Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga > Montevideo, Uruguay > Firm Profile

Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga > The Legal 500 Rankings

Uruguay > Banking and finance Tier 2

Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga‘s banking and finance department has a strong track record in the Uruguayan market, having been the adviser of choice for Banco Santander for over thirty years. Although the firm advises clients from a wide range of sectors, including retail and fintech, it has notably consolidated its experience in project financing transactions in recent years: it advised Grupo Vía Central on the Ferrocarril Central project, a public-private partnership railway project for which $1.1b has been raised. The practice is co-led by Nicolás Herrera Alonso, who assists local and international financial entities with structured and project financing and provides consultancy services to local and multinational companies; Mariela Ruanova, specialist in banking law with a focus on innovation and technology; and Fernando Jiménez de Aréchaga Jr, a project financings expert who has worked on some of Uruguay’s most notable PPP projects in recent years. Senior associates Mariana Lartigau, Alfredo Arocena, Carolina Bianchi and Maite Gaynicotche provide valued support to the practice group.

Uruguay > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The practice group at Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga is regularly instructed by clients from the agribusiness, tech, finance and food and drink sectors for its counsel on M&A transactions, regulatory matters and corporate governance. Founding partner Virginia Brause co-heads the team and advises the practice’s major international clients, including PepsiCo, McDonald’s and Credit Agricole; leading alongside her, Nicolás Herrera Alonso assists local and multinationals companies with financial, banking and corporate operations. Fernando Jiménez de Aréchaga‘s expertise lies in advising buyers and sellers on M&A transactions in the infrastructure and renewables sectors. At senior associate level, Mariana Lartigau leads due diligence for M&A transactions and project finance, and Alfredo Arocena specialises in project financing, agribusiness, and energy. Jimena González supports on a host of corporate governance matters.

Uruguay > Dispute resolution Tier 2

The team at Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga is particularly strong in commercial litigation, and also aids clients with arbitration. It continues to assist big-name multinationals from an array of sectors, and its client base was bolstered in the last year with the additions of Amazon, Volkswagen and Adidas. Two seasoned partners lead the practice: Nicolás Brause specialises in financial litigation, antitrust and bankruptcy law and is credited with devising ‘efficient and creative solutions’ and having a ‘deep knowledge of the market’. Alongside him, Mariela Ruanova handles financial litigation and plays an important role in maintaining the firm’s relationship with major banks. Counsel Juan Andrés Urgoiti, senior associate Bruno Steneri and associate Andrés Tiscornia provide the partners with valued support.

Uruguay > Projects and energy Tier 2

Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga has a strong reputation for the financing and refinancing of renewable energy projects, as well as handling PPP matters. The practice group has advised on several major wind and solar projects in Uruguay, such as the recent sale of a wind farm owned by Grupo Cobra to Cubico Investments. In the project finance arena, the team has significant experience with PPP highway projects, including recent advice to the sponsors on major road project Circuito 5. Fernando Jiménez de Aréchaga Jr heads the department, bringing great experience in project financing and an excellent track record in PPP work. Senior associates Alfredo Arocena and Carolina Bianchi have supported on much of the firm’s major project financing matters in recent years.

Uruguay > Real estate Tier 2

The team at Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga is ‘committed to its client’s objectives’ and assists with all stages of real estate projects, from planning to approval. The practice counts major banks Banco Santander and Banco Itaú as well as developers among its clients, and handles industrial, commercial, office and residential real estate developments. ‘Great leader’ Héctor Viana heads up the practice and handles property acquisitions and real estate developments; he is also knowledgeable on commercial, corporate, tax and regulatory issues. Of counsel and public notary María José Rovira supports on all real estate matters and is described as ‘organised' and 'meticulous’; and senior associate Aparicio Howard specialises in civil law and disputes that arise from real estate deals.

Uruguay > Labour and employment Tier 3

The ‘excellent multidisciplinary team' at Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga handles employment and benefits-related litigation and collective bargaining matters on behalf of multinational corporations, and also carries out corporate and governmental investigations. The firm’s strong offering across other practice areas in Uruguay and its international presence enable it to handle cases seamlessly for international clients. Practice co-head Diego Viana specialises in litigation and collective bargaining matters. Alongside him, Ignacio Demarco advises companies in labour disputes and audits, reorganisations, negotiations with unions and social security matters. Senior associate Mateo Robledo has his strengths in labour litigation.

Uruguay > Intellectual property Tier 4

The practice at Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga specialises in IP infringement claims, due diligence and IP-related litigation and arbitration. The group has experience advising clients in the tech sector. Héctor Viana, whose background is in corporate real estate and finance law, handles IP issues related to clients he regularly manages, among them Amazon, Volkswagen and Facebook. At senior associate level, Mariana Lartigau has experience with trade marks and copyright issues, and also supports with IP-related due diligence. Maite Gaynicotche focuses on data protection and cybersecurity matters.

Uruguay > Tax Tier 4

Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga‘s tax practice is led by accountant and of counsel Julio López, whose specialities include international and domestic tax planning, double taxation matters, and advising on the tax implications of M&A. He is supported by the ‘highly meticulous and analytical' senior associate Martin Montoro, who focuses on the tax structuring of investments, tax litigation and tax matters relating to international projects. Additional skills of the group include tax due diligence and business structuring, for which it is frequently instructed by financial, construction and energy-sector clients.