Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Capital markets Tier 1

The 12-strong capital markets team at international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields experts in the incorporation, registration, operation, transfer and liquidation of entities involved in the capital markets. The team is also sought out to advise on the issuance, registration, placement, trading and offering of securities, as well as corporate governance and compliance best practices for capital markets-related businesses. It additionally assists with the planning, design, creation and optimisation of structures and investment vehicles. Examples of recent mandates include the group’s advice to BofA Securities, JP Morgan Securities and Scotia Capital (USA) on the international issuance of CMPC’s $500m green and sustainability-linked bonds. Among the Santiago office’s several experienced practitioners, Andrés Sanfuentes is an expert in capital markets, in addition to banking, finance and infrastructure projects; and Marcela Silva is experienced in in advising underwriters and issuers of shares and bonds. Corporate, M&A and private equity specialist Federico Grebe also participates in capital markets matters - most recently being involved in the project to merge the Bogotá, Lima and Santiago stock markets. In a significant boost to the practice Daniel Parodi, an adviser to Chilean companies and foreign underwriters on bond issuances by Chilean debtors; and Guillermo Vial, whose broad practice also encompasses capital markets work, were both made partners in January 2024. A specialist in bond issuances, associate practice director Constanza Rodríguez is also a key member of the team. Since publication, Rodríguez has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2025.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's sizeable 25-strong team acts for strategic buyers and sellers, private equity investors, LBO groups, boards of directors, independent board committees and financial advisers on high-end corporate and M&A mandates. Housing sector specialists in energy, finance, technology, forestry, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceutical and technology, the practice covers corporate-related contractual and commercial issues, as well as M&A, divestitures, joint ventures, and spin-offs. Among the practice’s several experienced practitioners, Federico Grebe has extensive experience in the strategic planning of acquisitions, company restructurings and joint ventures; Andrés Sanfuentes is an adviser on banking, financing, insurance and securities-related M&A; Juan Pablo Wilhelmy is a commercial deal specialist; and Alberto Pulido A's practice covers corporate law, M&A and financings. The department further showcases January 2024-promoted partner Guillermo Vial, an adviser on corporate, M&A, infrastructure, project finance, and capital markets; Nicolás Santana, whose workload comprises M&A, asset acquisitions, corporate restructuring, joint ventures and corporate governance; and projects, energy and M&A practitioner Carlos Alberto Reyes. At director level, Constanza Rodríguez focuses on M&A, capital markets and corporate law; and in the firm’s principal associate cadre, Josefina Joannon ‘stands out for her knowledge of clients' industries’, while Martín Cruzat is an experienced corporate and commercial law adviser. Since publication, Rodríguez has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2025.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

The Santiago office of full-service regional law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is home to lawyers who ‘generate a lot of trust’ and whose ‘mastery of the issues on which they are consulted is absolute’. The 11-strong mining team (which routinely leverages the firm’s enviable credentials in energy, natural resources, environmental issues and water law) has a substantial track record that includes major mining sector M&A deals, project financing, and mining-related dispute resolution. Recent highlights include acting for Lithium Power International on its sale to Chilean state-owned copper mining company, Codelco. The mining and natural resources group is led by natural resources and corporate law expert Juan Paulo Bambach, who has longstanding experience in mining sector transactions; and mining and energy law specialist Jerónimo Carcelén, whose broad practice covers advice to governments on their public policies and legal frameworks as regards the mining industry. Carcelén also regularly acts for multilateral entities and private companies on foreign investments, financings, construction issues, easements, and the acquisition of mining companies and projects. At associate level, principal Felipe Ossa P is experienced in both mining-related regulatory work and advising mining companies on corporate, M&A and financing issues. Former counsel María Paz Pulgar departed the firm in August 2023.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's ‘highly competent and involved team’ is particularly active in the renewable energy, mining and water sectors. Encompassing project contracts, environmental assessments, permitting and community affairs, the full-service firm’s 11-strong group also assists with the negotiation of partnerships, strategic alliances and joint ventures, along with project acquisitions and sales. In relation to infrastructure projects, the group covers toll roads, ports, airports and railways, as well as hospitals, jails and schools. The team additionally advises on major public utilities infrastructure for the telecoms, water and sewerage system sectors, and real estate developments for hotels, buildings and urban renovations. Among the department’s several highly-rated practitioners, Carlos Alberto Reyes has longstanding experience in natural resources, energy, and oil and gas development services agreements; Andrés Sanfuentes advises on infrastructure projects at all stages; and Marcela Silva acts for both lenders and borrowers on the financing of mining, infrastructure and energy projects, including desalination plants. In a notable boost to the group, Daniel Parodi, whose expertise includes project financings, and key team member Guillermo Vial, were both made partners in January 2024. The principal associates to note are projects, infrastructure and construction specialist Mario Fava, and the recently-promoted Pedro Pablo Valenzuela. Since publication, Fava has been elected to the partnership - effective as of January 2025.

