Hernández & Cía > Lima, Peru > Firm Profile

Hernández & Cía > The Legal 500 Rankings

Peru > Legal market overview

Peru > Environment Tier 1

Hernández & Cía is noted for its ‘specialised knowledge of mining environmental legislation’. Beyond the mining industry, the team is also active in the oil and gas, electricity, real estate, and food and drink sectors. On the non-contentious side, it handles a range of regulatory work, including compliance, permitting, licensing and assistance with audits, and the practice is also well versed in M&A and financing-related environmental matters, as well as sanctioning procedures brought by administrative bodies. Luis Rodriguez Mariátegui, Luis Felipe Huertas Del Pino and Miyanou Dufour head the practice, with Huertas bringing considerable experience in regulatory and environmental compliance matters to the team, with a focus on mining projects, and Dufour specialising in permitting, operational matters, environmental obligations and administrative procedures, with a particular focus on the mining sector. Senior associate Juan Pablo Macassi advises on administrative, mining and environmental law.

Peru > Tax Tier 1

The pre-eminent tax practice at Hernández & Cía is led by Milagros Bustillos, Leonardo Lopez and veteran tax practitioner Luis Hernández Berenguel and advises high-profile foreign and domestic clients on the gamut of tax issues. On the advisory side, the team handles compliance, cross-border tax planning and structuring, international tax law and individual wealth management, and on the contentious side, it is well versed in administrative proceedings before the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) and in judicial litigation. Hernández is well regarded in the market and has previously assisted in drafting income tax regulations; strong support is provided by Bustillos, who assists clients in administrative proceedings, and López, who is recommended for tax, customs and trade matters. Fernando Nunez is a key contact for corporate tax and wealth management, while Rodrigo Flores focuses on international tax matters, including tax stability agreements and the taxation of natural resources. Counsel Patricia Tamashiro is another name to note for transactional tax issues, while senior associate Julio Sáenz advises on tax litigation.

Peru > Banking and finance Tier 2

The banking and finance team at Hernández & Cía is equipped to advise on domestic and cross-border transactions, including syndicated loans, secured loans, corporate loans and real estate loans, as well as project finance, leveraged finance and leasing arrangements. It acts for top regional and international banks, private investors, insurance companies and private funds and provides ancillary tax support on deals by drawing on strength from its top-tier tax practice. The team, which is jointly led by Juan Luis Hernández Gazzo, José Manuel Abastos and José Goyburu, includes a number of practitioners who have previously worked at major US-headquartered international law firms. Hernández is a veteran practitioner, who is well known in the market for financing deals; Abastos handles project financing, sovereign financing and capital markets matters; and Goyburu stands out for his knowledge of leveraged financing and distressed debt. Strong senior associate support is provided by Julien Labory-Alicq, who is fluent in Spanish, French and English; he has previously worked in the Paris office of Clifford Chance and is well versed in cross-border transactions. Diego Carrión left the firm in March 2022.

Peru > Capital markets Tier 2

Under the leadership of well-known practitioner Juan Luis Hernández Gazzo, Hernández & Cía is active in equity and debt transactions, regulatory mandates and investment funds work. The team is no stranger to cross-border transactions and the issuance of bonds, and also handles interactions with regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Hernández acts for high-profile banks and has previously acted for the Republic of Peru; his areas of expertise include transactions, restructurings, reorganisations and regulatory work. José Manuel Abastos  is a corporate practitioner with experience in bond issuances and sovereign financing, while at the senior associate level, Erick Calla offers expertise in stock market regulation and Gloria Zubizarreta is experienced in sovereign offerings and compliance matters. Diego Carrión left the firm in July 2022. Since publication, Calla and Zubizarreta have been promoted to principal associate – effective as of February 2024.

Peru > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Fielding an almost 30-strong corporate team (including seven partners), Hernández & Cía acts for high-profile multinational companies and private equity houses in transactions and day-to-day advisory matters; it offers strong tax support on deals and has considerable experience and expertise in mining sector M&A. Veteran practitioner Juan Luis Hernández Gazzo heads the practice and is well versed in M&A transactions for listed companies; while Alfredo Filomeno – who is recommended for transactions, reorganisations, compliance, corporate governance matters and crisis management – provides additional senior level capability. Younger partner Sandro Cogorno is a dedicated corporate practitioner and works on most of the firm’s transactions, while experienced senior associate Gloria Zubizarreta is an increasingly integral member of the team. Former practice co-head Diego Carrión left in July 2022. Since publication, Zubizarreta has been promoted to principal associate – effective as of February 2024.

