Santiváñez Abogados > Piura, Peru > Firm Profile

Santiváñez Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 1

Electricity specialist boutique Santiváñez Abogados is the pre-eminent Peruvian firm for power sector issues and has a strong 50-year track record in the market. It acts for top domestic and international clients, including public sector entities, in corporate and financial transactions, regulatory matters and litigation, under the leadership of Fidel Rocha, Roberto Santiváñez and Paul Sumar. Rocha has over 20 years’ experience in regulatory issues relating to the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors; Santiváñez is a heavyweight of the industry with vast experience in M&A, power supply and transmission contracts and project development; and Sumar is recommended for PPPs, public procurement and disputes. At the associate level, Sandra Acosta specialises in issues relating to the wholesale electricity market, COES, tariff regulation and administrative matters, and Abel Venero handles corporate, regulatory and project development issues. Senior associate Jose La Torre is noted for the negotiation of BOOT contracts and concession agreements.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 2

Santiváñez Abogados has a particular focus on the gas sector and has a strong track record in the energy and natural resources industry more broadly. It advises foreign and domestic players on corporate and financial transactions, as well as project development, regulatory issues and litigation. It also advises government entities on public tenders for energy and infrastructure projects. The department is jointly led by three partners: infrastructure, mining and environmental law specialist Fidel Rocha; Roberto Santivanez, who previously practised in New York and draws on 25 years of experience in transactional work; and Paul Sumar, who stands out for his experience in electrical and natural gas issues, concession projects and contractual matters. Key associate Luigi Rossini specialises in gas supply contracts, transport agreements, distribution agreements and transactions.

Peru > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Santiváñez Abogados provides advice almost exclusively to clients in the power generation sector, assisting clients such as Empresa Regional de Servicio Público de Electricidad de Norte and Sociedad Eléctrica del Sur Oeste. The practice is jointly headed by Roberto Santiváñez and Fidel Rocha, who are skilled in merger control procedures and regulatory work, respectively. Other work that the practice undertakes includes representing electricity clients in complaints before authorities, advising in antitrust investigations, and assisting in claims of unfair competition. Associate Percy Samaniego supports the team and is particularly experienced in merger control within the power sector.

Peru > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

The projects practice at Santiváñez Abogados has a particular specialism in the electricity and gas sectors, where it acts for a number of major companies. Roberto Santiváñez, Fidel Rocha and Paul Sumar jointly head the practice: Santiváñez brings expertise in bids for electricity infrastructure projects; Rocha regularly advises on compliance matters; and Sumar focuses on public procurement. Associates José La Torre, Abel Venero and Luigi Rossini are also key contacts in the department.

Peru > Public law and regulation Tier 3

Santiváñez Abogados is a well-known boutique firm that focuses on the energy sector; its public law practice advises both high-profile electricity companies and public entities, such as the state agency responsible for the promotion of public-private investment (Proinversión) and the Ministry Of Energy And Mines (MINEM) on regulatory matters pertaining to large infrastructure and energy projects. Roberto Santiváñez, Paul Sumar and Fidel Rocha jointly lead the team. Santivañez brings 25 years of experience in power supply and transmission contracts, gas supply contracts, project development, and financing; Sumar is another veteran practitioner experienced in public procurement and disputes; and Rocha is a key contact for regulatory, contractual and administrative matters.

Peru > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Santiváñez Abogados is well known for its focus on the energy and natural resources industry, and it advises some of the biggest players in the sector on their corporate matters, including M&A, joint ventures, regulatory issues and reorganisations. The practice is no stranger to cross-border transactions and has a particular specialism in the electricity sector, where it acts for high-profile clients. It also advises on ancillary transactional matters, such as antitrust issues. The team is led by Roberto Santiváñez and Guillermo Auler: Santiváñez is a key name for M&A, power supply and transmission contracts, and project development work, while Auler deals with reorganisations, M&A and real estate matters. Senior associate Guido Maeda is also active in the practice, and Oscar Eyzaguirre joined the firm as counsel in June 2022; he was previously an independent practitioner.

Peru > Dispute resolution: Arbitration Tier 4

The litigation and arbitration practice at Santiváñez Abogados specialises in the energy sector, with clients active in the power distribution, gas and electricity segments. Co-head Fidel Rocha is experienced in regulatory issues in the energy and infrastructure sectors, while associate and fellow practice head Emily Horna is particularly adept at handling controversies related to concession contracts. Other key practitioners include name partner Roberto Santivañez, experienced in transactional work for the energy sector, and Paul Sumar.