Noted for its strength in water supply feasibility analysis, regulatory compliance and project development, Claro & Cia. advises a broad range of industrial and mining clients. In particular, the team is well versed in the water rights issues relating to the acquisition, financing and development of major mining, hydroelectric, solar, wind, transmission, and oil and gas projects, including advising on water rights due diligence and handling regulatory proceedings before the DGA. The group is headed by Nicolás Eyzaguirre, whose practice is geared towards advising leading national and international companies on large-scale projects in the mining, energy and water sectors, in addition to orchestrating litigation strategies and drafting contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Nicolás Eyzaguirre's role is evident in the way the team functions: he sets the direction, helps distinguish the essential from the incidental, and fosters a culture of excellence that is reflected in every product they deliver. His presence brings order, focus, and an expert perspective that raises the group's standards. Nicolás Eyzaguirre's influence is reflected in the team's work: streamlined processes, well-defined criteria, and a culture of excellence that never loses sight of confidentiality. His leadership elevates the quality of work and instills a level of trust that is hard to find in the legal market. With the outstanding contributions of Joaquín Garnham, Ignacio García, Joaquín Calderón, Ignacio Bas, and Cristóbal Valdés, the team combines technical expertise, professional maturity, and a work style that builds trust and adds sustained value.
  • Over the past twelve months, Claro y Cía., especially the Natural Resources team that advises us, has played a central role in managing highly relevant environmental and mining matters for the Group and our shareholders. Their support has been consistent, technically outstanding, and strategically focused, encompassing litigation, permitting, regulatory compliance analysis, risk management, and the review of contracts essential to our operations. The nature of these matters—all of them sensitive and with a significant impact on the continuity and safety of our activities—demands precision, sound judgment, and flawless execution. Under the leadership of Nicolás Eyzaguirre, and with the outstanding contributions of Joaquín Garnham, Ignacio García, Joaquín Calderón, Ignacio Bas, and Cristóbal Valdés, we have had a highly competent, coordinated, and committed team dedicated to achieving excellent results. The department stands out for its unique combination of legal rigor, a deep understanding of the complex Chilean regulations, and a practical approach that directly addresses the real needs of our operations. Their ability to balance legal criteria with considerations of sustainability, operational continuity, and reputational protection makes them an invaluable strategic partner. The quality of their work is consistently high: they deliver clear, well-founded, and results-oriented analyses, with internal coordination that allows them to address sensitive matters in an orderly and efficient manner. They are, without a doubt, the kind of lawyers you can trust implicitly. Their competence, sound judgment, and consistency over time position them as the best choice among lawyers in top-tier leagues. One of the most significant milestones of the year was the negotiation and subsequent sale of certain mining concessions. The team actively participated in the entire negotiation process, contributing strategic clarity, legal soundness, and an exceptionally nuanced handling of the parties' positions. In addition to their decisive role at the negotiating table, they undertook the complete drafting of essential documents, ensuring impeccable contractual structuring fully aligned with the Group's interests. This mandate had an additional level of complexity, given that it was also necessary to handle the inheritance proceedings of the original owner of the concessions. The way in which Nicolás Eyzaguirre and his team coordinated both processes, maintaining timelines, standards, and comprehensive legal coverage, demonstrates their ability to face challenging scenarios without sacrificing efficiency or quality.

Key clients

  • Glenfarne Group
  • Lesaffre Industrial Chile
  • Occidental Chemical Chile
  • Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
  • Viña Santa Rita
  • Compañía Electro Metalúrgica
  • Anglo American Sur
  • Cristalerías de Chile
  • Quimetal Industral
  • Fundición Talleres

Work highlights

Advised Glenfarne Group on the acquisition and subsequent refinancing of multiple run-of-river hydroelectric power plants in Southern Chile, conducting comprehensive due diligence on water rights and representing the client in proceedings before the DGA.
Advised Compañía Electro Metalúrgica on regulatory compliance concerning a key groundwater well in the Metropolitan Region, navigating complex water rights requirements and ensuring successful registration before the DGA.
Successfully defended Occidental Chemical Chile in a sanctioning procedure before the DGA under the new Water Code enforcement regime, securing the dismissal of alleged watercourse obstruction charges and closure of the case without sanctions.
Practice head

Nicolás Eyzaguirre

Other key lawyers

Joaquín Garnham