Chile > Water law Tier 1

Fielding lawyers who ‘stand out for their knowledge of the regulations and jurisprudence’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's water resources department in Santiago has a market-leading reputation for projects that require water, particularly the mining, energy, sanitary, industrial and agricultural sectors. The team assists at all stages of strategic planning, its advice also covering the required permits and authorisations for projects. The group’s expertise further extends to searching for water supply solutions for projects; preparing environmental impact studies; salt and desalinated water supply projects; hydroelectric power plants; underwriting long-term water supply contracts; and appearing before the General Directorate of Water, General Comptroller of the Republic, Chile’s ordinary and special courts of justice, and the Environment Superintendence. The water law practice is led by ‘outstanding partner’ and former General Water director, Matías Desmadryl, a water resources, environment and natural resources specialist, who has extensive experience in general regulatory matters and litigation. In the firm’s associate ranks, ‘special mention goes to’ water and sanitation law practitioner Sergio Jaque, while Franco Valenzuela routinely acts for both national and international companies on a range of matters that involve the use of water. Former associate Francisca Mendoza left the firm during 2023.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

The 11-member banking and finance department at full-service firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría acts for foreign and domestic banks, financial institutions, borrowers and sponsors on energy, mining and infrastructure-related project financing. With ’an excellent understanding of local regulations, as well as experience in negotiating credit facilities that are subject to New York law’, the group’s track record also includes multiple corporate finance transactions, along with aircraft lease and financing work. The practice additionally advises financial institutions on the regulatory aspects of banking, financial, capital markets, payment methods and fintech. The team’s principal advisers are banking, finance and infrastructure project specialist, Andrés Sanfuentes; Marcela Silva, whose experience includes advising lenders, borrowers and sponsors on the financing of mining, infrastructure and energy projects, as well as desalination plants; asset and project financing expert Daniel Parodi, who also regularly assists with aircraft and vessel financing; and financial and banking regulation practitioner Guillermo Vial. In January 2024, both Parodi (‘a skilled negotiator who always proposes an appropriate and timely strategy’) and Vial were made partners, while Pedro Pablo Valenzuela, who is experienced in banking and finance, as well as project financing, was raised to principal associate. Intermediate associate Juan Ignacio Rosales is also noted. Former senior Ignacio Chomalí departed the firm in June 2023.

Chile > Environment Tier 2

Home to ‘a very solid team with extensive experience in both private and public sector matters’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's eight-strong environment and sustainability law team is highly experienced in environmental matters and procedures, including project development and permitting. The full-service practice also provides strategic advice on the environmental law aspects of politically-sensitive project developments; local and international M&A and financing deals involving environmental issues; along with high-stakes administrative and judicial environmental litigation. Also of note, the regional firm’s environmental team in Santiago advises throughout the entire lifecycle of projects, from initial development phases through to financing, operational, and sale and closure stages. The environmental law team in Chile is led by Juan José Eyzaguirre, a longstanding specialist in investment project-related environmental, regulatory and judicial issues. It further showcases Felipe Arévalo, who routinely acts in complex administrative and judicial environmental litigation; and water resources, environmental and natural resources specialist Matías Desmadryl, whose practice encompasses general regulatory matters and litigation. Principal associate and environmental law practitioner Mario Mozó has notable energy, mining, agribusiness and infrastructure sector expertise; he also assists with the environmental aspects of project finance and international and domestic transactions, along with relevant administrative and judicial litigation. Since publication, Mozó has been promoted to counsel - effective as of January 2025.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 2

