Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Larrain y Asociados Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon

Larrain y Asociados Abogados houses several experts in the oil and gas, electricity and water sectors. Acting for both large and small companies, the eight-strong practice covers various aspects of gas and energy projects, the desalinisation and conveyance of water, and the distribution of water and gas to residential customers. It also has enviable specialisms in gas supply, re-gasification and LNG contracts, as well as the administrative and regulatory issues surrounding Chile’s energy and gas industries, and energy and gas supply disputes. The practice is co-led by renowned energy and natural resources, project development and infrastructure specialist Jorge Granic; and Cristóbal Morandé, whose experience includes a wide range of major projects. The second line of key advisers features of counsel and gas expert Ricardo Peña; project development and regulatory specialist Joaquín Larrain; and associates Javiera Méndez (a former National Energy Commission deputy legal head) and Francisco Cerda, a 2021 returnee after a stint as foreign associate in Herbert Smith Freehills‘ New York office.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ 15-lawyer team has particular expertise in advising on the development, financing, construction and operation of infrastructure projects (mining, energy, ports, railways, hospitals and roads), and has seen particular recent growth in the desalinisation and seawater conveyance projects segment. The practice is co-led by renowned project development, infrastructure and energy and natural resources lawyer Jorge Granic; and Arturo Bulnes, who focuses on public service concessions, particularly toll roads, regulated services and tender offers during infrastructure projects. Also integral to the group, Carlos Aravena acts in construction contract-related litigation and arbitration; the track records of both Cristóbal Morandé and Juan Carlos Bulnes include major projects' mandates; and of counsel Ricardo Peña‘s experience covers water and port concessions. Juan de Dios Ferrada (M&A and construction matters) and Joaquín Larrain (infrastructure and energy projects) were promoted to the partnership in January 2022. At senior associate level, Javiera Méndez is experienced in regulatory and administrative law, while Francisco Cerda (tender processes and infrastructure project negotiations), returned in July 2021 from Herbert Smith Freehills‘ New York office, where he was a foreign associate.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' eight-member team consistently advises major mining companies and Chilean mining projects at survey, exploration, development, operation and construction stages. It is also sought out in relation to the acquisition and sale of mining companies, real estate and mining assets; project financings; option agreements; the construction of treatment plants; agreements for the development of technology for the mining industry; and the creation of mining properties and rights of way. The practice is co-led by Jorge Granic, who routinely acts for large mining companies; and Cristóbal Morandé, who has vast projects experience. Further support is provided by Joaquín Larrain, who was promoted to partner in January 2022; of counsel Ricardo Peña, a project development expert. Experienced associates Javiera Méndez and Francisco Cerda are also noted.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

Particularly noted for its infrastructure and construction sector credentials, Larrain y Asociados Abogados' diverse practice is highly active in relation to hospitality, housing, renewable energy, forestry, agricultural and conservancy projects, as well as real estate-related transactions. The practice is co-led by José Pedro Baraona, who has longstanding expertise in real estate matters, litigation and transactions; and former Undersecretary at Chile’s National Property Ministry, Juan Carlos Bulnes, who assists with both acquisitions and project development. Elevated to the partnership in January 2022, Juan de Dios Ferrada is a real estate development and acquisitions expert; and at senior associate level, José Spoerer advises developers, lenders, buyers and sellers of real estate assets, while Manuel Larrain also regularly assists with real estate deals. The experience of the more junior Michelle Inzunza includes rural developments and the territorial aspects of renewable energy projects.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

