Barros Silva Varela & Vigil > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

Barros Silva Varela & Vigil > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The ‘very practical and efficient’ corporate and M&A team at Barros Silva Varela & Vigil has significant experience in cross-border transactions, including M&A in the telecoms, agro-industrial, services, mining, energy, pharmaceutical and real estate sectors. The practice also houses experts in corporate governance and family offices. The department’s key figures are Jorge Vigil, an adviser on M&A, restructuring and contract negotiations; Rodrigo de Alencar, ‘an expert in negotiating M&A’; litigation head Fernando Barros Vial, who also advises on corporate affairs and corporate structures; and natural resources specialist Francisco Varela. The practice further includes M&A and investment fund-focused director Sebastián Barros; and senior associate Josefina Castro, who advises on compliance, corporate law and M&A.

Chile > Environment Tier 3

Housing ‘several people with a good level of experience’, Barros Silva Varela & Vigil's environment team routinely handles environmental assessments, compliance with environmental regulations, and sanctioning proceedings before the Superintendency of the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency. The nine-strong group, which also assists with environmental crime-related prosecutions, showcases Claudia Ferreiro, an expert in project-related environmental impact assessments, defending clients before State agencies, concessions and environmental regulations; and former Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Environment, Felipe Riesco. In the firm’s senior associate ranks, José Ignacio Vial is an experienced litigator; and Esteban Carmona advises on environmental regulation, administrative procedures and permit applications.

Chile > Public law Tier 3

Displaying ‘exceptional mastery of government processes’, Barros Silva Varela & Vigil’s public and regulatory law practice provides strategic advice on the development of projects and business activities that require State authorisation. Its expertise further covers related litigation and relations with local communities. The team is co-led by former Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Environment, Felipe Riesco, whose practice encompasses administrative regulations, sanctioning procedures and litigation; and Claudia Ferreiro, who ‘excels in her legal knowledge’ and regularly defends clients before State agencies. In the senior associate group, José Ignacio Vial is an experienced litigator, while Esteban Carmona specialises in administrative proceedings and appeals.

Chile > Real estate Tier 3

‘One of the most versatile, flexible, dynamic and talented firms on the market’, Barros Silva Varela & Vigil's seven-member team handles the planning stages of real estate projects, as well as their financing, corporate issues and tax structuring. It also advises on construction and co-ownership contract negotiations, unit sales and construction liability issues. The practice additionally has notable expertise in urbanisation and environmental regulations. The team is led by José Joaquín Silva, who ‘has extensive knowledge in real estate matters’. At associate level, senior Marcela Horzella focuses on urban regulations and territorial planning, while the more junior Felipe Van Der Wyngard advises on real estate transactions; former senior Soledad Marín left the firm in mid 2024.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 4

The five-member natural resources and mining practice at Barros Silva Varela & Vigil is notably focused on companies involved in mineral exploration and prospecting. The department is routinely mandated to advise on the development of mining projects, from the initial stages of exploration, through to execution, financing and permit stages. The team is led by Francisco Varela, an adviser on mining companies’ M&A transactions and projects. 2023 saw mining, energy and natural resources practitioner Javier Poblete, a former Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos lawyer, join the firm as a senior associate in April, while former associate Fernanda Contreras left the firm in August.

Chile > Labour and employment Tier 4

The labour and employment department at Barros Silva Varela & Vigil has notable sector expertise in real estate, construction and food. Key areas for the six-strong group range from sexual harassment, collective bargaining and contentious executive departures, to damages actions and discrimination lawsuits. It also advises on pensions, social security, benefits and immigration law. The practice is led by Roberto Lewin, who is ‘highly specialised in labour matters’; while senior associate Paulina Rivera is experienced in complex labour and employment litigation, collective bargaining and senior executive dismissals.

Chile > Competition and antitrust