HD Legal > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile

HD Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chile > Capital markets Tier 2

Acting for mutual and public investment fund managers, stockbrokers, investment banks and corporate issuers, HD Legal‘s ‘great’ seven-member capital markets team routinely advises on private placements and public offerings of securities. Heading up the department, Sebastián Delpiano‘s track record includes advising recognised fund managers and brokers in Chile and abroad on capital markets procedures; the experience of corporate finance and fintech group leader, Matías Langevin, includes both debt and equity offerings; and Gonzalo Delaveau is a securitisation expert. Felipe Divin, recruited from a brokerage service company in early 2021 to head-up the firm’s corporate governance, financial regulation and IT practice, is also a key member of the team, as are counsels Carlos Frias and Nicolás Garcia, both cross-border transactional experts. Fund regulatory specialist Andrea Alarcón joined as senior associate from the former Bofill Mir Alvarez Jana in September 2021.

Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3

The experienced banking and finance department at HD Legal covers M&A-related finance, restructuring, and bankruptcy and liquidation matters, as well as advising creditors and debtors on international financing-related collateralised and non-collateralised loans. The practice group’s principal figures are project finance expert Matías Langevin; structured and asset-backed finance specialist Sebastián Delpiano; and Antonia Vial, a real estate project financing associate. The group can also draw on the experience and expertise of name partners José Luis Honorato and Gonzalo Delaveau, both of whom were formerly in house in the sector (at JP Morgan Chase and Chase Manhattan Bank, respectively). Recent growth includes the early 2021 recruitment of Felipe Divin (as partner) from a brokerage service company to head up the firm’s corporate governance, financial regulation and IT team. Since research concluded, the firm has also hired Ignacio Araya Paredes (as of September 2022); he arrives as a senior associate focusing on fintech (and corporate) matters from Banco Central de Chile.

Chile > Compliance Tier 3

HD Legal fields specialists in the detection, treatment, and mitigation of risks. It is particularly experienced in relation to corruption, financial crime, unlawful competition, tax crimes and consumer violations. Other areas of strength range from data protection and information security to labour-related violations and environmental matters. Elevated to the partnership in December 2021, Carlos Frías is a former GC and compliance manager for Moneda Asset Management; his practice encompasses complex litigation, economic crimes, anti-corruption, money laundering, fraud, enforcement proceedings before administrative or supervisory agencies, conflict resolution, internal crisis management, and the design, implementation, correction, and improvement of compliance programs. José Luis Honorato provides additional partner-level support, while at director level, Rebeca Zamora is experienced in advising legal entities on the design and implementation of compliance programmes.

Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

HD Legal‘s corporate and M&A team advises a wide range of Chilean and foreign clients, particularly from the energy, fintech, real estate and construction sectors. It also assists with stock market and investment funds-related matters. Appreciated for his ‘mastery of business, negotiation skills, experience and accessibility‘, practice head Gonzalo Delaveau is experienced in general corporate advisory and M&A transactions; while fellow lead partner Matias Langevin has extensive expertise in financial and corporate matters. At senior associate level: Paulina Castro specialises in M&A, corporate and technology-related issues; and Andrea Alarcón -a September 2021 hire from the former Bofill Mir & Alvarez Jana- handles corporate and transactional matters as well as banking, finance and capital markets. Since research concluded, the firm has also hired Ignacio Araya Paredes (effective September 2022); he arrives as a senior associate focusing on corporate (and fintech) matters from Banco Central de Chile.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon Tier 3

The considerable experience of HD Legal‘s energy group covers investments, project developments, and the financing and acquisition of transmission and distribution projects, as well as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and fossil fuel power plants. Practice head Gonzalo Delaveau has a highly active energy, water, and natural resources practice, while engineering and construction group head Juan Ignacio Peña is a specialist in the development of generation (including hydro, solar and wind) and transmission projects. Also key to the team, Matias Langevin (a former Morales & Besa partner) advises on the project finance aspects of energy and natural resources matters. Since research concluded, the firm has hired Mauricio Riesco (effective as of September 2022); formerly the senior legal counsel at Antofagsta Minerals, he arrives as director of the mining, energy and natural resources team, and notably consolidating the firm’s engagement with the mining sector.

Chile > Real estate Tier 3

HD Legal‘s real estate practice routinely assists with the development, financing and construction of residential, industrial and commercial projects, as well as office buildings. Group head Juan Ignacio Peña focuses on real estate, engineering, construction and project finance work. At associate level, senior Juan Andrés Larrondo advises on the tax side to real estate and construction matters, while Antonia Vial assists with due diligence, security agreements and regulatory permitting. Recent growth includes the 2021 recruitment of senior associates Andrea Alarcón (project finance) and Andrea Maldonado (real estate, engineering, and construction law) from the former Bofill Mir & Álvarez Jana and Parraguez & Marín, respectively.

Chile > Venture capital Tier 4

The venture capital practice at HD Legal advises entrepreneurs, project managers and investors on the financing structures best suited to their projects, accompanying them through the various stages of project development, seed capital, early and growth stages. It is led by well-known practitioner Sebastián Delpiano, a member of the legal committees of both the Asociación de Empresas Fintech de Chile and the Chilean Investment Fund Management Association. Key support is provided by Matías Langevin - particularly as regards venture capital M&A; and associate Ignacio Ruiz-Tagle, an October 2021 hire who was formerly an advisor to the Comité Acreditación Mercado de Valores (CAMV). Recent matters include advising a local asset manager on its first venture capital investment.