DLA Piper Chile > Santiago, Chile > Firm Profile
DLA Piper Chile Offices

El Golf 150
10th Floor
Las Condes
Chile
DLA Piper Chile > The Legal 500 Rankings
Chile > Venture capital Tier 1
The 11-member practice at DLA Piper Chile has longstanding experience in providing VC legal services. Representative work includes assisting entrepreneurs with the corporate restructuring required for financing rounds and exits; the internationalisation of business structures - including the allocation of IP assets; use of instruments such as convertible notes; and applying for state-driven funding opportunities. The practice, which also stands out for its enviable portfolio of technology company clients, is led by recognised VC and entrepreneurship expert Matías ZegersPractice head(s):
Matías Zegers
Testimonials
‘Strengths – professionalism, VC knowledge, agility and willingness.‘
‘Excellent service – proactive and efficient. These lawyers know a great deal about venture capital.‘
‘Matías Zegers inspires a lot of confidence.‘
‘Matías Zegers knows a lot about venture capital and has great judgement when handling complex negotiations.’
‘Associate Pilar Ay is very efficient and responsible.‘
‘Pilar Ay is brilliant!‘
Key clients
Cornershop
Uber
Beetrack
Fracttal
Colektia
Talana
Agenda Pro
Fen Ventures
Vulcano
Wareclouds
Finvox
RedCapital
The Live Green Co
Zyght
Cotalker
Work highlights
- Advised Uber and Cornershop (as joint counsel) on the agreement to acquire full ownership of Cornershop by Uber.
- Advised Beetrack, a Chilean start-up that has developed SaaS (software as a service) for fleet management and parcel tracking for shipping and delivery companies, on its sale to DispatchTrack and DispatchTrack Intermediate.
- Assisted The Live Green Co with its Series A financing.
Chile > Compliance Tier 2
DLA Piper Chile's compliance practice has enviable experience in the forestry, mining, retail, energy, publishing and heavy machinery sectors. The scope of the team’s expertise includes regulatory compliance assessments, the implementation of risk-matrix compliance control mechanisms; designing Law 20,393-related compliance programs; criminal liability prevention models; compliance certification processes; and corporate compliance-related internal investigations. The practice is co-headed by corporate and capital markets specialist Diego Noguera, who routinely identifies potential conflicts of interest between private entities and public agencies; and Mauricio Halpern, whose recent experience includes assisting Finning Chile with a corporate criminal liability compliance programme. At associate level, in addition to her dispute resolution practice, Andrea de la Vega advises companies on criminal liability-related regulatory compliance matters.Practice head(s):
Diego Noguera; Mauricio Halpern
Key clients
Constructora Excon
Acepta.com
American Tower Corporation
Finning Chile
Energía Llaima
Mccann Worldgroup Chile
Work highlights
- Advised Constructora Excon regarding Law No. 20,393, which establishes the criminal liability of legal entities.
- Advised Finning Chile on the regulatory compliance aspects of environmental and health and safety matters.
- Advised American Tower Corporation reagarding Law No 20,393.
Energy and natural resources > Electricity and hydrocarbon
DLA Piper Chile's eight-member team is particularly experienced in power plant developments, as well as sectors such as energy transmission and distribution. Its specialisms cover decentralisation, battery storage, mini-grids, energy efficiency regulations, and energy-related digitisation regulation. Leading the group, Felipe Bahamondez is an energy, natural gas and LNG project specialist; while the ‘very capable' Diego Peña, promoted to partner in January 2022, is experienced in energy project development. Key senior associate Paulina Farías assists with energy, natural resources and regulatory matters.Practice head(s):
Felipe Bahamondez
Testimonials
‘DLA Piper Chile provides us with global intelligence on our business with legal materials and alerts, adding a lot of value to our business.‘
‘Energy and natural resources (electricity and hydrocarbon) is a highly regulated market that requires specialist advisers to ensure that projects can be carried out. These legal advisers are constantly up to date on all modifications made in this area and provide prompt responses.‘
‘The law firm has adapted very well to the new times, especially taking technology into consideration. Covid-19 has not been a pretext to decrease the quality and delivery time of the work.‘
‘Balance between experience and youth, specialists, excellent availability, clear answers, good legal advice, and commitment to the company and its protection.‘
‘Ability to understand problems and seek appropriate solutions.‘
‘Commercial and strategic support beyond pure legal advice, favouring fluidity during the negotiation of contracts in favour of the client.‘
‘We worked with Diego Peña, who, thanks to his knowledge of the electricity market, manages to recognise opportunities for the use of artificial intelligence and big data.‘
‘Diego Peña is very capable and has the ability to understand problems, seeking solutions that make the business viable without neglecting the responsibilities of the client.‘
Key clients
CarbonFree Technology
Constructora Excon
Agrofruta
Work highlights
- Advised CarbonFree Technology on new regulations issued by the Electric Authority for the stabilised price regime, as well as the transition to a new price regime (among others).
- Provides ongoing advice to Constructora Excon on energy efficiency regulation.
