GSA > Lima, Peru > Firm Profile

GSA > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 3

Meritas Alliance member for Peru, GSA counts UNNA Energía, Cepsa Peruana and Frontera Energy del Perú among its clients, as well as Canadian oil-and-gas business Altamesa Energy, which the firm advised on an international procurement regarding a Peruvian oil reservoir. Alberto Varillas heads a team that houses considerable knowledge and experience of the negotiation, procurement and operational aspects of the oil-and-gas activities, as well as consulting on hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, the negotiation and drafting of hydrocarbon block license contracts with the Government, along with share and purchase agreements and joint ventures, ownership title matters, and local community and environmental issues. On the latter front the team regularly advises on environmental impact assessments, administrative sanctioning procedures relating to environmental and health and safety regulations, and on compliance with government obligations. Recent mandates saw corporate and mining partner Edgardo Portaro advise Frontera regarding an administrative procedure; associate Samantha Boy also frequently provides assistance with hydrocarbon matters.

Peru > Environment Tier 3

Led by Alberto Varillas and Edgardo Portaro and assisted by experienced associate José Castillo Hernández, GSA environmental practice has particular strength and experience handling matters related to the hydrocarbons sector, where its clients include the likes of Cepsa Peruana, Savia Perú, Conoco Phillips, China National Oil Company (CNPC) and Altamesa Energy Canada. Indeed, recent matters in the oil-and-gas sector included advising Unna Energía and Frontera Energy del Perú on administrative sanctioning procedures regarding environmental matters. The team also handles regulatory advice and compliance, environmental impact assessments and assisting clients with monitoring by the National Water Authority. Former associate Samantha Boy  left the firm in February 2022.

Peru > Banking and finance Tier 4

Mining and the extractive industries is the cornerstone of GSA  banking and finance expertise, with the firm advising clients such as Compañía de Minas Buenaventura and Compañía Minera Condestable Southern Peaks Mining on issues such as the restructuring of financing agreements, issuance and placement of notes, streaming agreements and bridge loans. The practice group’s clients also includes a number of multilateral lenders and development agencies; other recent mandates include a cross-border debt restructuring for a German investment management firm. Experienced figures Luis Gastañeta (corporate law, finance and transactions – particularly in relation to inbound investment) and Alfonso Tola (banking and finance, corporate M&A, projects and stock market and investment regulation-related matters) co-head the team; sophisticated support comes from consultant lawyer Mario Ferrari, who can draw on over 25 years’ experience at financial institutions including BBVA, Banco de Crédito (BCP) and Credicorp.

Peru > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Reflecting the firm’s credentials in the extractive sector, GSA practice head Luis Gastaneta counts mining business Compañía de Minas Buenaventura as a regular client, recently advising the company on the multimillion-dollar sale of its quotas in Minera Yanachocha to Newmont Corporation, as well as other related and sizeable transactions. The practice often works in conjunction with other teams on multidisciplinary matters; for instance, Alfonso Tola‘s work in tandem with the natural resources and environment team on a joint venture agreement for an oil-and-gas company. The ‘available and accessible’ Shirley Cardenas handles cross-border matters – such as advising Delivery Hero Group on its corporate reorganisation and the Peruvian subsidiary of Finnish environmental company Lamor on the separation of its shareholders. Senior associate María Soledad Gastañeta handles corporate, contractual and administrative matters, and frequently oversees the renegotiation of leases for real estate companies, as well as acquisition negotiations.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 4

GSA  is adept at handling the negotiations for financing and acquisitions for mining companies as well as exploration and exploitation contracts, with recent matters including advice to longstanding clients Southern Peaks Mining on obtaining a multimillion-dollar loan and Compañía Minera Condestable on the ongoing discussions for a potential acquisition. The firm also gained San Juan Gold Mines as a new client, with which it is working on a lease agreement and a reorganisation procedure. Edgardo Portaro led on all recent work (frequently acting in conjunction with the firm’s corporate and tax teams), and leads the practice alongside Jose Miguel Morales. Senior associate María Soledad Gastañeta specialises in mining and energy contracts. The practice group also handles day-to-day advice on the commercial, contractual and regulatory aspects of mining activity, and undertakes advisory regarding issues related to indigenous and other communities.

Peru > Labour and employment Tier 4

GSA  provides labour and social security advice, predominantly in the mining and hydrocarbon industry sectors, as well as the retail industry. The three-pronged partner set-up features Alberto Varillas, who is experienced in union negotiations and immigration issues; Jaime Durand, who provides corporate support and contentious expertise; and Macarena Morales, whose practice includes assisting with pension and retirement regulations. Other specialist areas include immigration and migratory law within the context of work visas.