, from providing day-to-day compliance advice, through to environmental audits and complex litigation. Department lead Horacio Payá is a dedicated environmental law specialist and brings to bear significant in-house expertise following his former role as legal manager at oil company, Pérez Companc.

Estudio O'Farrell’s environmental law practice is weighted towards administrative law matters, with a prominent record in advising clients on complex litigation — it also handles due diligence and compliance issues. The firm’s presence in the power, telecoms and oil-and-gas sectors are the key drivers of work. Public law and economic regulation partners Jorge Muratorio, María Agustina Fanelli Evans and Agustín Siboldi are the key contacts.