The Legal 500 > Latin America > Chile > Dispute resolution

Bofill Escobar Abogados recently made concessions and regulated-markets specialist Loreto Silva a name partner, thereby becoming Bofill Escobar Silva Abogados ; the firm 'has the ability to handle a broad range of commercial litigation and arbitration cases across different sectors', according to clients. The 21-strong practice is highly respected in the market for its assistance with complex, cross-border business disputes, shareholder claims and criminal investigations; recent work has included significant litigation involving the transportation, energy and natural resources, mining, construction and finance sectors. Notable clients include  Sociedad Concesionaria Costanera Norte, Laureate International Universities and Enel Generación Chile; in one recent highlight, the team acted for Sociedad Concesionaria Nuevo Pudahuel (Santiago Airport’s concessionaire) in a high-profile arbitration against the Government in relation to 20-year tariffs. Jorge Bofill has acted as lead counsel in numerous, high-profile public cases and regularly advises on arbitration matters, including cases before the the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the International Chamber of Commerce; Sebastián Yanine is 'equipped to handle bet-the-company litigation effectively'; and Daniel Praetorius 'combines deep knowledge of corporate law and white-collar expertise, which is valuable and unusual'; other names to note are Ricardo Escobar and Francisco Aninat.

The 28-strong practice at full-service powerhouse Carey is best known for advising on complex civil and commercial lawsuits, shareholder disputes, insolvency,  environmental and sanction procedures, criminal trials, construction, and concession-related disputes. The team also has extensive experience in domestic and international commercial arbitrations, including investment arbitration. Highlight mandates include defending Fundación Isabel Aninat Echarrazeta (most recently in a successful Court of Appeal defence against an earlier first-instance decision), in a $300m case brought by the heirs of the founders of the foundation. The team has also defended Essity, a global producer of tissue paper, against two class actions seeking compensation due to alleged collusive activity. Aldo Molinari, Ricardo Reveco, Juan Carlos Riesco (appointed partner of the litigation group in 2018), and 'brilliant attorney' Gonzalo Fernández jointly co-lead the department; senior associate Alvaro Carreño , a white-collar expert, is also noted. Other clients include WOM, Fantástico Sur,  Melón and Equitas.

'First among equals', the 30-strong disputes practice at Claro & Cia. is highly rated for complex, commercial court litigation, domestic and international arbitration, and cross-border litigation; the firm also has a robust white-collar criminal practice. High-profile clients include Publicis Groupe, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, Greymouth Petroleum Holdings, First Solar, Agrosuper, Apple and Volkswagen. Recent matters saw Felipe Ossa lead a team acting for Alto Maipo in its dispute with Hochtief-subsidiary CNM concerning the construction of one the largest hydroelectric projects in Chile; to date the $620m case has included injunction proceedings, two emergency ICC arbitrations and a further three arbitral proceedings concerning the merits of the case. In other highlights, Cristóbal Eyzaguirre and José Miguel Huerta represented LATAM, as well as its controlling shareholders and certain executives and board members, in a civil matter initiated by a LATAM shareholder and seeking compensation for alleged antitrust infractions. Highly-rated practitioner Nicolás Luco rounds out the core team, which can also call on widely respected senior partner José María Eyzaguirre G. Santiago Bravo, Tania Villarroel, Javier Rodríguez and Álvaro Vives are the associates to note.

Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo fields lawyers who have longstanding expertise in civil and commercial litigation before the courts, state agencies and arbitral tribunals in sectors such as construction, mining, telecoms, energy, banking, finance, insurance and retail. In ongoing headline work, senior partner Pedro Pablo Gutiérrez and Juan Francisco Asenjo are leading advice to leading global copper producer, Codelco, in a case against the Chilean General Comptroller (CGC) which seeks to annul certain CGC-decreed norms that limit the company's ability -as a public entity- to enter into contracts with third parties. Working in conjunciton with Joaquín Castillo, Gutiérrez also acted for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty in multiple claims (aggregate value $250m) stemming from freak-flooding in Santiago in early 2016. Name partners Cristóbal Jimeno and Alfredo Waugh are also highly experienced practitioners. Associate Eugenio Valladares is noted. Other clients include Glencore International, Telefónica, Compass Group, Scotiabank, Itaú CorpBanca and Falabella.

