Prieto Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Prieto Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon

‘One of the most prestigious firms around for energy work‘, Prieto Abogados is a go-to practice for energy and natural resources sector-related regulatory matters, including applications for licenses, enforcement matters involving regulatory bodies, administrative and antitrust law, and litigation and arbitration. It also consistently advises on an enviable pipeline of renewable energy projects, as well as headline M&A deals in the energy space. The practice’s principal figures are ‘outstanding lawyer‘ and M&A head Juan Tagle, whose broad practice covers electricity generation, distribution and transmission markets, and natural gas transportation and distribution; corporate law head Fernando Bravo; compliance leader José Andrés Pascual; and Nicolás Yuraszeck, who is ‘helpful beyond his mandate‘. In March 2021, the practice recruited counsels Federico Rodríguez (natural resources-related regulatory and transactional matters), and Andrea Von Chrismar (‘excellent for regulatory, environmental and energy matters‘) from the former Baraona Fischer y Cía and Quintanilla Abogados, respectively, while former associate Camila Kutz departed the practice in June 2021. Former practice co-head Claudio Undurraga passed away in July 2022.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

Leveraging its expertise in complex financings, Prieto Abogados' ten-strong department garners respect for its expertise and capabilities in judicial debt procedures, ranging from collections to liquidations and reorganisations (including both national and international Chapter 11, multi-jurisdictional cases). Notable work includes advising Engie Energía Chile on the reorganisation procedure of Aceros Chile; and assisting Penta Vida Compañía de Seguros de Vida in relation to Lanz y Cía’s liquidation. The department is co-led by Benjamín Grebe, who in addition to spearheading the firm’s antitrust practice, is routinely involved in bankruptcy and insolvency work, liquidations and company reorganisations; and dispute resolution leader Alberto González V, whose experience includes bankruptcies and insolvency proceedings. An associate at the firm since 2018, Santiago Errázuriz is a also an integral member of the insolvency and restructuring team.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

Prieto Abogados' eleven-strong practice advises issuers of debt, both in Chile and on the US market (the latter through bond placements under Rule 144A Reg. S rules). The group is also well known for its longstanding experience assisting with major IPOs, as well as it expertise in fund formation and associated placements. The practice’s is co-led by Patricio Prieto L, whose recent track record includes handling bond issues and advising issuers on covenant modifications; and former counsel Isabel Wolleter (who was raised to the partnership in January 2022), and who can draw on past experience working at Shearman & Sterling LLP's New York office. Also a key member of the team, Maite Larrañaga was promoted to counsel and director of the investment funds area in September 2021.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

The 'excellent' four-member practice at Prieto Abogados routinely assists with contentious and non-contentious cases before the TDLC and represents clients before the FNE in cartel, abuse of dominant position and other potential competition law breaches. The ‘very complete team' also fields specialists in FNE-led merger control reviews and compliance programmes. Leading the antitrust group, Benjamín Grebe assists with preventative work, merger issues, FNE investigations and cases before the TDLC; his recent caseload includes alleged abuse-of-dominance and cartel claims. In September 2021, competition law and regulation specialist Andrea Von Chrismar was promoted to counsel from senior associate, while associates Santiago Errázuriz and Daniella Ibaceta round out the antitrust team.

Chile > Compliance Tier 2

The compliance practice at full-service firm Prieto Abogados has extensive experience in relation to anti-bribery and corruption due diligence processes, internal auditing, training and assistance with administrative sanctioning. The team is also sought out for its track record in drafting compliance policies, and designing internal compliance and crime prevention systems in relation to antitrust, labour, environmental and corporate law issues. Clients further appreciate the group’s ability to leverage the firm’s sector specialisms in energy, food, TMT, insurance, real state and private equity. The lead partner of the firm’s compliance department, José Andrés Pascual, has substantial experience in compliance and anti-bribery issues, particularly corporate compliance work. At associate level, in addition to advising on corporate, energy and natural resources matters, Diego Madariaga is a key compliance team member.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Prieto Abogados houses a 29-strong practice (including seven partners) that is consistently sought out for its M&A expertise, including cross-border transactions, private equity deals and joint ventures; it’s recent caseload includes transactions in the energy, insurance, banking, utilities and sanitary sectors. The practice is co-led by Juan Tagle, a specialist in M&A, joint ventures and bidding processes; and energy deal expert Fernando Bravo. A second line of key partners comprises Isabel Margarita Wolleter (raised to the partnership in January 2022), who combines a robust capital markets practice with an active corporate and M&A workload; José Andrés Pascual, an energy and natural resources sector-related M&A and joint-venture transactions expert; and Nicolás Yuraszeck, who is experienced in corporate law, M&A, and infrastructure and construction projects. At counsel level, Federico Rodríguez is a natural resources-related regulatory and transactions specialist, while Maite Larrañaga (who was promoted to director in mid-2021), fuses her insurance and capital markets practice with an involvement in corporate and M&A deals. At senior associate level, the ‘very dedicated‘ Aníbal Larrain and Andrés Laymuns (who returned to the firm in July 2022 after 18 months in house at Anglo American), are both noted.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Prieto Abogados' seven-strong mining department benefits from the firm’s highly rated energy, infrastructure and real estate credentials, as well as its close relations with major investment funds. The team is also active in mining-related legal actions, through both judicial proceedings before the civil law courts and private arbitrations before the Santiago Chamber of Commerce. The department is co-led by Juan Tagle, who is experienced in mining and desalination construction projects; and Agustín Martorell (elevated to the partnership in January 2022), whose track record includes advising mining companies on mining option agreements. Bolstering the firm’s energy and natural resources expertise, counsel Federico Rodríguez, and senior associates Andrés Maldini and Jorge Echeverría, joined from former firm Baraona & Fischer in March 2021. Former associate Camila Kutz departed in mid-2021.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

