Martínez de Hoz & Rueda > Buenos Aires, Argentina > Firm Profile

Martínez de Hoz & Rueda > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 1

An undoubted reference point in the sector, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda handles the full range of industry issues concerning exploration, production, transportation, distribution and marketing. ‘Its lawyers’ years of experience in the sector makes this firm unique in the market’, according to sources, who also suggest it as being at the forefront of green hydrogen developments as the industry confronts energy transition. Operating from offices in Buenos Aires and Neuquén, the team provides a stand out offering as regards hydrocarbon concession extension agreements and renegotiations, and also advises major international gas producers operating in Argentina on multi-party, multi-contract commercial arbitrations arising out of cross-border transactions. ‘One of the best Argentine lawyers in O&G – if not the best‘, José Alfredo Martínez De Hoz is known for his profound expertise in both hydrocarbons matters and associated arbitration; he co-leads with fellow veteran oil, gas and electricity specialist, Pablo Rueda, and transactional and regulatory specialist Tomás Lanardonne, who heads up the Neuquén office and also handles arbitral and litigious matters. Associates Marcos Blanco (oil and gas, renewable energy/electricity, project finance, and M&A, and litigation & arbitration), and Valeria Celesti, who is fully dedicated to hydrocarbons matters, are also noted.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 2

The broad energy expertise of Martínez de Hoz & Rueda covers electricity generation (hydro, thermal and renewable), distribution and transmission, along with associated environmental matters. The practice is particularly strong on power sector regulation, as well as on the origination of complex finance structures for conventional and renewable energy projects, where it frequently represents credit agencies, ECAs and leading commercial banks. The practice is also experienced at representing clients before federal authorities and regulators to obtain permits, concessions, licenses, extension requests and contractual amendments, as well as in challenges to administrative acts and rulings. Public law specialist Juan Cruz Azzarri co-leads the team with Jimena Vega Olmos, who focuses on public law, infrastructure, power, project financing and international arbitration. Senior associate Marcos Blanco is also active in the area and handles power and renewable energy, oil and gas and TMT matters.

Argentina > Banking and finance Tier 3

Martínez de Hoz & Rueda leverages its exceptional energy industry track-record to secure a steady stream of high-end debt capital markets work. The firm’s ‘highly efficient’ and ‘technically very good’ banking and finance team is a leading force in the renewable-energy project-finance space and demonstrated its cross-border capabilities when representing blue-chip client Pan American Energy in the only new money international deal in Argentina in 2021. Outside of its core energy client base, the firm has also taken on agribusiness and sub-sovereign debt restructuring work. The ‘brilliant’ José Martínez De Hoz (n), who advises borrowers and banks on cross-border and domestic financings, co-leads the team with Martín Lepiane, who handles project and trade finance along with banking regulatory matters and litigation.

Argentina > Compliance Tier 3

Experienced transactional a regulatory lawyer Martín Lepiane is the key compliance contact at energy and project finance specialists, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda, which leverages its deep sector expertise to support clients on infrastructure and banking compliance matters.

Argentina > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The deep oil-and-gas expertise of Martínez de Hoz & Rueda is a key driver of deal flow for the firm’s ‘compact, agile’ corporate and M&A practice, which advises on Argentina’s biggest and most complex energy deals. The ‘responsive’ and ‘commercial’ M&A lawyer Fernando Zoppi co-leads the practice with corporate all-rounder Tomás Dellepiane, who was raised to the partnership in January 2022. Veteran energy lawyer José Martínez De Hoz and finance practice co-head Martín Lepiane provide additional senior input. Although energy is the key fee earner, the team has worked hard to expand into other sectors, gaining madates on technology, retail and financial services deals, among others.

Argentina > Dispute resolution Tier 3

‘Extremely professional’, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda's dispute resolution practice is led by ‘superb’ founding partner José Martínez De Hoz, an arbitration specialist, and the ‘brilliant’ Francisco Amallo, who focuses on international and domestic commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and international law. The team represents clients in high-stakes disputes that involve complex transactions and multiple contracts, not infrequently involving parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions. The firm is particularly strong in international investment and commercial arbitration and is comfortable handling cases under a range of different arbitration rules, including ICC, AAA/ICDR, LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL. The energy sector is a key area of work, with the team advising global energy companies on landmark international litigations in Argentina related to the annulment and enforcement of arbitral awards.

Argentina > Public law Tier 3

The ‘responsive’ Martínez de Hoz & Rueda delivers ‘practical’ public law advice on a range of matters including concessions, licenses, authorisations and representations in public tenders. The team also handles litigious and arbitral matters, supporting clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The public law team leverages the firm’s formidable energy-sector expertise and is regularly sought out by global and domestic energy and oil-and-gas players to address all their public law requirements. Juan Cruz Azzarri, who has broad administrative, constitutional and energy law expertise, co-leads the practice alongside Jimena Vega Olmos, who specialises in public law, international arbitration, infrastructure, power and project financing.

Argentina > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

Led by public law specialist Juan Cruz Azzarri, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda 's competition and antitrust practice has broad experience assisting local and international clients with transactional filings and clearance. The team also represents companies before the Argentine Antitrust Authorities, with Azzari's practice encompassing administrative and constitutional law.

Argentina > TMT Tier 4

Martínez de Hoz & Rueda represents technology companies and non-technology companies active in TMT issues arising from software licenses, data protection, privacy and cybersecurity, cloud computing and IT law. As well as regulatory and contract matters, a key area of practice for the team is the digital transformation of traditional banking institutions. TMT and banking and finance specialist Martín Lepiane co-leads the team in conjunction with experienced associate Marcos Blanco, whose experience ranges from privacy and data protection to fintech regulation and implementation.