Carrasco Benitez

‘Articulate, efficient and effective’, the lawyers at Carrasco Benitez (formerly Schultz Carrasco Benitez Abogados, until May 2025) have earned a well-deserved reputation as a highly-specialised environmental law firm. With a practice deeply rooted in technical expertise and regulatory insight, the team advises clients across a range of sectors, including renewable energy, mining, wastewater treatment, agroindustry, infrastructure and real estate – often from the earliest planning stages through to complex litigation and dispute resolution. The group frequently advises clients throughout the entire life-cycle of a project, from handling environmental impact assessments to defending permits before the courts. With former officials from Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) and Ministry of the Environment among its ranks, the team is experienced at managing enforcement actions brought by the superintendence of the environment, and capable when it comes to developing regulatory compliance programs or defence strategies. Recent significant matters include representing leading mining company CMDIC on environmental litigation brought by a group of indigenous communities, and advising major energy company Conexión on the development of a key electricity transmission line project. Founding partners Rodrigo Benítez and Edesio Carrasco co-lead the natural resources and public law departments, respectively, bringing formidable experience in both litigation and policy development. Benítez is a former vice minister and head of the legal division at the Ministry of the Environment; while Carrasco, previously the SEA’s regional director and head of litigation, brings insight into regulatory frameworks and environmental permitting. Younger partners Graciela Venegas and Carlo Sepúlveda both bring critical experience from past leadership roles at the SEA, with in-depth expertise in environmental impact assessments and litigation. Other key lawyers include experienced associates Esteban Cañas, who brings deep experience in contentious-administrative litigation across energy, forestry, and infrastructure; and Mario Arrué, who specialises in supporting clients on sustainability and environmental compliance.