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

Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ 16-strong practice has significant experience in joint ventures, asset-related transactions, and restructuring; and it is particularly expert in M&A involving the infrastructure, energy, concessions and PPP sectors. The department is co-led by commercial and corporate law specialist Arturo Bulnes; and Jorge Granic, who acts on energy, infrastructure and mining-related M&A deals. The practice further includes ‘extraordinary negotiator’ Juan de Dios Ferrada; Cristóbal Morandé, an adviser on M&A deals involving power, regulated services, real estate, and commercial infrastructure; and business law expert Juan Carlos Bulnes. Other key practice members are of counsel Ricardo Peña, a veteran practitioner in M&A energy, and general commercial matters; and -at associate level- ‘very good’ senior Andrés Del Sante.

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.

With longstanding experience in advising banks, brokers, financial institutions and companies, Larrain y Asociados Abogados has particular expertise in the structured financing of infrastructure, energy, petrochemical and mining projects. The seven-strong group is also notably active in the financing of M&A deals; financings through the issuance of guaranteed and secured bonds in the Chilean and international markets; and aircraft-related financing. Foreign and local banks additionally turn to the group for assistance with day-to-day operations, along with reorganisations, and bankruptcy and liquidation processes. Recent matters saw the team advise Mytilineos Energy & Metals (and subsidiaries) on a $377m project financing for the construction of four photovoltaic generation projects in Chile. The practice is led by project financing expert Patricio Montes (whose international career includes working as a foreign associate in Shearman & Sterling LLP’s New York office), with key support provided by Diego Garay, another notably active project finance practitioner. The department further includes deeply experienced senior partner Jorge Granic, who advises on the structuring and financing of complex industrial projects; and project finance specialists Cristóbal Morandé and Joaquín Larrain. At associate level, intermediate Michelle Inzunza – whose practice is centred on banking, finance and capital markets, along with projects and public works’ concession – is the key contact.