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a ‘tremendously experienced team’ in Santiago. The full-service, international firm’s labour and employment law practice is highly experienced in labour-related advisory work, litigation and collective bargaining. The nine-strong group’s expertise ranges from new areas such as diversity and AI, to more traditional labour subjects, including hirings, terminations (mass lay-offs, office closures and senior executives’ severance), HR company policies, discrimination prevention, internal harassment investigations, and privacy and fundamental rights. The practice further assists with due diligence, internal employment audits, restrictive covenants, subcontracting, labour taxation, union relations, and compensation and benefits packages. The group is co-led by Paulina Miranda, an adviser on international employment law, incentive plans, gig economy issues, AI, data privacy, internal investigations and compliance, who ‘has extensive experience in labour matters and great negotiation skills’; and labour and social security law expert Sergio Montes, who has notable experience in high-stakes labour trials, collective bargaining processes, and conflicts between companies and their employees and unions. In the firm’s senior associate pool, Aref Cosma acts for major companies from the mining, forestry, agriculture, retail, and technology sectors on general employment matters, as well as the employment law side to domestic and cross-border M&A and reorganisations.

Chile > Public law Tier 2

Fielding ‘a team with high-level knowledge of regulatory matters’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's nine-strong public law department is well known in the market for litigating high-stakes administrative law matters before the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals and Public Procurement Tribunal. The group’s caseload additionally includes bids for concessions and public procurement matters, as well as advising clients on the successive constitutional reform processes the country has undertaken. The team also recently assisted various real estate companies with the resolution of land use restriction issues. The regional firm’s full-service practice is led by José Luis Lara, who advises public and private entities on administrative and constitutional law, along with public procurement matters. The team further includes senior counsel Guillermo Zavala, who assists with the public law aspects of environmental law, antitrust, regulatory matters, public procurement, customs, and municipal and urban law. In the firm’s associate ranks, recently-promoted principal Matías Larroulet focuses predominantly on administrative law, regulatory work, telecoms and administrative litigation; and senior Florencia Portales, who ‘understands the more pressing needs of companies’, advises on administrative litigation, public procurement, and administrative and constitutional law. Former counsel Jorge Femenías departed the firm in September 2023 to co-found a new boutique.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

The ‘highly trained and experienced’ team at full-service international firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría acts across a broad array of real estate projects and transactions. The group’s expertise ranges from residential condominiums, apartment buildings, office complexes and shopping centres, to urban and rural hotels and developments. The firm is also home to experts in tendering offers, joint ventures, purchase and sale agreements, ownership title studies, and the incorporation of real estate companies. The practice group additionally advises on construction agreements, condominium regulations, mixed-use projects and hotel management contracts. Recent mandates include advising Territoria Apoquindo on the negotiation of a long-term lease agreement with Metlife for six floors of a mixed-use building. The group is led by the ‘smart, resourceful and knowledgeable’ José Tagle, whose real estate transactional practice encompasses residential projects, office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, multi-family projects, and agricultural real estate investments. Tagle's experience also covers real estate investment funds, urban law and corporate real estate. At associate level, principal Cristóbal Uriarte, who is ‘creative when looking for solutions’, advises on high-stakes real estate projects and M&A deals; and senior Macarena Gaitán regularly assists with residential projects, office buildings, mixed-use developments, and agricultural and forestry sector real estate investments.

