Prieto Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Prieto Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbons

Prieto Abogados's 25-strong energy and natural resources practice ‘stands out for its extensive knowledge of the energy industry’, with recent mandates including regulatory work, major energy M&A deals and energy sector projects. Examples include the acquisition of a large energy generation portfolio and the development of battery energy storage system projects. Acting for electricity generators, transmission companies, construction firms, and investment funds, the team’s experience also covers the sale of unconventional renewable energy projects’ plant portfolios, including the management of bidding processes. Among the team’s several key advisers, Juan Tagle's specialisms encompass the electricity generation, distribution and transmission markets, as well as natural gas transportation, joint ventures, and energy and natural resources project-related bidding processes; Fernando Bravo serves as the longstanding secretary to Engie Energía Chile’s board of directors; Nicolás Yuraszeck K is increasingly involved in the acquisition and development of electricity projects; and Agustín Martorell advises on energy and natural resources-related projects and regulatory issues. The department further includes counsel Andrea Von Chrismar, whose energy sector experience covers regulatory matters, competition law, tender processes and transactions. Notable growth includes the hire of practice director Romina Tobar from Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service in April 2023; and -following the departure of former counsel Federico Rodríguez- the promotion of energy M&A practitioner Andrés Laymuns to counsel in January 2024.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

Regularly mandated to advise on headline liquidations and reorganisations, Prieto Abogados' 10-strong team comprises experts in defaulting companies, as well as debt, syndicated loan and bond conversion-related negotiations. The group, which ‘stands out for its knowledge and expertise in restructuring’, is also highly active in relation to cross-border insolvencies. In recent highlights, the department advised Engie on the liquidation of electricity generation company María Elena Solar. Co-leading the insolvency and restructuring team, Benjamín Grebe predominantly acts for creditors in judicial insolvency procedures (including bankruptcies and reorganisations), along with restructurings and debt negotiations; and Alberto González V (who also co-heads the firm’s litigation department) is experienced in insolvency proceedings involving direct actions against debtors. In the associate team, senior Vicente Tapia routinely advises on liquidations and reorganisations, while the more junior Javier Albornoz rounds out the practice.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

Prieto Abogados' seven-strong capital markets department is home to experts in debt placements, both in the Chilean market and across the US, the latter through Rule 144A/Reg S bond placements. The full-service firm’s workload extends beyond traditional placements to cover liability management, exchanges, and inaugural issuances for emerging players; and its track record includes major Chilean market IPOs, as well as public acquisition tender offers involving cross-border deals. The practice is also highly active in relation to both public and private investment funds. Recent mandates include acting for construction and real estate company Salfacorp on a capital increase transaction, which involved the public placement of 100m shares. The team is co-led by name-partner Patricio Prieto L, who predominantly focuses on private equity funds, along with insurance and debt placements; and Isabel Wolleter E, who plays a key role in most of the firm’s capital markets transactions, her expertise covering debt issuance structuring, negotiable instruments, stock exchange listing processes, tender offers and auction processes. Wolleter’s career also includes a stint working at Shearman & Sterling LLP’s New York office. The practice further includes high-regarded counsel Maite Larrañaga, who acts for both national and foreign clients on the issuance of securities; and intermediate associate José Pedro Poblete who is notably active in the sector.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Providing a ‘fantastic, high-level quality’, Prieto Abogados' six-strong antitrust and competition law practice routinely assists with both contentious and non-contentious matters before the TDLC. The group also has a significant market reputation for its representation of clients before the FNE in leniency applications, and cartel and abuse of dominant position investigations. The team is also sought out to advise on major merger control and minority participation assessments and notifications, along with pre-emptive advice involving contracts, antitrust protocols, interlocking, and compliance programmes. In recent highlights, the group represented Banco Internacional in three different contentious procedures for alleged anticompetitive conduct. The department’s principal figures are competition law specialist Benjamín Grebe, whose workload encompasses litigation before the TDLC and Chilean Supreme Court, as well as FNE investigations and the development of antitrust compliance programmes for companies and trade associations; and experienced director Andrea Von Chrismar, a specialist in the economic regulation aspects of competition law, compliance issues, FNE investigations, and TDLC and Supreme Court conflicts. At associate level, Vicente Tapia and Javier Albornoz are ‘outstanding in terms of their knowledge of free competition matters’, while Constanza Moreno Aedo is an August 2023 recruit to the firm's free competition and insolvency practices from Jara Del Favero Abogados. Since publication, the firm has announced the raising of Ms. Von Chrismar to the partnership; with effect from January 2025, the promotion will also see her take over leadership of the practice.