- Advised Agrofruta on the process of migrating from the regulated customer regime, including negotiating the terms and conditions of the PPA with an energy generator.
Chile > Banking and finance Tier 3
The Santiago office of DLA Piper Chile is highly experienced in advising banks, financial institutions and syndicated club banks on structured finance and multilateral transactions. The practice group also extends to project finance and associated matters (particularly in the solar energy segment), while on the banking side, the team is also active in regulatory work. It additionally stands out for its advice to entrepreneurs during financial closings. Leading the banking and finance practice, Mauricio Halpern has extensive experience in acting as counsel for banks, borrowers and sponsors, while Matías ZegersPractice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The firm’s banking and financing operation is very good and with a pro-business approach.‘
‘Associate Natalia Cox is very talented and completely available to discuss all relevant topics. She has good content management and is on top of everything, which makes her a lawyer with a very active approach.‘
‘Natalia Cox has great communication with the client and her experience makes her very autonomous.‘
Key clients
Oaktree Capital Management
Axesat Chile
CarbonFree Technology
Work highlights
- Advised Oaktree Capital Management on the granting of an up-to $750m financing to LATAM Airlines Group and other group entities.
- Advised Axesat Chile as guarantor of a credit agreement.
- Advised CarbonFree Technology, as borrower, on the financing granted by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas for the acquisition and/or development and maintenance of several solar energy projects.
Chile > Capital markets Tier 3
Fielding seven practitioners, DLA Piper Chile's ‘highly thorough' capital markets practice handles IPOs, private and public placements, securities issuances and capital increases. Other areas of strength range from mergers and divisions, to publicly-held companies’ share exchanges, stock options, American depositary receipts, stock options, and bond issuances and credit line registrations. Senior partner Diego Noguera is a recognised and long-standing corporate, capital markets and securities specialist; he co-leads the department with Jorge Timmerman, who was made partner in January 2021 and who is experienced in securities issuances and the registration of funds before the Financial Markets Commission. The ‘very active' Matías ZegersPractice head(s):
Testimonials
‘This firm brings together lawyers who are very well versed in all the legal and economic aspects of the capital markets – they also have in-depth knowledge of the way companies work locally and their needs. Other advantages are the timeliness and quick and comprehensive solutions.‘
‘The lawyers of this firm are characterised by a deep knowledge of the matters on which they work, as well as their flexibility and timeliness – highly thorough in their work and delivery of high-quality products.‘
‘The team at DLA knows current capital market practices very well.‘
‘Proactive and the response times are world class.‘
‘The firm has the virtue of incorporating young talent from its teams and developing them properly, but without neglecting the main contact with the senior partner. Regarding innovations, it makes good use of social networks to communicate valuable information; and regarding billing, it is flexible and open to achieving fixed-fee modes, which shows that the long-term relationship with the client is important to the firm.‘
‘Matías Zegers is a professional who is very active and responds quickly. He always give us various proposals to resolve our issues.‘
‘Matias Zegers has high levels of professionalism, and very quickly responds to our concerns, always giving us various solutions to the issues we raise.‘
Key clients
Gasco Inversiones
Devlabs
Administradora Fen Ventures II
Fondo de Inversión Privado Vulcano – Administradora Dadneo II
Work highlights
- Assisted Gasco Inversiones with its registration as an issuer at the Security Registry of the Financial Market Commission.
- Ongoing assistance to Devlabs with the administration and operation of Administradora Devlabs Ventures and its private equity fund, FIP Chile Outlier Seed Fund I; approximate value: $6.6m.
- Advised Administradora Fen Ventures II on the legal aspects of the administration and operation of FIP Fen Ventures II.
Chile > Corporate and M&A Tier 3
DLA Piper Chile‘s 19-strong corporate and M&A practice has significant experience in assisting international clients with their activities in Chile and abroad, routinely handling aspects including due diligence, corporate governance and post-closure follow-up, as well as venture capital investments. Department head and venture capital specialist Matías ZegersPractice head(s):
Matias Zegers
Testimonials
‘Marco Salgado has an extraordinary vision of where trends are going and he is able to anticipate them, thereby generating value for his clients.‘
‘Marco Salgado has the ability to put himself in a client’s shoes and co-build solutions.‘
Key clients
Cornershop
Uber
American Tower Corporation
CarbonFree Chile
Talana
Beetrack
Inversiones Santa María
Soluciones en Minería y Energía
Finvox
Colegium
Parque Arauco
Asociación Gremial de Generadoras de Chile
Infosys
L’Oréal
Work highlights
- Acted as co-counsel to both Uber and Cornershop on the Chilean aspects of its $3bn agreement to gain full ownership of Cornershop by means of the acquisition of the remaining 47% not owned by Uber.
- Advised American Tower International (ATI) on the Chilean aspects of its €9.4bn acquisition of Telxius Towers’ Latam Division, through the execution of a share purchase agreement between ATI and Telxius Telecom.
- Advised Chilean start-up Beetrack on its sale to DispatchTrack and DispatchTrack Intermediate.
