The 18-strong team at market-leading firm Carey routinely advises national and international companies on corporate labour matters, labour litigation and union negotiations, as well as immigration issues. The labour group is also able to leverage the expertise of its tax, civil, criminal, data privacy and IP colleagues for complex labour and employment matters, and acts for an enviable client base spans industries such as airlines, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction, mining, telecoms, retail, and banking and finance. The department is jointly led by Oscar Aitken, who has a broad labour practice, and whose recent experience includes advising an international airline on a collective bargaining process; labour and corporate immigration law specialist Francisca Corti, who ‘stands out for her solid knowledge in this area‘; and recently promoted partner Francisco Arce, an expert in employer-side union issues, collective bargaining, social security issues and labour litigation. Within the associate pool, Carla Karzulovic, Constanza Trisotti and Valentina Kuscevic all have broad employment law experience.

The six-strong practice at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has a strong market reputation for its experience in collective bargaining, immigration and company restructuring-related labour issues. It is also sought out for its experience in compensation packages, stock option plans, data privacy-related labour matters, and the tax aspects of labour benefits. Clients additionally benefit from the firm’s Chilean membership of L&E Global (a worldwide alliance of employers’ counsel). The practice is jointly headed by Ricardo Tisi  , who ‘stands out for his knowledge of labour and trade union matters‘, and labour and corporate immigration specialist Bárbara Zlatar , who was made partner in January 2022 (as was labour law and people management expert Ignacia López  in April). At associate level, Sebastián Krebs  has significant expertise in labour trials. Josefina Rivera left the firm in September 2021.

With ‘deep knowledge of the applicable legal framework‘, full-service firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a 10-strong labour and employment practice that is expert in hirings, terminations, unfair dismissals, HR company policies, internal investigations, due diligence and internal employment audits. Other notable areas include restrictive covenants, subcontracting, labour taxes, compensation packages, collective bargaining, union relations, labour litigation, expatriate issues, social security and M&A-related labour matters. The practice is co-led by Paulina Miranda  (the first female partner in the firm’s Santiago office), an international employment law specialist, who also focuses on growing areas such as #MeToo, gender pay gaps, gig economy issues, AI, diversity, data privacy, internal investigations and compliance; and ‘great litigator‘ Sergio Montes , who was elevated to the partnership in January 2022. The practice of key associate Aref Cosma  covers labour, social security and immigration law.

The result of a November 2020 merger between Provoste y Cía. and Matamala Abogados, Provoste Matamala Abogados fields a 17-member labour and employment law team that advises companies from a broad range of industries. Its workload is predominantly focused on labour-related corporate matters, litigation, and health and safety matters. The practice is jointly led by Pedro Matamala Souper , a highly regarded litigator and corporate adviser, whose practice includes collective bargaining; and director of the litigation team, María José Cea Catalán , ‘whose mission is to obtain the best agreement for clients‘. Additional name partner support is provided by Matías Provoste Vargas , who assists with mining industry-related labour matters; while at associate level, Luis Celis  is an experienced trial lawyer, Valentina Vergara Lam  routinely reviews Labour Department-issued administrative fines, and Edmundo Borel Rey  specialises in occupational health and safety issues.

Founded in 2016, specialised labour and employment law boutique Sáez & Fernández is widely respected for its labour relations and litigation expertise, comprising supporting labour relations within companies, preventing conflicts, union negotiations, and judicial and extra-judicial disputes; it is well known for its sector experience in mining, telecoms and transportation. The group is co-led by founding partners Raúl Fernández, a labour litigation and strategic labour consultancy expert, and Felipe Sáez, who leads the firm’s collective bargaining department; their ‘level of knowledge and quality of advice are off the charts', according to one client. Associate Pablo Fuenzalida regularly acts in unfair labour practice suits. Former partner Andres Dighero left the firm in late 2021 and has subsequently moved in house.

The recent track record of Barros & Errázuriz‘s eight-strong practice includes collective bargaining, compliance work, major employment litigation, administrative litigation involving claims before Chile’s Labour Authority, and immigration matters. The employment and immigration practice is led by manufacturing and education sector expert Juan Cristóbal Iturrate, whose remit includes managing the practice’s sub-departments in due diligence, collective bargaining, judicial matters, immigration, and daily legal advice and internal audits. At senior associate level, María Fernanda Espinosa assists international clients with the labour aspects of M&A transactions; while employment litigation leader Pavel Alvarez is ‘very capable and efficient'. Carolina Carrillo left for Álamos & Squella Abogados in February 2022.

