Mr Francisco Cerda > Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Larrain y Asociados Abogados has an enviable market reputation for its expertise in energy and natural resources-related industries, such as oil-and-gas, electricity, water and mining. The seven-strong team advises both large and small companies on energy matters, desalinisation projects, water conveyance, and the distribution of water and gas to residential customers. The firm’s energy practice also comprises specialists in gas supply, regasification services, gas concessions and liquefied natural gas contracts. The team additionally assists with energy and gas-related administrative matters and associated regulatory aspects; and it is frequently mandated for regulatory and contractual energy and gas supply litigation, particularly disputes before Chile’s Energy Panel of Experts, as well as before ordinary and arbitral courts. The group is co-led by Jorge Granic, a renowned expert in energy, natural resources, project development and infrastructure; and Cristóbal Morandé, who ‘stands out for his deep knowledge of electricity law’. The practice further showcases of counsel Ricardo Peña, an adviser on upstream issues, pipelines, power generation, and project financing; and Joaquín Larrain, who focuses on energy and gas sale purchase agreements, project development, and regulatory aspects. In the associate team, Javiera Méndez has ‘excellent… knowledge of regulatory matters’, while Francisco Cerda is experienced in energy projects and supply contracts.

With ‘great knowledge of mining law and its regulations’, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ eight-strong mining law team is routinely mandated by significant mining companies – such as BHP and Gold Fields – to advise on major mining projects in Chile. The group’s expertise covers the survey, exploration, development, operation and construction stages, as well as the acquisition and sale of mining companies and mining assets. The department also assists its mining clients with the negotiation of supply and infrastructure project-related agreements for gas, fuel, chemicals, mining equipment, and train and port services, as well as royalty and stream contracts. The ‘very precise and efficient’ team is co-led by Jorge Granic, who is ‘always attentive to clients’ needs’ and is consistently sought out by large mining companies; and Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice areas cover energy and natural resources, along with project financing, M&A, and commercial and corporate law. Also key to the team are project development and financing expert Joaquín Larrain; and of counsel Ricardo Peña, who is a longstanding project development practitioner. In the firm’s associate pool, Francisco Cerda assists with natural resources, electricity law, project finance and commercial law; while Javiera Méndez is an expert in energy, gas, public law and regulated services.

Larrain y Asociados Abogados ‘has the experience and capabilities that few firms have in Chile regarding complex infrastructure projects’. The 15-strong projects and infrastructure team advises on the development, financing, construction, operation, sale and acquisition of infrastructure projects. Acting for project developers, construction companies and lenders, the team’s specialisms cover LNG regasification terminals, port facilities, gas pipelines, hospitals, highways, railways and industrial facilities. It also advises on gas and diesel-fuelled power plants, renewable energy and petrochemicals. Recent highlights include advising Pucobre on the development, construction and operation of an open pit copper and gold mine. The group is co-led by Jorge Granic, a renowned project development, infrastructure and energy and natural resources expert; and Arturo Bulnes, who consistently assists with infrastructure projects. The team further showcases energy law specialist Cristóbal Morandé; Carlos Aravena, who is ‘one of the best lawyers for concessions and infrastructure matters in Chile’; and Joaquín Larrain, an adviser on project development, construction and financing work. In the firm’s associate ranks, Javiera Méndez assists with the regulatory and administrative law aspects of project development; Francisco Cerda ‘does a stellar job’; and the recent experience of project finance lawyer Michelle Inzunza includes the negotiation of a BOOT contract for a seawater supply system.