The environmental law group at Carrasco Benítez remains at the forefront of the Chilean legal market, covering the full scope of the practice. The team is primarily active in the mining sector and has advised major industry players on general environmental matters, as well as complex litigation. It regularly represents clients before the First Environmental Court, assisting with environmental damage claims and advising on litigation strategy. Four prominent practitioners co-lead the team. Edesio Carrasco, co-founder of the firm, has extensive experience in sectorial permits, energy and land use planning matters. Rodrigo Benítez is a key contact for the environmental assessment of investment projects. Carlo Sepúlveda excels in environmental litigation in both administrative and judicial fora; and Graciela Venegas provides strategic advice for environmental assessments. They are closely assisted by Esteban Cañas, associate practice director for environmental litigation and contentious-administrative matters. Since research concluded, the team has been further strengthened with the August 2026 of leading associate Nicolas Galli, formerly at Molina Matta y Asociados.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The outstanding partners, based on the characteristic I've highlighted (previous experience in the SEA), are Carlo Sepúlveda and Graciela Venegas. They successfully combine technical knowledge (according to the project type) with the requirements of a specific service.
- What sets them apart from other law firms is their in-depth knowledge of public services and the state in practice. Most of their partners have prior experience with the Environmental Assessment Service or the Ministry of the Environment. This experience allows them to have better access to and relationships with the public services involved in environmental assessments.
- For us, trust is paramount, and in that regard, we have complete confidence in Edesio and his team. Furthermore, they have in-house specialists in the areas we consult, enabling them to respond promptly and effectively to every inquiry. We believe that, compared to other firms, their team delivers a product tailored to our needs and offers personalized service, which sets them apart significantly from the rest.
- The knowledge and the trust we have in them. We have achieved a very good relationship with them, with complete trust, in addition to transparency and recommendations/suggestions.
- The team's strengths lie in their direct involvement with client projects, not merely offering legal opinions, but actively contributing to the strategic planning and development of their projects. A key advantage over other firms is the presence of Carrasco Benítez's team, whose members have become legitimate opinion leaders in the industry, not through marketing, but through their deep industry knowledge and ongoing engagement with regulatory discussions. Finally, their openness to exploring new ways to integrate technology into their services, including AI, ensures the firm remains at the forefront of the field.
- Edesio Carrasco: The recognition he enjoys among his fellow lawyers. The clarity and conviction with which he communicates to clients. Rodrigo Benitez: The recognition he enjoys among his peers and counterparties. The ease with which he understands and proposes alternatives for projects. Graciela Venegas: The ability to lead internal and external multidisciplinary teams.
Key clients
- Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi
- Conexión
- Sacyr
- Salfa
- Capstone Copper
- Aguas Pacífico
- Sociedad Concesionaria Puente Industrial – Aleática
- Metro
- Obrascón Huarte Lain (OHL)
- EDF Renewables Chile
- Compañía Minera del Pacífico
- Codelco
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Esteban Cañas
Nicolás Gallo
Practice head
Edesio Carrasco; Rodrigo Benítez; Carlo Sepúlveda; Graciela Venegas
Other key lawyers
Esteban Cañas