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Latin America: International firms
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International arbitration

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Uría Menéndez

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Uría Menéndez continues to represent a multitude of European clients, especially those based in the Iberian Peninsula, in investment treaty cases against Latin American states; many of its matters are connected to Spain’s bilateral investment treaties with states such as Peru and Colombia. The firm is also a key player in commercial arbitration and in public international law cases. The Madrid headquarters houses a sizeable cohort of international arbitration specialists, many of whom have extensive experience of Latin America disputes. The Barcelona and Lisbon offices provide further senior experience and resources, all of which can be further combined with the local expertise provided by associated firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría from its offices in Chile, Colombia and Peru. Gabriel Bottini has a prolific record in Latin America international arbitration, frequently acting as counsel or as arbitrator in major cases. Another prominent figure in Latin America disputes, José Miguel Fatás is now head of the international arbitration practice. Álvaro López de Argumedo is an experienced arbitral specialist with a lengthy track record in Latin America matters; while younger partner Heidi López Castro continues to build his practice having being promoted to partner in January 2024. All named individuals are based in Madrid.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are always available. A great legal team.’

  • ‘Gabriel Bottini, a great lawyer with a lot of experience, with a lot of experience in international arbitrations.'

  • ‘Specifically, the most relevant thing and to be appreciated for an internal team is the organisation of the Uría firm when it comes to ordering the process and focusing the tasks for the sake of efficiency and the best defence of the client's interests.’

  • ‘Their availability and commitment to adapt to the client and not the other way around, taking into account the client's organisation.’

  • ‘Heidi Lopez and her team have proven to be natural workers, always willing to look for solutions. They helped us find a good expert for the case.’

  • ‘Heidi Lopez never seems to leave a loose end and makes her work brilliant at times. Daniela Amarante - you can tell that she likes what she does, she is very intelligent and alert.’

Key clients

  • Banco Nacional de Cuba
  • Canal Extensia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Mota-Engil Ingeniería y Construcción (Paraguayan branch office)
  • Telefónica
  • The Cuatro Ríos Cuenca Consortium
  • Zuma Energía
  • TSK Electrónica y Electricidad
  • Banco Central de Bolivia

Work highlights

Represented Telefónica in an investment arbitration (under the Peru-Spain BIT) relating to a dispute on tax measures imposed by a Latin-American State against the client’s local subsidiary .
Represented Canal Extensia in an investment arbitration against Colombia regarding measures the current government imposed in relation to Canal Extensia’s investments, which resulted in Canal Extensia being forced to sell its shareholding in Triple A (Barranquilla’s Water Public Utilities).
Represented Operadora Ecológica del Titicaca (OPETI) in an investment arbitration relating to the company's alleged inability to carry out the project due to unfeasible stipulations and requirements in the concession contract entered into with the Ministerio de Vivienda, Construcción y Saneamiento of the Peruvian Republic.

Practice head

José Miguel Fatás; Gabriel Bottini; Fernando Aguilar de Carvalho