The 21-strong practice at Prieto Abogados consistently advisers developers and owners on the development, financing and acquisition of large projects within the infrastructure and energy markets. Its expertise covers projects for toll roads, ports, water desalination plants and hospitals, along with pipelines, power plants, wind power and energy storage. The practice is jointly led by Juan Tagle  , who advises clients from the projects, infrastructure, energy and natural resources sectors; Mario Gorziglia  , whose broad practice includes project finance; and projects and infrastructure specialist Nicolás Yuraszeck  . Also key to the group, counsel Isabel Monge  assists with project financings, while associate Emilio Del Real  acts on construction projects, tender processes and project finance. Notable recruitment includes hiring Federico Rodríguez  (power generation and mining matters) as counsel in March 2021 from Baraona Marshall & Cía, but former senior associate Camila Kutz moved to Cuatrecasas in August 2021. Former practice co-head Claudio Undurraga passed away in July 2022.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

Prieto Abogados' full-service real estate department is regularly mandated to advise on complex projects, along with day-to-day matters. Representative work includes the acquisition, development and construction of real estate projects, along with due diligence processes, tax planning, financing, land use, environmental issues and construction; key sectors in which the team is active include housing and commercial construction projects, retail, energy, food and infrastructure. Arbitration and litigation head Fernando Samaniego also leads the real estate group, his focus being on infrastructure and real estate-related dispute resolution. Key support comes from Alejandra Bañados (elevated to counsel in 2021) whose practice takes in project development, construction contracts, long-term lease agreements and due diligence; and senior associate Camila Urzúa, who is active in real estate transactions and bidding processes.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

Although traditionally focused on debtor-side work, Prieto Abogados' banking and finance group is increasingly sought out by lender groups for high-profile international financing transactions and debt restructurings, particularly in relation to the mining sector and automotive industries. ‘Very eager to help', the practice is also actively involved in complex financial restructurings, insolvency proceedings and debt recovery matters. The practice is co-led by project finance expert Mario Gorziglia, who also heads the tax team; Nicolás Yuraszeck, whose broad corporate practice includes project finance; and bankruptcy and insolvency specialist Benjamín Grebe. With extensive experience in financing work, former senior associate Isabel Monge was recently elevated to counsel; while June-2020 hire, senior associate Anibal Larrain advises clients on finance,  M&A and joint venture transactions.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Deploying 'solid strategies that achieve good results', Prieto Abogados' six-member dispute resolution group frequently acts before both ordinary courts and arbitrators in disputes concerning the energy, construction, real estate and retail industries; moreover, it is increasingly active in insurance, transportation, healthcare, telecoms, and banking-related claims. The group is also active in public law litigation. The practice is co-led by real estate, construction and antitrust litigator Fernando Samaniego, and arbitration expert Alberto González V. Experienced counsel Juan Pablo Riesco handles public law, consumer rights, real estate, construction and energy matters, but senior associate Cristóbal Jiménez left to pursue his LLM in March 2021. Former practice co-head Claudio Undurraga  passed away in July 2022.

Chile > Environment Tier 3

Known for its energy expertise, Prieto Abogados‘ ‘very good environmental practice‘ is active in environmental cases and sanctioning proceedings before Chile’s environmental courts. The team is also experienced in litigation before the country’s environmental administrative agencies, and assists with the environmental aspects of transactions, along with environmental compliance programmes. Promoted to partner in January 2022, practice leader Agustín Martorell, who ‘knows environmental issues and clients’ business very well‘, advises on environmental assessments, trials and sanctioning. At associate level, Andrés Maldini, who focuses on the environmental aspects of transactions, joined recently from Baraona Marshall & Cía, while Isabel Becerra is a key environmental and regulatory team member. Since publication, the firm has significantly strengthened the practice group with the hire of Romina Tobar -formerly the head of the legal department at Chile's Environmental Assessment Service (SEA)- as a counsel, with effect from April 2023.