Chile > Data privacy Tier 3
The four-strong practice at DLA Piper Chile fuses its data protection specialism with the firm’s expertise in regulatory, technology, corporate, venture capital and consumer protection work. The practice covers the drafting and review of terms and conditions that include data protection clauses, along with privacy policies and data privacy agreements. It also assists with designing business models that comply with data protection regulations. Leading the regulatory and regulated markets practice group, Felipe Bahamondez‘s practice covers the technology and telecoms sectors, and data protection work. The associate to note, Lisa Hondl -who is qualified in Germany- routinely assists with preparing clients for compliance with GDPR requirements.Practice head(s):
Felipe Bahamondez
Testimonials
‘Extensive knowledge not only of local laws, but also regional and European ones.‘
‘Versatility in the lawyers’ communications and good interaction with expert practitioners from other countries (but within the same firm) facilitates multi-country analyses, even if centralised through a single-contact person.‘
‘A team with solid technical management of its matters.‘
‘Associate Lisa Hondl is recommended for her knowledge, sense of urgency, versatility, agility, availability and good communication skills.‘
‘Lisa Hondl is a specialist who commits to personalised attention.‘
Key clients
Kimche
Almacén Gurú
Work highlights
- Assisted Kimche with the review and adoption of the general terms and conditions and privacy policy for its app, so as to reflect new developments and lines of business, as well as ensure compliance with the applicable data protection laws.
- Assists Almacén Gurú with regular reviews and updating of the general terms and conditions and privacy policy for its app, so as to ensure compliance with the applicable data protection laws.
Chile > Labour and employment Tier 3
The five-member group at DLA Piper Chile acts on a broad scope of labour law issues, ranging from collective bargaining, employment litigation and compensation schemes, to high-level executive terminations, internal investigations, due diligence, labour compliance, corporate immigration, the tax aspects of remuneration, and Covid-19-related employment issues. The ‘best partner an in-house attorney can have‘, group head Luis Parada is a labour and employment and corporate immigration expert. At associate level, Diego González (who joined in early 2021 from Morales & Besa), and Iñaki Irisarri and Ignacio Abogabir, all have broad labour and employment law experience. Former counsel Juan Pablo Mesías moved to NLD Abogados in 2021. Since research concluded, Gabriela Andrade has left the firm.Practice head(s):
Luis Parada
Testimonials
‘Speed and deep knowledge put at the client’s service in a very transparent and easy-to-incorporate way.‘
‘Luis Parada and associate Diego González form a great team. What makes them unique is their understanding of our company’s business model and based on that, their design of a special strategy for each litigation or conflict.‘
‘Luis Parada has vast knowledge of labour law, and reads the interests of our counterparts very well during negotiations.‘
‘Diego González has a very close relationship with us. He always shows willingness to help with day-to-day requirements, and has solid knowledge of labour law and good negotiation techniques, which have achieved favourable agreements for us.‘
‘Luis Parada is the best partner an in-house attorney can have. He quickly integrates the culture of a company with the legal regulations, giving informed and considered advice.‘
Key clients
Uber
Lactalis
Econorent
Excon
Evernote
Air Liquide
Get Justo
Rijk Zwaan
Work highlights
- Acted for Constructora Excon in a mandatory PCR practice case.
- Acted for Transportes Codigua in a claim for alleged unfair dismissal and collection of an employment-related payment, which was filed by a former employee.
- Defended Econorent against an alleged claim of discrimination on health grounds, which was filed by a former manager.
Chile > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3
Routinely acting for infrastructure and energy companies, financial institutions, institutional investors, sponsors and contractors, DLA Piper Chile‘s ‘specialist advisers' act across a range of domestic and cross-border projects and infrastructure matters. The eight-member group has particular experience in the development of power plants and energy projects, but is also active in energy transmission and distribution, infrastructure and real estate matters. The practice is co-led by project development, energy and natural resources specialist, Felipe Bahamondez, and real estate and taxation expert Rodrigo Álvarez. Strengthening the firm’s practice further, energy project expert Diego Peña was made partner in January 2022, while at senior associate level, Paulina Farías is active in energy, natural resources and regulatory matters.Practice head(s):
Felipe Bahamondez; Rodrigo Alvarez
Testimonials
‘Specialist advisers who ensure that projects are completed, with lawyers who are constantly up to date on all developments in this area and provide prompt responses.‘
‘The law firm has adapted very well to recent times, especially in relation to technology. COVID was not used as a pretext to decrease the quality and delivery times of the work.‘
‘Good balance between experience and youth – specialists with excellent availability, clear answers, good legal advice, and commitment to clients and their protection.‘
‘Commercial and strategic support beyond pure legal advice, favouring fluidity when negotiating contracts in favour of the client.‘
‘Highly qualified group with a level of response according to the needs of the client. For our project we had to coordinate the advice of the DLA Chile office with our lawyers in New York and the communication was very fluid.‘
‘They had incredible flexibility when coordinating calls or meetings with clients in different jurisdictions at the same time. Finally, I would highlight the team’s understanding of cutting-edge products in the M&A world.‘
‘Ease of communication, availability and a very good level of English facilitated negotiations with our foreign clients and other affiliates.‘
‘Diego Peña was very professional at all times and provided us with very personalised advice according to the complexity of the transaction.‘
Key clients
CarbonFree Technology
SUSI Partners
Work highlights
- Assisted CarbonFree Technology with the development of photovoltaic power plants.
