The disputes practice at Hernández & Cía has considerable experience handling constitutional, corporate and tax litigation on behalf of clients drawn from a broad range of industries including the construction, infrastructure, energy and corporate service sectors, among others. Three partners co-lead the department: Jorge Luis Zubiate has over 30 years' contentious experience before Peruvian trial and appellate courts; Javier de Belaunde is also a veteran practitioner and today focuses on complex constitutional and civil cases; while next-generation partner Sheilah Vargas focuses on telecoms, mining and banking disputes. Samuel Abad has expertise in preparing legal strategies relating to constitutional disputes, and Enrique Johanson concentrates on negotiations and complex judicial procedures. Beyond the partner bench, counsel Carlos Gastello focuses on contentious labour and administrative matters, while senior associate Javier Alonso de Belaunde represents clients in constitutional proceedings. Former counsel Renzo Saavedra left the firm in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The litigation department has been a fundamental ally in the field. Its characteristics include knowledge, speed, and solution proposals with a practical strategy. Compared to the market, it is clearly an area that stands out. Luis Zubiate is the name to note.'
Key clients
- Compañía de Minas Buenaventura
- Intercorp (Banco Internacional del Perú - Interbank and Interproperties)
- Arenera La Molina
- Lima Expresa
- Fundación Ignacia Rodulfo Vda. de Canevaro
- Agroindustrial Laredo
- Gilat to Home
- Sociedad Agrícola San Agustín
- Loreto Bar Association and Frankfurt Zoological Society
- Compañía Minera Antapaccay
- Gold Fields La Cima
- Equinox International – Equiperu
Work highlights
Advising AB Inbev on multiple judicial cases against the Tax Administration seeking to obtain an approximately $980m tax return.
Advising Compañía de Minas Buenaventura in a judicial dispute against SUNAT and the Tax Court for an illegal tax collection in the 2007/2008 period worth $675m.
Advising Agroindustrial Laredo in major judicial cases involving the property rights of its agriculture land (more than 1500 acres) valued in more than $500m.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Jorge Luiz Zubiate; Javier de Belaunde; Sheilah Vargas
Other key lawyers
Samuel Abad; Enrique Johanson; Carlos Gastello; Javier Alonso de Belaunde