Barros & Errázuriz's 'excellent' disputes team 'has specialists in a wide range of matters' and is well known for acting in contentious proceedings involving civil and commercial law, tax, bankruptcy, real estate and antitrust; the practice is particularly experienced in regulated areas such as energy and telecoms and also regularly acts in major construction project-related disputes. Active clients include Inmobiliaria El Plomo, Aguas del Valle, Colbún, Laureate International Universities, BTG Pactual Chile and Southern Cross. In recent matters the team acted for leading Brazilian investment bank, BTG Pactual, in an arbitration case brought by a private investor claiming that the breaching of an internal statute had caused a loss of investment fund value. José Tomás Errázuriz, Luis Eduardo Toro, David Cademártori   and Javier San Martín are all highly-rated advisers; experienced senior associates José Luis Corvalán , Isidora Fernández and Cristián Pérez provide a strong second line.

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana fields a highly regarded, 17-strong disputes practice. The civil and commercial litigation team is well known for public-interest litigation, while the firm's arbitration practice area stands out for its experience in construction, commercial law and gas, natural resource and energy disputes. Recent work saw the team advise Mineria Candelaria in a $41m claim brought by a community of fishermen alleging contamination of the waters around Punto Padro Port as a result of the incorrect loading and unloading of copper. Other matters include the successful defence of Bayer in a $1.4m tort case, representing CORFO in $40m and $150m damages claims and Minera Los Pelambres in a $10.5m civil liability case concerning water rights. The team underwent change in January 2019 when former litigation and criminal defence co-head Rodrigo Quintana exited (with former senior associates Ignacio Ried and Camila Flores) to establish QRF Abogados; the firm moved rapidly hiring former Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo senior associate, Karen Werner, as partner, the same month. A civil litigator, Werner joins a team composed of name partner Andrés Jana, who leads the firm’s litigation and arbitration practice; all-round arbitral specialist Rodrigo Gil; and domestic arbitration-focused senior associate Carla Dittus. Clients incude Bice Vida, Terra Mater, Codelco, Grupo Inmobiliaria Imagina and Enap Refinerías.

Specialist competition and disputes boutique Pellegrini & Cía. is praised for 'the teamwork and professionalism of each of its partners and associates, who are always available and fully aware of cases'. The nine-strong contentious practice specialises in complex commercial arbitration and litigation and has particular expertise in disputes involving construction, energy and complex commercial agreements; it's lawyers also have corporate governance expertise. Recent energy/constuction sector mandates include acting for major Brazilian construction company, Queiroz Galvão, in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of the La Higuera hydropower plant; and consortium Constructora Nuevo Maipo (Hochtief and CMC Di Ravenna), in ICC arbitration against Alto Maipo (AES Gener) regarding the construction of the Alto Maipo Project. Commercial litigation and arbitration specialists Julio Pellegrini and Francisco Blavi co-head the team; Pedro Rencoret is also highly regarded, particularly for contractual claims, unfair competition and disputes requiring economic analysis. Other clients include Astaldi, BUPA, Claro Chile, SALFA, CMPC and AD Capital.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's 'lawyers work very well as a team and they always have quick answers to clients' questions'. The firm's commercial litigation and arbitration work regularly involves the construction and engineering, energy and mining sectors, as well as high-profile corporate disputes. Recent litigation-side work saw the hugely experienced Enrique Alcalde lead representation of major pension-fund administrator AFP Provida in civil law suits against Soquimich (SQM)'s controlling stakeholder (and related parties) arising out of the 'Cascadas' case; and ENAP in 14 environmental damage claims (aggregate value $270m) resulting from an oil spill. (However, in June 2019 Alcalde announced his departure from the firm at the end of the year so as to dedicate himself to arbitration). In arbitral matters, Cristián Conejero Roo is acting for Albermarle Lithium in a $1bn ICC dispute with CORFO concerning a preferential price clause; and Fundación de Cementerios Católicos in twin proceeedings (value: $300m) concerning the termination of a concessison agreement. Best known as an arbitration specialist, Conejero Roos' 'knowledge and insight into litigation are spectacular', while civil litigator Germán Subercaseaux (who is largely dedicated to construction, energy, natural gas and corporate disputes), is increasingly visible in arbitration matters; the two co-lead a 19-strong disputes team in which senior counsel Jaime Irarrázabal is another key figure. A strong second-tier includes, on the litigation side, senior associate Benjamin García (civil litigation) and associate Senda Villalobos (consumer law and class actions), and in arbitral matters, senior associate Gianfranco Lotito and Uruguay-qualified associate Juan Manuel Rey Jiménez de Aréchaga. Notable clients include AFP Provida, Empresa Nacional de Petróleo, Inmobiliaria Pereira, Minera Salar Blanco and Ford Motors Chile. Since publication, however, the March 2020 departure of Conejero Roos for Cuatrecasas' new Santiago office has seen  the firm respond with the mid-May hire of the founder partner of Vial Larraín Abogados, Jorge Vial as head of the firm's disputes practice. A procedural specialist with over 30 years' litigation experience, Vial arrived with five associates, boosting the contentious group to 20 lawyers.

Baker McKenzie Chile's team has been particularly active in class action cases and is noted for its cross-border litigation expertise; significant clients include Astaldi, Oracle, Cencosud and Aguas Antofagasta. The practice defended pension fund administrator AFP Habitat (AFP) in a class action filed by Chilean consumer protection association, ODECU, which claimed that AFP increased commission fees without consumers' consent. Department head Rodrigo Díaz de Valdés and Ignacio Naudon are the main contacts; Antonio López is the associate to note.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is 'an excellent law firm for large and complex cases, and its ability to integrate teams is exceptional'. The practice is experienced in advising on litigation involving environmental law, regulatory issues, securities, tax, competition law and consumer protection issues, and is also well known for class action defences. Recent work saw Florencio Bernales advise broker Larrain Vial (and two of its executives) in administrative litigation against $40m in fines imposed by the SVS as a result of the Cascadas case; Raimundo Moreno assist Girsa with several debt collection actions filed against the Municipality of Valparaíso; and Fernando Urrutia act for CDM in an easment dispute with state-entity, CDE. Jorge Boldt , who made partner in 2018, is the other key contact; senior associate José Ignacio Azar is also noted. Clients include BHP Billiton, KPMG Chile, IBM Chile, Ripley and Google.

The eight-strong team at Prieto Abogados is 'usually well informed about almost every important case in Chile, even when not directly involved'. The practice regularly acts before arbitrators and ordinary courts, particularly in disputes involving the energy, construction, real estate and retail sectors; the practice has also recently been active in insurance and healthcare-related matters. Recent headline mandates saw Alberto González V (arbitration, particularly in real estate, construction and energy disputes) and Fernando Samaniego (real estate, construction and anti-trust litigation) advise four electrical power generating companies (including Engie Energía Chile), in a $160.2m damages claim against GasAtacama Chile for unlawful conduct in relaton to the reporting of generation data. Other work saw González and Samaniego team up with senior partner Claudio Undurraga (utilities, energy, infrastructure and anti-trust litigation) to advise GWC Inversiones in a $21m damages claim for presumptive breadch of contract. Associate Juan Pablo Riesco is also a key team member. Clients include Engie Energía Chile, Huawei,  Aguas Andinas, VivoCorp, Watt's and Sibelco Chile.