- Advised SUSI Partners on the execution of a framework agreement with Biwo Renovables for the purchase, development, construction, operation and maintenance of a portfolio of power plants.
Chile > Public law Tier 3
‘Capable of proposing solid solutions', DLA Piper Chile's public law practice provides assistance with the obtaining of operational authorisations; administrative procedures before various authorities and agencies; regulatory reports; and public entities’ bidding processes. Additional key areas include food product labelling, consumer claims and public law litigation. The team is led by regulated markets and administrative law specialist, Felipe Bahamondez; while senior associate and regulatory expert Paulina Farías is ‘a lawyer who has great knowledge of various regulations', and whose recent track record includes assisting several companies with allocations of services, and telecoms and electricity sector-related bids.Practice head(s):
Felipe Bahamondez
Testimonials
‘DLA Piper Chile’s public law team stands out for responding quickly and concisely to very specific industry requirements.‘
‘Capable of proposing solid solutions and answers to complex and novel problems.‘
‘Practicality, speed of responses and excellent quality.‘
‘Senior associate Paulina Farías is a lawyer who has great knowledge of various regulations, which allows her to draw interesting conclusions when facing problems that are not easy to resolve.‘
Key clients
Oil-Dri Corporation of America
Advanced Sterilization Products
Work highlights
- Assisting Oil-Dri Corporation of America with several filings for the registration of products before the Agricultural and Livestock Service.
- Advised Advanced Sterilization Products on the execution of several contracts with public entities for the provision of supplies for public health facilities.
Chile > Real estate Tier 3
In addition to advising on major real estate project developments, DLA Piper Chile's four-member team assists with construction contracts and urban planning. The group is particularly active in relation to the financing of projects for housing, hospitality and photovoltaic plants. The real estate and construction practice group is co-led by Rodrigo Álvarez, who has longstanding real estate expertise; and recently promoted counsel Bernardita Doren, whose experience includes residential, industrial and agricultural developments. In July 2021, former counsel Teresa Fernández moved in-house role at Inversiones Torca.Practice head(s):
Rodrigo Álvarez; Bernardita Doren
Testimonials
‘A very good understanding of the real estate business, which allows the team to perceive legal issues in a dynamic way that favours our business.‘
‘Rodrigo Álvarez and counsel Bernardita Doren get me good results. They have a great affinity with the business itself (beyond the legal), which means they feel like one of the team.‘
Key clients
CarbonFree Technology
Work highlights
- Advised CarbonFree Technology on the correct development of photovoltaic power plants, including assisting with the constitution of easements, access permits and lease contracts.
Chile > Tax Tier 3
‘Creative in finding alternative solutions‘, DLA Piper Chile consistently advises on day-to-day tax matters, as well as the tax aspects to M&A and project finance deals. It also represents clients before the Chilean Tax Authority in audit procedures and administrative claims, along with acting before specialised tax and customs courts. The practice is jointly led by all-round tax expert Rodrigo Álvarez; and tax specialist Amory Heine (a November 2021 hire from Rojas & Cía), who has ‘great experience and local knowledge that mixes well with the firm’s global capabilities‘. Since research concluded, German Vargas has left the firm.
Practice head(s):
Rodrigo Álvarez; Amory Heine
Testimonials
‘Creative in finding alternative solutions, and it is a plus to find lawyers who explain in a professional and simple way, even the most complex issues.‘
‘Great expertise, soft skills and experience in the field.‘
‘The last few years have been very changeable and the ability to adapt to that is key. I think this firm has achieved it with availability, technology and a lot of flexibility in adapting to the environment and client needs.‘
‘The pluses seem to me to be high levels of preparation and professionalism, availability and a team that can deliver a comprehensive service.‘
‘The tax area team has benefited from the incorporation of new partner Amory Heine. This will undoubtedly be a great contribution in relation to the training of younger lawyers in the firm.‘
‘Amory Heine is very assertive and clear in her advice and recommendations. She is empathic when facing problems and seeks to solve them as soon as possible.‘
‘Amory Heine has great experience and local knowledge that mixes well with the firm’s global capabilities. Other partners here also have longstanding experience and great willingness, and clients have access to support from a firm that is global, but that has very similar response times to local firms.‘
‘We started the relationship because of Amory Heine’s great tax experience, as well as the ability to integrate other partners from areas such as venture capital.‘
Key clients
Colektia Chile
Cornershop
Fracttal
Cotalker
Work highlights
- Advised Cornershop on the tax aspects arising from the transfer of its remaining ownership (47%) to Uber.