Chile > Compliance Tier 2

The compliance practice at full-service law firm Prieto Abogados covers anti-bribery and anti-corruption due diligence processes, internal auditing procedures, training sessions and administrative sanctioning processes. The team, which ‘really understands its company clients’, also assists with drafting compliance policies, along with the design of internal compliance and crime prevention systems. In addition to the team's sector expertise in education, energy, food, TMT, real estate and private equity, clients further benefit from the group’s ability to leverage the firm’s notable specialisms in antitrust, criminal law, labour issues, and environmental and corporate law. Recent mandates include the group’s assistance to Desafío Levantemos Chile, a large non-profit organisation, with the implementation of its crime prevention system. The team is led by José Andrés Pascual (‘an extraordinary adviser who knows how to take care of clients’ interests’), who routinely advises on risk identification and assessment processes, along with the design, implementation and updating of crime prevention systems. In the associate group, Diego Madariaga and Fernando Rodríguez are both on hand to assist with internal investigations, while senior and criminal law leader María Jesús Becerra is a January 2024 hire from Parraguez Marín & del Río. Former associate Catalina Bruner departed the firm in July 2023.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘team of top-level lawyers’ at Prieto Abogados is routinely mandated to advise on cross-border M&A deals, private equity transactions and joint ventures. The 29-strong corporate and M&A practice’s recent experience includes deals involving insurance, construction, mortgage loans and subsidised housing leasing. It is also notably active in retail, energy, natural resources, and food and wine sector-related M&A, as well as being increasingly involved in advising private investment funds on the acquisition of controlling stakes in family-owned businesses. The multidisciplinary team can further draw upon the firm’s tax, labour, antitrust, environmental and litigation credentials in relation to transactional mandates. The group is co-led by Juan Tagle, an adviser on M&A, joint ventures and bidding processes; and energy sector specialist Fernando Bravo, who is a longstanding secretary for ENGIE Energía Chile’s board of directors. The practice also showcases Isabel Wolleter, who advises on corporate law, M&A and capital markets; José Andrés Pascual, an expert in energy and natural resources-related M&A and joint ventures; and Nicolás Yuraszeck K, who is experienced in corporate law, M&A and infrastructure and construction projects. Practice directors Andrés Laymuns and Maite Larrañaga, along with senior associate Aníbal Larrain and associate Tomás Ochagavía round out the team. Former counsel Federico Rodríguez left the firm in December 2023.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Prieto Abogados' 27-strong projects and infrastructure team has a strong market reputation for its advice on the development, implementation, financing and acquisition of projects. The group was recently notably active in relation to the construction of battery energy storage systems, desalinisation plants and a power transmission line project. The team’s key practitioners are: Juan Tagle, whose expertise covers power plants, transmission lines, ports, and mining and desalinisation construction projects, as well as joint ventures and bidding processes; banking and finance head Mario Gorziglia, an adviser on significant corporate reorganisations and project financing; projects and infrastructure specialist Nicolás Yuraszeck K, who has ‘a very global vision of the interests of each party involved’ and longstanding experience in construction projects, tender processes, project finance, regulatory matters and project-related M&A deals; and counsel Isabel Monge, who is experienced in the financing of mining, electricity transmission and renewable energy projects, as well as automobile, agriculture and electro mobility sector-related work. At associate level, intermediate Emilio Del Real is another consistent adviser on projects and infrastructure. In a boost to the practice, Andrés Laymuns, whose wide-ranging expertise includes engineering projects for the energy, green hydrogen and mining industries, was promoted to practice director in January 2024.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

