Posadas > Montevideo, Uruguay > Firm Profile

Posadas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Uruguay > Banking and finance Tier 2

The sizeable banking and finance team at Posadas excels at project financings in the energy and infrastructure sector, as well as asset finance deals, in which it acts for lenders and borrowers. It counts many domestic and international banks as well as fintech companies amongst its client base. Recent highlights include a complex cross-border transaction involving Global Infrastructure Partners, and a significant renewable energy deal. Tomas Gurméndez co-leads the practice and has significant expertise in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects and cross-border deals involving sophisticated collateral structures. Alongside him in leading the team, regulatory banking department head Andrés Aznárez has notable experience providing advice to banks, investment firms, brokers and fintech companies. Victoria Garabato has been active in almost all the major project finance matters handled by the firm in recent years, and Martina Reyes is the name to note at associate level.

Uruguay > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Posadas houses a strong practice that specialises in local and cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate governance matters. The sizable team is praised as ‘committed, proactive and efficient’, as well as ‘knowledgeable and hard working’. Investment funds and corporations from the agribusiness, forestry, automotive, construction and tech sectors are mainstays on its client roster. Recent additions of major new clients have come in the energy and food and drink sectors. A trio of partners lead the group: Fernando de Posadas has significant M&A experience; Tomas Gurméndez assists corporations with cross-border M&A transactions and corporate governance matters; and tax and real estate expert Eduardo Ferrari completes the leadership team. Martina Reyes is noted for her expertise in M&A, banking and foreign investment matters. Tomás Guerrero adds M&A and commercial agreements experience, and the 'technically gifted' Gerardo Caffera and Lucía Carbajal, and 'great negotiator' Andrés Aznárez, are additional key contacts.

Uruguay > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Posadas houses a ‘solid and dedicated’ team in the dispute resolution arena that is known for its work in civil, commercial, and administrative litigation and class action lawsuits, with additional experience in arbitration and mediation. Luis Nin Estévez co-leads the department and has ample experience in civil and administrative litigation, having represented local and international clients in an array of industries across his 35-year career. Clients signal co-head Valeria Techera as a ‘professional’ who ensures that the client-attorney relationship is ‘fluid’; she defends the interests of public companies and multinationals operating in Uruguay in commercial litigation. Of the pool of non-partner lawyers dedicated to dispute resolution, three senior associates stand out for special mention. Nicolas Pallas, who focuses on civil litigation and the drafting of legal agreements, and Virginia Yellinek and Emiliano Opertti, who support on civil and commercial litigation.

Uruguay > Labour and employment Tier 2

The practice at Posadas assists with labour due diligence, terminations and reorganisations, the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and the management of relationships with trade unions. In addition, the team is skilled at drafting employment contracts and benefits packages, overseeing hiring processes and handling immigration and social security issues. Clients include domestic companies and foreign multinationals that work in retail, aviation, manufacturing, technology and logistics. Non-contentious advisory work is the specialism of practice head Mariana Fernández, and senior counsel Alejandro Castello negotiates employment conditions and manages relationships with unions. At senior associate level, Gonzalo Gari and Maria Florencia Novaretto handle litigation and assist with collective bargaining negotiations.

Uruguay > Projects and energy Tier 2

The practice at Posadas is well-versed in conventional and renewable energy projects, as well as in transport infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and ports. Acting for lenders or sponsors in both project finance and development, the team has handled some of Uruguay’s largest FDI projects on behalf on major energy and infrastructure companies, including multinational corporations and state-owned entities. Recent standout projects work has included advising on the financing of a PPP Highway Project in central Uruguay; in the energy sector, the firm recently advised Cubico Sustainable Investments on the acquisition of two major Uruguayan wind farms. Infrastructure and energy project financing expert Tomas Gurméndez co-heads the practice, bringing particular experience in PPPs to the table; alongside him, Fernando De Posadas handles foreign direct investments in energy and infrastructure projects. Lucía Carbajal and Victoria Garabato, partner as of January 2022, participate in high-profile FDI and energy projects.

Uruguay > Real estate Tier 2

Posadas houses a strong real estate department that ‘combines tradition with sophistication and international experience’. The group advises developers and investors on urban and rural real estate mandates, with particular expertise in the structuring of real estate projects and the implementation of REITs. Notary public Federico Peñasco heads up the practice and focuses on the structuring of trusts and restructuring of liabilities, sales, and acquisitions. Notary Florencia Larraburu left the practice in October 2022, and former practice co-head Eduardo Ferrari departed in June 2023.

Uruguay > Tax Tier 3

The focus of the practice at Posadas is centred on the provision of domestic and international tax advisory services and litigation. It regularly assists corporations from the food and drink, finance and automotive sectors, and has substantial experience advising families and private individuals. Practice co-head Raúl Vairo advises local and international clients on new ventures in the free trade zone and the rest of Uruguay; he leads the group alongside accountant Daniel Gonzalez. Partner Matías Rachetti advises high net worth individuals and families on tax and corporate matters. Previous practice co-head Eduardo Ferrari departed in June 2023.