With avery healthy bank-side client roster, the five-strong banking and finance group at Larrain y Asociados Abogados has longstanding experience advising banks, brokers and financial institutions and companies on syndicated loans, acquisition and structured finance, along with project financing in the petrochemical, mining and infrastructure sectors. The team is also active in financings that are obtained via bond issuances. Heading the group, Patricio Montes is a project finance specialist, while Jorge Granic is noted for the financing of industrial projects. Elevated to the partnership in January 2022, Diego Garay 's practice encompasses securities regulation, project financing and corporate law. Michelle Inzunza and Teresita Vinagre are up-and-coming young associates.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The 15-strong corporate group at Larrain y Asociados Abogados houses experts in M&A, restructuring, and asset purchases and sales; moreover the team is regularly involved in M&A involving the key infrastructure, energy, PPP and concessions. It also acts on day-to-day corporate activities, such as corporate governance, contracts, shareholder agreements and corporate regulatory issues. The department is co-led by Arturo Bulnes, who focuses on commercial and corporate law, along with public service concessions; and Jorge Granic, a longstanding specialist in energy, infrastructure and mining deals. Further capability and depth is provided by Juan Carlos Bulnes, who acts extensively for fund managers and also has a niche specialism in the tourism segment; Cristóbal Morandé, who is experienced in  power, real estate, and commercial infrastructure transactions; and senior figure, of counsel Ricardo Peña, a highly regarded energy M&A practitioner. Promoted to partner in early 2022, Juan de Dios Ferrada is also active on M&A deals.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

The nine-strong practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados has a strong track record in commercial civil, labour, bankruptcy, taxation and administrative disputes. The team is particularly focused on clients from the construction, mining, infrastructure, energy and public works sectors; and is increasingly active in disputes before Chile’s consumer agency (SERNAC). The group is co-led by José Pedro Baraona, whose practice centres on civil trials against the State of Chile and the Public Works Ministry, and arbitration expert Carlos Aravena. The firm also fields tax litigator Víctor Manuel Avilés; Pedro Zelaya, whose recent work includes protection of collective interests suits; and civil and commercial trial specialist Isabel Palacios, the firm’s first female partner as of January 2022. At associate level, seniors César Vásquez and Claudio Torres, along with Macarena Gonzalez, are all key team members.

Chile > Environment Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' practice is particularly focused on the environmental law issues surrounding the energy and gas sectors. Representative work covers advice on environmental permits, assessing environmental standards, environmental auditing, and environmental damage claims. The firm also houses water law expertise. The principal advisers are energy and natural resources expert Jorge Granic, along with Cristóbal Morandé and Joaquín Larrain, partners at the firm since 2017 and 2022, respectively. Additional support is supplied by experienced of counsel and project development specialist Ricardo Peña, and associate Javiera Méndez (energy and gas, public law and regulated services).

Chile > Intellectual property Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados' IP team has expertise in both industrial property matters and copyright issues, as well as specialisms in music industry-related licence contracts, plant varieties, and agreements combining constitutional law and IP issues. The practice’s experience also covers litigation before the Chilean Trademark Office, the Industrial Property Court and the Supreme Court, along with domain name disputes. The team is currently led by José Pedro Baraona, following Pablo Ruiz-Tagle’s temporary departure to serve as Dean of the University of Chile’s School of Law; and senior associate Sebastián Prieto handles many of the firm’s IP clients.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 4

Predominantly acting for national and international mining and education companies, Larrain y Asociados Abogados' four-member practice covers litigation, corporate advice, recruitment, cross-border employment issues, collective bargaining, and M&A-related labour issues. The team also provides general advice on a range of employment and social security issues. The labour department is led by Andrés Silva, who is experienced in collective bargaining processes, corporate-related labour issues and labour litigation. At associate level, Jorge Parro advises on labour and social security law, while Miriela González focuses on individual labour law.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ four-member tax group specialises in both tax consultancy and tax litigation work. The scope of its practice includes assistance with audits conducted by the Chilean tax and customs authorities, tax-related trials, and the structuring of businesses in relation to income tax, VAT and withholding tax. The group is led by Víctor Manuel Avilés, who specialises in tax planning for local and foreign clients; and associate-level support is provided by Manuel Larrain (business and tax law), and Eduardo Irribarra (an August 2021 hire from the Tax Authority). Former associate Gonzalo Guerra  departed the firm to study in the Netherlands.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration