Cuatrecasas > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Cuatrecasas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 19-strong corporate and M&A practice at the Chilean office of Iberian law firm Cuatrecasas is consistently mandated on major M&A deals, joint ventures, distressed deals, commercial agreements, and asset and business transfers. Indeed, the team has undoubtedly punched above its weight during the course of 2022, registering a deal volume second only to the market’s largest full-service players. Beyond the strictly transactional sphere, other areas of strength include licensing, corporate restructuring (including due diligence), and contract drafting and negotiating. The office additionally specialises in private equity and venture capital investment matters. Coordinator of the corporate, M&A, banking, finance and capital markets practices, Roberto Guerrero V is a well-known expert in corporate restructuring, corporate governance, and domestic and international M&A; and Macarena Ravinet, Josefina Yávar and Tomás Kubick are also active M&A partners. Corporate and M&A partner Alfonso Ugarte relocated to the firm’s New York office in September 2022, since when (in May 2023) Fernanda Anguita -who advises technology, insurance, infrastructure, and food and beverage companies on corporate, contractual, and transactional matters- has been promoted to senior associate. Since publication, the practice group has been further strengthened with the hire of Michel Diban, formerly corporate/M&A practice co-head at Morales & Besa; concurrently, it also hired labour litigation specialist Raúl Fernández Toledo – previously at his own firm, Saez & Fernandez Abogados – to develop the office’s labour practice (both incorporations are effective as of December 2023).

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

Providing ‘complete guidance on arbitration issues', Cuatrecasas' practice comprises experts in international disputes that arise from construction and engineering contracts, energy agreements, and international sales and supplies. The 13-strong team also acts in arbitrations involving international investment protection, services contracts, shareholder and company disputes, and M&A and joint ventures. Clients additionally appreciate the group’s specialist knowledge of other Latin American jurisdictions, particularly Colombia, Mexico and Peru , where the international firm has offices. The department is led by former ICC Secretariat Counsel for Latin America, Cristián Conejero, who routinely acts for major companies in high-stakes commercial and investment arbitrations. Further support at partner level is provided by Gianfranco Lotito, whose wide-ranging practice also covers domestic and international arbitration work; and recently-promoted partner Juan Manuel Rey, whose international arbitration caseload encompasses disputes concerning M&As, share agreements, and construction, infrastructure and concession contracts. Valentina Alamo, whose career includes a stint in Paris at the ICC, is the senior associate to note.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

The sizeable banking and finance practice at Cuatrecasas‘ Santiago office routinely acts for debtors as well as issuers, guarantors, commercial and development banks, and debt and private equity funds. The team, which ‘handles local and international banking issues very well‘, assists with an array of financings – particularly project finance, banking regulatory issues, and restructurings and refinancings. The group is co-led by Macarena Ravinet, an expert in project financing, financial transactions and capital markets, and banking and finance expert Roberto Guerrero V. Fellow finance partner Alfonso Ugarte divides his time between the firm’s New York and Santiago offices; while principal associate Federico Espinosa, who focuses on banking and finance matters, is a March 2022 hire from Garrigues Chile.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

The 10-strong restructuring, insolvency and special situations team at Cuatrecasas' Santiago office acts for creditors, debtors, management teams and shareholders on the restructuring of transactions, production unit sales, and general insolvency proceedings. Clients notably benefit from the group’s cross-border insolvency expertise, as well as the multidisciplinary team’s litigation, finance, and M&A credentials. The practice is led by cross-border insolvency proceeding specialist Gianfranco Lotito, who also co-heads the office’s litigation department; Tomás Kubick's broad practice includes insolvency; and Alfonso Ugarte works across the firm’s New York and Santiago offices. Andrés Lafuente is an active mid-level associate.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The ‘dynamic team' at the Santiago office of Iberia-headquartered law firm Cuatrecasas comprises specialists in civil, commercial and administrative disputes, as well as experts in reorganisations and insolvencies, particularly in relation to complex business crises. The 14-strong group is also experienced in the private enforcement of competition law. Litigation and arbitration practice head Gianfranco Lotito (‘proactive, personalised attention and critical thinking') is an expert in disputes concerning share sales, transferable securities and company law, as well as -more generally- construction, infrastructure, and agencies and distribution; while Cristián Conejero Roos is a widely-respected commercial and investment arbitration specialist. Key support is provided by principal associate Andrés Lafuente, who acts in insolvency matters, as well as administrative proceedings before public entities.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons Tier 4

Cuatrecasas‘ Santiago office advises on a range of energy projects, including renewables, oil, gas, nuclear plants, and electric roads. The 12-strong team also assists with tenders for energy transmission infrastructure developments, along with power purchase agreements. It additionally acts in energy disputes, as well as before Expert Panels. The team is led by energy M&A and projects specialist, Josefina Yávar with support provided by her fellow former Guerrero Olivos colleagues Roberto Guerrero V (who has considerable experience in energy transactions) and M&A expert Macarena Ravinet, along with energy arbitration partners Cristián Conejero and Gianfranco Lotito. January 2023 saw the team further strengthened with the arrival of Sebastián Leyton (as partner) from the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

In 2022, Cuatrecasas' Santiago office recruited corporate and international taxation specialist Rodrigo Stein as practice leader from KPMG in Chile (KPMG), where he was Chile tax and legal group head. The team, which also includes former KPMG director and tax expert José Miguel Gazitua (now a senior associate), advises on Tax Administration procedures and the tax side to major transactions, as well as assisting individuals and family offices with tax optimisation and private wealth matters. The practice is particularly focused on mining, natural resources, and energy clients, but also works with investment funds, financial institutions, and start-ups and fintech businesses.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 4

Established in early 2021, Cuatrecasas' Santiago office fields a team with significant experience in advising both investors and startups. The five-strong group is led by M&A, corporate governance, investment fund, private equity and VC specialist, Josefina Yávar, a former partner at Guerrero Olivos. In the VC space, Yávar is mandated by VC investors, start-ups, corporate funds and incubators to structure funds and investment vehicles (including corporate venture funds). She also advises investors and entrepreneurs on investments and financings. Key support is provided by corporate and commercial law associate Fernanda Anguita.

Chile > Labour and employment

Chile > Environment

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

Cuatrecasas’ prominence in Latin America-related international arbitration field stems from its commitment and track record in Spain, coupled with its growing presence in Latin America itself. Unlike many other international firms, it has a sizeable team of international arbitration specialists based in Latin America. With a steady influx of investment and commercial arbitration engagements, the team is best known for energy, infrastructure and construction cases. It has represented parties in a series of headline infrastructure disputes. Madrid partner Alfonso Iglesia leads the international arbitration group and is hugely experienced in Latin America-related arbitrations, including those involving Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Panama, Ecuador and Dominican Republic; he has acted in a series of recent ICSID and ICC cases. Santiago partner Cristián Conejero is a senior figure in the team and is noted for construction arbitrations. Alberto Zuleta is another experienced arbitration expert in Bogota along with René Irra in Mexico City and Domingo Rivarola in Lima. Madrid partners Alberto Fortún and Manuel Franco are also active in Latin America cases, both noted for construction, infrastructure and energy disputes. Raised to the partnership in April 2022, Uruguay-qualified Juan Manuel Rey (in the Santiago office), is also noted.  

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Cuatrecasas’ multi-office strategy in Latin America continues to pay dividends. The offices in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru advise a range of financial institutions, funds and corporates on acquisition finance, project finance, trade finance, and refinancings and restructurings, among other matters. It is noted for Spanish law-governed financings and has landed a number of major restructuring engagements. Bogota partner Manuel Quinche leads the team and has a fine record in corporate lending, project finance and real estate finance. Santiago’s Roberto Guerrero V has impressed in the restructuring field and Lima partner Aldo Reggiardo is well regarded for project finance. Mexico City partner León López is another important figure in project finance; while Madrid partner Carlos Lasarte regularly advises on Spanish law financings in Latin America, notably advising Bancóldex on its Spanish law bilateral loan agreement with BBVA.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Cuatrecasas is a significant player in Latin America thanks to its offices in Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Chile. Alongside its growing teams in these jurisdictions it has a substantial group of Latin America-facing practitioners in Iberia and New York. It is among the most prolific advisers on Latin America transactions, excluding Brazil. Along with a range of local transactions, the firm has extensive experience in cross-border deals, including private equity investments and exits. In January 2023, the firm absorbed Mexican four-partner firm Rico, Robles, Libenson, S.Cl into its local Mexico office and wider Latin America team – which  remains best known for operations in the energy and infrastructure, healthcare and retail sectors. Alfonso Ugarte transferred from Santiago to New York in 2022 to head the Latin America M&A, finance and special situations practice in North America. He joined an established Latin America-facing M&A team there, including Antonio Baena and Diego Pérez-Yarza; Baena recently advised Patria on the sale of Odata, the local company that operates a network of data centres in Latin America. Alfonso Reina led the launch of the Bogota office before returning to Madrid where he continues to have a strong focus on cross-border M&A in Colombia. Peru-based Oscar Trelles is head of the Latin America M&A and private equity practice and has a fine record in cross-border transactions, including intra-regional deals. Chile’s Roberto Guerrero V, Colombia-based Juan Felipe Vera and Santiago Ferrer in Mexico City are also key partners.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Cuatrecasas’ projects and energy practice in Latin America is largely driven by its local office in the region, in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. It has a broad-based practice covering transport infrastructure, social and community infrastructure, and energy (including renewables, oil and gas, and mining). The firm has worked on a series of road and highway projects in Colombia and Mexico, and advises a range of project sponsors and lenders in the wider region. Bogota partner Manuel Quinche is an experienced project finance expert, especially in the transport infrastructure (including roads, railways and metro lines) and renewables segments. Lima’s Aldo Reggiardo is also a recognised project finance specialist in the energy, infrastructure and mining fields. Mexico City partner León López is another key figure.