Known for advising financiers, real estate developers, and structurers, among others, Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga demonstrates deep expertise in rural transactions across forestry, dairy, and agribusiness, as well as in urban deals involving buildings, homes, and industrial, commercial, and residential developments. Practice head and managing partner Héctor Viana has extensive experience in acquisitions, real estate developments, and property trusts, guiding clients on commercial, corporate, tax, and regulatory matters. María José Rovira brings stellar real estate experience and has been instrumental in key transactions, including due diligence and offers for 80,000 acres of forested land and the mortgage-backed purchase and lease of a 5,000-acre Uruguayan ranch. Federico Lemos is skilled in structuring and advising on large-scale development projects, income-producing real estate vehicles, and complex fiduciary investment structures and has led transformative real estate transactions in Uruguay. Aparicio Howard left the firm in June 2025 and has since established his own practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Fernando Jimenez de Arechaga and Daniela De Castro are fully committed to each specific matter, possess extensive knowledge of corporate law, and are willing to collaborate with the rest of their team if needed. They are also prompt in their responses and readily available to assist the company.
- The excellent personal treatment, the friendliness of its professionals, the follow-up and resolution of cases, the efficiency in "all areas".
- The team is excellent, with very good interpersonal skills. They are professionals who make legal matters pleasant and understandable.
Key clients
- Diamantis Buildings
- Banco Santander
- Trump Group
- Ceaosa
- Arcos Dorados Uruguay S.A.
- IMMOBILIARIA PAMS S.A.
- OVERSIL
- Grupo Otegui
- Doftey/Woil
Work highlights
Advised CEAOSA in negotiations with developer DDC for the LIV gated community near Carrasco (Montevideo), including the Carrasco District apartment complexes. After CEAOSA won the competitive tender to construct the apartments, our real estate team led comprehensive negotiations of the construction contract – aligning technical specifications, timelines, and risk allocation – culminating in contract execution in May 2025 and enabling project mobilisation.
Advised Fideicomiso Financiero “Torres Nuevocentro”, issuer for the two-tower residential complex integrated with the Nuevocentro hub, on a comprehensive debt restructuring. Converted outstanding CPs into hybrid notes (títulos mixtos) to align with revised cash flows, executed a partial redemption in Unidades Indexadas (UI), and issued reprofiled notes for UI 320,727,947. Substitution and closing were effective November 7, 2025.
Advised Banco Sabadell and a syndicate of international lenders on a USD 191 million facility to the developer of the Dreams Hotel at Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic. Provided comprehensive Uruguayan-law counsel on the structuring, perfection, and enforcement of local guarantees granted by group entities.
Practice head
Héctor Viana
Other key lawyers
María José Rovira; Federico Lemos