CMS Carey & Allende is widely respected for its sector expertise in traditional and renewable energy, digital infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, IT and telecoms. It is also regularly mandated to advise on utilities, real estate, construction, hospitality and life sciences-related M&A. The group is co-led by managing partner Ramón Valdivieso, who is an adviser on M&A involving both Chile and other parts of Latin America; and Jorge Allende Destuet, who has ‘deep knowledge of M&A and private equity practices’. Promoted to partner in April 2024, Enrique Vergara frequently advises on significant M&A transactions, in addition to leading the firm’s banking and finance offering; and Sofía Haupt and Lucia Ochoa are experienced senior associates. Former partners Luis Felipe Arze, Fernando De Cárcer, Diego Rodríguez, and the recently-promoted Sebastián Barros all departed the firm in April 2024; the firm has subsequently hired Nicolás Vial, fomerly head of legal and compliance at Cermaq Chile, as a partner – effective September 2024. Since publication, the office has also seen the arrival of Ernesto Eckholt (formerly of NexLaw), who handles corporate and transactional matters, and who will head up the practice group’s venture capital offering – effective as of October 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Commitment, honesty, knowledge and strategic vision.’
‘Clients always feel completely supported by CMS.’
‘The corporate and M&A team at CMS Carey & Allende is, by far, the best with whom some companies have worked with.’
‘CMS is the best. It is mainly noticeable in the leadership of the operation, the strategic direction of the M&A, and also the management of details.’
‘Provides added value to operations due to its ability to identify relevant issues and propose solutions for complex legal issues. The CMS team’s commitment is total and the seniority, particularly of the leading partner Jorge Allende Destuet, is very high.’
‘Jorge Allende Destuet is actively and assertively involved in the clients’ strategic decisions. The best lawyer around for M&A. Clients only have the best words for him.’
‘Jorge Allende Destuet is a great leader and strategist, who masters both the legal side and emotional intelligence aspects - manages clients very well, dealing with different interests to obtain the best outcome. Great command of English too, which is essential for large operations.’
‘Jorge Allende Destuet has deep knowledge of M&A and private equity practices - he knows what international investors expect from a lawyer who is dedicated to international operations.’
Key clients
- Stars Investment
- Wivet
- Clínica MEDS
- Enlight
- CyrusOne
- Silver Lake
- KKR
- Blackstone
- Dreams
- OnNet Fibra
Work highlights
- Advised KKR on the acquisition of Spanish fertility clinic company Ivirma Global, including clinics and medical centres in Chile, the US and Europe.
- Advised KKR (and its portfolio company OnNet Fibra) on M&A and financing matters in relation to the acquisition of the existing fibre optic network of Entel Chile.
- Advised CyrusOne on the sale of all its stake in ODATA Chile to Aligned Data Centers.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Sofía Haupt
Practice head
Jorge Allende Destuet; Ramón Valdivieso