Firm Profile > Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile

Mining Tier 2

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' specialised nine-member energy and natural resources team advises mining companies and projects on the survey, exploration, development, construction and operational stages of their activities. It also assists with the acquisition and sale of mining companies, mining assets and real estate. In addition, the practice is experienced in project finance, option agreements, treatment plant construction, and mining sector technology development agreements. With a longstanding reputation and deep experience in the sector, Jorge Granic is a regular counsel to large mining companies; and Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice covers regulated services and natural resources, energy law, project financing and corporate/M&A, is also an active in the sector.

Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' 13-strong practice has become a go-to team for the structuring of complex project solutions for industrial clients. It has particular expertise in advising on the development, financing, construction and operational stages of infrastructure projects across sectors including mining, energy, road, rail, ports and hospitals. The team also assists with associated contentious issues including construction disputes. The practice is led by infrastructure experts Arturo Bulnes and Jorge Granic, with partners Cristóbal Morandé, Carlos Aravena and Juan Carlos Bulnes, of counsel Ricardo Peña, and associates Joaquín Larrain, Javiera Méndez (deputy legal head of the National Energy Commission until her August-2019 arrival at the firm), and Juan de Dios Ferrada providing further support.

Banking and finance Tier 3

Widely respected for energy and road infrastructure project finance, Larrain y Asociados Abogados' eight-strong team is also active in syndicated loans and acquisition, structured and aircraft finance. Typical clients include banks, brokers and financial institutions, and companies. Project finance specialist Patricio Montes and Jorge Granic, who acts for large mining companies and electricity companies, head the group, which also fields experienced associate Diego Garay.

Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Larrain y Asociados Abogados fields 11 corporate lawyers, including four partners, who specialise in M&A, asset purchases and sales, sales of operations, and restructuring, along with associated finance requirements. The department also assists with day-to-day activities, including corporate governance, majority and minority interests, contracts, company formation, corporate regulatory matters and reorganisations. Long-known for its particular expertise in projects, infrastructure and energy and natural resources, the practice group is co-led by deeply experienced partners Arturo Bulnes and Jorge Granic, who have particular knowledge of the regulated industries and energy and natural resources sectors. Other key team members includes younger, established partners Juan Carlos Bulnes and Cristóbal Morandé, along with of counsel Ricardo Peña (also a transactional, energy and projects specialist), and up coming associate Juan de Dios Ferrada Walker.

Environment Tier 3

The nine-strong department at Larrain y Asociados Abogados is experienced in the environmental law aspects surrounding energy, mining, oil and gas, electricity and water-related matters. Typical work includes obtaining environmental permits, ascertaining the performance of environmental standards, environmental auditing, and acting in investigations and environmental damage claims. The practice also has substantial water law expertise. Experienced partners Jorge Granic and Cristóbal Morandé head the group.

Real estate Tier 3

With particular expertise in the infrastructure and construction sectors, Larrain y Asociados Abogados' seven-member real estate department specialises in title reviews, collateral issues, co-ownership regulations, and purchase and transactional agreements. Its representative high-stakes work covers housing, hospitality, viticulture, energy and mining sector-related projects. The real estate team is led by experienced partners José Pedro Baraona and former Undersecretary at Chile's National Property Ministry, Juan Carlos Bulnes. Senior associate Juan de Dios Ferrada and associate José Spoerer provide notable support.

Dispute resolution Tier 4

The nine-strong disputes practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados has extensive litigation and arbitration experience in sectors such as construction, financial services, energy, public works and real estate. The team is co-led by experienced partners Carlos Aravena, an arbitral specialist particularly active in construction, infrastructure and projects matters; and litigant José Pedro Baraona, who focuses primarily on representing construction companies, highway concession holders and government agencies in civil suits against the State of Chile and the Public Works Ministry. Partners Pedro Zelaya (insurance and civil liability, litigation and domestic and international arbitration) and Víctor Manuel Avilés (litigation as part of a broader tax and energy practice) are also key to the group; as are specialist disputes associates Isabel Palacios and César Vásquez who focus on public concessions, and construction and civil engineering, respectively.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' involvement in industrial property matters and copyright demonstrates particular expertise in music industry-related agreements, as well as issues combining constitutional law and IP. The practice group also includes experts in litigation (including domain name disputes), and is experienced in matters involving plant varieties and vineyards. Experienced partner José Pedro Baraona has assumed leadership of the group, following Pablo Ruiz-Tagle temporary departure to serve as Dean of the University of Chile's school of Law. Intellectual and industrial property-focused senior associate, Sebastián Prieto, is also noted.

Labour and employment Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados fields five practitioners who assist both national and international companies with litigation, labour-related corporate matters, recruitment, cross-border employment issues, collective bargaining, and general employment and social security issues. The team also acts in significant litigation, including anti-union practices and sexual harassment investigations. The practice's main clients are from the mining, education and service sectors. Andrés Silva leads the labour department and Jorge Parro is an experienced associate.

Tax Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados fields a three-member tax team led by Víctor Manuel Avilés, a former Vice President of the Chilean Institute of Tax Law, whose practice is focused on tax planning and tax litigation. Associates Manuel Larrain and Gonzalo Guerra complete the group, for which tax litigation and audits conducted by the Chilean tax and customs authorities are key areas; it also has experience in tax structuring and compliance.

Electricity/oil and gas

Larrain y Asociados Abogados fields nine lawyers who are widely recognised for their work in energy and natural resources-related sectors, such as mining, oil and gas, electricity and water. It has particular expertise with M&A deals in the energy space, tender and bidding processes, energy project development, and regulatory matters. Jorge Granic and Cristóbal Morandé are highly-rated partners. Morandé recently led advice to Transchile Charrúa Chile on a memorandum of understanding and build–own–operate–transfer agreements for the construction of a transmission line and substation. Key support is provided by of counsels Ricardo Peña and Cristián Araya, along with August 2019 associate hire Javiera Méndez – formerly deputy legal head at the National Energy Commission – and fellow associates Joaquín Larrain and Francisco Cerda.