Carey's ‘extremely professional team' is consistently sought out for its expertise in environmental impact assessments, as well as environmental sanctioning proceedings for clients from across the mining, energy, infrastructure, water utilities, aquaculture and agriculture sectors. The full-service, 15-strong environmental, indigenous and regulatory practice also acts in complex administrative disputes and environmental litigation, including defence-side work before the Environmental Courts. Among the team’s several active figures, Rafael Vergara's broad practice encompasses natural resources, mining, water rights and energy law, along with environmental, ESG and surface land issues; Alberto Cardemil is a water rights and supply expert; and co-head of the firm’s litigation group Aldo Molinari acts in administrative and environmental regulatory litigation. Both raised to partner level in late 2022, Manuel José Barros focuses on Environmental Impact Assessment System work, environmental audits, administrative proceedings, and litigation; and the ‘highly qualified' Julio Recordon is a specialist in the environmental law aspects of energy, mining, aquaculture, forestry, health and real estate projects. In August 2022, former senior associate Tomás De La Maza moved in-house at Frutura.

The environment and natural resources department at FerradaNehme is particularly focused on the development and permitting aspects of complex projects; and the eight-strong team routinely works alongside its clients’ government and community relations teams to develop preventive strategies to avoid environmental conflicts. It also assists with the development of compliance programmes for clients’ environmental obligations; and the group is increasingly active in sanctioning procedures, particularly before the Superintendency of the Environment. Also of note, the practice has developed strong credentials in relation to the newly-enacted recycling and extended producer liability legislation (EPR Law). Heading up the firm’s environment and natural resources department, Patricio Leyton specialises in the development of mining and energy projects, particularly permitting and the Environmental Impact Assessment System; Valeria Ruz is experienced in permits and project development, her expertise including community relations, administrative matters and litigation; and Carola Salamanca‘s current practice includes development issues, land-use planning, and EPR Law advice. The firm’s second line of key advisers features director Claudio Tapia, a former public sector Prosecutor of sanctioning administrative procedures at the Superintendence of the Environment; and senior associate María-Pilar Dominguez, who regularly acts in high-profile environmental law disputes.

Exclusively focused on environmental law, boutique firm Moreno Sáez & Avilés' client base comprises major mining, energy, green hydrogen, pulp and forestry players, as well as oil and gas, port, infrastructure, fishery, real estate, waste management and chemical sector clients. The sizeable, 17-member practice is consistently sought out for its advice on environmental assessments, environmental sanctioning procedures, environmental litigation, and indigenous and citizen participation processes. The team is co-led by name partners José Adolfo Moreno, an expert in environmental and sectoral permits, enforcement procedures, and environmental litigation; energy, real estate, mining and infrastructure sector specialist Andrés Sáez, who advises on environmental permitting processes and associated judicial reviews; and regulatory enforcement and litigation expert Sebastián Avilés, whose ‘very deep strategic vision is present in all his advice'. Promoted to partner in December 2022, Luis Prieto is an urban planning and construction law expert; while at director level, Doris Sepúlveda Solar specialises in regulatory issues, sanctioning procedures, and risk assessment and compliance strategies; and Paulina Rivera Muñoz, the recently promoted Magdalena Prieto Pradenas and Paula Gajardo Matthews (a 2022 recruit from Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados) all focus on environmental law work. Former practice director Pablo Méndez left the firm in June 2022.

The six-lawyer environment and sustainable development practice at full-service international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría has an enviable market reputation for high-stakes environmental projects. The team’s expertise takes in domestic environmental procedures (including project development and permitting issues), the environmental aspects of local and international M&A and financing deals, and high-profile administrative and judicial environmental litigation. Department head Juan José Eyzaguirre has long-established experience in major environmental projects and disputes;  Felipe Arévalo (who was raised to the partnership in January 2022), is an administrative and judicial environmental litigator; and former Carcelén, Desmadryl, Guzmán & Tapia name partner, Matías Desmadryl, is a water resources, environment and natural resources specialist. At principal associate level, Mario Mozó routinely acts on the environmental law aspects of the energy, mining, agribusiness and infrastructure sectors.

Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados' sizeable environmental and regulatory department comprises specialists in the environmental assessment of natural resources projects (predominantly mining and water) of all sizes. It also assists with obtaining the authorisations and permits required for the development, construction and operation of such projects, as well as advising on compliance issues. On the contentious front, the team regularly litigates in constitutional, administrative, civil and criminal law disputes. The team inclcudes several partners with past-public sector experience: Mario Galindo‘s career includes 10 years as a litigator at National Environmental Commission (CONAMA); Javier Vergara is a former CONAMA (Metropolitan Region) technical secretary, prosecutor and director; and Cecilia Urbina's curriculum includes being the first compliance and sanction division head at the Superintendence of the Environment (SMA). The team also includes highly-rated environmental law specialist José Luis Fuenzalida, while current litigation department head Ignacio Mujica (raised to partner in December 2022) acts in environmental damage litigation claims. At director level, Francisca Olivares routinely assists with obtaining projects’ environmental approvals and the processing of environmental and sectoral permits; and Elena Fischman focuses on environmental compliance and risks. Associate Josefa Conget acts in environmental and administrative litigation, but former senior Paula Gajardo left the firm in May 2022.

With ‘expertise that is hard to find in other firms', Barros & Errázuriz's eight-strong environmental team advises on environmental assessments, permitting issues, relations with local authorities, and social conflicts and community matters. The practice also fields experts in preventive advice, compliance, enforcement proceedings and litigation before the environmental and ordinary courts (including the Supreme Court). Additionally, the team demonstrates experience in water rights law, proceedings before Chile’s health authorities, urban planning and climate change matters, along with waste management, recycling and aquaculture regulations. Fernando Garrido heads the firm’s water rights' practice; while director Matias Montoya, a former Environmental Assessment Agency general counsel, is noted for ‘his knowledge of environmental issues' and advises on environmental assessments, environmental compliance, litigation, and due diligence. In the associate team, senior Mara Angelini and Cristóbal Gil both focus on environmental issues. Former senior Ignacio Urbina moved to Estudio Fermandois in September 2022.

The seven-member group at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is best known for its environmental law advice on complex projects, including its expertise in the identification of political and social issues, as well as legal risks. The practice is also noted for its capabilities regarding the environmental law aspects of the development of energy, food and telecoms facilities; and it is increasingly sought out for high-stakes environmental litigation. The team is jointly led by industrial, energy, infrastructure and telecoms project development expert, Martín Astorga, whose practice encompasses environmental impact assessments, atmospheric emissions, territorial planning, and public contracting; and regulatory law head Gonzalo Jiménez, whose experience covers concessions, permits and other administrative authorisations. The associate ranks include senior Verónica Cuadra, who has experience advising on the recently-enacted extended producer liability (EPR) legislation (Bill N° 20.920); and Raúl Alvarez and Miguel Ortiz, who both maintain active regulatory and environmental law practices.

Particularly active in the energy, aquaculture, mining and industrial sectors, Echeverría Ilharreborde Scagliotti’s ‘environmental law practice stands out from other teams’. On the contentious front, the practice’s recent mandates include sanctioning proceedings before the Environmental Superintendence, and an administrative claim involving an environmental license. The seven-strong department is co-led by two of the firm’s name-partners: the ‘very prepared, fast, intelligent and competent’ Jose Domingo Ilharreborde focuses on the environmental assessment of energy and industrial projects, his caseload including high-stakes environmental and administrative litigation; and environmental and regulatory law specialist José Pedro Scagliotti, who routinely acts in administrative proceedings and disputes involving major energy and industrial companies. Experienced senior associate Felipe Infante specialises in environmental law, mining, energy and infrastructure.

The large, 12-strong team at boutique law firm Eelaw routinely acts on the environmental law aspects of significant projects; and it stands out in the market for being specialised in mine closure regulations. The group is also routinely sought out to advise on the environmental impact assessment of projects and the management of permits, as well as acting in defence-side environmental and sectoral sanctioning proceedings, particularly before the Superintendence of the Environment. The practice is additionally experienced in litigating matters before the Environmental Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. The wide-ranging practice of department leader Paulina Riquelme includes environmental compliance strategies, waste regulations, contaminated site remediations, emissions-related compensation, and litigation and administrative procedures. Key support comes from senior associates Jorge Brower, who focuses on the environmental law aspects of mining projects, and Camila Martínez, a former Superintendency of the Environment lawyer.

