Mr Guillermo Morales > Morales & Besa > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

The 21-strong corporate and M&A practice at Morales & Besa is regularly sought out by international buy-side clients to act as lead counsel on heavyweight acquisition transactions outside of Chile. Other areas of notable strength include major private equity transactions and complex mergers; while the firm’s enviable client base comprises energy, infrastructure, mining, construction and retail companies, as well as investment banks and private equity funds. At founding partner level, Guillermo Morales advises both domestic and multinational corporate clients on the execution of private acquisitions and sale deals, along with public tender offers, mergers, and restructurings; and Eugenio Besa specialises in commercial, financial and foreign investment work. The pair co-lead the team with Michel Diban (corporate and commercial matters – predominantly M&A); with further key partner level involvement provided by current managing partner, Macarena Laso, and Álvaro Barriga, whose practice is centred on corporate and M&A matters. Experienced senior associate Vicente Valdés focuses on commercial law, M&A and capital markets’ matters. Since publication, Diban has left the firm and Valdés has been raised to the partnership – effective as of December 2023 and March 204, respectively.

The six-member capital markets practice at full-service firm Morales & Besa is repeatedly sought out for complex deals involving  issuers, underwriters, broker dealers, asset managers and securities industry professionals. The group is also highly active in regulatory matters. It additionally houses a leading practice in project finance bonds, as well as insolvency reorganisation processes that include capital markets aspects. The department is jointly led by founding partner Guillermo Morales, a go-to adviser for both underwriters and issuers; José Miguel Carvajal, whose practice covers capital markets (in addition to corporate law and banking and finance); and Andrea Díaz, whose track record includes playing key roles on large IPOs. Senior associate Gonzalo Pereira, a 2021 hire from the Financial Market Commission, is a specialist in corporate law, capital markets and financial regulation.