Miranda & Amado > Lima, Peru > Firm Profile

Miranda & Amado > The Legal 500 Rankings

Peru > Banking and finance Tier 1

The 15-strong banking and finance team at Miranda & Amado is now led by young partner Gabriela Dañino, who has a strong track record in project finance and fintech matters, and handles both cross-border finance and capital markets transactions. The practice acts for a strong roster of international banks, multilateral lenders and other financial institutions, as well as major domestic players, and also frequently acts as local counsel for large international law firms on cross-border deals. Its broad range of expertise includes structured and project finance, loans, banking-sector M&A, and regulatory matters. Senior partner Juan Luis Avendaño Cisneros has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and handles a broad range of high-profile transactional matters; Rafael Corzo, in turn, is the name to note for regulatory work. José Miguel Puiggros brings experience in acquisition, corporate and project finance, while the January-2022 promotion of Álvaro Del Valle – who works with borrowers and lenders and also has particular experience advising investment funds – brings the team’s partner-count to five. Key associate Lisbeth Benavides undertakes financings and project finance as part of a wider practice that also takes in corporate and bankruptcy law.

Peru > Capital markets Tier 1

The capital markets team at Miranda & Amado is no stranger to international equity and debt offerings and has considerable experience in Rule144A/Reg.S transactions. It acts for a range of large international banks and financial institutions, and alongside large international law firms. The team is now led by Gabriela Dañino, who is well known in the market for his cross-border deals expertise; she also provides advice on project finance and fintech matters. Juan Luis Avendaño has over 20 years’ experience in the sector and a renowned figure with extensive knowledge as regards high-value transactions. also an experienced figure José Miguel Puiggros handles a range of domestic and international transactions; while Álvaro Del Valle, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2022,  is active across the financing and capital markets sectors, including fund-related work.

Peru > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

With strong support from its compliance practice, Miranda & Amado is well known in the market for handling high-profile antitrust and unfair competition cases, as well as associated contentious matters, including litigation and the representation of clients before INDECOPI. Experienced senior figure Enrique Felices heads the team and leads on many of the firms’ top cases; indeed, despite the novelty of 2021’s Law N° 31112, he has particular know-how as regards merger-control filings as a result of his former roles as Chief of Advisors to the Peruvian Prime Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the OECD. Raised to the partnership in January 2022, Fiorella Zumaeta is recommended for work pertaining to free competition, merger control and the elimination of bureaucratic barriers, along with regulatory matters. At associate level, the team has recently seen various changes, including the arrivals of Samuel Yábar and Jorge Contreras, who joined from Diez Canseco Abogados and INDECOPI in November 2021 and March 2022, respectively; and the departure of former senior associate Omar Alvarado for Diez Canseco Abogados in February 2022.

Peru > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The corporate M&A team at Miranda & Amado continues to be highly active on a range of significant local, cross-border and regional transactions, working both as lead counsel, and in tandem with large global law firms. The practice group’s broad expertise encompasses joint ventures, corporate finance, reorganisations and the creation of new corporate structures along with transactional matters, and can also call on the firm’s strong banking, tax and disputes teams, among others. Roberto MacLean heads the group and brings corporate, finance and capital markets expertise to the fore, while Luis Miranda is recommended for sizeable international M&A transactions. Bruno Amiel and Nathalie Paredes also both lead on deals, with Amiel offering commercial, corporate and civil law expertise, and Paredes handling corporate and private equity deals in the real estate sector. A strong second line consists of corporate and M&A transaction-focused counsels, María Pía Talavera and Katherine Torres (both were promoted in January 2022); and senior associates Mariano Peró and Javier García, whose practices are centred on M&A, business reorganisations and corporate matters.

Peru > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Offering ‘excellent lawyers, service and responsiveness’, Miranda & Amado‘s broad litigation and arbitration practice encompasses expertise in administrative, constitutional, civil and commercial disputes, as well as white-collar crime, along with commercial arbitration (both domestic and international); the team also has considerable experience in the construction arbitration niche. Mauricio Raffo heads the practice with 25 years’ experience – particularly in regulatory disputes; while junior partner Cristina Ferraro brings expertise in investment and commercial arbitration, as well disputes involving state or state-owned entities. Giovanni Priori is a prominent litigator and leads on high-profile judicial disputes, and José Daniel Amado  has considerable experience in major international arbitrations; Santiago Carrillo handles both litigation and arbitration including the team’s work with Telefonica and Lima Expresa; as is senior associate Carlos Glave, who is experienced in civil, constitutional and administrative proceedings. The firm saw a number of promotions to the partnership at the start of 2022, including José Luis Velarde (litigation, criminal law and criminal procedural matters), Luis Alonso Navarro (commercial and investment arbitration), and Rafael Díaz (criminal case strategy; compliance and anti-bribery matters) who co-heads the white-collar crime practice. Since publication, Glave has returned to the firm as a partner after spending time as an international associate at Chaffetz Lindsey LLP in New York - effective as of January 2023.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 1

Miranda & Amado is a one-stop-shop for clients in the electricity industry and offers expertise in M&A and finance, along with regulatory and contentious matters. The practice covers all segments of the market, including generation, transmission, and distribution, and also acts for non-regulated clients. The team, which is led by the deeply experienced and hands-on Luis Marcelo De-Bernardis, has recently been involved in discussions around regulatory changes to the country’s tariff regime in the natural gas market, which will have a substantial impact on electricity generation projects. De-Bernardis has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure, energy and natural resources projects, while counsel Marife Martinelli specialises in regulatory and administrative law across the power and oil-and-gas sectors. Senior associate Pedro Morales is recommended for regulatory and project development matters; and associate César Ramírez is an additional name to note.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 1

The team at Miranda & Amado is ‘very reliable and experienced' and demonstrates 'expertise in M&A, and deep knowledge of Peruvian law and the hydrocarbon industry'. Well known in the market for advising on high-profile and high-value oil-and gas-projects for large international and domestic energy companies, the practice has notable strength in M&A and transactional mandates, regulatory issues, financing, environmental matters and dispute resolution. Practice co-head Luis Marcelo De-Bernardis is recommended for transactional and development work in the infrastructure, energy and natural resources sectors, while fellow co-head Alberto Delgado handles corporate and commercial matters. Guillermo Bracamonte is another active partner in the practice; he focuses on contractual and regulatory matters. Counsel Marifé Martinelli, whose previous experience includes three years at OSINERGMIN; and deeply experienced senior associate Pedro Antonio Morales, are additional names to note.

Peru > Environment Tier 1

Miranda & Amado fields ‘a solid team with good assertive communication skills’ that handles the full array of environmental work. Its broad offering encompasses M&A due diligence, financing transactions and litigation, and the team has particular experience of water rights issues in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Another key area of focus is administrative sanctioning proceedings in relation to compliance with environmental rules. Alberto Delgado heads the team and acts for a roster of high-profile mining, and oil and gas companies on a broad range of corporate, commercial and environmental issues. Associate Alberto Ventura is another key practitioner; he handles administrative matters, including the obtaining licenses, authorisations and environmental permits from various agencies.

Peru > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Miranda & Amado’s projects team is active in a range of areas, with a special focus on the energy, mining and infrastructure segments. The multidisciplinary practice draws on strength from finance, tax, regulatory, environment, real estate and dispute resolution practitioners to provide a holistic service to clients. Luis Marcelo De-Bernardis, who possesses over 25 years’ experience in project finance and development work, jointly manages the group with mining, and oil and gas specialist Alberto Delgado. Finance expert José Miguel Puiggros stands out for his impressive track record in project-related capital markets transactions, while Isabel Lira marries wide-ranging expertise in infrastructure projects, concessions and PPPs with in-depth knowledge of antitrust law. At the associate level, Andrés Arbe is a name to note for licensing and permitting matters, Cynthia Rebaza focuses on the mining sector, Alberto Ventura handles environmental issues, and César Ramírez deals with regulatory matters and administrative law. Since publication, Venutra has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2023.

Peru > Real estate Tier 1

The real estate team at Miranda & Amado ‘knows the market, anticipates problems and is always available to find the best solutions’. It has a wealth of experience in the design of corporate, contractual and tax structures that add value to real estate investment projects for both foreign and domestic clients. From acquisitions and dispositions, to permitting and licensing, the team has a broad range of expertise which it utilises for both residential and commercial projects. With over 20 years’ experience, Claudia Lucena heads the practice; she has particular expertise in projects in the natural resource exploitation sector, and handles both contentious and non-contentious issues. At associate level, Yelitza Valdivia and Daniel Corzo are key practitioners, with Valdivia recommended for permitting and sanitation issues, and Corzo handling transactional matters. Other key associates include Jessica Huamaní, a name for urban development mandates/ and Luis Francisco Paz, who is recommended for contractual and civil matters, as well as litigation.

Peru > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 2

Drawing on its banking and finance practitioners for support, the insolvency and restructuring team at Miranda & Amado caters mainly to creditor clients but is also well versed in acting for debtors. Its multidisciplinary team has considerable experience in regulated industries, such as financial services, oil and gas, transport and mining. The team is jointly led by Renzo Agurto ('a brilliant professional in insolvency and restructuring') and Rafael Corzo; with Agurto recommended for restructuring and winding-up transactions; and Corzo focusing on regulatory banking and insurance matters. Senior associate Lisbeth Benavides is particularly experienced in insolvencies, regularly handling cases with cross-border aspects.

Peru > Compliance Tier 2

Miranda & Amado handles the full gamut of compliance work, including anti-corruption, antitrust matters and corporate compliance issues. It has considerable experience in the design and implementation of compliance strategies, and has the capability to handle corporate crime matters, including internal investigations. Bruno Amiel heads the team with a focus on corporate compliance and ancillary expertise in project finance and dispute resolution, while Enrique Felices is the name to note for competition matters; he leads on several compliance cases. Following their January 2021 arrival from boutique Facto Litigios & Compliance (where they were founding partners) criminal liability specialists José Luis Velarde and Rafael Díaz were raised to the partnership at he beginning of 2022, further consolidating what is now a 15-strong practice group in this area. Public law specialist Willy Pedreschi; competition and administrative law focused Fiorella Zumaeta (also raised to the partnership in January 2022) and new counsel, Katherine Torres (a corporate expert who works closely with Amiel), are also all involved in the practice.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Miranda & Amado’s mining team is ‘attentive to details, has very good English language skills, and is practical and good at explaining complex legal issues’. Sitting within the firm’s wider projects practice, the team advises clients on land management issues, environmental matters, community relations, water rights and zoning issues, as well high-profile M&A and financing work. Head of practice Alberto Delgado has over 24 years’ experience in mining law and is well versed in corporate and commercial matters. Fellow partner Guillermo Bracamonte is a key practitioner who has considerable experience in high-profile mining transactions and environmental and regulatory proceedings. At associate level, Cynthia Rebaza handles investment advisory for both local and foreign companies regarding Peruvian mining projects. However, former associate David Baracco moved to Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Casas in April 2022.

Peru > Insurance Tier 2

The insurance and reinsurance practice at Miranda & Amado is very active in the domestic market and acts for Peru’s leading insurance companies on a range of matters, from structuring insurance products and regulatory issues, to disputes and corporate transactions. On the corporate and finance side, the firm takes a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on strengths of practitioners in other departments to provide a holistic approach to insurance mandates. Rafael Corzo   heads the team and complements his insurance practice with banking expertise, which makes him particularly strong on bancassurance matters. Counsel Eduardo Wiese  handles insurance-related regulatory and transactional matters, as well as insolvency proceedings. Associate Pablo Cassinelli  is another name to note for regulatory and contractual matters.

Peru > Public law and regulation Tier 2

The public law practice at Miranda & Amado draws on experts in energy and natural resources, infrastructure, regulation, competition and dispute resolution to provide a holistic approach to clients in highly regulated industries, including high-profile companies in the pharmaceutical and telecoms sectors. It is particularly well versed in handling public law and regulatory matters relating for large M&A deals, finance transactions and energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Willy Pedreschi acts for public and private entities on administrative and regulatory law, and has noteworthy experience of the health, education, food and beverage, and construction sectors. Enrique Felices is a name to note for competition matters; while counsel Marifé Martinelli, in turn, is recommended for administrative law issues in the energy and water sectors. At associate level, Fabiana Vittoria (regulatory and administrative law, telecoms, media and regulated industries) and Joao Arbildo (administrative law; infrastructure, public procurement and regulated industries; arbitration) are key names; however, former senior Omar Alvarado left for Diez Canseco Abogados in February 2022.

Peru > TMT (Technology, media and telecoms) Tier 2

Miranda & Amado has a strong focus on telecoms and data protection work and acts for large international businesses as well as smaller domestic companies. Sitting within the firm’s wider regulatory and administrative law department, the practice draws on strength from competition, consumer protection, tax, dispute resolution, labour and corporate experts to provide a holistic service to TMT clients. As well as handling day-to-day advice, regulatory issues and compliance, the team represents clients in administrative proceedings before regulators and is no stranger to litigation. Enrique Felices   and Willy Pedreschi  jointly lead the team, with Felices specialising in data privacy matters and Pedreschi focusing on regulatory and administrative law. At the associate level, senior Fabiana Vittoria  is the key name for telecoms work; fellow former senior Omar Alvarado left for Diez Canseco Abogados in February 2022.

Peru > Labour and employment Tier 3

Miranda & Amado‘s labour department ‘takes the client’s problems as if they were its own‘ and has recently been notably active in advising on employee-side collective negotiations with unions. Practice head Eric Castro ‘acts diligently with business issues‘ relating to Covid-19; as such, the team has continued to assist adidas Peru and Corporación Turística Peruana with ongoing employment-related pandemic implications. Carlos Cadillo focuses on collective and individual bargaining and also handles matters relating to conflict prevention and management, as well as full-blown labour disputes; while counsel Luis Santa Cruz ‘always gives the right solutions’, particularly as regards workplace health-and-safety, and administrative instructions.

Peru > Tax Tier 3

The ‘very transparent‘ and ‘very agile' offering at Miranda & Amado has a particular niche in regulated industries – specifically, oil and gas, electricity and telecommunications. Practice head Pablo Sotomayor ‘has outstanding experience and knowledge' and specialises in all aspects of M&A transactions, restructurings and planning. His team is adept at advising on sophisticated tax structures, complex cross-border financings and litigation – including ongoing representation of BHP Billiton before SUNAT regarding tax assessment errors. A pool of associates including experienced figures Luis Miguel Sánchez and Nicolás Valverde complete the team, for whom other recent clients include Telefónica del Perú and Empress Royalty.