Allende & Brea > BUENOS AIRES, Argentina > Firm Profile

Allende & Brea > The Legal 500 Rankings

Argentina > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Allende & Brea is regularly called on by international corporations to advise on merger control matters, with its international presence boosted by leadership positions in the Antitrust Committee of the International Bar Association, the Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association and the American Antitrust Institute. The practice has an impressive track record in high-stakes cartel cases, handles vertical restraint and dominance matters, and advises clients on the design of distribution systems to comply with antitrust laws. One of Argentina’s foremost competition and antitrust lawyers Julián Peña leads the team and is recognised for the depth of his expertise across all aspects of competition and antitrust law. Federico Rossi is the practice group’s other key name and handles merger control proceedings, cartel investigations, dominance cases and sectoral enquiries.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

The Allende & Brea mining practice is one of the firm’s oldest and most active departments and remains very much a “go-to” option for domestic and international mining entities seeking advice on complex-cross border mining M&A and financing matters. The practice is renowned for the breadth, depth and sophistication of its offering, which also includes regulatory, environmental, tax, financial and contractual matters. The team is currently at the forefront of matters in the lithium sector, but is also sought out for its extensive expertise in Argentina’s burgeoning metalliferous space, with copper-related projects proving a particularly active segment for the practice. The firm also works closely with authorities at national level to mitigate the impact of a high tax burden and hyper-inflation on the industry. With more than three-decades’ sector experience, practice head Florencia Heredia has become an influential industry leader and holds prominent positions with various Argentine and international industry bodies. Senior Agostina Martinez is a key name at associate level and focuses her practice on mining and foreign investment matters, with fellow senior – ESG, environmental and administrative practitioner, Martín Alejo Prieto – also prominent.

Argentina > Fintech Tier 1

Allende & Brea, an influential player in the formation of the Argentine Fintech Chamber, integrates lawyers from its banking, finance and corporate teams with specialists in new technologies, compliance, intellectual property, data protection, consumer, tax and labour, to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary service to fintech clients. The team provides essential regulatory and risk mitigation support in a fast moving space, and has worked on matters involving payments (and payment platforms), blockchain, FX regulations, cryptocurrency exchanges and non-fungible tokens. The practice is co-lead by internet and computer-crime specialist, Pablo Palazzi; veteran banking lawyer and payments expert Carlos Melhem; and Jorge Mayora, also an experienced banking and finance lawyer.

Argentina > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 2

Allende & Brea’s multidisciplinary team represents corporate debtors in reorganisation proceedings and out-of-court restructurings in Argentina, and is also retained by creditors for support on reorganisation and liquidation proceedings, creditor committee-matters, the acquisition of bankrupt companies, foreclosure of securities, and other related issues. The practice is co-lead by experienced bankruptcy and restructuring partner Cristian Fox; disputes specialist David Gurfinkel and M&A and real estate partner Diego Botana.

Argentina > Compliance Tier 2

Allende & Brea is best known for its work with IT teams to collect and review digital data, and harnesses electronic device imaging and high-volume data collection techniques to produce evidence. The team handles a wide range of compliance matters related to forex regulations, antitrust, healthcare, environmental matters, IP and technology, and works extensively with banks, insurers and fintechs in particular.  Well known litigator David Gurfinkel, who covers disputes and anti-trust, co-leads the practice with regulatory and healthcare law expert Maria Morena Del Rio. Senior associate Franco Jofré leads the second line.

Argentina > Environment Tier 2

Allende & Brea takes an integrated approach to environmental law and is focused on helping clients manage the environmental, social and governance risks that impact long-term commercial sustainability. With extensive experience in the extractive and industrials sectors, the firm is well-versed in business and human rights issues; anti-corruption; corporate governance; green financing; climate change and renewable energy matters. Areas covered by the team include compliance with Argentine environmental legislation; environmental audits and due diligence; climate change disclosure and the representation of clients in individual and collective environmental litigation and environmental administrative proceedings. Administrative and environmental law specialist Maria Morena Del Rio co-leads the team alongside formidable mining and natural resources lawyer Florencia Heredia. Senior associate Martín Alejo Prieto, an expert in environmental compliance and individual and collective environmental disputes and litigation, leads the second line.