Peru > Dispute resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

Hernández & Cía‘s dispute resolution practice is co-led by finance sector specialist Jorge Luis Zubiate and expert in international arbitration Caterina Miró Quesada. Recent work handled by the practice includes counselling clients including the Republic of Peru, Supermercados Peruanos and Mexichem Peru in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. The team's varied caseload includes disputes involving tax, M&A, energy, construction and infrastructure-related issues. Associate Renzo Saavedra is also a key contact, with a specialism in contractual disputes. The team was bolstered in early 2023 with the arrival of Enrique Johanson from Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International and Sheilah Vargas from Sheilah Vargas - Litigios y Arbitraje.

Peru > Dispute resolution: Litigation Tier 2

The litigation practice at Hernández & Cía was given a significant boost in early 2023 with the arrival of Javier de Belaunde López de Romaña, Samuel Abad, Enrique Johanson and senior associate Federico de Cárdenas from Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International and Sheilah Vargas from Sheilah Vargas - Litigios y Arbitraje. The practice offers clients expertise in areas such as tax, constitutional, administrative, civil and contractual litigation matters, with recent work examples including assisting Equinox International in a judicial process against the tax court and SUNAT. The team is headed by Jorge Luis Zubiate, who has specialist experience acting as a legal advisor to banks, financial services, mining and fishing companies. Associate Sebastián Linares Luna is also recommended.

Peru > Dispute resolution: White-collar Tier 2

Hernández & Cía‘s white-collar criminal law practice is headed by well-regarded partner Gonzalo Del Río and is highlighted for its 'great technical knowledge'. The team, consisting of five lawyers, specialises in crisis management, economic criminal law and related regulatory compliance matters, with recent key work including the team’s advice on the Lava Jato corruption case. Associate Edward Calmet is also a key contact in the practice and is experienced in assisting multinational companies involved in investigations surrounding matters such as property and environmental crimes and illicit drug trafficking.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 2

Hernández & Cía offers clients ‘a lot of knowledge on the subject and a personalised service’. Its broad practice encompasses expertise in financial, corporate, contractual, regulatory, construction and contentious matters pertaining to the electricity industry; it also provides niche expertise in carbon credits. In the financing space, the team acts for investment funds, banks and other investors in project finance, and on the disputes side, it is known in the market for administrative proceedings and arbitration. Brendan Oviedo heads the team, drawing on over 20 years of experience in energy and infrastructure transactions both domestically and internationally, as well as project development, construction, operation and restructuring; he is also currently the President of the Peruvian Renewable Energy Association (SPR). At the senior associate level, Evelyn López is a name to note for the regulation of public utilities, arbitration and climate change matters, while Geraldine López handles project development, contracts and construction work. The team was strengthened further in January 2023 by the arrival of senior associate Katherine Yesquén from Rubio Leguía Normand.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

The ‘very efficient and proactive’ mining team at Hernández & Cía stands out for its strong regulatory expertise and its ability to advise on high-profile M&A transactions. As a full-service firm, it can draw on expertise from litigation and tax practitioners to assist in mining issues, and also handles financing, permitting and regulatory compliance matters for top domestic and international mining companies. The team is jointly led by Luis Rodriguez Mariátegui, Luis Felipe Huertas Del Pino and Miyanou Dufour, who is in the firm’s D&A committee. Rodriguez Mariátegui advises on mining, environmental and M&A, and on the contentious side, is a name for arbitration; Huertas del Pino offers experience in regulatory matters and the development of mining projects; and Dufour is recommended for corporate matters and counts Rio Tinto among her clients. Senior associate Juan Pablo Macassi handles administrative matters and arbitration. Paola Ramos and Joseline Pérez were recently promoted to senior associate. Since publication, Macassi has been raised to the partnership – effective as of February 2024.

Peru > International trade (IT&C) Tier 2

Hernández & Cía is well known in the market for its knowledge of customs regime structures and customs procedures; it handles both contentious and non-contentious matters and represents large multinational clients in customs and tax litigation before the authorities. Other areas of focus include compliance, tariffs, international trade structures and international trade disputes. Practice head Leonardo Lopez is a veteran practitioner with considerable experience in tax, international trade and customs issues, and more specifically, assists clients with valuations, planning and tariffs matters. Senior associate Miguel Ángel Campos is registered as a customs broker and is a member of the Association of Certified Customs Agents of Peru (AATA); he offers clients niche expertise in maritime and port law, as well as customs planning and compliance. Paloma Velásquez Bolognesi is another key associate. Since publication, Campos has been promoted to principal associate - effective as of February 2024.

