Mr José Ignacio Ovalle > Barros & Errázuriz > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Acting for a range of domestic and international developers and investment companies, Barros & Errázuriz’s 13-strong real estate practice has a strong market reputation for its ability to create innovative acquisition structures. It also advises on real estate associations and consortiums, and the financing of real estate development projects. The group additionally stands out for its experience in infrastructure and construction (including telecoms infrastructure); and is routinely sought out for its regulatory credentials, in relation to city planning, administrative law conflicts, tourism, and urbanism within industrial areas. Co-leading the team, José Ignacio Ovalle’s practice encompasses the development of building projects, condominiums, shopping centres, offices, ports and hotels (both in rural and urban areas); Patricio Solórzano is a residential, commercial and industrial real estate project expert; and Oscar Ruiz-Tagle advises on territorial planning, and urban and environmental regulations. At counsel level, Alejandra Aránguiz is experienced in urban, regulatory and municipal administrative law, while senior associate María Teresa Diez focuses on real estate, corporate and urban planning matters.

‘Fully aware of the regulatory changes in Chile‘, Barros & Errázuriz‘s TMT practice acts for both domestic and foreign companies, including fixed and mobile operators, satellite operators, digital applications, and free-to-air and paid television services. The team is also sought out by internet service providers, over-the-top (OTT) media services, technology providers, e-commerce and social media platforms, and telecom infrastructure companies; its experience covers the full range of corporate and regulatory matters as well as obtaining all necessary permits and licenses required under local legislation. Additionally, it is increasingly active in 5G and satellite broadband matters, as well as major technology projects in Chile. The practice is headed up by longstanding TMT specialist José Ignacio Ovalle, whose ‘knowledge of the industry is very impressive‘, and who advises on a wide range of regulatory and commercial issues impacting the telecoms and technology sectors. Elevated to partner level in April 2023, former senior associate Andrés Rodríguez is experienced in telecoms, IT and data privacy; and key associate Magdalena Rojas advises several telecoms service providers in Chile.

Barros & Errázuriz‘s data privacy group is regularly mandated to draft, edit and implement complex privacy policies. The team also reviews an array of contracts involving personal data transfers, along with assessing the legal implications of clients’ business models in Chile. The ‘bold and inventive‘ group is led by TMT sector and personal data protection specialist, José Ignacio Ovalle, whose recent track record includes leading advice to DirecTV Chile on its internal information security and privacy policy; and former chief legal adviser at the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Andrés Rodríguez, who was promoted to partner in April 2023 and focuses his practice on the telecoms and IT sectors, as well as data privacy work. Providing key associate-level support, Magdalena Rojas‘ experience includes advising clients on IT procurement and the adapting of processes and contractual documents to Chile’s personal data protection legislation; and -at the more junior end- Fernanda Irrazabal, who is active in the firm’s telecoms, technology and data protection group.