Mr Fernando Samaniego > Prieto Abogados > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.

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’.