Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Larrain y Asociados Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon

The eight-member department at Larrain y Asociados Abogados has a strong name in the market for its work in energy and natural resources-related industries, such as mining, oil and gas, electricity and water. The team consistently advises on gas and energy projects, the desalinisation and conveyance of water, and the distribution of water and gas to residential customers; it also fields experts in gas supply, re-gasification and LNG contracts. In addition, the team has a strong track record in regulatory and contractual energy and gas supply litigation and claims. Jorge Granic is a widely respected energy and natural resources, project development and infrastructure lawyer; and the broad experience of Cristóbal Morandé (a partner since 2017) includes regulated services and natural resources, energy law and project finance. Further senior input comes from of counsel Ricardo Peña (project development), while a strong second line of advisors includes associates Joaquín Larrain (project development and regulatory aspects) and Javiera Méndez, a National Energy Commission deputy legal head until 2019. Former of counsel Cristián Araya moved to Albagli Zaliasnik in August 2020. Since publication, Larrain has been raised to the partnership - effective January 2022.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

The 15-strong practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados has an enviable name in the market for project development and construction in Chile, while its ‘BOOT project finance knowledge is excellent – impossible to compare with other local firms.’ The projects team has particular expertise in infrastructure projects involving the mining, energy and roads sectors, while areas of recent growth include desalinisation and seawater conveyance projects, along with hospitals, ports and railways. Infrastructure experts Arturo Bulnes and Jorge Granic  (‘unique and very valuable experience‘) co-head the practice, which additionally showcases litigation, arbitration and construction contract specialist Carlos Aravena; Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice includes project finance; Juan Carlos Bulnes (real estate, energy, mining, tourism and infrastructure projects); and of counsel Ricardo Peña, a project development expert. The firm also fields several active senior associates Joaquín Larrain (‘great lawyer‘), M&A and construction specialist Juan de Dios Ferrada and Javiera Méndez, who brings significant regulatory and administrative law experience to the group. Since publication, de Dios Ferrada and Larrain have been raised to the partnership – effective January 2022.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ eight-strong practice has a strong name in the market for its advice to significant mining companies and mining projects at the survey and exploration, development, construction and operational stages. The scope of its expertise also covers the acquisition and sale of mining companies, real estate and mining assets, along with project financing, option agreements, the commercialisation of ores, mining-related technology agreements, and proceedings to create mining properties and rights of way. A regular counsel to large mining companies, Jorge Granic leads the practice group alongside Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice includes energy and natural resources, project finance, commercial/corporate law and M&A. Further support is drawn from experienced of counsel Ricardo Peña, and associates Javiera Méndez, Joaquín Larrain and Francisco Cerda. Since publication, Larrain has been raised to the partnership - effective January 2022.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

Widely respected for its infrastructure and construction expertise, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ seven-member real estate department consistently advises developers, sponsors, buyers, sellers and lenders on property transactions and project developments, including due diligence, finance and M&A work. The firm also fields experts in real estate litigation, title reviews, collateral issues, co-ownership regulations, and purchase and transactional agreements; and its sector knowledge covers housing, hospitality, viticulture, energy and mining. The practice is co-led by José Pedro Baraona (residential and commercial real estate developments and transactions); and Juan Carlos Bulnes, a former Undersecretary at Chile’s National Property Ministry, who is active in agro-industry, tourism and public property-related matters. The senior associates to note are José Spoerer (over nine years’ real estate experience), Juan de Dios Ferrada (recently active in zoning and land use matters), and real estate transactions expert Manuel Larrain. Since publication, de Dios Ferrada and Joaquín Larrain have been raised to the partnership – effective January 2022.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ five-member team ‘offers solutions that are tailored to clients’ needs‘; the practice advises banks, brokers and financial institutions (as well as companies) on syndicated loans and acquisition and structured finance, along with energy project financings involving the petrochemical, mining and infrastructure sectors. The banking and financing team is led by experienced partners Patricio Montes (project finance) and Jorge Granic (complex industrial project financings). Senior associate Diego Garay‘s practice also includes project finance work, while the team additionally fields associates Teresita Vinagre and Michelle Inzunza. Since publication, Garay has been raised to the partnership - effective January 2022.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ 14-strong corporate department specialises in transactional work, including M&A, asset purchases and disposals, sales of operations and restructuring; its representative work includes M&A deals involving the infrastructure and energy and natural resources sectors. The firm has also broadened its client base to cover retail, manufacturing and financial institutions. The corporate team is co-led by highly experienced partners Arturo Bulnes (infrastructure, transportation, retail and services industries), and energy, infrastructure and mining specialist Jorge Granic. The second line of key members includes Juan Carlos Bulnes, whose clients range from fund managers to tourism operators; Cristóbal Morandé, whose recent experience includes M&A deals involving power, real estate and infrastructure assets; and of counsel Ricardo Peña, a gas-related M&A expert. Juan de Dios Ferrada is the associate to note. Since publication, de Dios Ferrada has been raised to the partnership - effective January 2022.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