Peru > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

The ‘very professional and committed‘ projects team at Hernández & Cía is particularly experienced in advising clients on energy projects and water treatment matters, and also possesses in-depth knowledge of project financing, PPPs, bidding processes and concessions. The team, jointly headed by José Manuel Abastos and Brendan Oviedo, is able to advise both private organisations and government entities on domestic matters. Other key team members include senior associate Natalia Gallardo, whose recent work includes advising clients on the development of water and sanitation projects, and associate Ana Vidal, who has recently been involved in the structuring of infrastructure projects, as well as in the bidding process of two hospitals. Since publication, Vidal has been promoted to senior associate - effective as of February 2024.

Peru > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Hernández & Cía‘s competition and antitrust department specialises in consumer protection litigation, with recent case highlights including its advice to clients on proceedings against authorities such as INDECOPI, the Labour Ministry and SUNAFIL. Other work the practice undertakes includes assisting clients in illegal trade barrier cases, advertising litigation, and day-to-day competition and antitrust matters. Enrique Cavero heads the practice and leads a team of four lawyers, which includes associate Carlos Holguín.

Peru > Compliance Tier 3

Hernández & Cía regularly develops compliance programmes for its clients, as well as issuing crisis reports, conducting internal investigations, and evaluating existing criminal compliance programmes. The team is jointly led by Gonzalo Del Río, who advises clients such as Hermes, and Alfredo Filomeno, who leverages his experience in corporate M&A and banking to assist clients with compliance advice relating to complex corporate structures. Senior associate Kris Maquin also lends assistance in compliance matters.

Peru > Public law and regulation Tier 3

The May 2023 arrival of former Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria principal associate Carlos González Prada as a partner completed a recruitment process at Hernández & Cía that had previously seen the firm hire senior associates Natalia Gallardo and Tely Porcel (in Janaury and Septemeber 2022, respectively), profoundly consolidating the practice led by José Manuel Abastos and Jorge Reátegui. Abastos is a well known finance and transactional practitioner with particular expertise in relation to PPPs, concessions and infrastructure, while Reátegui’s strength in real estate matters translates in the public law arena into extensive know-how regarding the acquisition of rights, regulatory affairs, and licensing and certifications with regard to land and property usage. Administrative law specialist González Prada brings additional experience regarding sancitons and licensing to the group. Along with mandates in the highway concessions, mining and auotmotive sectors, recent activity has seen the team particularly active in the water and sanitation, retail and chemical areas.  

Peru > Real estate Tier 3

The ‘excellent and very committed’ Hernández & Cía is particularly active in public and private project developments and advises clients on acquisitions and sales, leasing, financing, zoning, land use and construction. The practice draws on strength from the firm’s corporate, finance, mining and tax practitioners for support on real estate matters and acts for clients in the retail, hospitality and mining sectors, among other areas. Practice head Jorge Reátegui is a key contact for urban and rural property rights, surface rights and project development, and at the senior associate level, Alan Pasco, Angela Salazar and Tely Porcel are recommended, with Pasco handling transactional matters, Salazar dealing with environment and mining issues, and Porcel being a name to note for infrastructure, construction and public law matters.

Peru > TMT (Technology, media and telecoms) Tier 3

The TMT team at Hernández & Cía is highlighted for its ‘specialised attention‘ and ‘immediate availability‘. The department is headed by Enrique Cavero, who specialises in competition and antitrust law. The team counts a number of major companies among its clients, which turn to the team for assistance in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Senior associates Carlos Holguín and Diego Gómez Florez are also experienced in advising clients on the incorporation of the personal data protection law and the legal treatment of new technologies.

Peru > Intellectual property Tier 4

The intellectual property practice at Hernández & Cía provides clients with advice on the full spectrum of IP issues, including trade marks, copyright and litigation. The team, headed by former in-house counsel for Procter & Gamble Enrique Cavero, is made up of five lawyers. Recent work for the practice includes assisting an international company to register a portfolio of trade marks in Peru, and providing a company with advice on the its copyrights and databases.

Peru > Labour and employment Tier 4

Diego Castillo heads Hernández & Cía‘s employment practice, leading a five-lawyer team. The practice typically advises clients on labour issues such as collective bargaining, employee termination, and occupational health and safety matters. It can also regularly be seen providing counsel on employment-related litigation, and providing training to in-house human resources teams. Senior associate Mariana Barreto is a name to note for matters such as employment tax and labour immigration services.