Albagli Zaliasnik's disputes practice undertakes contentious administrative matters, arbitration, bankruptcy, civil and commercial litigation, and class actions; other areas of note include antitrust, consumer protection, environmental litigation, labour and tax disputes, and white-collar crime. Ariela Agosin heads the civil litigation team, of which Gabriel Zaliasnik and Daniel López are also key members; at senior associate level, Félix Antolín  and Carolina Escandón are other names to note. Key clients include WOM, Farmacolgía en Aquacultura Veterinaria, LG Electronics and Abbott Laboratories.

Particularly active in project and construction-related litigation of late, Aninat Abogados acts for a diverse clientele including Codelco, Fitch Ratings Chile, Empresa Nacional de Energía Enex and WPP Group. Recent matters saw the team defend Codelco against a claim by MS, a distributor of specialised mining clothing, which sought to enforce the performance of a supply contract. Department head Paulo Román is 'always available to provide swift responses and solutions', senior associate Gustavo Delgado leads the public litigation team and Andrés Sepúlveda is a bankruptcy and insolvency associate of note.

CMS Carey & Allende's litigation department handles construction and engineering, energy and natural resources, post-M&A disputes, IP infringement, consumer protection, insolvency, public procurement, and white-collar crime. Active clients include Sun Dream, Jacobs Chile, Banco Sabadell, Interaseo Chile and Agrícola Pacífico Sur. Recently promoted partner Rodrigo Campero leads the group; his practice focuses primarily on civil, commercial litigation, arbitration and bankruptcy; associate Ferdinand Schnettler is also well regarded.

Contreras Velozo acts for high-profile clients such as Sanofi-Aventis de Chile, Caterpillar Financial Services, Banco Santander and Telefónica Móviles Chile (Movistar); the team recently defended the latter against a consumer class action that alleged the interruption of mobile telephone services. Óscar Contreras Blanco, who is 'very detail oriented', and Álvaro Awad Sirhan co-head the civil litigation and commercial arbitration practice, while Francisco Velozo leads the criminal litigation group. The July 2018 arrival of Javier Velozo and Pablo Pardo from Aninat Schwencke & Cia brings additional (primarily competition-related) litigation expertise and capacity to the firm.

FerradaNehme's 'very professional team' has been active of late in environmental and mining law cases, class actions, complex public law litigation, unfair competition, and white-collar and civil litigation matters, including in the telecoms and  retail sectors. Name partner Nicole Nehme has recognised litigation skills, both Nicolás Ubilla and the 'outstanding' Rafael Collado were made partners, and Marcela Rodríguez is a well-regarded practice director. Clients include Barrick Gold, Andes Iron, VTR Comunicaciones, Redbanc and CODELCO.

Fleischmann & León Abogados' 'team demonstrates analytical capacity, legal and technical knowledge, strategic vision, and an ability to address complex problems'. It is highly rated for dispute resolution work involving infrastructure, construction, public works and mining concessions; active clients include Sociedad Concesionaria Túnel El Melón II, Constructora Tara Compu and Sacyr. Recent work saw the team act for ICAFAL Ingeniería y Construcción in the enforcement of a hotel construction agreement with Inmobiliaria Posh. Hernán Fleischmann Chadwick has 'outstanding intelligence, which allows him to anticipate scenarios and stay one step ahead', while fellow name-partner Juan Ignacio León Lira is 'a dedicated, analytical lawyer with great vision'. Construction specialist Juan Diego Rabat Celis joined as a partner from Molina Ríos Abogados and senior associate Cristóbal Marimón Mourgues was hired from Sacyr Chile.

Grasty Quintana Majlis & Cia.'s 'specialist team has experience of complex matters'. The practice group includes experts in both (civil and commercial) litigation and arbitration, with representative experience including bankruptcy disputes, contractual claims, torts and energy litigation. The client list includes Universidad de Ciencias de la Informática, Banco Falabella, Metlife Chile Seguros de Vida, Sociedad Contractual Minera Tres Valles and PwC's Chilean branch. Recent matters saw the team advise ratings agency Feller Rate Clasificadora De Riesgo on its alleged role in the 2011 La Polar accounting fraud scandal. Eduardo Marchi is practice head while Jorge Meneses leads on contentious public law matters. Arturo Majlis is also a key adviser.