The six-strong practice at CMS Carey & Allende routinely handles contracts, pay and compliance; high-stakes litigation; visas and immigration requirements; corporate deal-related employment advice; redundancy programmes and senior employee dismissals; and employee health and safety issues. The firm additionally houses experts in union issues and collective bargaining; its recent caseload includes advising clients on Covid-19-related emergency legislation, including liaising with key government bodies on uncertain points of law and practice. The employment and pensions group is led by Enzo Canales, who consistently acts on major employment matters; while at senior associate level Julio Frías ‘stands out for his technical knowledge and professionalism‘. Recently promoted senior Constanza Yáñez is also noted.

The August 2022 merger of Halpern Pino and Grasty Quintana Majlis (which already had an association with London-based international firm Clyde & Co) gave rise to what is now known as Clyde & Co Chile. The firm’s labour and employment department includes successful collective bargaining processes and union-relation management, as well as advice on Covid-19-related reorganisations, terminations, lawsuits and individual labour matters, along with assistance regarding adaptation to the 2017 Labour Reform. The practice is led by Christian Alvarado , who assists major domestic and foreign companies with collective negotiations and dispute resolution. At associate level, senior Agustin Alcalde Santibañez  and Lily Torrejón  are both experienced in labour matters. Former senior Patricio Riquelme  moved to Montt Casado & Rettig Abogados in September 2021.

The five-member group at DLA Piper Chile acts on a broad scope of labour law issues, ranging from collective bargaining, employment litigation and compensation schemes, to high-level executive terminations, internal investigations, due diligence, labour compliance, corporate immigration, the tax aspects of remuneration, and Covid-19-related employment issues. The ‘best partner an in-house attorney can have‘, group head Luis Parada is a labour and employment and corporate immigration expert. At associate level, Diego González (who joined in early 2021 from Morales & Besa), and Iñaki Irisarri and Ignacio Abogabir, all have broad labour and employment law experience. Former counsel Juan Pablo Mesías  moved to NLD Abogados in 2021. Since research concluded, Gabriela Andrade has left the firm.

With ‘deep expertise in both consultancy and litigation work‘, Del Río Izquierdo Abogados‘ five-strong department predominantly acts for clients from the mining, construction, technology, manufacturing and hotels sectors on the full range of labour and employment work. The group is particularly experienced in hirings, terminations, compensation packages, dispute prevention, and collective bargaining and union relations. Other key areas are migration, subcontracting, due diligence, and labour-related administrative and jurisdictional litigation. The broad practice of founding partner and practice director Eduardo Izquiero Bacarreza  covers contracting, labour and union relations, immigration, and collective bargaining; Francisco Bañados Geywitz directs the firm’s litigation practice; and senior associate Daniela Vidal Saldías  is a labour and administrative law specialist.

The five-member labour, employment and migration department at Guerrero Olivos regularly acts for clients from the mining and metals, technology, food and beverage, retail, media, and banking and finance sector clients; the practice primarily handles pre-emptive advice, disputes, and corporate, M&A and reorganisation-related labour issues. The practice also assists with employment litigation involving unfair dismissals, anti-union practices, the protection of fundamental rights, work-related accidents, collective bargaining, and expatriate matters. Lead partner Rocío García de la Pastora is an expert in labour law consultancy and litigation, collective bargaining and corporate labour matters. At associate level, Sergio Fuica specialises in the protection of fundamental rights and labour disputes, and Tomas Garnham ‘resolves all queries quickly with skill'.

With particular expertise in mining-related employment issues, Porzio Ríos García‘s labour, employment, social security and immigration law practice is experienced in labour-related restructurings, collective bargaining, and discrimination and unfair labour practice litigation. Other key areas range from  health and safety regulations, to compliance and internal investigations, employee benefits, social security and global mobility. The firm also houses specialists in immigration, executive transfers and M&A-related labour issues. The ‘cohesive‘ team is led by name partner Ignacio García, a longstanding labour and employment law expert, while ‘key adviser‘ Fernando Villalobos focuses on strategic litigation involving non-compete issues and unfair labour practices. Associates Laura Kottmann and Camila Quiroz both act in labour and employment disputes.

