Ms Macarena Laso > Morales & Besa > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

The large projects team at full-service outfit Morales & Besa particularly stands out for its infrastructure credentials in relation to project development, acquisitions, financing, contracts, regulatory issues and related litigation. The multidisciplinary group’s recent track record includes mandates involving airports, solar power plants, PPP projects, toll roads, and renewables. The practice is also increasingly expanding its market share of engineering, procurement and construction matters. Heading the practice, Carlos Silva’s experience covers the gamut of project issues, from structuring to development, financing and M&A work; real estate and construction department leader Macarena Laso assists with corporate transactions, along with the structuring, acquisition and financing of public infrastructure projects; and Myriam Barahona and Eugenio Besa are both project finance experts. The next line of partners features recently-elevated Juan Carlos Valdivieso, who acts on energy and infrastructure-related transactional and regulatory aspects; and 2022-returnee and projects specialist Aldo Cardinali. Within the firm’s senior associate pool, Macarena López is noted for projects, construction and engineering matters, while Nicolás Corbeaux specialises in construction disputes. Former senior associate  Katannya Jablonski left for the General Directorate of Concessions in October 2022.

Morales & Besa’s six-member real estate and construction practice routinely works alongside the firm’s regulatory, banking and finance, tax, M&A and energy teams on major real estate and infrastructure projects. The team’s expertise encompasses purchases, sales, leases and financing, as well as development matters, construction, zoning regulations and title reviews. Group head Macarena Laso is an expert in public concessions, real estate, construction works and infrastructure projects; while senior associate Carolina Stalder is experienced in the negotiation of land agreements – such as purchases, long-term leases and easements.

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.