Emerging from the dissolution of Cubillos Evans Abogados in late 2021, Grupo Evans' six-member environmental law practice comprises partners and associates, whose careers include working at governmental agencies and public institutions. The team assists with project developments’ day-to-day issues, and is increasingly active in environmental damage actions, in addition to routinely advising governmental agencies on the assessment of current regulations. Other areas of notable strength are sustainability, recycling, clean energy, and waste management and recovery. With ‘vast experience', Fernando Molina has wide-ranging experience in environmental, regulatory and energy matters; while Aurelio de Diego is a former director of Endesa Chile's hydroelectric and non-conventional renewable energy projects for Latin America. At of counsel level, Yordana Mehsen Rojas advises primarily on project development, and Gianfranco Riaglianti is a sustainability and waste management specialist. Names to note in the associate group include Nicolás Galli, whose focus is on obtaining environmental and sectoral permits, defence-side sanctioning procedures, and litigation against the environmental authorities; and Elisa Anguita, who specialises in environmental, administrative and regulatory law.

With ‘a lot of experience in environmental and administrative issues', Guerrero Olivos' environmental and water law practice covers environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, and the environmental and law aspects of energy, mining, and construction project development. It also advises on the environmental due diligence for M&A deals. A quartet of partners co-lead the practice: Clemente Pérez, who assists with regulatory work, environmental litigation, M&A-related environmental issues, and the environmental side to high-stakes real estate and energy projects; Sebastián Abogabir, a specialist in environmental assessments for non-conventional energy projects; water law expert Benjamín Pérez; and Martín Santa María, who advises on the environmental assessment of project development and urban planning. At associate level, senior Francisca Pellegrini's practice includes compliance and permitting issues, while Antonia Ibarra regularly assists with energy project-related environmental and regulatory disputes.

Launched in January 2020, natural resources and environmental boutique Lawgic Abogados acts for both domestic and international companies from the mining, energy, industry, aquaculture, agri-business, desalination, tourism, and real estate sectors. The group covers the gamut of environmental legal issues, while being increasingly active in administrative and judicial environmental disputes in relation to clients’ major investment projects. Founding partner and environmental practice head Felipe Meneses (a former director of Carey‘s environmental practice) is an environmental, indigenous, and regulatory law specialist; while both Agustín Walker (a former Núñez Muñoz Abogados of counsel) and Sebastian Del Campo (a former Carey senior associate) are water law experts. Key associate support is provided by Constanza Pelayo whose environmental law practice covers project development, regulatory compliance audits, environmental due diligence, and Environmental Impact Evaluation System procedures. Former fellow-associate Rodrigo Quezada exited the firm for the Comisión Nacional de Energía in August 2022, since when the firm has hired Josefina Barriga Martínez from consultancy WSP - effective as of January 2024.

Fielding ‘professionals with extensive experience in environmental work', Schultz Carrasco Benitez Abogados' 13-strong environmental and natural resources department is increasingly active in environmental assessment work. The team also regularly defends clients against project developments’ administrative special procedures before the Courts of Appeal, Supreme Court and Environmental Court. It additionally advises on compliance with Chile’s environmental legislation. Jointly leading the department, former Environmental Assessment Agency regional director Edesio Carrasco focuses primarily on environmental and sectorial permits, energy, land-use planning and industrial project development; while former Ministry of the Environment’s legal division head, Rodrigo Benítez is a specialist in the environmental assessment of mining, energy, infrastructure and agro-industry investment projects. At associate level, Graciela Venegas ‘provides great support'; Carlo Sepúlveda focuses on administrative and environmental law, and environmental litigation at administrative and court levels; and Ingrid Henríquez advises on environmental, urban, energy and health law.

