Sebastián Abogabir > Guerrero Olivos > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Guerrero Olivos ‘stands out for its extensive experience in natural resources and energy issues’. Acting for owners, developers, sector investors and renewable energy project operators (wind, solar, thermal power plants and LNG regasification terminals), the full-service practice comprises specialists in energy, electricity, environmental and water law. It also advises on energy-related corporate law and financing. Advising clients at both initial stages and fully operational phases, the 18-strong group assists with the development of energy generation, transmission and distribution projects; and it is notably experienced in the negotiation of power purchase agreements. It additionally assists with complex regulatory issues, such as energy and transmission planning, rulemaking processes, public bids, and disputes. In transactional work, the team routinely advises on the purchase and sale of energy assets. The practice is co-led by Clemente Pérez (‘very good legal knowledge of the energy sector’), who advises international clients on the acquisition of renewable energy projects and assets; Sebastián Abogabir, a regulatory specialist who assists energy companies with the development of energy projects; and Felipe Frühling (‘very attentive to clients’ needs’), who maintains a highly active solar and wind power practice. In the firm’s senior associate pool, Francisca Pellegrini advises energy developers on regulatory matters.

The 13-strong team at full-service firm Guerrero Olivos is consistently mandated to advise on a broad range of environment matters. The practice group’s expertise encompasses environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, and the environmental aspects of energy, mining, real estate and construction project development. It is also sought out to assist with M&A-related environmental due diligence. The team is particularly active on behalf of energy and mining companies, real estate developers, ports and terminal operators, as well as waste management, logistics, manufacturing, and food and drink businesses. Also of note, the group acts for non-governmental conservation organisations, along with investors and start-up companies that focus on environmental sustainability. The department showcases four partners, namely: Clemente Pérez, an expert in environmental litigation, the environmental aspects of international M&A, regulatory work, and the environmental implications of real estate and energy project developments; Martín Santa María, who specialises in environmental assessments and urban planning; Sebastián Abogabir, an adviser on non-conventional energy project-related environmental assessments; and Benjamín Pérez, who is experienced in mining project-related environmental issues. In the firm’s associate ranks, senior Francisca Pellegrini routinely advises on the environmental aspects of energy projects; and Sebastián Mozó is another key member of the mining, water law and environmental law teams.

The 17-strong projects team at Guerrero Olivos advises on the financing and development of major energy and infrastructure projects. It also assists with the acquisition and sale of such projects. In relation to energy, the team covers solar, wind, power plant and green hydrogen projects, as well as LNG regasification terminals. The department’s expertise further encompasses desalination and water supply facilities, along with waste biodigesters, transport infrastructure (roads and cable cars), and social infrastructure (hospitals). Among the firm’s several experienced partners, Clemente Pérez‘s broad practice covers both significant energy and infrastructure projects; Miguel Coddou is an adviser to international lenders on project financings; energy projects expert Sebastián Abogabir‘s recent experience includes acting for Agua-Sol on the acquisition and development of a project that combines a reverse osmosis desalination plant with a photovoltaic plant and a large reservoir; Benjamín Novoa is notably active in the financing and refinancing of renewable energy projects; and Felipe Frühling advises on project finance and development mandates. The group also includes Benjamín Pérez, who assists with mining and water-related infrastructure projects, while senior associate Francisca Pellegrini is a key member of the energy and natural resources, environmental, agribusiness, water law and project finance teams.

Guerrero Olivos’ eight-strong water law practice has ‘extensive knowledge of water law in Chile and the constant changes in legislation that affect mining operations and their projects’. The practice is particularly active on behalf of banks, energy and mining companies, real estate developers, along with logistics, manufacturing, and food and drinks businesses. The full-service law firm’s wide-ranging expertise covers water law litigation, regulatory compliance, and the water rights aspect of the development of energy, mining and construction projects. The team also advises on the due diligence for major water sector-related M&A deals; and assists with the optimisation of water rights, including water disposal, intake and restitution transfer applications, the modification of water supply sources, and water intake and hydraulic works authorisations. The group additionally assists with water and environmental assessments, permitting procedures, inspections and sanctioning processes. Benjamín Pérez advises on day-to-day water law matters, and the water aspects of M&A, project development, and project and acquisition finance; and Sebastián Abogabir’s broad workload includes the constitution and acquisition of water rights. In the associate group, the water law practice of senior Francisca Pellegrini complements her energy sector work, while Sebastián Mozó specialises in water rights in relation to mining project development.