Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' hefty 48-strong department is consistently sought out for its expertise in joint venture, private equity and venture capital deals; the acquisition of private and public companies (at both domestic and cross-border levels); complex corporate mergers and spin-offs; and corporate restructuring transactions (with and without change of control). The full-service practice showcases several experienced partners, including Francisco J Illanes (M&A, restructuring and shareholder agreements); corporate law and contracts specialist Sergio Díez; Cristián Herrera (corporate law, foreign investment and securities regulations); and Andrea Saffie (partner as of 2020); both she and Gerardo Varela are 'notable for their knowledge of M&A and corporate matters'. Also integral to the team are corporate, commercial, real estate and M&A expert Juan Pablo Matus; mining specialist Carlos Pérez-Cotapos; recently promoted corporate and real estate partner Tomás Vidal; José Luis Letelier, who has over 30 years' business and corporate law, M&A and foreign investment experience; co-head of the natural resources and mining group Gonzalo Grez; and highly experienced senior counsel Sebastián Obach. Further key support is provided by senior associates María Francisca Salas, whose broad practice includes advice on fishing and aquaculture, energy and health issues, and M&A adviser Sergio Balharry. Former partner Pedro Lluch left for EY Law in June 2020.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

With longstanding mining sector expertise, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' seven-member department fields a 'highly skilled and experienced team for all mining-related legal issues'; the practice assists a vast array of international and local clients with mining companies' M&A deals, worksite closures, and the exploration, development, financing and operation of mining projects. Recent highlights include advising Bergbau Wagen on a lease agreement executed with Sierra Atacama, which concerned 64 exploitation mining concessions for the Sierra Miranda Project in Mejillones. The team's principal practitioner is the 'excellent' Carlos Pérez-Cotapos, who consistently leads work teams on foreign mining investment projects, mining-related M&A and related financings. His fellow partner, Gonzalo Grez, has particular contracts expertise, including mining hi-tech agreements and other sub-sectors involving the mining chain, communities, land access and cross-border transactions. Senior associates Cristóbal Herrera and Manuela Noguera, along with associates Patricio Turner and María Belén Fuenzalida, all handle mining and natural resources law work.

Chile > Real estate Tier 1

'A great asset when looking for real expertise', the eight-strong department at full-service Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is 'second to none' in the Chilean market for its advice on major real estate M&A deals, including the purchase and sale of large shopping malls, office buildings, and utilities' real estate assets. It is also highly experienced in major projects involving industrial plants, shopping malls and large IT premises, and consistently sought out for its assistance with urbanism and territorial development-related regulations, long-term lease agreements, and construction issues involving industrial, commercial and energy projects. Juan Pablo Matus, whose broad practice includes major real estate projects is 'an excellent lawyer and negotiator'; and promoted to partner in 2020, the 'very responsive' Tomás Vidal's 'substantive experience' includes advising foreign funds on the acquisition of office buildings in Chile and the management of condominiums. At associate level, the practices of Mónica Pavez and Daniela Fierro include real estate assistance to local and foreign companies.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' ten-member banking and finance practice focuses on structuring cross-border loans, inclusive of tax analysis. Other areas of strength are project finance involving the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors; acquisition and corporate financings; corporations' restructurings; secured financing for agriculture producers and fish farming operations; and derivatives and trade finance. The team also maintains a robust regulatory practice. The departmental co-heads are Francisco Illanes, whose broad practice includes restructuring and creditor agreements; Rodrigo Sepúlveda (project finance and syndicated loans); and Juan Antonio Parodi, who assists with finance structuring, establishing guarantees, negotiating loan documents and project finance. Among the associate ranks, senior Sergio Balharry and intermediate Cristóbal Morales are noted. However, senior Florencia Grez moved to MBC Abogados in June 2021.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 11-member practice has substantial experience in merger control matters, as well as notable strengths in cartel and abuse of dominance cases. It also has particular retail industry expertise as a result of the firm's large base of consumer goods clients, while -leveraging the firm's strong IP practice- the department has also developed expertise in the interplay between competition law and IP rights. Practice head Juan Cristóbal Gumucio, whose 'knowledge and business-oriented approach are impressive', assists with merger control, cartels and unilateral conduct, and compliance programmes. The associates to note are Camila Rojas, who has a 'great future in antitrust' and focuses on merger controls; and Catalina González who handles merger control and compliance matters. However, former partner Pedro Lluch and associate Elías Astudillo moved to EY Law in July 2020.