Prieto Abogados‘ ‘excellent' six-member labour, employment and immigration practice is particularly experienced in labour litigation, as well as labour-related corporate advice. The firm also houses experts in collective bargaining processes; its recent track record includes advising on the implementation of Covid-19-related measures on employment suspensions, salary adjustments, terminations and remote working, as well as health protocols for the safe return to work. The practice is co-led by collective bargaining and labour litigation specialist Christian von Bergen, and labour and social security expert Cristóbal Raby, who are ‘both great partners'. The associate to note, Valentina Flen regularly acts in litigation before the Oral Labour Courts.

Albagli Zaliasnik fields specialists in compensation, hiring and termination processes, subcontracting, due diligence and corporate policies. It is also experienced in collective bargaining involving the pharmaceuticals, life sciences, banking, technology, and oil and gas sectors; while the team is additionally sought out for its litigation credentials. The group is led by labour law compliance and labour litigation specialist, Jorge Arredondo (a partner since mid-2020). Key support is provided by associate Felipe Neira, who primarily focuses on the individual and collective aspects of labour matters. Former director of the compliance practice Daniela Hirsch  moved in house at Grünenthal in May 2022.

Allende Bascuñán & Cía‘s ‘always available' labour and employment practice routinely assists employers with a wide range of employment, social security and occupational health matters, particularly in relation to the mining, agriculture, science, aviation, construction and services sectors. ‘An excellent lawyer who is very committed to clients', practice head Andrés Garrido predominantly acts for companies; his track record including negotiating agreements for senior managers, post-employment compensation issues, discrimination, workplace harassment, fundamental rights, and Covid-related restructurings.

The five-member labour and employment department at Barros Silva Varela & Vigil routinely acts for human resources departments on dismissals, hiring-related documentation, and internal policies concerning benefits and harassment. It also assists with labour disputes, and relations with the authorities and unions. Providing a ‘personalised and timely service', team head Roberto Lewin focuses on preventive labour auditing, restructuring operations, subcontracting, collective bargaining, litigation, immigration and compliance. Senior associate Nicole Lüer‘s practice covers labour relations, individual and collective law, social security, disputes and audits.

Emerging from the dissolution of Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana in March 2022, Bofill Mir Abogados fields a labour and employment department that routinely advises mining, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and entertainment sector clients on workforce practices, immigration, compliance, and negotiations with senior executives and trade unions. It also assists with labour-related litigation and M&A-related labour issues. The practice’s lead partner, Pablo Gutiérrez advises on hirings, compliance, workforce analyses and transaction-related labour issues, while workforce specialist Luis Alberto Cruchaga was raised to the partnership in January 2022. Key senior associate Rafael Sandoval is active in compliance, due diligence, trade union relations, representation before judicial bodies, and corporate immigration.

Routinely advising major Chilean and foreign businesses, ECIJA Otero’s four-member team is particularly experienced in labour litigation, administrative claims and the labour law aspects of the new technologies sector. The group also assists with compliance, preventing potential conflicts, restructurings, the dismissal of senior executives, collective bargaining, and relocation and expatriation agreements. The department is led by Gerardo Otero Alvarado, who has longstanding experience in labour contract drafting and lawsuits; labour law expert Dolores Echeverría Faz was made partner in early 2021; and manager María de los Ángeles Fernández assists with both employment law advisory work and litigation.

Predominantly acting for national and international mining and education companies, Larrain y Asociados Abogados' four-member practice covers litigation, corporate advice, recruitment, cross-border employment issues, collective bargaining, and M&A-related labour issues. The team also provides general advice on a range of employment and social security issues. The labour department is led by Andrés Silva, who is experienced in collective bargaining processes, corporate-related labour issues and labour litigation. At associate level, Jorge Parro advises on labour and social security law, while Miriela González focuses on individual labour law.

Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr‘s four-member group focuses on general labour advisory consultancy, social security and immigration matters. Additional specialisms include collective bargaining processes, due diligence procedures, and litigation before the labour courts and administrative entities. Recent highlights include advising Legal Publishing Chile on a collective bargaining process with its union. The labour and employment practice is led by name partner Alberto Rencoret, who acts for both national and international clients. Former senior associate Sebastián Merino left to found ZM Consultores Laborales in March 2022.