Chile > Insurance Tier 3

The seven-member team at full-service firm Prieto Abogados houses experts in the insurance regulatory aspects surrounding the approval of new insurance companies, as well as in relation to the acquisition of existing insurance entities. The practice also has extensive experience in bancassurance agreements, and policies for mortgages, cell phone protection and extended warranties. In addition, the firm has a broad and experienced insurance disputes practice. Leading the team, Patricio Prieto L is ‘a great lawyer', who has longstanding insurance and reinsurance expertise. Key associate María Cristina Ríos Lianeza's experience includes the incorporation of insurance companies, insurance-related M&A, and day-to-day regulatory issues.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 3

Prieto Abogados‘ ‘excellent' six-member labour, employment and immigration practice is particularly experienced in labour litigation, as well as labour-related corporate advice. The firm also houses experts in collective bargaining processes; its recent track record includes advising on the implementation of Covid-19-related measures on employment suspensions, salary adjustments, terminations and remote working, as well as health protocols for the safe return to work. The practice is co-led by collective bargaining and labour litigation specialist Christian von Bergen, and labour and social security expert Cristóbal Raby, who are ‘both great partners'. The associate to note, Valentina Flen regularly acts in litigation before the Oral Labour Courts.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘very good' ten-strong practice has broad experience in public law-related dispute resolution, sanctioning proceedings, regulatory-review issues during transactions, and clients’ relations with authorities. Clients additionally benefit from the team’s ongoing analysis of new rulings and regulations. Elevated to the partnership in January 2022, environmental law specialist Agustín Martorell regularly assists companies before governmental authorities and agencies, including advising on permitting issues, administrative procedures, environmental judicial actions and environmental assessment processes. Former counsel Juan Pablo Riesco (‘an exceptional lawyer with in-depth knowledge') was promoted to director of the firm’s administrative litigation practice in December 2021, and routinely advises national and international companies on contentious regulatory and administrative matters.

Chile > Tax Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘team of highly recognised tax lawyers nationwide' routinely handles the structuring of both inbound and outbound investments into the construction, mining and technology sectors, particularly in relation to new projects and their financing. Clients also appreciate the firm’s tax litigation credentials. The department is co-led by Leonidas Prieto, who assists with business reorganisations, business structure planning and tax disputes; and Mario Gorziglia, ‘one of the market’s most outstanding tax lawyers'. Further support is provided by former adviser to the Ministry of Finance’s tax policies department, Luz María Calvo, a director since September 2021. Former partner Cristián Bay-Schmith departed to found his own, eponymous, firm in 2021.

Chile > TMT Tier 3

The eight-member practice at Prieto Abogados is particularly noted for its telephony sector experience. The team’s expertise includes public actions conducted by Chilean State's telecommunications agency, SUBTEL; negotiations with telephony concessionaires; and the regulatory framework for companies providing telephony services in Chile. The practice is also routinely involved in TMT-related M&A transactions. Heading up the telecoms and technology team, Mario Gorziglia is a telephony sector specialist who counts Telcordia Technologies among his standing clients; and lead compliance partner José Andrés Pascual, who assists national and international clients with online delivery services, including contract reviews, and regulatory and corporate matters.

Chile > Data privacy Tier 4

Prieto Abogados fields privacy and personal data protection experts, who regularly assist with drafting data-processing policies and authorisations. Other key areas include client and employee management; data transfer agreements that comply with national and international standards; and due diligence processes to ensure clients’ compliance with the privacy standards required by local regulations. The practice is led by senior associate María Cristina Ríos Llaneza , who is highly active in privacy and data protection work, while associate Agustín Prado  is a member of both the data privacy and litigation teams.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

The seven-member arbitration practice at Prieto Abogados, routinely acts in retail, energy, construction and real estate-related arbitrations; its recent workload also includes insurance, transportation, healthcare, telecoms and banking matters. The practice is co-led by Fernando Samaniego, whose experience includes acting as sole arbitrator in construction disputes as well as acting as party counsel; and arbitration specialist Alberto González V, who 'has superior legal skills'. The 'always available' Juan Pablo Riesco was promoted to of counsel in November 2021; but former senior associate Cristóbal Jiménez left to pursue an LLM in the UK. Former practice co-head Claudio Undurraga  passed away in July 2022.