Mr Cristóbal Morandé > Larrain y Asociados Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

‘Distinguished by a very thorough knowledge of energy issues‘, Larrain y Asociados Abogados advises a range of companies on the gamut of energy projects, including wind, diesel, gas, carbon and hydro; moreover, its broad gas industry expertise covers liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreements, regasification services, transport agreements and gas concessions. The seven-member group is also routinely mandated on energy and gas-related administrative and regulatory matters, along with regulatory and contractual energy and gas supply litigation, particularly claims before the Energy Panel of Experts, and ordinary, arbitral and antitrust courts. The practice is co-led by Jorge Granic, who has enviable experience in electricity regulation, power purchase agreements, power transmission projects and renewable power; and natural resources, energy law and project finance expert Cristóbal Morandé. Also highly regarded, of counsel Ricardo Peña’s energy expertise covers pipelines, power generation, and upstream, transmission and refining issues; and Joaquín Larrain is an experienced gas regulatory practitioner. At associate level, Javiera Méndez advises on the regulatory side to energy and gas work, while Francisco Cerda  assists with the development and regulatory aspects of energy projects.

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ experienced corporate department specialises in M&A, restructuring, day-to-day corporate activities, and asset purchases and sales; and the 15-strong group is particularly active in construction, infrastructure and energy-related M&A deals. The group is jointly led by Arturo Bulnes, whose M&A experience covers the infrastructure, transportation, retail and services industries; and Jorge Granic, an adviser to mining and energy players on corporate and finance matters. Cristóbal Morandé, whose recent track record includes M&A deals involving power, real estate, and commercial infrastructure; Juan Carlos Bulnes, who routinely acts for fund managers and tourism operators; and of counsel Ricardo Peña, a longstanding expert in gas-related matters, are all additional partner level practitioners with considerable experience. Notable growth during 2022 includes the promotion of ‘extraordinary negotiator‘ Juan de Dios Ferrada to partner, and the arrival of ‘great recent addition‘, associate Andrés del Sante from Claro & Cia.

The eight-lawyer mining practice at Larrain y Asociados Abogados acts for major mining companies at survey, exploration, development, construction and operational stages. It also advises on the acquisition and sale of mining companies and mining assets; and is sought out by mining clients to negotiate royalty agreements, as well as key supply and infrastructure project contracts for gas, fuel, chemicals, mining equipment, and train and port services. The practice is jointly led by Jorge Granic, whose clients include a number of major mining companies; and Cristóbal Morandé, whose practice encompasses energy and natural resources, project finance, M&A, and commercial and corporate law. Growth in the team includes the 2022 promotion of project development and financing specialist Joaquín Larrain to partner; while Francisco Cerda (a former foreign associate in Herbert Smith Freehills‘ New York office) and Javiera Méndez (energy, gas, public law and regulated services) are the associates to note.

A go-to firm for project development, financing and construction, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ areas of recent growth range from desalinisation and seawater conveyance projects, to mining industry-related matters. Other recent highlights cover highways and toll roads, ports, bridges, hospitals, public concessions, industrial facilities and the energy sector in general. The 15-strong group advises on all stages of projects, its expertise covering ownership structuring, permits and community engagement plans, as well as related disputes. Widely-respected project development, infrastructure and energy and natural resources specialist Jorge Granic co-leads the team in conjunction with Arturo Bulnes, who advises on projects involving the concession of public works and services. Other highly-regarded advisers include construction contract-focused litigator Carlos Aravena; of counsel Ricardo Peña, who routinely structures energy and infrastructure projects; Cristóbal Morandé and Juan Carlos Bulnes, who both act on a broad range of project matters; infrastructure and energy project specialist Joaquín Larrain; and Juan de Dios Ferrada, who regularly structures complex project partnerships and joint ventures. Associates Javiera Méndez, Francisco Cerda, José Spoerer and Michelle Inzunza are all active team members.

Larrain y Asociados Abogados ‘ banking and finance practice routinely advises banks, insurance companies, agents and companies on large-value loans at both domestic and international levels. The six-member team’s credentials cover acquisition and structured financing, along with the financing of energy, petrochemical, mining, and public and private infrastructure projects. Recent work particularly focused on project finance deals, corporate and bilateral loan agreements, and the modification and restructuring of previously-negotiated credit facilities. The department features project finance specialists Patricio Montes and Diego Garay (a partner since early 2022), while energy and natural resources expert Jorge Granic advises on the financing of industrial projects. The next line of key advisers features Cristóbal Morandé and Joaquín Larrain, who are both active in project finance work; and experienced associates Teresita Vinagre and Michelle Inzunza.