Hughes & Hughes > Montevideo, Uruguay > Firm Profile

Hughes & Hughes > The Legal 500 Rankings

Uruguay > Banking and finance Tier 2

The banking and finance practice at Hughes & Hughes is regarded as ‘one of the most prestigious and experienced in Uruguay‘. It counts a number of international banks and financial entities among its client base but also acts for a host of borrowers in the country’s burgeoning infrastructure market. Héctor Ferreira counts Rabobank and American Express among his recent clients and he is a regular advisor on complex financing operations. He co-leads the group with Juan Oreggia Carrau, who focuses on the transactional side of the practice, and senior partner Haroldo Espalter. For project financing matters, Mariana Estradé has established herself as one of the go-to lawyers in the market in recent years, advising a number of international clients on investments in Uruguay’s renewable energy market.

Uruguay > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The corporate law practice at Hughes & Hughes is highlighted for its ‘tailored, strategic advice‘, delivered by a five-partner team. While the firm’s significant presence in the projects and energy sphere is evident in its corporate work, its recent highlights, such as assisting a major international retail company in its first store opening in Uruguay, reflect the team’s breadth of work. Héctor Ferreira was the lead contact for that matter and he co-leads the practice with over 20 years’ experience representing domestic and foreign clients. Haroldo Espalter has vast experience in corporate and commercial law and has been a key advisor on foreign direct investment in Uruguay. Rounding out the leadership trio is Juan Oreggia Carrau, whose key strengths are in the forestry and energy sectors. Clients see Mariana Estradé as ‘a valuable long-term advisor‘ and she is well versed in advising local and foreign companies on setting up and developing businesses in Uruguay. Florencia Beyhaut is another partner to note, while associate Clara Villaamil is gaining extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of agreements, the purchase of companies and the development of strategies, and legal due diligence.

Uruguay > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Clients highlight Hughes & Hughes‘ dispute resolution team for its ‘great proactivity and disposition‘ in contentious matters across key industries in the market. The team acts in some of the country’s most complex litigation and has also played a key role in the domestic arbitration market, actively promoting it as a method for resolving conflict and thus taking a key role in the field. Leadership of the practice is divided between Alfredo Taullard and Bernardo Porras, who both lead litigation and arbitration cases, as well asset recovery and insolvency. Senior associate Agustina Silva supports the practice heads in various matters, with particular strengths in the banking sector and in bankruptcy and insolvencies. Mariana Arena adds senior associate support in domestic and international arbitrations, while associates Felipe Riva, Magela Ramon and Camila Chanes are all regularly involved across the range of work.

Uruguay > Labour and employment Tier 2

The ‘committed and professional multidisciplinary team‘ at Hughes & Hughes is a strong choice for core labour and employment matters in Uruguay, regularly assisting its diverse client base with complex union negotiations, collective bargaining, dismissals and migrant worker regulations. Practice head Enrique Radmilovich is a long-term advisor to leading employers in the forestry, hotel, food and chemical industries, among others. María Durán is also well versed in the labour issues impacting these sectors and frequently acts in labour lawsuits, collective negotiations and resolutions of individual conflicts. Nicolás Rivadavia has broad experience in various types of labour lawsuits, and also has niche expertise in the sports sector. Senior associate Florencia Fitipaldo departed in May 2021; the firm brought in María Noel Sayanes and Rafael Sanguinetti at the junior associate level in June and July 2021, respectively.

Uruguay > Projects and energy Tier 2

Clients of Hughes & Hughes‘ projects and energy practice admire ‘the high level of involvement of the partners in the day to day of the projects‘ and its ‘pragmatism in finding solutions‘. The team is well versed in all areas of the energy sector and has notable expertise in environmental law-related issues. It also stands out for experience in engineering projects and related transactions, such as EPCM agreements, and in developing corporate structures for infrastructure projects in public and private bidding proceedings and PPPs. Mariana Estradé is highlighted by clients for her ‘experience, dynamism and knowledge of the infrastructure and energy sector‘; she coordinates the practice alongside Héctor Ferreira, an experienced figure in assisting companies with financing and setting up projects, and international transaction expert Haroldo Espalter. Associate Clara Villaamil is developing a strong practice in the energy sector focusing on contracts and M&A.

Uruguay > Real estate Tier 4

As the chosen counsel of UPM through the development and construction of its pulp mill project in Paso de los Toros, Hughes & Hughes has played a major role in this nationally significant development and the fallout of tangential real estate work. Outside of that work, the team is best known for its transactional practice, where it excels in the sale and purchase of rural sites, an area of specialisation for practice head Haroldo Espalter. Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau is a key contact for foreign investment funds with real estate interests in Uruguay, while Florencia Beyhaut is experienced in land development and residential infrastructure.

Uruguay > Tax Tier 4

Hughes & Hughes‘ tax team has ‘great knowledge of the market‘ and advises on complex tax planning scenarios, the application of double tax treaties, tax audits, and tax litigation. A well-established base of clients operating in sectors ranging from hotels to pharmaceuticals enjoy the multidisciplinary service from the firm. Experienced corporate law partner Haroldo Espalter oversees the practice with two associates: tax and transfer pricing expert Alejandro Horjales, and Miguel Rocca, who is well versed in assisting domestic and international clients.