Barros Silva Varela & Vigil's public law and environmental department fields experts in environmental assessments, compliance with environmental and sectoral regulations, and sanctioning proceedings before Chile’s Superintendency of the Environment and Environmental Protection Agency. The team is co-led by public and regulatory law specialist, Claudia Ferreiro, whose practice takes in projects’ environmental impact assessments, defences before state agencies, concession-granting procedures and environmental litigation; and Felipe Riesco, whose past experience includes serving as both Ministry of the Environment Undersecretary and legal advisor to the Superintendency of the Environment. At senior associate level, José Ignacio Vial focuses on regulatory and environmental issues, while Esteban Carmona advises on regulatory public law and administrative sanctioning processes.

The seven-strong environmental law team at full-service firm Claro & Cia. is regularly sought for its assistance with the environmental aspects of major projects. Clients, such as Anglo American Sur, InterEnergy Holdings and Biomar Chile, further benefit from the group’s sector expertise in energy, mining, forestry, agriculture, and water resources. The team features Nicolás Eyzaguirre, who acts for both domestic and international clients on natural resources and environmental law, along with energy, M&A, and litigation; recently-promoted partner Joaquín Rodríguez, whose career includes a stint as visiting lawyer in Sullivan & Cromwell LLP‘s New York office; and senior associate Tomás Darricades, a former litigator for Chile’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Lavin Abogados & Consultores' specialised environmental law team is well known for its advice on large-scale projects’ environmental impact assessments; environmental permits; defence-side audit and sanctioning procedures; and the implementation of environmental compliance programmes. It also defends high-stakes environmental damage claims. In addition to founding partner Julio Lavín's environmental law expertise, he is experienced in maritime and aquaculture concessions, mining, energy, utilities, and the wine exportation, and forestry and paper industries; Andrés Del Favero's wide-ranging experience covers large-scale infrastructure projects involving mining and maritime concessions. Key practice support comes from senior associates Gonzalo Lavin, whose practice includes community relations; Javiera Catalán, who focuses on administrative law matters; and Arturo Lavín, whose practice takes in environmental issues, maritime and aquaculture concessions, and mining and water law.

Morales & Besa‘s four-member team has notable experience in substantial environmental projects. Its expertise covers both environmental and regulatory aspects, including environmental assessments of projects, environmental litigation, and enforcement and sanctioning processes. The team additionally advises on urban matters, water issues, mining law and public contracts. Recruited as a partner in early 2022 for the firm’s environmental, mining, and natural resources practice from Infante Valenzuela Molina Abogados, Aldo Cardinali‘s recent experience includes providing environmental assessment advice to mining companies KGHM and Minera Carrizalillo. Former senior associate María Francisca Bannura left hte firm in August 2023.

‘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.

Baker McKenzie Chile's environmental law practice routinely leverages the firm’s well-known mining law prowess. The team’s coverage includes assessments regarding compliance with environmental regulations and administrative procedures to obtain permits. In cross-border environmental work, clients additionally benefit from the Santiago office’s membership of the firm’s global and Latin America environment practices. Heading up the group, Chilean mining law expert Mirco Hilgers also has extensive experience in natural resources, energy and infrastructure work. During 2022, senior associate Santiago Vial (mining projects) re-joined the firm (further to completing a Master’s Degree in London), while former associate Rosario Preuss departed for an in-house role at Innergex.

Unwinding from Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana in March 2022, Bofill Mir Abogados‘ five-lawyer environmental law practice has extensive mining, infrastructure and energy industry expertise. Its assistance covers both environmental compliance and enforcement work, ranging from permits, presentations to the Environmental Assessment Service and Environmental Superintendence, and environmental law-related due diligence for project financings and acquisitions. The team is led by founding partner and renowned mining and natural resources specialist, Pablo Mir; and the practice of recently-promoted director Cristián Franetovic encompasses environmental issues, natural resources, regulatory matters and public law.

Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr's five-lawyer practice routinely advises on major mining and energy investment projects. Its assistance covers environmental impact assessments, obtaining and maintaining environmental permits and environmental compliance. The group also acts for both claimants and defendants during administrative sanctioning proceedings before the environmental, health and water authorities. The team is led by regulatory and environmental law specialist Ignacio Urrutia, whose career includes eight years at Chile’s environmental agency (then known as the National Environment Commission); he is supported by key associate Javiera Vicuña whose practice takes in water, energy and mining law.