Chile > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

‘Chile’s leading international arbitration practice‘, Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana fields a sizeable 21-strong department that has enviable expertise in arbitrations carried out before both domestic and international forums. Notwithstanding the uncertainty generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the team has maintained a steady caseload in proceedings held under the rules of: the Arbitration Centre of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CAM Santiago); the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID); The Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC); and ad-hoc matters. Recent representative work includes defending clients’ interests in disputes involving the construction, energy, real estate and mining industries. ‘Simply brilliant‘ name partner Andrés Jana is a figure of international standing and one of the region’s foremost arbitrators; he co-leads the practice with the ‘very talented‘ Rodrigo Gil who is active in both domestic and international arbitration. Key senior associates within the dispute resolution team are Victoria Demarchi and Nicolás Zisis (both of whom have international associate experience), and Carla Dittus, who is an arbitrator at CAM Santiago; along with Alfonso Marcos, who returned to the firm in September 2020 after completing an LLM in Spain; and Jorge Rodillo, who was promoted in early 2020.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 2

The 20-member banking and finance department at Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana has a strong reputation for its advice to institutional investors (insurance companies and investment funds) on financing; the practice also has automotive and leisure sector expertise. Over the last year it has been notably active in syndicated financing, general lending and refinancings. Jointly leading the team are founding partner Octavio Bofill ('thorough knowledge of banking and financial matters'); fellow founding partner Alejandro Álvarez, whose recent work includes overseeing advice on the financing of a clinical facility; and Ana María Yuri, who handles structured and project finance, and syndicated loans. The second line of partners includes transport infrastructure finance specialist Rodrigo Saffirio, and local and international financing expert José Antonio Velasco.

Chile > Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring Tier 2

The sizeable, 22-strong, bankruptcy and insolvency practice at Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana brings together the firm's corporate and litigation teams during liquidation and insolvency phases, and on complex commercial restructurings, refinancing, and out of court agreements. Recently particularly active in relation to infrastructure, mining and energy industry clients, the team can also call upon the firm's tax and labour practices where necessary. Co-leading the practice are: Octavio Bofill, whose experience includes advising Chilean creditors of Latam Airlines in US Chapter 11 proceedings; and fellow co-founding partner Alejandro Álvarez, who advises clients from a range of industries on their insolvency proceedings. A strong second line of partners comprises Karen Werner (civil and commercial litigation); and Rodrigo Saffirio, whose experience includes advising the creditors of companies from the mining and energy sectors in particular.

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's sizeable 20-member capital markets practice is consistently sought out for its experience in IPOs and secondary offerings, bond and share issuances and Rule 144A/Reg S financings, and securitisation work. It also assists with structuring and launching new investment funds; over the last year it has been particularly active on behalf of finance, insurance, real estate, construction and retail clients. Name partner Octavio Bofill recently led advice to EuroAmérica, as creditors, in a bond issuance for Nexus Chile (following a bridge loan financing operation), while Ana María Yuri has been active, of late, working with insurer Bice Vida on its ongoing investments; the pair co-lead the practice with Alejandro Álvarez, who also co-leads the firm’s corporate practice alongside Bofill. Additional partner-level experience comes from Rodrigo Saffirio (securities and capital markets transactions) and corporate law specialist José Antonio Velasco. An impressive second line of senior associates includes Manuel Sánchez, Andrea Alarcón and Joaquín Recart, along with September 2020-hire (from Carey), Feliciano Tomarelli. However, former senior associate Francisco Palma moved to Lembeye Abogados in June 2020.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Housing a well-established M&A practice, Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana‘s ‘extremely well-synchronised team‘ was recently particularly active in advising on transactions across the energy, real estate, mining supply, agriculture and construction industries; the corporate group is also sought out for ongoing corporate advice by major local and international companies, such as Enlasa and Bayer. Founding partners Alejandro Álvarez and Octavio Bofill, who both have longstanding experience in corporate and transactional matters, co-head the corporate and M&A department, which includes Ana María Yuri (real estate, retail, energy, insurance and finance deals); Rodrigo Saffirio, recently part of the team assisting Corso Inversiones with the sale of its participation in a fruit exportation company; and José Antonio Velasco, who ‘provides very solid work‘. Notable growth includes the September 2020 hire of Columbia Law School-educated Feliciano Tomarelli from Carey, who joined the firm’s senior associate group, which includes active transactional advisers Manuel Sánchez , Joaquín Recart and Victoria Salazar. However, former fellow-senior Andrea Alarcón moved to Honorato | Delaveau in mid-September 2021.

Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's 23-strong litigation practice is well known in the market for its representation of local and international clients from the mining, energy, retail, finance and infrastructure sectors. It is co-led by Andrés Jana, who led representation of the Chilean Government’s Ministry of Public Works during pre-trial negotiations concerning the construction of a suspension bridge over the Chacao Channel; Rodrigo Gil, a contract law specialist; and 'extraordinary lawyer and litigator' Karen Werner, who was hired from Gutiérrez, Waugh, Jimeno & Asenjo in 2019. Werner recently co-led the team acting for three insurance companies in a contractual dispute regarding the Valle Grande real estate project. At senior associate level, Tomás Bown focuses on commercial lawsuits, conflicts between shareholders, insolvencies, and construction and mining-related disputes.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

The five-member mining department at ‘responsive, knowledgeable and practical‘ law firm Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana is well-known at the regional level for its advice on major transactions for large sector players, such as Antofagasta Minerals; it is also sought out by mid-sized and junior companies, along with privately-held companies and domestic mining entities. The practice has been active, recently, on projects involving transactions, financing, licensing, development, production, regulatory and compliance issues, along with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract reviews. Founding partner Pablo Mir leads the firm’s mining, natural resources and energy practices; his broad workload includes obtaining permits, as well as special mining contracts for property options, explorations and joint ventures. Intermediate associate Alonso Calderón is noted. However, the practice group has endured a series of departures, recently, with former co-department head, Rony Zimerman moving to Lembeye Abogados, and the exit of senior associates Teresita González (to an in-house position), Joaquín Perez (to a local NGO), and most recently, Felipe Allende, who moved to Barros & Errázuriz in October 2021. Since publication, the firm has resonded, hiring experienced senior Alina Bendersky, who returns to the firm after some three years in an in-house position.

Chile > Real estate Tier 2

The 19-strong department at Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana predominantly advises financial institutions (including insurance companies) on real estate projects, while international investment funds are regularly assisted with real estate investments; clients additionally benefit from the firm's expertise in tax, regulatory matters, disputes, natural resources and environmental law. The group is co-led by Alejandro Álvarez, who advises construction and real estate companies on their legal and finance requirements, and assists with real estate project-related public subsidies; and fellow name partner Octavio Bofill, whose practice includes real estate project finance. Other active partners are Ana María Yuri, who works with insurance companies and investment funds on real estate matters; Rodrigo Saffirio (pre-sale reviews, contracts and real estate finance); and José Antonio Velasco, who is experienced in real estate project finance and developments.

Chile > TMT Tier 2

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana has vast TMT sector experience, including the design and application of regulations, contracts, TMT-related litigation and legal reports. The ‘very accessible’ six-member group’s experience extends to government procedures, as well as TMT projects involving the public authorities. Founding partner Octavio Bofill is knowledgeale and experienced as regards telecom matters. Key associate support is provided by seniors Pablo Nogueira (publilc law and regulated markets) and Daniela Severin (competition law), with assistance from associate Jaime Ayala. However, key practice figure Guillermo de la Jara  -a former legal adviser to the Undersecretary of Telecommunications- left the firm in June 2021.

Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's sizeable team of corporate, regulatory and natural resources lawyers has a strong track record in the planning, development, construction and operation of projects in Chile. Clients also benefit from the firm's disputes credentials, which cover design, construction and contractual issues; and notable sector expertise includes mining, power generation facilities, ports, airports, and real estate developments. The firm's key figures are Pablo Mir (international projects covering Latin America' Southern Cone, Canada, Australia, China and South Korea); and corporate co-heads Alejandro Álvarez (infrastructure and energy projects) and Octavio Bofill (infrastructure project financing and contractual aspects). Providing additional partner-level support are Ana María Yuri, Rodrigo Saffirio and José Antonio Velasco. Former partner Rony Zimerman left the firm in April 2020.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

Regularly advising on regulatory and constitutional matters involving energy, telecoms, land use/development, public transport and water law, as well as handling customs, environmental law, health services, advertising, and gaming-related matters, the six-strong team at Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana has long had 'very good knowledge and availability to take on public law matters'. However, the late July 2021 departure of practice head Guillermo de la Jara (to Lembeye Abogados) is a severe blow. Fortunately, the team - which is also sought out for contentious and non-contentious judicial reviews, disputes before constitutional courts, and public procurement matters - has a strong second line of senior associates: Cristián Franetovic's practice is centred on environmental law, urban planning and construction, and the regulation of sanitary and electrical public services; Daniela Severín handles antitrust, unfair competition, regulated markets and administrative law; and Pablo Nogueira, who joined in early 2020 further to his Masters' degree, is an administrative and constitutional litigation specialist.

Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's six-strong competition and antitrust team covers merger reviews, cartels, abuse of dominant positions, market definition, and FNE-related litigation and investigations. In addition to acting in TDLC and Supreme Court cases, the team advises on the potential antitrust implications of transactions and agreements, and implements antitrust compliance programmes. Co-heading the TMT and public law groups, Guillermo de la Jara (merger control and investigations) leads the team, which includes co-head of the firm's dispute resolution practice Rodrigo Gil, who acts in antitrust and unfair competition cases. Senior associate Daniela Severín is a former FNE lawyer.

Chile > Environment Tier 4

An integral part of Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's full-service offering, the 'experienced' five-member environmental law practice is regularly involved in major mining, infrastructure and real estate projects in Chile; and it has particular experience in the interaction between environmental law and public and administrative law. Recent areas of activity range from environmental compliance, due diligence during major transactions and environmental litigation, to water-rights regulations and day-to-day environmental law matters. Guillermo de la Jara, who has extensive experience in procedures involving Chile's environmental regulatory bodies, leads the team, which includes 'young, talented associate' Cristián Franetovic.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 4

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana’s labour and employment practice focuses on advising clients from the mining, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and entertainment industries on workforce practices, immigration issues, compliance, and complex negotiations with senior executives and trade unions. Clients also turn to the team for representation in court as well as advice on M&A-related labour matters. Heading the firm’s labour practice, Pablo Gutiérrez assists with business-critical operational matters such as hirings, terminations, compliance and collective bargaining, along with long-term strategic analysis of clients’ employment concerns. Notable support is provided by senior associate Luis Alberto Cruchaga.

Chile > Tax Tier 4

Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's five-member tax team covers restructuring, planning, litigation, and transactional and international tax; the practice also acts in controversies with the Chilean IRS and before the tax courts. In 2020, the team additionally advised longstanding clients on emergency legislation (introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic). Specialising in finance and insurance sector-related tax issues, lead tax partner Guillermo Fonseca is highly regarded for cross-border operations, M&A matters and tax structuring; at senior associate level, Jorge Valenzuela is active in both litigious and transactional matters, while Paris Norambuena is experienced in transactional and regulatory work.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon

Combining elements of its corporate, regulatory and dispute resolution teams, Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana's multi-disciplinary energy and water practice is led by natural resources partner Pablo Mir. The practice assists with due diligence, EPC contracts, tender applications and regulatory matters, along with construction and transmission-related disputes, and permitting and land use issues. It is particularly noted for conventional and non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) work, solar and wind energy projects, river and irrigation canal mini-hydro projects, and geothermal matters. Other key figures are corporate law expert José Antonio Velasco, and regulatory and environmental practice head Guillermo de la Jara. Former department co-head Rony Zimerman moved to Lembeye Abogados in April 2020.