Chile > Consumer and advertising law Tier 2

Regularly advising major advertisers such as Cencosud, Coca-Cola and Soprole, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos‘ five-member group also frequently finds itself at the forefront of litigation and advisory work in relation to new labelling requirements for food products. In addition, the practice is recognised by the market for its successful track record before the Self-Regulating Advertising Board (CONAR); on the consumer side, it acts in consumer claims for Google. Leading the department is Rodrigo Lavados, who also heads the firm’s tech, media and privacy group. Likewise key to the team is competition law head Juan Cristóbal Gumucio, whose broad experience includes pro-bono advice to different trade associations on consumer protection legislation amendments. At senior associate level, Felipe Fernández regularly works on consumer and advertising matters, while associate Gabriel Pensa‘s practice includes advertising ethics and consumer protection, along with food labelling and advertising. Since publication, Fernández has left the firm to become a partner at Ernst & Young (Santiago), effective December 2021.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 2

Extremely focused on data privacy matters, the six-strong practice at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is ‘fully up to date with international standards‘; and in 2019, the firm entered into an alliance with the Chilean branch of ‘Big Four’ professional services network KPMG, so as to facilitate data protection-related legal, compliance and audit services. A member of the data privacy expert board at the Confederation of Production and Commerce, Rodrigo Lavados (who also works on IP matters) leads the firm’s technology, privacy and media group. At senior associate level, Felipe Fernández advises clients such as Google, Coopeuch and IBM (on a daily basis) regarding data privacy matters, while Gabriel Pensa‘s practice also includes data protection issues. Since publication, Fernández has left for Ernst & Young (Santiago) - effective December 2021.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

Composed of 'highly-trained trial lawyers', Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' diverse and inclusive 18-strong team has an impressive litigation track-record in relation to environment law, energy, mining, securities and tax, along with construction and insurance cases, competition matters, consumer protection and class action defences. Veteran practitioner and head of litigation, Florencio Bernales 'works very hard to have the best strategy'. He is flanked by fellow partners Fernando Urrutia, an expert in construction cases and insolvency-related proceedings; Raimundo Moreno, a civil litigation and arbitration specialist; and Jorge Boldt, who heads the white-collar and compliance practices. Notable senior associates include José Ignacio Azar (formerly a foreign attorney at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP) and Trinidad Torres, who regularly acts alongside Bernales. (Former litigation associate José Manuel Donoso has moved to the firm's corporate and competition departments).

Chile > Environment Tier 2

The five-member department at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is well known for its environmental law advice on the development of industrial and telecoms facilities. Recent work includes assisting with environmental assessment requirements, defending environmental permits and environmental damage claims, along with transactional due diligence and regulatory matters. The practice is co-lead by Martín Astorga, who specialises in natural resources, water law, atmospheric emissions, EIA matters and territorial planning; and energy, environmental and regulatory expert Gonzalo Jiménez, who also leads the firm's regulatory law practice. Key associate assistance comes from senior, Verónica Cuadra.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 2

