Mr Fernando Garrido > Barros & Errázuriz > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

With significant experience in a range of energy matters in Chile, Barros & Errázuriz‘s large’ 13-member practice covers energy contracts, regulatory issues, energy M&A, joint ventures, project finance, and associated disputes and arbitration. Recent highlights include advising various power generators and banks on complex power purchase agreements, tenders, and large-scale transmission and green hydrogen project developments. The key practitioners are dispute resolution leader José Tomás Errázuriz, whose track record covers both major energy projects and energy litigation; Fernando Garrido, an expert in energy and natural resources-related project developments, financings, litigation, M&A and general corporate matters; and Cristóbal Pellegrini (a partner since January 2022), who advises on energy projects, finance, M&A and litigation. Former senior associates Pedro Pablo Ballivian and Verónica Vergara left the firm for drinking water company Esval and utility company Colbún in August and November 2022, respectively.

With ‘expertise that is hard to find in other firms‘, Barros & Errázuriz‘s eight-strong environmental team advises on environmental assessments, permitting issues, relations with local authorities, and social conflicts and community matters. The practice also fields experts in preventive advice, compliance, enforcement proceedings and litigation before the environmental and ordinary courts (including the Supreme Court). Additionally, the team demonstrates experience in water rights law, proceedings before Chile’s health authorities, urban planning and climate change matters, along with waste management, recycling and aquaculture regulations. Fernando Garrido heads the firm’s water rights’ practice; while director Matias Montoya, a former Environmental Assessment Agency general counsel, is noted for ‘his knowledge of environmental issues‘ and advises on environmental assessments, environmental compliance, litigation, and due diligence. In the associate team, senior Mara Angelini and Cristóbal Gil both focus on environmental issues. Former senior Ignacio Urbina moved to Estudio Fermandois in September 2022.

Fielding ‘a very good team with excellent advisers’, Barros & Errázuriz’s large team is consistently involved in the development and financing of sizeable infrastructure and energy projects in Chile. On the development side, the group’s infrastructure capabilities include tender processes and public and private works concessions in relation to highways, prisons, seaports, airports, and logistics centres; while in the energy space the practice is frequently involved in both generation and transmission projects. The team is also active in mining companies’ desalination projects. Nicolás Balmaceda, who has longstanding experience in industrial, infrastructure, energy and real estate projects co-leads the practice with Francisco De la Barra, an expert in project developments and financings, and infrastructure-related transactions. Fernando Garrido, who focuses on power generation and transmission projects is also a key practitioner; as are recently-promoted partners Cristóbal Pellegrini, who advises major energy companies; and María Olga Rivera, whose experience includes the acquisition of electricity companies. Diego Ovalle and Nicole Ubal are experienced senior associates.