With extensive litigation and arbitration experience, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ nine-member practice is consistently involved in major commercial, civil, labour, bankruptcy, taxation and administrative disputes. The team is particularly focused on advising clients from sectors such as construction, mining, energy and public works, as well as undertaking cases with a constitutional aspect and having developed specific consumer disputes expertise. The team is led by highly experienced partners José Pedro Baraona (litigation) and Carlos Aravena (arbitration); also integral to the practice group, Pedro Zelaya is an insurance and litigation partner and Víctor Manuel Avilés, an energy and tax lawyer who advises on litigation. Other key members include senior associates Isabel Palacios, César Vásquez and Claudio Torres, along with associate Macarena Gonzalez. Since publication Palacios has been elected to the firm's partnership (as of January 2022), thereby becoming the firm's first female partner.

Chile > Environment Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados fields an eight-strong team that advises primarily on the environmental law aspects arising from the energy and gas industries; the practice also has notable water law expertise. Sample work includes obtaining environmental permits, assessing the performance of environmental standards, environmental auditing, and investigations and environmental damage claims. The key figures are energy and natural resources specialist Jorge Granic and projects expert Cristóbal Morandé; notable support is provided by experienced of counsel Ricardo Peña, along with associates Javiera Méndez and Joaquín Larrain.

Chile > Intellectual property Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ IP department is characterised by its specialisations in industrial property matters, plant varieties and copyright, along with particular expertise in music industry-related agreements; it also assists with issues that combine both constitutional law and IP, as well as litigation and domain name disputes. José Pedro Baraona is current team leader, following Pablo Ruiz-Tagle’s temporary departure to serve as Dean of the University of Chile’s School of Law; active senior associate Sebastián Prieto is an intellectual and industrial property expert with specialist knowledge regarding new technologies.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 4

The four-member team at Larrain y Asociados Abogados is consistently sought out by mining, education, and services industry clients for litigation, labour-related corporate advice, recruitment matters and cross-border employment issues, as well as for collective bargaining, M&A and general advice on employment and social security issues. The department also assists with major litigation involving accidents at work, employees’ fundamental rights, and claims before Chile’s administrative labour authority. Collective bargaining and general labour/corporate advisory specialist Andrés Silva heads the department, which also includes associates Jorge Parro and Miriela González.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Housing a 'remarkable' four-strong team, Larrain y Asociados Abogados has longstanding experience in providing tax consultancy and tax litigation services, including advising on the framework of audits conducted by the Chilean Tax and Customs Authorities. On the advisory side, the group has broad experience in the structuring of clients' businesses, in relation to income tax, VAT and withholding tax issues. Former vice-president of the Chilean Institute of Tax Law, Víctor Manuel Avilés heads the practice, which includes key associates Gonzalo Guerra  ('excellent job'), Manuel Larrain and Teresita Vinagre.