Mr James Channing > Morales & Besa > Santiago, Chile > Lawyer Profile

Morales & Besa‘s experienced partner Eugenio Besa heads a six-strong department providing all-encompassing advice, from mining, environmental and corporate law, to finance, M&A, project development, construction and regulatory issues. Typical work also includes assisting with mining rights and agreements, and the incorporation of mining entities and procurement of permits. Mining transactions-focused Lorena Barrientos became the firm’s first-ever practice director in 2019; while Katannya Jablonski, Paloma Infante and James Channing provide notable associate-level support.

Morales & Besa‘s six-member real estate and infrastructure team is focused on both transactional and regulatory matters, and frequently works alongside the firm’s banking and finance, tax, and energy practices. The department is led by experienced partner Macarena Laso, whose broad experience covers public concessions, real estate and construction works, along with infrastructure projects. The practice is strongly supported by senior associate James Channing, who brings approximately 10 years’ experience in construction, real estate, project finance and infrastructure to the practice.

The 12-strong group at Morales & Besa is consistently involved in complex projects, predominantly in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Its transactional experience is characterised by work for investors, developers and lenders on the structuring, developing, purchase, sale and financing of high-end projects. The firm also has a robust regulatory practice, which advises on due diligence, bidding processes, negotiations with the authorities, and litigation, including in relation to tenders for public works concessions. Carlos Silva is an infrastructure and energy specialist; José Miguel Carvajal focuses on commercial, corporate and financial aspects; Myriam Barahona is a banking, finance and project finance expert; and Macarena Laso heads the real estate and construction practice. Support at senior associate level is provided by Javier Balbontín, James Channing and Katannya Jablonski. Former senior associate Sebastián Leyton left to become head of legal at regulatory entity Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles, in January 2020.