José Tomás Hurley > Carey > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Full-service market stalwart Carey has extensive experience in energy projects and related infrastructure works. The 15-strong practice group is routinely involved in major energy, gas and oil projects, in relation to coal, natural gas, hydroelectric power and liquified natural gas. It also advises developers and financial institutions on solar, wind, geothermal, and floating storage and regasification projects. Acting throughout projects’ lifecycles, the team’s coverage encompasses regulatory issues, project development and financing, M&A, joint ventures, and energy supply and infrastructure usage agreements. With ‘a lot of knowledge in this area’, the group further assists with public and private bidding processes, in relation to electricity, oil and gas projects, as well the construction of electricity transmission lines. Among the firm’s several experienced practitioners, Juan Francisco Mackenna focuses on energy regulatory matters and a range of energy projects; José Miguel Bustamante‘s broad practice includes contracts for electricity, liquid fuels, natural gas, transmission systems and gas transportation; and José Tomás Hurley has ‘a lot of energy sector knowledge’. In the firm’s senior associate pool, Pablo Morales‘ energy projects expertise covers energy supply, transmission issues, transportation, contracts, regulation, and tenders. Former senior associate Carmenmaría Poblete departed the firm in December 2023 for an in-house role.

For certain clients, Carey‘s sizeable infrastructure and project development team is ‘undoubtedly the market leader in this practice area’. The group has extensive experience in the development, financing and execution of projects involving energy infrastructure (thermoelectric, hydroelectric, hydrocarbons, wind, photovoltaic and biomass). It also fields specialists in mining, roadways, hospitals, telecoms networks, and ports and airports, as well as concessions, and housing and hospitality services. Recent highlights include advising Aguas Pacifico on the contractual strategy and preparation of tender documents for a desalination plant. The practice group houses various experienced partners, namely: Rafael Vergara, an adviser on mining transactions in Chile; Oscar Aitken, who co-heads the firm’s construction and engineering group alongside ‘leading partner for infrastructure projects’, Juan Pablo Stitchkin; and Juan Francisco Mackenna and José Miguel Bustamante, who both advise on a range of energy and infrastructure projects. The practice further includes water rights specialist Alberto Cardemil; project finance practitioners Felipe Moro and Fernando Noriega; and José Tomás Hurley, who focuses on the development of projects involving energy and related infrastructure. The senior associate to note, Juan Pablo Vukasovic, advises on power plants, infrastructure, engineering and construction projects, and mining and fish farming complexes, as well as road, hospital and port infrastructure. Since publication, Vukasovic has been promoted to the partnership – effective as of July 2025.