- Advised Colektia on the tax side to a restructuring procedure, so as to expand operations to foreign markets and obtain funds from foreign investors.
- Advised Fracttal on tax matters concerning a restructuring procedure, so as to expand operations to foreign markets and obtain funds from foreign investors.
Chile > Competition and antitrust Tier 4
DLA Piper Chile's 'highly technical' competition practice has significant experience in merger control work, with clients particularly benefiting from the group’s leveraging of the Santiago office’s corporate and M&A credentials. The team also routinely acts in cartels, and abuse-of-dominance and unilateral-conduct investigations. The practice is jointly led by experienced partner Felipe Bahamondez, whose regulatory expertise covers antitrust law, and whose recent caseload includes representing Uber in an antitrust case brought by taxi drivers; and counsel Sofia O’Ryan (‘a young professional with a bright future'), who is highly focused on competition law.Practice head(s):
Felipe Bahamondez; Sofía O´Ryan
Testimonials
‘A young and highly technical team that is well prepared and provides personalised advice.‘
‘Excellent office with excellent professionals who identify the needs of clients – and most importantly resolve them.‘
‘Personal, unconditional attention and professionalism at its best.‘
‘The DLA Piper Chile competition team stands out for being highly committed to its clients. They are concerned with fully understanding our business in order to generate strategies that are consistent with its particularities.‘
‘The team adapts to our ways of working, allowing us to collaborate in a very fluid way.‘
‘Counsel Sofía O’Ryan stands out as a young professional with a bright future.‘
‘Sofía O’Ryan is a lawyer who has solid knowledge not only of competition matters. but also of how antitrust law institutions in Chile function, which allows her to provide fundamental strategic advice. In addition, Sofía is constantly up to date on the latest developments at an international level, which helps us to project possible future scenarios. She also gives us practical advice that we can easily implement.‘
Key clients
Uber Technologies
American Tower Corporation
Work highlights
- Defended Uber against a lawsuit filed by two different groups of taxi drivers, which alleged violations of the Chilean Competition Act.
- Assisted American Tower Corporation with antitrust matters during the due diligence and merger control assessment for the purchase of 30,722 telecoms towers.
Chile > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 6
DLA Piper Chile fields a five-strong team that is experienced in high-profile cases before both the judicial courts and arbitral tribunals; its disputes coverage includes commercial and civil matters, and defending constitutional and regulated rights. The firm also houses sector specialisms in technology, food and transportation. Former counsel and practice head Macarena Iturra left to establish her own firm in January 2022, leaving banking and finance partner Mauricio Halpern as interim head; with key support provided by criminal trial counsel Ignacio Schwerter, and associates Vesna Torrens and Andrea de la Vega, who both act in dispute resolution and civil litigation.Practice head(s):
Mauricio Halpern
Key clients
Needish (Groupon)
Antraco Chemie-Handelsges
Constructora Excon
Antarctic Sea Fisheries
AyV Ingeniería
MBI Inversiones
Work highlights
- Successfully represented Groupon in a trial against The National Consumer Services (SERNAC), in connection with alleged abusive clauses on its website.
- Represented Constructora Excon before the Courts of Appeals of Antofagasta, which involved an employee who claimed forced Covid-19 vaccination by the company, thereby affecting his constitutional right to life, physical and psychological integrity, and freedom of conscience.
- Acted for Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Cerro Colorado in its lawsuit against Royal for breaching a lease-purchase option contract.
Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy
DLA Piper LLP (US) has a large team of projects and energy specialists based in a large number of its US and Latin America offices. The group operates in multiple market-segments from conventional power and renewables, to gas pipelines and PPP projects. Much of the practice centres on project sponsors and developers. Bringing together teams from Miami, San Juan (Puerto Rico), New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, Northern Virginia, Austin and San Diego, the firm continued to advise LUMA Energy, as winning bidder on the $1.6bn PPP transaction to operate and maintain the transmission and distribution assets of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). The firm’s Santiago office has also landed a series of important engagements, as have the Mexico City and Buenos Aires offices. New York partner Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja is especially active in Latin America project finance, Felipe Bahamondez and newly promoted partner Diego Peña impress in Santiago, and Edgar Romo is a senior figure in Mexico City. San Diego and New York-based Raul Farias has an extensive record in energy transactions. Dino Barajas left for Baker Botts L.L.P. in January 2022.Practice head(s):
Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja; Sergio Barboza
Testimonials
‘Projects and energy is a highly-regulated market that requires specialist advisors to ensure that projects can be carried out. Legal advisors must be constantly updated on all modifications made in this area and provide prompt responses. These are factors which should be considered by potential clients.‘
‘The law firm has adapted very well to the new times, especially taking technology into consideration. Covid-19 has not been a pretext to decrease the quality and delivery time of the work.’
