The seven-strong water rights practice group at full-service firm Carey advises on the development of a range of projects that require the use of water, including mining, agribusiness, water utilities, chemical facilities and fisheries, as well as water supply for human consumption, and hydroelectric generation in run-of-river, reservoir and tidal power plants. The practice routinely assists with the strategic planning of water rights for projects and related administrative processes before the Chilean Water Authority; and its water law expertise further covers the sale and acquisition of rights of use and water supply. Other areas of strength are compliance audits and tenders; and legal reports for litigation or strategic purposes, as well as water law-related judicial defence strategies. Heading up the practice, member of the board of directors of public water utility Aguas Nuevo Sur Maule, Alberto Cardemil, focuses on water law, natural resources transactions and litigation, along with corporate and commercial law. Cardemil is supported by associate Camila Lavín, who has longstanding experience in water, agribusiness and regulatory law.

The Santiago office of full-service international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a five-member team that consistently advises on major projects that require water; the ‘very committed, attentive and high-level’ group is particularly focused on the mining, energy, sanitary, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Its assistance covers environmental impact studies; hydroelectric power plants, and salt and desalinated water supply projects; the underwriting of long-term water supply contracts; and appearing before the General Directorate of Water, General Comptroller of the Republic, ordinary and special courts of justice, and Environment Superintendence. The firm’s water resources offering is led by ‘excellent water law technician’ Matías Desmadryl, whose track record includes being appointed Chile’s General Director of Water between 2010-2012, during which time he spearheaded the establishment of Chile’s National Water Information System. Supporting Desmadryl at associate level are administrative and water law expert Francisca Mendoza; and Franco Valenzuela, who is experienced in high-profile sanctioning procedures before the General Directorate of Water.

Acting for exporting companies, agricultural producers, and non-profit organisations that are in charge of water distribution in Chile, BEC Abogados’s natural resources department focuses on the implementation of water-use efficiency solutions in the energy, mining and real estate sectors. ‘Always up to date with the latest water law information’, the five-lawyer group is also particularly active in agricultural industry issues; and it routinely advises on the implementation of corporate social responsibility measures and crisis management-related communication campaigns in areas where water scarcity causes high levels of social pressure. The firm additionally houses a robust conflict resolution practice. The key advisers are water law-related disputes expert Gonzalo Bulnes Llompart, who ‘knows the industry particularly well’; Benjamín Bulnes León, whose practice includes representing water-user organisations before the State Administration’s different bodies; and former deputy director of the General Directorate of Water, Juan José Crocco Carrera.

The seven-strong water law department at full-service law firm Guerrero Olivos represents domestic and international clients from the mining, agribusiness, industrial and hydroelectric sectors. The team is experienced in obtaining and transferring water rights, and negotiating complex water supply, and purchase-and-sale agreements for projects. The practice also covers both the optimisation of water rights (including intake and restitution transfer applications) and modification of water supply sources, along with hydraulic works-related authorisations. It additionally acts in sanctioning processes and water law-related litigation. Benjamín Pérez is experienced in the water law aspects of project developments, the constitution and acquisition of water rights, and representation before the Water Bureau; and Sebastián Abogabir’s water rights' expertise covers regulatory and permitting matters. At associate level, senior Francisca Pellegrini assists with the water side to energy projects; Antonia Ibarra is an active member of the firm’s environmental and water rights practices; and Sebastián Mozó (mining projects-related water law issues) is a June 2022 hire from Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados.

Launched in January 2020 as a natural resources and environmental law boutique, LAWGIC Abogados’ five-member group acts for both domestic national and international companies from the mining, energy, aquaculture, agri-business, tourism, real estate, and desalination and industrial water sectors. With ‘extensive experience in water rights issues’, the team is co-led at founding-partner level by former Carey senior associate, Sebastian Del Campo, whose longstanding water law-focus encompasses regulatory matters, administrative and judicial litigation, natural resources transactions, administrative and judicial litigation, and legal strategies for investment project developments; and fellow water rights law specialist Agustín Walker, a former Núñez Muñoz Abogados of counsel, whose broad experience covers mining, energy, agribusiness and infrastructure projects. At associate level, senior Francisco Silva is a February-2022 recruit from the litigation unit of the General Water Agency (DGA), while Karla Miranda is a water, environmental law and natural resources expert.

Guzmán & Cia's eight-strong water rights department specialises in drinking water and sanitation law, as well as administrative and corporate law, natural resources, and litigation. The group routinely assists clients in matters involving the National Water Authority, the Superintendency of Sanitary Services, the General Comptroller of the Republic, the Environmental Evaluation Service, the Superintendence of the Environment, and the General Treasury of the Republic. With ‘great knowledge of  water legislation', department head and founding partner Alberto Guzmán Alcalde has a strong track record in high-stakes water rights cases; and at associate level, the specialisms of Roberto Parada Herrera and Cristian Álvarez Núñez cover administrative, water and natural resources law.

Highly active in environmental and regulatory matters, Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados assists both domestic and foreign companies with the securing, regularisation and perfection of mining-sector-related water rights; actions before the General Department of Waters for the authorisation of transfers and adjustment of water rights; and procedures before the Hydraulic Works Department for the approval of water works and modification of water courses. It also advises on the development of desalination projects. The practice is led by mining, water and energy law specialist, Winston Alburquenque, who is also director of the Universidad Finis Terrae’s mining and water Masters' programmes. Recently-elevated associate director Solange Villarroel focuses on water law work, as well as natural resources-related transactions and litigation.