Argentina > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 2

The Allende & Brea life sciences team advises clients in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology, food, beverages and cosmetics industries on daily operations, regulatory matters, M&A deals, and licensing and distribution agreements. Recent mandates have seen the team assist clients with regulatory clearances for the import, export, sale and distribution of medical products in Argentina, clinical trials, and healthcare packaging and labelling. The practice is co-led by Maria Morena Del Rio, who focuses on regulatory matters in relation to the life sciences sector; and Fernando Martínez Zuviría, who has experience working with the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) and the National and Provincial Ministries of Health.

Argentina > Public law Tier 2

Allende & Brea’s public law team is called on for support across a wide variety of public procurement, administrative and environmental law matters, and is well known for handling public finance mandates, litigation and M&A-related public law work. Engineering, construction and infrastructure are key segments. Practice head Maria Morena Del Rio is actively involved in public works and infrastructure projects, and is particularly well-versed in procurement proceedings, public contracts' claims, dispute procedures, judicial reviews and regulatory advice. Respected corporate partner Diego Botana, who is recognised for the depth of his expertise in the niche area of company constitutional rights in highly regulated sectors, is also available to the team. Key associates Vanesa Fernandez (administrative and regulatory law) and Lucrecia Re (public contracts, procurement, administrative law and judicial procedures) lead the second line.

Argentina > Tax Tier 2

Allende & Brea supports clients with a broad tax offering covering M&A, tax free reorganisations, tax planning, transfer pricing, tax treaties, forex and day-to-day matters. The firm also has a strong private clients' practice that advises families, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals on designing tax-effective strategies and using trusts, private foundations and other asset protection structures. Tax litigation is another busy area, with the team representing individuals and corporates in tax-related administrative and judicial appeal proceedings at all levels. The practice is co-led by experienced tax lawyer Raul Fratantoni, who also fronts the successful private clients' desk; and Nicolas Procopio, who handles litigation, transactional and tax planning matters for corporates and individuals. The team also draws on a support from a strong bench of associate level talent. Paula Polimeni and Mariano Federico Anna undertake tax dispute and litigation matters; and Bautista Dasso is a key contact for high net worth individuals, families and private banks.

Argentina > TMT Tier 2

Allende & Brea’s telecom, media, technology, e-commerce and fintech clients turn to the firm for advice on a range of TMT matters, including software licensing, outsourcing, data protection, privacy policies, internet and entertainment law. Novel technology issues are a particular focus  area, with the practice also handling litigation related to data breaches, computer contracts and privacy policies. Pablo Palazzi – who handles technology transactions, IP issues, internet and technology law – leads the practice, with further senior support coming from IP-focused senior associate Lucila Lódola De San Martín, who also picks up work related to internet law, entertainment law and broadcasting regulations.

Argentina > Banking and finance Tier 3

Allende & Brea is well-known for its deep expertise in Central Bank and foreign exchange regulations and is regularly called on by local and international clients for support on payment schemes, cross-border transactions and international trade strategy. The firm also represents domestic and global banks on commercial and syndicated loans, capital markets transactions, reorganisations, trade financing and structured loans. Fintech and payments technology is another busy area, with the practice drawing on the expertise of its corporate, labour and compliance departments to support fast-growing fintech navigate a constantly evolving regulatory and commercial landscape. Banking and fintech law expert Carlos Melhem co-leads the practice alongside versatile banking and capital markets veteran Jorge Mayora ; clients regard the pair as demonstrating ‘superior quality’. At associate level Franco Jofré, who also has a thriving compliance practice, and banking and finance all-rounder Micaela Boruchowicz are the first points of call.

