The Legal 500 > Latin America > Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring

Full-service law firm Carey fields a  14-strong team (including three partners), which is dedicated almost exclusively to insolvency matters. Leveraging the firm's litigation and international arbitration prowess, the team of experienced bankruptcy and restructuring litigators, led by Ricardo Reveco, consistently excel in insolvency proceedings; in parallel, the group's corporate lawyers, including co-head of the corporate, M&A, capital markets and banking and finance group, Francisco Ugarte, are highly rated for restructuring, financial distress-related M&A and finance deals. The firm also took the lead during the origination of Chilean Insolvency Law No. 20.720, advising the government on its development. Providing further partner-level support, Cristián Figueroa (corporate, M&A and capital markets co-head) is a specialist in M&A and financial distress-related transactions; also noted are associates Isaac Stevens, Alejandra Daroch and Roberto Villaseca.

Having acted in many high-profile judicial and non-judicial reorganisations, as well as contentious bankruptcy law proceedings, Barros & Errázuriz enjoys a strong market reputation for bankruptcy and restructuring matters, and 'gives quick and precise answers to the problems exposed'. It advises both debtors and creditors, acts in arbitration cases (including insolvency class actions), and assists with the acquisition of assets of companies that are subject to liquidation or reorganisation procedures. The team is led by Javier San Martín, whose broad dispute resolution practice includes bankruptcy. Senior associates Cristián Pérez and José Luis Corvalán provide key support.

Morales & Besa's six-strong specialized insolvency, restructuring and reorganization department leverages off the firm's prestigious banking and finance, capital markets and projects practices. The team has expertise in reorganization proceedings and out-of-court debt restructuring agreements, as well as insolvency scenarios before the courts, agreements reached with creditors, and the implementation of complex structures. It is also particularly experienced in matters involving the healthcare, financial services, construction and energy sectors. Myriam Barahona, whose broad practice includes insolvency and restructuring, and Gonzalo Cordero, who  is recommended for insolvency and bankruptcy-related litigation, are the key contacts. Contentious support is provided by experienced associates Orlando Palominos and Juan Ignacio Eymin.

Established in 1981, Nelson Contador & Compañía Abogados has an excellent reputation among clients and peers for its advice to both individuals and companies during financial and corporate crises. The practice excels for its work on financial restructuring, reorganisation settlements, liquidation proceedings and pre-bankruptcy agreements. It also provides assistance with complex regulatory issues. Name partner Nelson Contador has a particularly strong name in the market for bankruptcy and restructuring.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' insolvency team leverages off the firm's expertise in contentious proceedings, financial restructuring, taxation and white-collar crime, as well as its significant relationships with Chile's main banks and financial institutions. The partners to note are Raimundo Moreno, who is regularly involved in landmark reorganisations and liquidation proceedings, including pre-judicial negotiations during financial distress situations; and Fernando Urrutia, an expert in insolvency-related proceedings, including litigation and national and international arbitration.

Guerrero Olivos' six-strong team has broad experience in advising both creditors and debtors on bankruptcy, restructuring procedures and reorganisation plans, including assisting with creditor boards and evidential phases. With over 14 years' experience in insolvency proceedings and restructurings, Sergio Yávar leads a practice that assists corporate debtors, creditors' committees, bondholders, and distressed companies' directors, among other, and which also includes Juan Enrique Allard, a key figure for corporate bankruptcy. However, young partner Tomás Kubick, who  also handled matters involving distressed businesses and reorganisations, is leaving the firm as of December 31st 2020.

Prieto Abogados' eight-strong department is consistently involved in leading insolvency judicial procedures, such as liquidations and reorganisations. It is also experienced in negotiations with default companies, debt renegotiations, syndicated loans, and bond issuances. Insolvency and bankruptcy practice head Benjamín Grebe represents creditors, debtors and interested parties in bankruptcy and insolvency-related proceedings and commercial arbitration. Further support at partner level is provided by Alberto González V, while Santiago Errázuriz and Juan Pablo Riesco are the associates to note.