With over 30 years in the market, Morales & Besa has long-standing experience advising on high-profile infrastructure and energy projects. The practice group’s experienced lawyers advise both developers and financial institutions throughout the full project cycle, from initial development, structuring and acquisition, to financing, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The group is particularly active in the PPP space and regularly acts in projects across the energy, transport, ports, hospitals and mining sectors. It is currently involved in several landmark construction matters, including the expansion of Santiago's Merino Benítez Airport, various toll road concession projects, the Félix Bulnes and Coquimbo hospitals, and the $775m Valparaíso port expansion. In the mining sector, the team represent major clients such as Engie and EIG, and is currently advising Minera Salar Blanco on the Maricunga lithium project. Practice head Carlos Silva is praised by clients as ‘an exceptional lawyer who understands the critical aspects and needs in each transaction.’ Highly regarded for his expertise in infrastructure, energy and mining, he advises on all phases of projects and has a stellar track record for handling complex developments, financings and restructurings. Myriam Barahona  is a seasoned expert in banking and project finance - especially regarding energy and infrastructure; she advises lenders and borrowers on domestic and cross-border financings and project bond issuances. Head of the real estate and construction group, Macarena Laso most often advises on PPPs and infrastructure; she is currently leading on mandates for Grupo Patria, Cintra, and Meridiam involving major toll road and urban infrastructure projects. Juan Carlos Valdivieso specialises in regulatory and commercial energy matters; formerly in house in the electricity generation sector, he is a key adviser on green hydrogen regulatory issues. Having recently worked in-house with EIG Global Energy Partners on major projects, senior associate Manuel José Eyzaguirre rejoined the firm in 2024; he is currently advising on mining and energy projects, financings and M&A. Fellow senior Carolina Stalder has extensive experience in project contracts and bidding processes, and is particularly active on infrastructure and energy matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are a team with extensive experience in projects and international project financing. They have represented us in energy and infrastructure project financing in Chile, including due diligence, financing document negotiation, and contract default and renegotiation situations. Carlos Silva is an exceptional lawyer who understands the critical aspects and our needs in each transaction. His advice is very important to us, and it makes a positive difference.'

  • ‘They are experienced lawyers who are concerned not only with resolving legal issues but also with ensuring that their solutions make practical and commercial sense. We are advised by Carlos Silva and Juan Carlos Validivieso. Their main strength is that they fully understand our needs, which are not the same as those of a commercial bank, a local financier, or a DFI; they also understand our market, which is mid-market projects. They provide a tailor-made service because they understand and adapt to our profile and reality as investors.’

  • ‘The team led by Carlos Silva is highly qualified and has a keen understanding of the business in general, beyond the specific expertise of each of its members.'

  • ‘Carlos Silva is a great lawyer, with a business vision that goes beyond regulations and law, which makes his advice comprehensive.'

Key clients

  • Sociedad Concesionaria Nuevo Pudahuel
  • Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile
  • Banco de Crédito e Inversiones
  • Sociedad Concesionaria Metropolitana de Salud - Holder of the main hospital PPP project in Chile (Hospital Félix Bulnes)
  • DIF Infra Holdings
  • Global Infrastructure Partners
  • Intervial (ISA Group)
  • Minera Salar Blanco
  • Globalvía
  • WPD Chile
  • EFACEC
  • Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (Cifi)

Work highlights

Advised Grupo ISA's Intervialon several matters related to over 900kms of toll road projects in Chile.
Advised China Railway and Sociedad Concesionaria Hospital Coquimbo (both the sponsor and the concessionaire), on the financing of the construction of the PPP project 'Hospital Coquimbo', in the north of Chile.
Advised Engie on the conversion of its 377MW Mejillones (IEM) coal-fuelled complex to allow for the use of cleaner fuels, which included the negotiation of its construction, supply and other main agreements.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

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.

Juan Carlos Valdivieso

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Manuel José Eyzaguirre

Practice head

Carlos Silva