Adept at counselling clients on regulatory compliance, environmental law and in administrative litigation, Garrigues's public law department works across sectors including real estate, energy and public procurement. With a particular focus on representing clients before government bodies, the firm’s expertise takes in energy and urban planning regulations, and sees the group frequently advising real estate developers on zoning and building permits, and energy companies on compliance and litigation before regulatory agencies. The team has handled a number of high-impact cases, recently, including the representation of numerous Chilean senators before the Constitutional Court to challenge and nullify an environmental law decree. The practice is co-led by Claudia Ferreiro, who brings over a decade of experience in public institutions and has a particular specialism in environmental impact assessments; and Felipe Riesco, a highly experienced regulatory lawyer and former Undersecretary of the Environment, who often handles administrative disputes and permitting before regulatory bodies and courts. Associate José Ignacio Vial focuses on environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance, advising clients on legal strategies, administrative procedures and project approvals subject to Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment System.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Claudio Moraga is a great lawyer, living up to his academic prestige, always available and with a wealth of experience that he doesn't hesitate to put at the service of his clients. The rest of the team is highly skilled, with a great ability to understand complex cases and bring them before the appropriate authorities.'
- ‘Claudio Moraga Klenner and Carla Martini demonstrate deep knowledge, adaptability with innovative solutions, and commitment. Both are outstanding.'
- ‘What do in-house lawyers need to know about the team's strengths and skills? Deep knowledge of the contractual side of the business. Speed and quality of the advice they provide. Does it compare favorably with teams at other firms? Yes. Indeed, the Garrigues Chile team, led by Claudio Moraga Klenner, meets the aforementioned strengths, which are lacking at other firms. Its client-orientation also stands out. New features introduced in the practice: commitment, flexibility, and client-orientation. The Garrigues team, led by Claudio Moraga Klenner, shows great initiative and goes far beyond the expectations of clients. How does it compare with the new features at other firms?'
- ‘The professionals who serve us have extensive experience in public law and have participated in countless litigation cases and agreements with the Ministry... both on behalf of public infrastructure concessionaires and as participants in expert panels established to resolve conflicts inherent to public-private partnerships.'
- ‘The team is cohesive and highly focused on providing the best possible service to its clients. They are able to anticipate clients' requirements and ensure that all team members are aware of what is being reviewed, so that everyone can participate in the discussions and recommendations. This definitely makes them unique in the market.'
- ‘I would like to highlight the work carried out by Sebastián Hassi, who provides us with constant, high-quality advice and has helped us resolve important doubts we have had regarding various processes. More importantly, he has obtained very positive results in various processes, allowing for a significant reduction in expenses.'
Key clients
- Senadores de la República
- Latin American Power (LAP)
- Rucalhue Energía
- Palmucho – Atlantica Yield
- Seigard Chile
- Ingevec
- Desarrollo Nativo
- Inmobiliaria Ruta 86 Limitada.
- Forestal AnChile
- Cementerio Metropolitano
- Mesa de Reinserción Social de la Comunidad de Organizaciones Sociales (Fundación ProBono)
- Chile Rural Asociación Gremial
Work highlights
Advised and represented one-fourth of sitting Senators in filing an action before the Constitutional Court to challenge a decree issued by the Ministry of the Environment to implement the “Framework Law on Climate Change”, introducing changes to environmental regulations.
Represented Saludable in an extraordinary complaint filed against three judges of the Public Procurement Court after the court declared a claim against the National Board of School Assistance and Scholarships (“JUNAEB”) inadmissible due to the alleged arbitrariness of one of the evaluation factors in a public tender to supply daily food rations.
Advised LAP 0n opposing the disclosure of a private contract requested by the José Luis Carimán Indigenous Community.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Rodrigo Riquelme
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.
Sebastián Hassi
Practice head
Felipe Riesco, Claudia Ferreiro