CMS Carey & Allende fields ‘an excellent team of lawyers for corporate matters, especially those focused on M&A’. Routinely advising on significant transactions in Chile and the wider Latin America region, the 20-strong practice advises on unsolicited tender offers, debt restructurings, and cross-border expansion strategies through acquisitions. Its sector expertise ranges from digital infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, IT and telecoms, to public infrastructure, real estate, construction, aquaculture, hospitality and life sciences. The track record of telecoms and IT specialist Ramón Valdivieso includes several takeover bids; M&A and private equity expert Jorge Allende Destuet, ’stands out for his leadership on complex matters’; Ignacio Errazquin focuses on M&A, private equity and joint venture structuring, as well as mining and renewable energy-related project financing; and April 2024-promoted partner Enrique Vergara advises on M&A, including the structuring of investment vehicles. At senior associate level, Sofía Haupt specialises in M&A, corporate law, private equity, and contracts. Former senior Lucia Ochoa left the firm in May 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Corporate/M&A | Capital Markets | Projects & Infrastructure
Position
Jorge is partner and the co-head of the Corporate/M&A team. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, capital market operations, startups, and private equity. He counsels international clients on matters of finance, hospitality, and natural resources.
He is also well recognized for his active practice in the capital markets arena and he has regularly participated in cross-border business combination operations, advising both local clients in their expansion endeavours in Latin America, as well as for foreign clients in their businesses in Chile, and in other regions of Latin America.
Key clients: Sun Dreams S.A., The Blackstone Group L.P., Enagás S.A., Centerbridge Partners, AquaChile S.A, KKR.
Career
2009-2011 Worked at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York city
2011 Admitted to the New York bar
2011 Joined Carey & Allende (since 2017 CMS Carey & Allende) as associate
2015 Promoted to partner at CMS Carey & Allende
2017 Appointed co-head of the Corporate/M&A group
2017 Recognized by the Finance Monthtly Awards as Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year 2019 – Member of the CMS Corporate/M&A Management Committee.
Languages
Spanish, English
Education
2004 – Study Abroad Program, University of California Berkeley
2005 – Law Degree summa cum laude, Universidad de Chile School of Law
2009 – Master of Corporate Law, New York University
2014 – Graduate School of Business, Ignite Program, Stanford University
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great client service and broad commercial vision, which allows them to understand clients’ businesses fully.’
‘Their negotiation and internal and external interaction skills allow them to navigate complex processes until they achieve successful final results.’
‘They have an excellent team of lawyers for corporate matters, especially those focused on M&A. Quality, speed and sophistication in their work.’
‘The CMS team is known for providing quick and timely responses, with a clear understanding of the business for which their advice is sought. They stand out from other firms by presenting the requested information or analysis in a very organised, dynamic manner with presentations, which makes follow-up very easy for the client.’
‘They understand clients’ needs and propose solutions that align with the business.’
‘Jorge Allende Destuet is absolutely extraordinary.’
‘Jorge Allende Destuet stands out for his leadership on complex matters, while also being up-to-date on the details of each operation.’
‘Ignacio Errazquin is great for his detailed handling of case information.’
Key clients
- Software AG OnNet Fibra Holding Río Baker KKR Dreams Arkema Banco Santander Karun Solbet Cermaq Chile Comercial Pacific Resource Capital Funds Management Pty Desert Point Selva Viva Drinks Software AG – Silver Lake OnNet Fibra Holding Río Baker KKR Dreams Arkema Banco Santander Karun Solbet Cermaq Chile Comercial Pacific Resource Capital Funds Management Pty Desert Point Selva Viva Drinks
Work highlights
Advised Software AG on the €2.13bn carve-out and sale of its StreamSets and WebMethods business units to IBM (involving 40 jurisdictions).