The nine-strong team at Guerrero Olivos acts for clients including Puerto Ventanas, ENACO, BCI Asset Management, Volvo Financial Services and La Polar. Recent work includes defending US-based mining and energy fund Denham Capital and Santiago Metals against actions  concerning the validity of certain mining-related lease agreements (aggregate value of $20m), brought by minority shareholders. Practice head Sergio Yávar handles complex civil, commercial and arbitral disputes and is an expert in bankruptcy, liquidation processes and reorganization plans. Former departmental head Disputes practice head José Ignacio Jiménez  left the firm in June 2019 to establish his own disputes boutique, Jimenez y Cia Abogados.

The seven-strong practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados acts in significant commercial, civil, labour, bankruptcy, taxation and administrative law disputes; the practice is also particularly focused on representing clients in relation to infrastructure and construction, mining, energy and public works. Recent matters saw the team act for highway-concession holder SC Autopista Costa Arauco, in a $12m arbitration claim against the State of Chile concerning additional road-safety works. Practice head Carlos Aravena is 'an excellent lawyer who gives clients confidence because he knows what he is talking about'; José Pedro Baraona is also a key adviser. Associate Isabel Palacios is also 'one to watch'.

Morales & Besa's 'thorough and knowledgeable practice' covers civil and commercial litigation, arbitration, construction disputes, antitrust claims, administrative law litigation, and white-collar matters. The client list includes Banco de Crédito e Inversiones, Sociedad Concesionaria Metropolitana de Salud, Universidad de Chile and ABB Chile. The nine-strong team's recent work included representing Santiago airport concessionaire Nuevo Pudahuel in a $300m royalty-related dispute against the Ministry of Public Works. Practice head Gonzalo Cordero and senior associate Orlando Palominos are the names to note.

Chadwick & Reymond , formerly known as Reymond & Cía, is 'a highly professional and dedicated practice that is quick to adapt to clients' needs'. The firm is highly rated for litigation against the state in relation to construction matters and public works concessions, as well as disputes between private companies. The practice recently acted for a concessionaire company AVO I in a $35m challenge to allegedly arbitrary instructions imposed by Chile's Ministry of Public Works. Alfonso Reymond Larraín  and Rodrigo Riquelme Yáñez head the team, which has been boosted by the 2018 arrival of César Pérez Burgos -as a partner- from Salfacorp, coupled with the return of Felipe Duhalde Vera from studies in the US. The firm's second tier, comprising senior associates Diego Fuentes González  and Ignacio Vargas Roco  (who specialise in construction and public concession / PPP disputes, respectively), is also noted.

Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr fields a six-strong practice group with experience in real estate, environmental, energy and administrative law, as well as competition matters; the practice is also noted for construction disputes, consumer protection law claims and arbitration. Recent matters saw the team act for SQM, as plaintiff, in a Supreme Court action against the State of Chile (and certain private companies), which successfully sought the annulment of resolutions that wrongfully granted water-rights. Highly-regarded practice head Juan Carlos Dörr Bulnes leads on all matters. At associate level, Juan Pablo Morales is also noted but Fabiola Schencke exited to state consumer-rights entity, SERNAC.

Abogabir Miranda Abogados' 'team works in a very professional and efficient manner, and handles itself really well in local courts'. The recently formed dispute resolution boutique specialises in civil, commercial and criminal litigation, competition law claims and consumer disputes, including arbitration. Recent highlights saw the team act for Inmobiliaria Farellones in arbitration against a contractor regarding the construction of six buildings. Name partners Diego Abogabir and Nicolás Miranda previously worked at Jara Del Favero & Ried Fabres and Alessandri & Compañía Abogados, respectively; Abogabir is 'outstanding' and Miranda 'proposes smart solutions'.

