Chile

Editor’s notes

Classified as a high-income economy by the World Bank, Chile is heavily dependent on mining, while agriculture, forestry and fishing, as well as tourism, retail and finance, are also major economic sectors for the Andean nation. Chile’s economy additionally benefits from its strong free trade agreements, along with its role as a copper and lithium exporter.

The first quarter of 2025 delivered an increase in growth of 2.3% from a year earlier; this was driven by exports, retail, manufacturing, agriculture and services, while mining, financial services and construction experienced slowdowns. Overall, it is expected that Chile's economy will achieve stable growth during 2025, albeit at a slower pace.

The country’s top lawyers continue to be sought out to advise on Chile’s ongoing legislative developments. In March 2024, President Gabriel Boric enacted Chile’s Cybersecurity Framework Law, making Chile the first country in Latin America to establish a cybersecurity agency and regulatory framework. Coming into force in January 2025, the legislation establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework that bolsters cybersecurity in Chile. The law additionally established the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCI), which along with managing a national cybersecurity incident database, has the power to enforce cybersecurity regulations.

Another new law that is already in force is Chile's Economic Crimes Law, which took effect in September 2024; the legislation significantly expands corporate and individual liability for economic crimes and introduces new environmental offences. This means that companies operating in Chile can expect increased scrutiny, as well as potential liability for economic crimes such as corruption and fraud. Consequently, numerous companies have been turning to the country’s leading law firms to review their compliance programmes and internal controls, so as to lessen the risk of corporate criminal liability.

In August 2024, after seven years of debate, the Chilean Congress also approved the Chilean Data Protection Act’s reform. In December, Law No. 21.719 was enacted, the legislation updating and strengthening personal data protection in Chile. