Dentons’s environmental practice is a key pillar of the firm’s broader environmental and natural resources department. The group has been experiencing an uptick in work in segments such as ESG, green hydrogen, desalination, environmental crime and climate change mitigation. The team is experienced in delivering regulatory and environmental advice, obtaining secure social licences, and establishing regulatory certainty for long-term project success; clients further note the team’s ‘commitment to understanding our business in detail to deliver the best possible solution’. Led by José Ignacio Morán, who also serves as the firm’s global mining and natural resources leader, the team advises throughout the full project lifecycle, from environmental assessments and permitting, to environmental litigation, compliance and due diligence. Co-lead José Domingo Villanueva is particularly active in permitting and regulatory matters; while the team’s strong litigation bench includes Gonzalo Nieto and Pauline Chiffelle. Senior associate Cristián Vial is especially proficient in designing strategies to secure social licenses for large-scale projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘It's a multidisciplinary team that has known each other very well for many years in the world of natural resources. In environmental matters, they have extensive experience in environmental litigation (including environmental damage), environmental assessment of projects, and environmental audits. I know they have a strong focus on the mining industry, which ultimately is the most complex in terms of environmental impact.'
'The advice Dentons provides is practical, personalised and effective, with a high standard of quality. They are very committed to understanding the client's business in detail to deliver the best possible solution. I would highlight that the partners are deeply involved in the various issues. Another interesting point to mention is that they are constantly writing newsletters, legal alerts, organising breakfast meetings, etc., which also allows me to stay up-to-date on these matters.'
‘The Dentons team is led by José Ignacio Morán, who always seeks to provide solutions, not create problems. José Domingo Villanueva, another partner in the practice, is also highly experienced in environmental assessment and permitting matters and strives to thoroughly understand the business and its needs. I also highlight Cristián Vial, who works collaboratively with José Ignacio and José Domingo, allowing Dentons to provide us with first-class advice. The fact that this team is part of a global firm like Dentons and that José Ignacio Morán is the global leader in the mining and natural resources practice means they are constantly collaborating with top-level lawyers from various countries around the world who practice law on very similar matters, thus gaining international experience that allows them to continue strengthening their team.'
Key clients
- Agrícola Santa Sara
- PFAL Áridos
- Compañía Minera Arqueros
- Tewoo Group Co. (Atacama Minerals Chile SCM)
- Nittetsu Mining
- Molinos Cunaco
- Rockcheck Group Co.
- Hotel La Leonera
- Compañía Industrial El Volcán
- Agrícola Panquehue Limitada
- Inmobiliaria Codigua
- Agrosuper
- 245 Sur
- Agrícola Tricao
- Chile Botanics
Work highlights
Advised Agrícola Santa Sara on various matters including designing a strategy to evaluate the client’s project to comply with current environmental obligations. Additionally, the team provided legal and strategic advice and led the preparation and submission of the company's agro-industrial project to the Environmental Impact Assessment System.
Advised Atacama Minerals Chile on obtaining environmental and sectoral permits from various authorities essential to the project's operation, including preparation of an environmental strategy for the exploitation of new areas, strategic analysis and design of an action plan to prevent certain archeological contingencies, and compliance with various environmental obligations.
Handling the design of a strategy for the expansion of Molinos Cunaco (the most modern milling plant in Chile), including analysis for submission to the Environmental Impact Assessment System, obtaining a new Industrial Technical Qualification, and analysing compliance with emissions.
Lawyers
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.
Cristián Vial
Practice head
José Ignacio Morán; José Domingo Villanueva