The seven-strong practice at Allende Bascuñán & Cía is focused on civil and commercial litigation as well as disputes involving mining law, financial markets and agriculture, among others. Ongoing work includes advising Copa Airlines on any consumer law disputes it faces in Chile. Alejandro Romero, Andrés Garrido and Felipe Allende are the principal contacts. Other clients include AngloAmerican, Phillips Chilena, Air Canada, Fedex Express Chile and Grupo Más Errázuriz.

Cisternas y Compañía Abogados fields a sizeable, 18-strong practice group in this, it's core area of dispute resolution. Recent matters include ongoing legal advisory to the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (including representation in complex administrative and criminal litigation); undertaking a legal report on the scope of Article 155 of the Procedural Criminal law code on behalf of Chile's Chamber of Deputies; and advising GyM in arbitral matters related to a breached obligation. As regards criminal matters, the team is also active in relation to the Cascadas, Penta and Corpesca cases. With almost 20 years' experience, practice head Gonzalo Cisternas is active in complex dispute matters, particularly in the corporate area and those with an economic component; his practice also covers both local and international arbitration. The team can also call on Jean Pierre Matus who joined the firm as a consultant in October 2018; a criminal law specialist with over 25 years' experience, he has been a member of the Supreme Court of Justice (‘abogado integrante’) since 2015. Clients include Universidad de Concepción, Inmobiliaria Vallauri, Servicio de Procesamiento de Datos en Línea (SERPEL), and Consorcio TECDRA.

In 2018, BAZ|DLA Piper and NLD (Noguera Larraín & Dulanto) merged under the name DLA Piper BAZ|NLD; the firm is now known as DLA Piper (Chile).  The office's disputes practice 'adapts as required to specific client requirements'; its workload  includes complex commercial and civil matters, defending constitutional rights, and consumer protection claims. Recent matters saw the team act for Metrogas in a gas explosion-related claim. Macarena Iturra and 'excellent professional' Ricardo López are highly regarded counsels and key practice contacts. In a further development as of September 2019, the office has opened a white-collar practice under the leadership of new counsel Ignacio Schwerter, who is also active in compliance matters.

Garrigues Chile's caseload recently involved high-profile disputes in corporate law, energy, insurance, construction, real estate, consumer protection class actions, bankruptcies, and tax.'Experienced and insightful', Mónica van der Schraft leads the team; principal associate Cristóbal Sarralde , who arrived from Guerrero Olivos in mid-2018, is 'efficient and responsible'.

Jara Del Favero & Ried Fabres' dispute resolution practice undertakes matters ranging from contract breaches, mining-and-metals litigation and consumer protection issues, to real estate and construction claims and professional services disputes. Jorge Schenke heads the litigation, arbitration and negotiations department, of which Ricardo Brancoli is also a key member.

Gian Carlo Lorenzini heads the litigation department at insurance-specialist firm Kennedys. Recent highlights saw the team advise a computer distribution company on a credit-related claim. Ricardo Peralta Valenzuela joined from Peralta, Gutierrez y Asociados. .

Marinovic & Asociados has 'easy-to-engage-with multilingual partners and staff'; the practice assists with complex civil and commercial litigation,  shareholder disputes, insolvency, environment and construction-related claims, and tax matters. Iván Marinovic Pacey heads the group; Nicolás Marinovic Vial and Javier González Echávarri  are also key contacts. Clients include Grupo La Polar, Rubis Energie and Cabify Chile.

Parraguez & Marín's recent experience includes acting for Principal Chile in two separate civil proceedings which seek to nullify the merger of two companies that administer pension funds. Gustavo Parraguez Gamboa heads the team.

Rodriguez Rosende Abogados' litigation and arbitration practice assists with civil, contractual, commercial, and labor law issues; the team also advises on power and insurance-related disputes and administrative law claims. Eduardo Rodríguez Ugarte and Hugo Rosende Álvarez are the highly-regarded name partners.