The seven-strong practice at full-service firm Prieto Abogados regularly acts in disputes in the energy, construction, real estate, retail, manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services and consumer-facing sectors. It is also increasingly experienced in disputes involving the audiovisual production, private investment fund, security services, automotive sales and sports industries. The department is co-led by highly regarded real estate, construction and antitrust litigator, Fernando Samaniego; and Alberto González V, who specialises in real estate, construction and energy arbitrations. Beyond the partnership, counsels Cristóbal Jiménez F and Agustín Prado V both act in real estate, construction, and energy disputes; while in the associate pool, senior Cristóbal Ipinza’s ‘service is outstanding’, and Claudia Pacheco A is an experienced litigator.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The teamwork within the litigation department is evident in the responses provided and the meetings held, even when the assigned attorney is not available. Furthermore, the promptness of the responses fosters trust among the recipients.
- Cristóbal Ipinza's service is outstanding. He not only responds quickly to every enquiry, but also demonstrates dedication and attention to detail in every matter he handles.
- Prieto Abogados is known for its long and distinguished tradition in Chile. A key factor in their enduring success is their consistent recruitment of top young talent, who perfectly complement the established partners with renowned experience in national law. This synergy within the litigation team ensures that clients have the peace of mind of being advised by the best lawyers in the country.
- Agustín is an excellent lawyer. Despite his youth, he demonstrates surprising and profound knowledge of property law, particularly in matters of contracts and damages, as well as procedural law. He is a lawyer who pays close attention to detail and, beyond providing impeccable legal advice (which he does exceptionally well), is concerned with the overall well-being of his clients and is fully committed to them. His legal judgment is sound, so his decisions, proposals, and recommendations inspire absolute confidence in a job that is well thought out and executed with great rigor. Alberto González is a great leader. He engages with astuteness and experience in complex matters, providing personalized service at every stage of his counsel and ensuring the performance of each member of his team. His vast experience and extensive knowledge of procedural law are an invaluable asset to his clients in a world where the outcomes of litigation and arbitration are as difficult to predict as they are to anticipate. He stands out for his approachability and the way he simplifies matters to facilitate both the progress of each case and the client's active participation. He consistently delivers practical solutions and designs and plans litigation creatively, without losing sight of what's important. Fernando Samaniego is a lawyer you can trust implicitly. His extensive experience provides clients with a level of security and confidence rarely found in other lawyers in the field. He possesses sound legal judgment and always brings the necessary composure, no matter how complex a situation may be. Having Fernando on your team means knowing you have an ally whose commitment is unwavering, ensuring not only the quality of the rest of the team's work but also the respect and consideration of the opposing party. Cristóbal Jiménez has been a great addition to the Prieto Abogados litigation and arbitration team. He stands out for being a highly intelligent and astute lawyer, and for consistently contributing insightful solutions derived from his broad professional experience. His significant track record in national and international firms equips him with tools and strengths rarely found in other lawyers of his age in the market. He is characterized by his legal rigor and his profound knowledge of Chilean procedural law. He is a very serious lawyer and a pleasure to work with, thanks to his efficiency, proactivity, and above all, his excellent interpersonal skills, commitment, and discipline. Having Cristóbal on your legal team is a privilege.
- The team handles complex matters with great meticulousness and extensive experience. The lawyers at Prieto Abogados skillfully manages not only the legal and procedural difficulties involved in cases, but also the interpersonal relationships.
Key clients
- Engie Energía Chile
- Cosmo Consult Chile
- Plaza (Falabella Group)
- Delivery Hero (PedidosYa)
- Vivo
- DP World Chile
- Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro (Metro de Santiago)
- Multi X
- Compañía General de Electricidad (CGE)
- L’Oreal Chile
Work highlights
Representing Engie Energía Chile (and others) in their claim against GasAtacama Chile, in relation to alleged unlawful conduct deployed by GasAtacama between 2011 and 2015.
Acted for GWC Inversiones (formerly Genesee & Wyoming Chile) and Inversiones Ferroviarias Bolivianas, which were sued by Banco Santander (in its capacity as pledge creditor), the plaintiff claiming breach of guarantees granted to ensure the obligations of Curauma.
Representing the estate of Fritz Bartsch, the late founder of the gym chain Gimnasios Pacific (and another four companies founded by Fritz Bartsch) in a claim against Gimnasios Nuevo Amanecer for the repossession of 34 leased properties and payment of an outstanding rental debt.
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.
Practice head
Fernando Samaniego; Alberto González V