Chilean member-firm of the L&E Global employers’ counsel alliance, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos‘ five-member department is well known for its expertise in collective bargaining, immigration and the labour issues surrounding company restructurings; it also has substantial experience in compensation packages, stock options plans and the tax aspects of labour benefits; it is also increasingly active in litigation. The team is particularly active in the retail, mining, IT, aviation, mass consumer products, manufacturing and technology sectors; notably, it has also developed a labour-related data privacy practice. Practice head Ricardo Tisi focuses on advising companies on labour, social security and immigration matters, with associate-level support provided by Bárbara Zlatar, Sebastián Krebs, Josefina Rivera and Teresita Melero, the latter joining from the firm’s civil, corporate and commercial law department in 2020. Since publication, Zlatar and Ignacia López have been raised to the partnership – effective January and April 2022, respectively.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Fielding seven partners, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' large practice is consistently sought out for major energy and mining projects, as well as for its assistance with significant infrastructure and real estate work. In energy projects, the group's expertise includes greenfield matters, while in projects and infrastructure it acts for a diverse range of entities, including multinational mining companies and industrial clients. The principal figures are Carlos Pérez-Cotapos (foreign investment projects); managing partner Juan Pablo Matus, whose broad practice includes real estate and infrastructure projects; M&A specialist Cristián Herrera; natural resources and mining co-head Gonzalo Grez; regulatory law department head Gonzalo Jiménez; and Rodrigo Sepúlveda, whose broad practice includes project finance. Growth in the department includes the elevation of Tomás Vidal (commercial, corporate and real estate advice) to the partnership in 2020.

Chile > TMT Tier 2

Known for its strong technology background, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos‘ 14-member group consistently assists major IT, telecoms, media and internet companies with their investments, joint ventures, transactional IP and litigation; it also has a robust regulatory practice in relation to IT and media projects, and is well known for its expertise in data processing, and large infrastructure projects involving technology components and corporate issues. Rodrigo Lavados (who also works on IP matters) leads the technology, privacy and media group alongside Francisco Illanes, who also heads the financial, banking and capital markets department. Additionally integral to the group are litigation and arbitration specialist Raimundo Moreno and banking and finance expert Juan Antonio Parodi. The department houses several associates, including Felipe Fernández, Gabriel Pensa and Cristóbal Morales. Since publication, Fnerández has left the firm for Ernst & Young (Santiago), effective December 2021.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

Enjoying excellent relationships with major local banks and financial institutions, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' seven-strong insolvency department draws upon the expertise of in-house bankruptcy proceedings specialists, along with financial restructuring, tax and labour law practitioners, litigators, and white-collar crime experts. The co-practice heads are Raimundo Moreno, whose experience includes several reorganisation and liquidation proceedings (including pre-judicial negotiations in financial distress situations); and Fernando Urrutia who 'gets directly involved' and whose complex litigation practice includes reorganisations and bankruptcy. At associate level, José Pedro Villablanca and José Miguel Flores are key practice members from the litigation and arbitration department, while Sergio Balharry is active on the banking, finance, capital markets and corporate/M&A side.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a 10-strong team that assists investment banks, financial advisers, investors and issuers with private and public debt and equity securities offerings in both Chile and abroad, including IPOs, 144As, Reg S work and private placements. The practice co-heads are the widely respected partners Francisco J Illanes (M&A, banking and finance, capital markets and telecoms); Rodrigo Sepúlveda (issuance of debt and capital instruments, syndicated loans and other financial transactions); and Juan Antonio Parodi (securities issuances). Key associate support comes from, senior Sergio Balharry; however, former senior associates Marco Antonio Aravena and Florencia Grez moved to Mercado Libre and MBC Abogados, in January and June 2021, respectively.

