Mr Gonzalo Jiménez > Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

The seven-member group at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos is best known for its environmental law advice on complex projects, including its expertise in the identification of political and social issues, as well as legal risks. The practice is also noted for its capabilities regarding the environmental law aspects of the development of energy, food and telecoms facilities; and it is increasingly sought out for high-stakes environmental litigation. The team is jointly led by industrial, energy, infrastructure and telecoms project development expert, Martín Astorga, whose practice encompasses environmental impact assessments, atmospheric emissions, territorial planning, and public contracting; and regulatory law head Gonzalo Jiménez, whose experience covers concessions, permits and other administrative authorisations. The associate ranks include senior Verónica Cuadra, who has experience advising on the recently-enacted extended producer liability (EPR) legislation (Bill N° 20.920); and Raúl Alvarez and Miguel Ortiz, who both maintain active regulatory and environmental law practices.

The regulatory law practice at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos fields specialists in defence-side work involving administrative sanctions, or inspections conducted by Chile’s Health Authority, Superintendencies and Under-Secretariats. The team additionally assists with analysing the legality of regulatory provisions; report preparation; and defending the rights of individuals and legal entities before the State Administration (through judicial and administrative appeals). The department’s principal figures are infrastructure project expert Gonzalo Jiménez, who advises on environmental impact studies, concessions, permits, and other administrative authorisations; and Martín Astorga, an experienced adviser on administrative authorities’ sanctions proceedings. Senior associate Verónica Cuadra routinely advises on regulatory, environmental and energy law issues.

The longstanding track record at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos covers gas pipeline and coal-fired power plant developments, along with the development and financing of marine natural gas regasification terminal projects. The nine-member practice’s experience also encompasses negotiating power purchase agreements and arbitrations involving breach of energy supply contracts. The experience of regulatory law department head Gonzalo Jiménez, who ‘provides great support during energy transactions‘, includes advising electricity-consuming companies on tenders; Sergio Díez assists with greenfield wind farm projects; and Martín Astorga advises on the environmental issues surrounding energy projects. Within the firm’s associate pool, senior Verónica Cuadra maintains an active regulatory, environmental and energy law practice.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos’ sizeable projects department is widely respected for its experience in mining, energy and telecoms projects. The firm also houses specialists in infrastructure and real estate; and its full-service offering comprises planning, development and construction issues, along with M&A and financing work. Among the group’s several active advisers, Carlos Pérez-Cotapos acts on mining projects; Sergio Díez’s broad practice includes PPP, EPC and O&M contracts; managing partner Juan Pablo Matus is a real estate and infrastructure project expert; and Cristián Herrera has notable infrastructure project experience. Also integral to the group are Mining law specialist Gonzalo Grez is also integral to the group, as are regulatory law department leader Gonzalo Jiménez and Rodrigo Sepúlveda, whose practice covers renewable energy and Public Works’ Concessions law-related infrastructure financing. Associate Verónica Cuadra is active in regulatory, environmental and energy law work.