‘Balance between experience and youth, specialists, excellent availability, clear answers, good legal advice, commitment to the company and its protection.‘
‘Commercial and strategic advice beyond the pure legal field favouring fluidity in the negotiation of contracts in favour of the client.‘
Key clients
Luma Energy (a joint venture of Quanta Services and ATCO)
CarbonFree Technology
Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority
SUSI Partners
Blue Elephant Energy
Onergy
Work highlights
- Advised Luma Energy, as winning bidder on the $1.6bn PPP transaction to operate and maintain the transmission and distribution assets of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA).
- Advised Swiss energy transition fund, SUSI Partners, on the execution of an agreement with Biwo Renovables for the purchase, development, construction, operation and maintenance of a 244MW portfolio of power plants, including PV solar and wind power plants in Chile.
- Advised the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority on the long-term concession of the San Juan Bay cruise ship terminals.
DLA Piper Chile > Firm Profile
DLA Piper Latin America’s Team offers full-service business legal counsel to domestic and multinational companies with interests in and operations throughout the region. Our integrated approach to serving clients combines local knowledge with the resources of the DLA Piper global platform. With over 400 lawyers practicing throughout Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, our teams frequently work with our professionals throughout the LatAm region, Iberian Peninsula, and around the globe to ensure our clients receive the depth of service they require to meet their legal and business objectives.
Our office in Chile, is a full-service business law firm with more than 50 lawyers, many trained both locally and abroad.
With extensive knowledge and experience across a range of sectors, we advise on matters related to corporate and M&A; financing; inbound and outbound capital investments; capital markets; investment funds; corporate governance; private equity and venture capital; natural resources and energy, mining, oil and gas; environmental; regulated markets; telecommunications; concessions; public procurement, regulatory and administrative law; privacy and data protection; antitrust; litigation; white collar; compliance and internal investigations; labor, employment and immigration; tax; and real estate, among other areas of law.
DLA Piper in Chile represents the firm’s pan-hemispheric approach and is a fully integrated part of its global platform.
Main areas of practice: Our team of highly experienced lawyers handles the most sophisticated corporate transactions. The work of our strong M&A team spans a range of industries, and we also bring notable experience in venture capital and corporate governance as well as knowledge of Chile’s investment environment.
Corporate: Our team of highly experienced lawyers handles the most sophisticated corporate transactions. The work of our strong M&A team spans a range of industries, and we also bring notable experience in venture capital and corporate governance as well as knowledge of Chile’s investment environment.
Services
- Corporate law
- Financing and credit
- Investment funds
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate governance
- Foreign investment
- Capital markets
- Private equity
- Venture capital
Energy and natural resources: In an ever-changing market for energy /oil and gas, we leverage our local knowledge of the Chilean marketplace with the vast experience of DLA Piper’s global energy sector. We are acutely familiar with projects and infrastructure opportunities in Chile, as well as the challenges of working with clients that have interests and operations here. In the increasingly active renewables market, DLA Piper Chile lawyers have taken part in some of the most significant deals in Chile.
Services
- Conventional energy
- Renewable energy
- Natural gas and LNG
- Mining
- Environment
Regulated markets: Successful business deals cannot be concluded without careful regulatory compliance – both Chilean and international. DLA Piper Chile provides comprehensive legal advice on regulatory requirements and developments and practical solutions to help our clients achieve their strategic objectives.
We have lawyers with broad experience in representing our clients before local, municipal and national authorities and agencies throughout Chile, as well as in various administrative procedures, in bidding processes convened by
different public entities and in the defence of their interests before ordinary and special courts, such as the Public Procurement Court.
Our clients hail from many of the regulated industry sectors, including telecom, energy, food and beverage, technology, healthcare and life sciences.
Services
- Telecommunications
- Public concessions
- PPPs
- Regulated markets
- Administrative public law
- Public contracting
- Data protection and information privacy
Antitrust: This area includes all areas of legislation on antitrust, including litigation before the Tribunal for the Defense of Free Competition (Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia), defense in investigations, advice on negotiation agreements with the National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía Nacional Económica) and notification of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, among others.
Services
- Matters related to concentration operations
- Advice on investigations before the National Economic Prosecutor (Fiscalía Nacional Económica)
- Litigations before the Antitrust Court (Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia) and Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
- Design and implementation of compliance programs
Resolution of Controversies: We represent and defend the interests of our clients in litigious matters before courts, Chilean and international arbitrations, as well as before special courts.
Services
- Civil and commercial trials
- Arbitration / alternative
- Dispute resolution
- Mechanisms
- Consumer law
- Trademark and patent trials
White-collar: We assist clients manage a crisis, provide guidance through an investigation (whether national or international) and provide advise on becoming fully compliant with specific regulations wherever in the world you operate.
Services
- Advising in highly complex criminal litigation
- Compliance and internal investigations
Labor and immigration: We closely support our clients in all legal aspects of personnel management, and provide specialized advice on highly complex matters.
Services
- Comprehensive corporate advisory on labor and social security
- Assistance in business reorganizations
- Collective negotiations
- Expatriation and immigration of workers
- Executive compensation plans
- Litigation
- Labor taxation
- Due diligence and audits
Tax: We provide tax advisory and reorganization services both at a corporate and individual level, designing and implementing strategies to address the development of investment projects and the daily activities of companies and individuals. In addition, we advise on the resolution of controversies that may arise with the Chilean supervising body and before the Tributary Courts.