The six-member banking and finance team at full-service law firm Prieto Abogados advises both lenders and borrowers on major financing transactions. The group is particularly active in the energy, infrastructure and automotive sectors, as well as the power transmission, mining and real estate industries. It also assists both local and international clients with banking and financial regulatory matters and is increasingly active advising private funds on the financing of start-ups and fintech companies. The department is led by project financing expert Mario Gorziglia C alongside counsel and finance specialist Isabel Monge P. Juan Tagle Q advises on energy industry financings and Isabel Wolleter E's expertise includes syndicated and bilateral loan agreements. Senior associate Aníbal Larrain assists with syndicated loans and international debt placements as well as advising on finance regulations - particularly fintech in relation to banking regulation.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘partners and associates handle cases perfectly’. The firm's second largest practice area, the litigation department consistently appears before both ordinary courts and arbitrators in disputes concerning energy, construction, real estate and the retail sector. The six-member group is also increasingly mandated in relation to contentious aquaculture, construction, engineering, investment fund, food, and cosmetics sector matters, and it additionally assists with public law litigation. The disputes group is co-led by real estate, construction and antitrust litigator Fernando Samaniego; and arbitration expert Alberto González V. The department further comprises associates Agustín Prado, who ‘provides a very good level of service’; and Cristóbal Ipinza, who also specialises in litigation and arbitration. Former counsel Juan Pablo Riesco left the firm in May 2024. Since publication, the firm has promoted seniors Agustín Prado and María Jesús Becerra to practice directors for arbitration & litigation, and white-collar crime, respectively - effective as of April 2025.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘responsible, proactive and punctual’ team is able to leverage the full-service firm’s expertise in energy, infrastructure and real estate for mining matters. The 13-strong group can also boast strong relationships with major investment funds. The practice is co-led by Juan Tagle, a regular adviser on mining projects who also leads the firm’s M&A offering; and Agustín Martorell, whose experience includes both advising major mining companies on mining option agreements and participating in mining industry-related administrative sanctioning procedures. Projects and infrastructure partner Nicolás Yuraszeck K is also active in the sector as necesary. In the firm’s associate pool, Ignacio Matte assists with mining, environmental and regulatory matters, while Ignacio Quintana departed the firm in July 2023.

Chile > Environment Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘lawyers stand out for their application of environmental regulations and laws to business contexts’. The eight-strong environmental law team, which comprises industry expertise in mining, energy and real estate, routinely acts in judicial cases, administrative sanctioning proceedings and environmental assessments. It has also developed notable compliance experience in relation to environmental offences. The team is co-led by Agustín Martorell, who is ‘truly an excellent lawyer’; and counsel Romina Tobar, an April 2023 hire and former Environmental Assessment Service legal department head. Tobar advises on environmental assessments, community relations, and permitting, administrative and judicial procedures. Associate Ignacio Matte is also a key member of the firm’s environmental and regulatory law team.

Chile > Insurance Tier 3

The eight-member team at full-service law firm Prieto Abogados comprises experts in the regulatory aspects of insurance company formation and transactional activity in the sector. The group also has extensive experience in insurance product-related distribution agreements, such as bancassurance agreements, mortgage-related policies, cell phone protection policies and extended warranty policies. It additionally assists with supplying insurance-related services, such as road assistance, medical services and home assistance. Practice head Patricio Prieto L has longstanding experience in insurance and reinsurance regulation, as well insurance product development and insurance-related contract negotiations. Notable support is provided by director Maite Larrañaga, an adviser on insurance regulatory matters; and counsel Juan Pablo Riesco, who focuses on coverage claims litigation. Disputes specialist senior associate Agustín Prado is also active in insurance matters.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 3