Chile > Compliance Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' multi-disciplinary, four-member team consistently works alongside the firm's tax, IP, labour, regulatory and litigation departments. Representative work includes advising on the prevention of (or response to) criminal and administrative infringements, in relation to internal fraud, prosecuting authorities' interrogations, and the defrauding of third parties; the practice also assists with the implementation and monitoring of compliance models. In addition to heading the firm's white-collar practice, the 'highly recommended' Jorge Boldt (a partner since 2018) is the lead compliance adviser; key support is provided by associate Lorena Avendaño.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 3

Arbitration work represents approximately 60% of the work conducted by Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 'outstanding' dispute resolution department. The 18-strong team (including two partners who are listed as CAM Santiago arbitrators) has longstanding experience in complex arbitration concerning international infrastructure disputes, mining company-related energy supply contracts, and shareholder disputes, among other matters. The practice has four co-heads: litigation head Florencio Bernales, who undertakes arbitration in addition to his national and international litigation caseload; construction and insolvency expert Fernando Urrutia; Raimundo Moreno, whose experience includes ICSID investment arbitrations; and business litigation and arbitration specialist Jorge Boldt. Key support comes from senior associates José Ignacio Azar and Trinidad Torres.

Chile > Dispute resolution: white-collar crime Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 'high-quality, multidisciplinary team is constantly up to date with trends and legal changes'. The firm's white-collar practice is firmly intertwined with the compliance practice, consistently advising on criminal matters and administrative infringements, including internal fraud and prosecuting authorities' investigations. In addition to his broad arbitration and litigation practice, the 'very remarkable lawyer', Jorge Boldt, heads the firm's white-collar group.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon Tier 3

The six-member team at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is widely respected for its experience in greenfield renewable energy projects, such as mini-hydro plants and solar and wind farms; and it regularly assists major mining companies and industrial clients seeking guaranteed large blocks of energy through PPAs. Experienced partner Gonzalo Jiménez (litigation involving energy and fuel supply contracts) leads the practice, which also fields Sergio Díez, who has vast experience in wind farm greenfield projects; and Martín Astorga, who is highly regarded for his experience in the environmental aspects of energy projects. At associate level, senior Verónica Cuadra advises on electricity and environmental regulation.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

Full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has longstanding public law expertise that is historically geared towards heavily regulated industries, such as gas distribution, energy generation, transmission and distribution, water regulations and telecoms. The practice has also expanded to cover administrative procedure-related constitutional actions in areas such as securities and food and beverage regulations, and education. The five-strong department, which covers regulatory law (including administrative/constitutional law and energy and environmental law), is co-led by Gonzalo Jiménez, whose experience includes advising electricity consumption companies on tender processes; and environmental and regulatory law expert Martín Astorga, whose practice includes sanctions proceedings. Senior associate Verónica Cuadra, along with associates Miguel Ortiz and Raúl Alvarez, complete the team.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 3

A practice area of recent development for Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos, its team advises entrepreneurs and emerging private companies on every stage of growth, corporate governance, long-term service agreements, and the transformation of ideas into successful ventures. The team also has particular expertise in associated areas, such as the development of new technologies, IP, data privacy and corporate law. IP and IT specialist Rodrigo Lavados heads the firm’s IP, technology, privacy, start-up and VC teams, which include senior associate Ernesto Eckholt, who is experienced in the structuring, formation, organisation and operation of VC matters.

Chile > Insurance Tier 4

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is regularly sought out for its representation of large industrial and commercial clients during their claims against insurance companies, particularly in relation to policies covering construction, mining, commercial stores and distribution centres. The team's expertise ranges from loss adjustment procedures to negotiations and litigation with insurance companies. It also assists with reviewing insurance policies and insurance programmes, as well as the development of new business, drafting insurance distribution agreements, and insurance M&A. Litigation head Florencio Bernales is an insurance disputes expert; Tomás Vidal (a partner as of January 2020) advises on insurance policy-related negotiations; and associate Trinidad Torres assists with insurance policy-related lawsuits.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Leveraging off the firm's substantial litigation and corporate practices, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' five-strong team fields 'extraordinary lawyers' who are highly active in tax disputes, including audit procedures; advising local and international clients on a daily basis; and assisting with the tax structuring of M&A and finance transactions. Recently appointed director of the International Fiscal Association's Chilean branch, Javier Cerón (a partner since 2018) heads the tax practice, which includes tax law associate María Paz De Carcer.

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