Prieto Abogados is home to a growing environmental law team active across the energy, transport and mining sectors, as well as specialised industries such as desalination and sanitary services. The group represents clients in regulatory and environmental proceedings, advises on strategy at all stages of environmental damage litigation, and assists them through complex sanctioning procedures; it is also recognised for the strength of its advisory practice and providing support throughout the environmental evaluation process. Up-and-coming partner Agustín Martorell, a specialist in contentious matters and sanctioning proceedings, typically represents clients before administrative authorities, environmental agencies. and energy regulators. He co-leads the team with associate practice director Romina Tobar (an advisor to the Chilean Renewable Energy & Storage Association, ACERA), who is the firm's key contact for environmental assessment matters and regulatory law. A deep associate bench is led by seniors Ignacio Matte and Elisa Anguita S, both of whom handle environmental and regulatory matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Prieto distinguishes itself through its in-depth technical and environmental expertise, strategic business approach, and close relationship with the client or project owner. In this sense, it acts as a true strategic partner, helping us anticipate risks and propose structured solutions that enable us to develop, build, and operate our energy projects.
- The main differentiator of Estudio Legal Prieto is its ability to combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of the company's business, which allows them to offer commercially viable and strategic solutions.
- Prieto has a unique DNA: its professionals approach each case or consultation as a personal challenge. They don't just deliver results; they strive to go the extra mile, incorporating industry best practices and, undoubtedly, pioneering many environmental issues where there is still no clear legal precedent in Chile. Furthermore, their fees and charges are quite competitive. They offer valuable, hard-to-quantify skills as an added benefit for the client, thus maintaining the essential code of loyalty between client and contractor.
- Excellent response from lawyers Tomás del Real, Agustín Martorell and Emilio del Real.
- Agustin Martorell and Tomas del Real: Excellent service, great business acumen, and an above-average level of detail in their responses.
- Speed in response. Depth in analysis. Business-oriented vision. Empathy in commercial matters.
Key clients
- Caitán SpA
- Empresa Nacional de Energía (Enex)
- Empresas CMPC
- Huawei (Chile)
- Aguas Andinas
- Metro
- CGE Distribución
- Sociedad Punta del Cobre
- Engie Energía Chile
- Scala Chile Data Centers
Work highlights
Advised Huawei (Chile) in the first sanctioning proceeding under Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) Law, challenging the Environmental Superintendency’s unprecedented interpretation restricting the submission of compliance programs, in a case setting a key regulatory precedent for the industry.
Advised Caitán in high-profile administrative, judicial and constitutional proceedings challenging a municipal demolition order against key desalination infrastructure supporting a $700m project supplying water to a major mining operation, in a precedent-setting dispute on the limits of municipal authority over sanitary infrastructure under Chilean planning and environmental law.
Advised Sociedad Punta del Cobre on the environmental assessment of the $870m Tovaku Mining Project (in partnership with the state-owned CODELCO) involving a 970M tons open-pit mine, renewable energy generation, seawater conveyance, and transmission infrastructure, providing comprehensive regulatory strategy and support throughout the environmental assessment process.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Agustín Martorell; Romina Tobar