Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Fielding a 48-member team, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' practice covers joint ventures, private equity and venture capital deals, acquisitions of private and public companies, complex corporate mergers and spin-offs, and corporate restructurings. The last year has seen the practice assist with M&A transactions in a range of industries, including mining, energy, infrastructure, financial services, media, healthcare and utilities, among others. The department fields 11 partners, including Francisco J Illanes (complex M&A deals, restructurings and shareholder agreements), corporate law and contracts expert Sergio Díez, Cristián Herrera (corporate law, foreign investment and security market regulations) and Gerardo Varela, who has been involved in M&A deals involving energy, aquaculture and retail companies, among others. Additional partner support is provided by Juan Pablo Matus, Carlos Pérez-Cotapos, José Luis Letelier and Pedro Lluch. Growth in the team saw Andrea Saffie and Tomás Vidal become partners in January 2020, with strong senior associate support provided by María Francisca Salas and Sergio Balharry.

Mining Tier 1

Traditional mining market mainstay Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a 12-strong team that assists an array of international and local clients on the exploration, development, financing and operation of mining projects, worksite closures and associated matters. It also advises on headline acquisitions and the sales of mining companies and assets (copper, gold, silver, nitrates, iron ore, coal and salt, among others). Carlos Pérez-Cotapos consistently leads work teams on significant foreign mining investment projects, mining companies' M&A deals and the financing of mining projects; he recently acted for Bergbau Wagen on the leasing of 64 exploitation mining concessions to Sierra Atacama. Specialising in mining, M&A, project development and community affairs, experienced partner Gonzalo Grez is an integral part of the practice. Senior associate Cristóbal Herrera, who handles a broad array of mining and natural resource-law matters, is an additional point of contact.

Real estate Tier 1

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' eight-strong practice is particularly well known for advising on major real estate M&A transactions, such as the purchase and sale of large shopping malls, office buildings and utilities' real estate assets. Other areas of strength include major real estate greenfield projects, including industrial plants, shopping malls and large data centres. The practice has also accumulated expertise in long-term lease agreements, as well as complex construction issues concerning industrial, commercial and energy projects. Juan Pablo Matus regularly advises on significant real estate projects; while Tomás Vidal, who is experienced in advising foreign funds on the acquisition of office buildings and condominium management, was made partner in 2020. Associate-level support is provided by Mónica Pavez.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 12-strong banking and finance department is particularly active in structuring financial transactions, predominantly cross-border loans (with or without a security package). Other notable areas are mining, energy and infrastructure project finance; M&A acquisition finance; complex restructurings; specialized financings for agriculture producers; derivatives; and trade finance. The practice is also highly regarded for regulatory matters. Rodrigo Sepúlveda regularly advises multinational consortiums and local and international banks on the project financing for generation and distribution power projects. The other partners to note are Francisco Illanes, who is well known for complex financing deals, and Juan Antonio Parodi, who is experienced in finance structures, guarantees and credit documents.

Competition and antitrust Tier 2

The 12-strong group at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is vastly experienced in merger control matters, and cartel and abuse of dominance cases. Building on the firm's large base of consumer goods clients, the team has extensive knowledge of the retail industry and has also - thanks to the skill-sets of practice head Juan Cristóbal Gumucio - developed notable expertise and understanding of the interplay between competition law and IP rights. Gumucio can call on a knowledgeable second tier which includes key associates Elías Astudillo (particularly cartel and abuse of dominance cases), Camila Rojas (merger control), and Catalina González (merger control and compliance). Pedro Lluch exited to EY Legal in June 2020.

Consumer and advertising law Tier 2

The five-strong team at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos advises major advertisers such as Cencosud, Coca-Cola and Soprole on a regular basis, assisting with both litigation and advisory issues relating to matters such as new labelling requirements for food products (with clients including Kellogg’s and Ferrero). The practice also enjoys a successful track record before CONAR, while on the consumer side, the team handles consumer claims for high-profile clients, including Google. Head of the firm's tech, media and privacy group, Rodrigo Lavados, and well-known head of the competition practice, Juan Cristóbal Gumucio, are the partners to note; key support is provided by senior associate Felipe Fernández.

Data privacy Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a six-strong group that is extremely focused on data privacy. In 2019, the firm entered into an alliance with the Chilean branch of 'Big Four' professional services network KPMG, so as to provide a legal, compliance and audit service in relation to data protection. Head of the firm's technology, media and privacy group, Rodrigo Lavados is a member of the data privacy expert board at the Confederation of Production and Commerce; key support comes from senior associate Felipe Fernández, who is active on data privacy matters for clients such as Google and Coopeuch.

Environment Tier 2

Particularly active advising on the environmental legal aspects concerning the development of power plants, and industrial and telecoms facilities, recently, Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a six-strong team. The practice also handles litigious matters and acts in sanctioning procedures. Gonzalo Jiménez is head of the regulatory law department, which includes the environment, energy, regulated public services and administrative law areas. Key environmental practitioners include Martín Astorga, who has some 17 years' environmental law experience - including a spell at regulatory body CONAMA; and senior associate Verónica Cuadra, who returned to the firm in late 2019 having completed her LLM studies at Cambridge University.

Labour and employment Tier 2

The four-strong department at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is best known for its expertise in collective bargaining, immigration, day-to-day labour support, and restructuring-related labour issues. It is also experienced in assisting with compensation packages, stock option plans, and tax issues involving labour benefits. The firm's broad industrial client base ensures strong sector-specific expertise, especially in retail, mining, IT, manufacturing and technology, and the practice has also experienced growth in its labour litigation practice. Ricardo Tisi (who focuses on labour, pensions and immigration) heads the labour group, with notable support provided by key senior associate Bárbara Zlatar.

Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' sizeable 38-member practice group covers the infrastructure-project lifecycle from planning, finance, development and construction, through to operation and transactional matters. It is particularly experienced in energy projects (including greenfield), and regularly assists mining companies and its strong industrial client roster on their PPA requirements and associated needs. Carlos Pérez-Cotapos frequently advises on significant foreign mining investment projects; Rodrigo Sepúlveda is a finance, banking, securities and project finance expert; Cristián Herrera's practice covers project development, foreign investment, infrastructure, corporate law and security market regulations; and Gonzalo Jiménez is an infrastructure project specialist. Managing partner Juan Pablo Matus and Gonzalo Grez provide further partner-level support.

TMT Tier 2

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 11-strong TMT group is best known for assisting international and local IT, telecoms, media and internet companies with their investments in local companies, joint ventures, transactional IP and litigation. It also advises on the regulatory aspects of IT and media projects, as well as data processing, large infrastructure projects with technological components, and related corporate matters. Rodrigo Lavados and Francisco J Illanes head the technology, privacy and media group, while Raimundo Moreno specialises in contentious matters. Key support is provided by senior associate Felipe Fernández, who moved over from the firm's IP wing, Sargent & Krahn in January 2019.

Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' insolvency team leverages off the firm's expertise in contentious proceedings, financial restructuring, taxation and white-collar crime, as well as its significant relationships with Chile's main banks and financial institutions. The partners to note are Raimundo Moreno, who is regularly involved in landmark reorganisations and liquidation proceedings, including pre-judicial negotiations during financial distress situations; and Fernando Urrutia, an expert in insolvency-related proceedings, including litigation and national and international arbitration.

Capital markets Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields a 12-strong department that is led by experienced partners Francisco J Illanes, Rodrigo Sepúlveda and Juan Antonio Parodi. The group advises investment banks and financial advisers, investors and issuers on the private and public debt and equity offering of securities in both Chile and abroad, including IPOs and private placements. Notable support is provided at associate level by Sergio Balharry, Marco Antonio Aravena and Florencia Grez.

Compliance Tier 3

The four-strong team at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is experienced in advising both on the prevention of - or response to - criminal and administrative infractions, such as internal frauds, prosecuting authorities' interrogations and defrauding of third parties; it also assists with compliance models. Clients benefit from the practice working in conjunction with the firm's tax, IP, labour, regulatory and litigation departments, as well as particular sector expertise in food, medical devices, IT, transport and mining. Advising on compliance, criminal liability and associated litigation and arbitration, Jorge Boldt is the key contact.

Dispute resolution Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' 17-strong team regularly handles litigation involving environmental, regulatory, energy, mining, securities and tax-related disputes, along with construction, insurance, tort, competition and consumer protection claims. Compliance and white-collar crime are areas of recent growth for the firm. Seasoned practitioner Florencio Bernales leads the disputes team; a contentious all-rounder, he handles both litigation and arbitration. Fellow partner Raimundo Moreno (civil litigation and arbitration), Fernando Urrutia (particularly construction cases and insolvency proceedings), and Jorge Boldt (complex litigation, arbitration, corporate investigations and criminal compliance) are the other key contacts. A strong second tier includes senior associates José Ignacio Azar, José Manuel Donoso and Trinidad Torres.

Insurance Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos's insurance group regularly acts for large industrial and commercial clients in claims against insurance companies, particularly in relation to insurance policies that cover construction, mining projects, commercial stores and distribution centres. The practice also assists with reviewing insurance policies, negotiations with insurance and reinsurance companies, developing new business, and regulatory requirements. Florencio Bernales leads the insurance group, which also fields experienced partner Raimundo Moreno and Tomás Vidal, who was promoted to partner in January 2020.

Public law Tier 3

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' public law expertise traditionally focused on heavily regulated industries, such as gas distribution, energy generation, transmission and distribution, the water industry and telecoms. Of late, the practice has expanded to cover administrative procedure-related constitutional actions involving securities and food and beverage regulations, as well as education. The five-strong regulatory law department, which includes members of the environmental, energy, utilities and administrative law practices, is led by Gonzalo Jiménez. However, experienced counsel Carolina Helfmann  (constitutional, environmental and regulatory law), left the firm in December 2019.

Venture capital Tier 3

The venture capital sphere is a sector that Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has developed relatively recently, leveraging off its expertise in related legal areas, such as new technologies, IP, data privacy, and corporate and finance law. Seeking to assist clients from idea-inception through to the generation of successful ventures, the practice advises entrepreneurs and emerging private companies on each growth stage, corporate governance, and long-term service agreements. Rodrigo Lavados heads the firm’s IP, technology, privacy, start-up and VC teams, which include experienced associate Ernesto Eckholt.

Tax Tier 4

The five-member team at Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has been particularly active, recently, in tax dispute matters, including audit procedures, as well as representing clients  proposing amendments to Chile's recent tax reform bill. The practice also advises local and international clients on a daily basis, and assists with the tax structuring of M&A and finance deals. A partner since 2018, and recently appointed director of the International Fiscal Association's Chilean branch, Javier Cerón leads the tax practice. The practice group was strengthened in November 2019 with the arrival of semi-senior María Paz De Carcer from Pereira Covarrubias Montes Abogados.

Electricity/oil and gas

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos' eight-member department has longstanding experience in advising on greenfield thermal power plants in Chile. It also acts for mining companies and industrial clients, which demand large blocks of energy through PPAs, and assists developers with the bidding process for the sale of energy and capacity. Gonzalo Jiménez heads the department, which includes Sergio Díez (focusing on wind farms and greenfield projects), Martín Astorga – who assists with the environmental side of energy projects – and associate Verónica Cuadra (on electricity regulations).