Services
- Tax consultancy
- Tax reorganization
- Double Taxation Agreements
- Cross-border Agreements and Transfer Pricing
- Tax litigation
Infrastructure, real estate and construction: We advise our clients in the development of real estate projects from their initial phase to their final sale, including the tax planning and implementation phase for its development, such as those areas of legal nature related to title studies, urban planning and construction and commercialization of projects.
Services
- Infrastructure projects
- Real estate advice
- Real estate projects
- Construction contracts (standard, EPC, BOT, etc)
- Urbanism
Industries: Our firm has great understanding regarding a varied number of industries, either due to transactional work or specific analysis carried out in them.
Services
- Agricultural
- Energy
- Financial sectors
- Hospitality
- Insurance
- Science
- Sports and entertainment
- Energy / sanitary / goods for public use
- Real estate and construction
- Mining
- Retail
- Health / laboratories
- Technology / bio technology
- Telecommunications and media
- Transport
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Compliance and Investigations | Diego Noguera | dnoguera@dlapiper.cl | |
Capital Markets | Jorge Timmermann | jtimmermann@dlapiper.cl | |
Capital Markets | Diego Noguera | dnoguera@dlapiper.cl | |
Compliance and Investigations | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
Family Groups | Diego Noguera | dnoguera@dlapiper.cl | |
Projects and Infrastructure | Diego Peña | dpena@dlapiper.cl | |
Banking and Finance | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
Litigation | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
M&A | Marco Salgado | msalgado@dlapiper.cl | |
Franchise and Distribution Matters | Marco Salgado | msalgado@dlapiper.cl | |
Inbound and Outbound Capital Investments | Matías Zegers | mzegers@dlapiper.cl | |
M&A | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
Insurance | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
Labor and Employment | Luis Parada | lparada@dlapiper.cl | |
Litigation | Mauricio Halpern | mhalpern@dlapiper.cl | |
M&A | Matías Zegers | mzegers@dlapiper.cl | |
M&A | Diego Noguera | dnoguera@dlapiper.cl | |
Private Equity and Debt Financing | Matías Zegers | mzegers@dlapiper.cl | |
Venture Capital and Fund Formation | Matías Zegers | mzegers@dlapiper.cl | |
Corporate Governance and Compliance | Matías Zegers | mzegers@dlapiper.cl | |
Regulated Markets | Felipe Bahamondez | fbahamondez@dlapiper.cl | |
Energy and Natural Resources | Felipe Bahamondez | fbahamondez@dlapiper.cl | |
Tax Structuring, Transfer Pricing, Imports and Market Access issues | Rodrigo Álvarez | ralvarez@dlapiper.cl | |
Technology, Telecommunications and Intellectual Property, Privacy and Data Security, E-commerce | Marco Salgado | msalgado@dlapiper.cl | |
Real Estate and Hospitality | Rodrigo Álvarez | ralvarez@dlapiper.cl | |
Real Estate and Hospitality | Bernardita Doren | bdoren@dlapiper.cl | |
Tax Structuring, Transfer Pricing, Imports | Amory Heine | amory.heine@dlapiper.cl | |
Energy and Natural Resources | Diego Peña | dpena@dlapiper.cl |
Lawyer Profiles
Staff Figures
Lawyers : 50 Administration : 18Languages
Spanish EnglishOther
Partners : 10Interviews
Matías Zegers, Managing Partner (Chile office)
What do you see as the main points that differentiate DLA Piper Chile from your competitors?
One of our main differences is that we are part of a global firm since 2017. In essence, this puts us in a position that allows us to assist Chilean companies in their legal needs, not only locally, but in practically all those jurisdictions in which they want to do business, keeping our office as the only counterpart for these purposes. We offer our client to be a one-stop shop in more than 40 jurisdictions allowing us to offer services and fees tailored to each client while still providing continuity in our services, which are always client oriented.
Another difference is that we are very committed to our clients, providing them legal advice, but also understanding the sectors in which they operate. As a matter of fact, our groups are organized by practice areas and sectors, as we believe that knowing our clients’ business makes the difference in the correct understanding of their needs and allows us to add value to their business decisions and activities. In addition, for each client, we create a customized working team composed of lawyers who understand clients´ commercial needs in both national and international spheres.
Finally, we believe we are an innovative firm, doing a permanent effort in analyzing “what” we do and “how” we do it. For example, we were pioneers establishing the first practice group in Chile specialized in Venture Capital, Corporate Governance or renewable energy legal services, and also in using tools like Aiscension, a cartel risk-management tool based in Artificial Intelligence.
Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
As consequence of digital transformation, we believe that our practices of Venture Capital, Fintech and Data Protection will keep growing.
Technology is an industry closely related with Venture Capital, consequently we believe that such practice will continue expanding in all ranges of companies, from start-ups, fast growing, mid-market businesses to global companies. Chilean entrepreneurship ecosystem has matured during the last years, with several national unicorns, for example. Also, as consequence of such maturity we foresee that starts-up will be demanding more legal advice.