Argentina > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Allende & Brea is regularly called on by foreign companies for advice on complex transactions and exit strategies from Argentina, including disposals and carve-outs. The firm works across a broad range of industries, with insurance, agribusiness and technology among its areas of particular expertise. Vastly experienced corporate lawyer and firm managing partner Valeriano Lynch heads the team in tandem with Santiago Sturla, who advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters, including M&A, shareholder conflicts, financing and restructuring. Dispute resolution and restructuring expert Diego Botana and Raul Fratantoni, who has a strong tax background and an active portfolio of family-owned company clients, are other key senior names. Corporate all-rounder Tomás de Cío, transactional-focused Marcos Patron Costas, and life sciences specialist Fernando Martínez Zuviría all provide further partner-level expertise.

Argentina > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Allende & Brea stands out for its track record in class action suits, particularly in the insurance and financial services sectors, and is also known for handling complex environmental claims and shareholder and commercial conflicts. Antitrust and IP-related litigation are other areas of notable expertise. Experienced commercial litigation arbitration lawyer David Gurfinkel leads the practice alongside Cristian Fox, who regularly assists commercial judges on complex shareholder conflicts and has served as arbitrator in a number of commercial disputes. Senior associate Daiana Mascheroni is noted; moreover, the team has been bolstered with a cluster of associate hires over the last 18 months.

Argentina > Intellectual property Tier 3

Allende & Brea is best known for counselling technology and internet companies on the full suite of IP services, but also advises clients from a range of other sectors. The team handles IP prosecution, contracting, licensing, copyright, domain names, internet and entertainment law, along with IP litigation on trade mark oppositions, patent and design infringement and breach of IP contracts. A certain orientation towards the technology sector gives the practice particular strength in relation to software matters, database law, data protection, privacy and computer contracts. Practice head Pablo Palazzi stands out for his expertise in IP and internet law, including data protection and outsourcing. Senior associate Carlos Octavio Mitelman, who joined the firm in 2022, is a key contact on prosecution and litigation matters.  

Argentina > Labour and employment Tier 3

A member of L&E Global Labour alliance, Allende & Brea is noted for its expertise in cross-border labour matters and dealing with claims that require the collation of evidence in several jurisdictions. Working with clients from a range of sectors, the team’s experience spans mass furloughs and terminations, labour due diligence in M&A deals, immigration processing, data collection and compliance, remote working, internet use policies, and work email monitoring and privacy matters. Practice head Nicolás Grandi advises local and international clients on the full scope of labour matters, including transference of employees, global transactions, complex labour litigation, terminations and settlement agreements. Labour-focused associate Lucas Tamagno leads the second line.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 4

Allende & Brea advises power industry clients on transactional, regulatory, environmental, tax, financial and litigation matters and is especially active in the design and construction of natural gas, combined cycle and renewable energy power plants; where it advises on EPC contracts and project financing. Stand-out mining practitioner Florencia Heredia leads on all natural resources, environmental and energy related work. Transactional and financing partner Marcos Patron Costas provides key support.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4

A formidable player in the mining sector, Allende & Brea has been working on growing its profile in the adjacent oil-and-gas sector, where it can leverage its full service capabilities, especially in the fields of tax, environmental law, contracts, M&A and financing in tightly regulated industries. Florencia Heredia, who is best known for her mining practice but also has experience across energy and the broader natural resources segment, leads the team; cross-border M&A financing partner Marcos Patron Costas, and associate Agostina Martinez (international oil-and-gas law, contracts and negotiations), are the other key contacts.

Argentina > Insurance Tier 4

The formerly market leading practice at Allende & Brea has undergone a remarkably rapid liquidation with the February 2023 departure of associate Sebastian Bonina (to Accenture Argentina), superceded by the wholesale August 2023 departure of practice head Martín Argañaraz, key associate María Agustina Diaz (plus a junior associate and a paralegal) to establish new office, DAC Beachcroft Argentina. Following the earlier (April 2022) departure of Laura Santanatoglia, who moved in house at Zurich Santander Seguros America, this leaves Santiago Sturla - who practices insurance and reinsurance as part of a broader practice that takes in corporate, contractual and company law - heading the department as the firm seeks to rebuild its capabilities; he is supported by intermediate associate Florencia L Marino.