Prieto Abogados’ ‘labour practice stands out for its knowledge’. The firm’s seven-strong labour, employment and immigration practice has notable experience in labour litigation, corporate-related labour advice, collective bargaining and immigration. It also includes sector experts in energy, mining, facilities, gaming, ports, tourism, retail, insurance, construction, finance and healthcare. The group is led by Christian von Bergen, an adviser to major companies on human resources strategies, collective bargaining and labour litigation. Providing key support, labour and social security specialist Cristóbal Raby is ‘an excellent lawyer with great resolution skills’; and Valentina Flen (raised to counsel in early 2024) heads the firm’s immigration practice. At associate level, Kilian Vargas' workload encompasses labour litigation, social security, immigration and individual and collective law.

Chile > Tax Tier 3

Prieto Abogados' ‘efficient, solid and experienced’ tax department is notably experienced in tax-related cases before Chile’s Courts of Justice and specialised Tax Courts. The six-member group also assists with administrative claims brought before Chile’s IRS; direct, indirect and municipal taxes international taxation; and applying double taxation conventions. The practice is co-led by ‘incredibly sophisticated lawyer’ Mario Gorziglia, whose workload encompasses the tax aspects of corporate reorganisations; and Leonidas Prieto, an expert in business structure planning and tax-related dispute resolution. The department further showcases director and ‘great professional’ Luz María Calvo; and key tax associate Beatriz Bustos. Former associate Magdalena Steinmetz left the firm in April 2024.

Chile > TMT Tier 3

The TMT practice at full-service law firm Prieto Abogados covers corporate law, M&A, financing and tax matters, as well as dispute resolution and public law. The group routinely advises Europe’s Mediapro Group on the day-to-day affairs of its local subsidiaries, including the preparation and execution of agreements for cinematic and television content, sporting rights’ management and audio-visual services. The firm also fields telephony sector experts. José Andrés Pascual advises national and international clients on media, entertainment and technology issues, while telecoms specialist Mario Gorziglia's workload includes acting for international communications company iConectiv on an ongoing basis. At associate level, Diego Madariaga regularly assists with the negotiation of sponsorship contracts; former associate Catalina Bruner departed the firm in July 2023.

Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

The arbitration practice at  Prieto Abogados routinely acts in energy, construction, real estate and retail sector disputes. The six-strong group is co-led by Fernando Samaniego, whose track record includes serving as arbitrator in construction disputes; and Alberto González Vidal, a specialist in real estate, construction and energy arbitrations. In the firm’s associate team, Agustín Prado regularly acts in defence-side civil and commercial matters before arbitration tribunals, while Cristóbal Ipinza specialises in both litigation and arbitration. Former counsel Juan Pablo Riesco departed the firm in May 2024.

Chile > Public law Tier 4

Prieto Abogados' 11-strong public and administrative law team regularly acts for clients from the healthcare, education and construction sectors on both complex advisory and litigation matters. It also recently assisted a pension industry client with an administrative sanctioning procedure. The group is led by counsel Juan Pablo Riesco, who assists with administrative, judicial and regulatory issues. The practice further includes litigation and arbitration head Fernando Samaniego, as well as environmental team leader Agustín Martorell.

Chile > Real estate Tier 4

Prieto Abogados’ ‘solid team has clients’ complete trust’. The firm’s three-member real estate department advises on the acquisition, development and construction of real estate projects. Its expertise covers due diligence processes, tax planning, financing and land use, as well as the environmental, construction and urban planning aspects associate with real estate activity. Fernando Samaniego assists with the arbitration and litigation of infrastructure and real estate disputes; while the real estate practice of director and ‘top-drawer’ practitioner Alejandra Bañados focuses on the retail, energy, construction and housing sectors. At associate level, Benjamín Vicuña I is ‘a very detailed and efficient lawyer’.

Chile > Data privacy