Disruptive innovation is occurring across the Fintech industry value chain, in such areas as payments and billing technology, trading and clearing, lending, financial information services, retail and consumer banking, insurance, money transfer and remittance, blockchain, artificial intelligence and robotics technology, banking infrastructure, wealth management, security and investor protection, institutional investment tools, digital currencies, crowd funding, and investment platforms, and this will required innovative and creative legal solutions as those arises from a novel matter.
Data protection is other practice that we expect to growth, due to the increase of queries of national and foreign clients as a result of the rising level of data protection legislation worldwide, for example by the California Consumer Privacy Act, the Brazilian and Canadian privacy acts and the GDPR.
Even companies that are not directly subject to these regulations want to adapt their policies in many cases to meet the requirements of the regulations, which furthermore share quite a few common elements with the bill of law that aims to adapt the Chilean data protection law.
In the energy sector, the context is settled by the government’s decarbonization target. During last years we have witnessed the development of non conventional renewable industry in Chile and we believe this development will continue to increase. In relation with energy, we have seen that M&A activity is driven in a relevant portion by energy projects. In addition, there is an increase demand related with green financing and a tendency to establish ESG criteria in companies.
Finally, a tax reform bill is currently being discussed in the national Congress, which will cut across all areas of taxation. As we have witnessed in previous tax reforms implemented in the country, this bill and then the law (in case of enactment) will trigger a lot of concerns and questions for companies, specially to understand the effects of the tax reform and the requirements to comply with it. During last years, we have strengthened our tax team adding a partner, Amory Heine, who brings to the team her experience on corporate and personal tax planning, structuring of businesses and companies in Chile and abroad, and audits and litigation with the Internal Revenue Service, before the Tax and Customs Courts, Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court. In addition, during 2022, we have included to the team a Tax Consultant, Sebastián Camus, who is a Public Accountant and Auditor, contributing with his experience on accounting matters; and also two new associates, Francisco Arguello and Francisca Espinoza.
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
There are several changes that we have made lately in the firm that we believe are in the direct benefit of our clients, ranging from financial, operational to strictly legal matters. However, two changes that we would like to highlight is (i) the level of integration among the different offices, to make sure that quality, information and the whole experience for our clients is very high no matter with which office the client is dealing with; and (ii) how we gather information about the client business and strategy, to be sure that we include that knowledge in our advice.
Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
Absolutely, because of the Covid19 pandemic, we increased dramatically our remote meetings with clients or potential clients. Nowadays, we still have this type of meetings, but also in person meetings. Remote ones allow us to be efficient in how we work in certain matters, but in person ones are better in cases when definitions about strategy of in-depth discussions are needed.
The major challenges of new technologies and new ways of communicating with clients, is the delivery expected by them when using these kinds of tools. In this regard, we have been working in creating protocols to help the team navigating multiple and simultaneous requirements.
Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
There are multiple cases, but one that stands out refers to a company that was involved in a significant financing round. They started the process thinking about just raising money, more concern about the size of the check than in other considerations. Working together, we were able to detect, discuss and solve multiple issues that could have threatened the viability of the company, reaching out an agreement about a structure completely different to the one initially agreed by the parties which, at the end of the day, was more favorable to everybody involved.
Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
Absolutely. We see more and more clients looking for a real partner providing legal services with global reach, knowledgeable of the market and top-quality in its services. We provide all of that with a single vision, in a one-stop-shop firm that shares the ambitions of our clients and want to join them in their challenges, with the focus of helping our clients to be successful in their strategies and businesses.
Comparative Guides
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United Kingdom: TMT
Published: September 2022
Authors: Kit Burden Meredith Hammond
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to TMT laws and regulations that may occur in United Kingdom.
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The Netherlands: Tax
Published: September 2022
Authors: Jian-Cheng Ku Rhys Bane
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Tax laws and regulations that may occur in The Netherlands.
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Colombia: Mergers & Acquisitions
Published: April 2022
Authors: Juan Manuel de la Rosa Felipe Quintero
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Mergers & Acquisitions laws and regulations that may occur in Colombia.
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Tanzania: Mergers & Acquisitions
Published: April 2022
Authors: Burure Ngocho
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Mergers & Acquisitions laws and regulations that may occur in Tanzania.
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United Kingdom: Tax Disputes
Published: October 2022
Authors: Jason Collins Stuart Walsh Clara Boyd Lauren Redhead
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Tax Disputes laws and regulations that may occur in United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom: Renewable Energy
Published: May 2022
Authors: Natasha Luther-Jones
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Renewable Energy laws and regulations that may occur in United Kingdom.
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Denmark: Restructuring & Insolvency
Published: May 2022
Authors: Henrik Sjørslev Per Astrup Madsen Peter Hedegaard Knudsen Henrik Lund-Koefoed
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Restructuring & Insolvency laws and regulations that may occur in Denmark.