Chile > Tax Tier 2

With ‘solid experience in tax issues’, regional law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is home to senior lawyers (as well as an in-house accountant), who advise on corporate and private wealth, and domestic and international tax planning and structuring. The full-service, fourteen-member practice group is also experienced in tax litigation and administrative procedures before Chile’s tax authorities, along with tax advisory work and M&A transactions. It is additionally sought out to provide legal opinions on anti-avoidance rules, international restructuring processes and double taxation treaties; and the practice’s sector expertise encompasses banking and finance, telecoms, media, natural resources, transport, agriculture, insurance and healthcare. The team is co-led by current President of the Chilean Institute of Tax Law, Mario Silva, an adviser to corporations and family offices on corporate and personal taxation, tax planning and corporate restructuring; Guillermo Infante, an expert in the finance, energy and natural resources industries, in addition to M&A deals; and Arturo Selman, who is experienced in tax proceedings before Chile’s IRS, as well as litigation before the Tax and Customs Courts, Appeals Courts and Supreme Court. At associate level, principal Ariel Castillo specialises in tax structuring and cross-border and domestic reorganisations; and María Jesús Ibáñez is an experienced international tax lawyer.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's nine-strong energy and natural resources practice routinely advises on electricity and oil-and-gas sector-related transactions. Examples include energy project-related M&A, project financing, off-take contracts, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. The full-service group also handles regulatory issues. Carlos Alberto Reyes's broad expertise encompasses permitting issues, community affairs, land lease agreements, easement rights and development services agreements; and Eduardo Escalona assists with tariff-related processes, PPA tenders, project development and litigation before the Panel of Electricity Experts. At associate level, the practice showcases principal Mario Fava, who focuses on the construction and engineering of the sector; and senior Antonia Jorquera, an adviser on energy-related regulatory matters. Since publication, Fava has ben raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2025.

Chile > TMT Tier 3

The Santiago office of international law firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría fields a five-member TMT team that routinely works alongside its banking, competition law and data privacy colleagues. The multi-disciplinary group advises global media companies on the production, programming and distribution of entertainment, sports, an fictional and non-fiction content. It also acts for multinational internet services, social media and telecoms companies on global payment solutions and fintech services. The broad practice additionally covers IoT, data privacy, and telecoms and media regulations, as well as specialist areas such as big data, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and analytics. Co-head of the firm’s digital desk initiative, Eduardo Escalona is an expert in the economic regulation of the TMT sector. Since publication, María Jesús Ibáñez has been promoted to associate director as regards the innovation and technology aspects of the practice - effective as of January 2025.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 3

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's six-strong venture capital and technology practice is consistently mandated by start-ups, investors, venture capital funds and companies with corporate venture capital initiatives. The team focuses predominantly on fundraising rounds, the internationalisation of operations, fintech matters, regulatory issues and the incorporation of start-up companies. Highly involved in the regional and domestic start-up ecosystem, the firm has an approximately 12-year strategic alliance with New York-headquartered Endeavor, which supports entrepreneurs with potential for economic and social impact in their regions. Practice head Nicolás Santana maintains a broad venture capital workload, while principal associate María Jesús Ibáñez is an international tax law specialist.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's track record in Chile covers cartel investigations, large numbers of merger control transactions, compliance with competition regulations and TDLC litigation. The firm’s Chilean competition team is led by director Gabriel Budnik, an expert in potential cartels, abuses of dominant positions, concentration operations, TDLC procedures, FNE investigations, and compliance programmes. Former practice head Ignacio Larraín , and associates Catalina Montero  and Camilo Larrain, departed the firm in September 2023.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 4

The data privacy group at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's Santiago office comprises experts in TMT, corporate law and the regulated markets. The practice group is also able to leverage the significant experience of the firm’s banking and competition law practices. The team recently advised EVSY on personal data protection regulations-related compliance. Other key clients include SMU, Mondelēz International, Ford and Experian. Additionally, one of the partners leading the firm’s digital desk initiative, Eduardo Escalona, is a data protection regulation expert.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 5

The seven-member dispute resolution team at full-service firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría covers civil and commercial disputes, as well as conflicts concerning energy, real estate, natural resources, construction, and insurance. Further to the September 2023 departure of disputes practice head Jorge Vial, competition leader Ignacio Larraín and former director Jorge Femenías to establish their own outfit, the Santiago office’s litigation offering is led by recently-promoted director Manuela Cross, who focuses on civil, commercial and environmental litigation and arbitration. Cross is supported at senior associate level by Joaquín Rojas-May, whose caseload also encompasses civil, commercial and environmental conflicts; and criminal litigation specialist Eduardo Villagra. Rojas-May and Villagra are 2023 recruits from López Escobar del Río and Morales & Besa, respectively.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile

Santiago, Chile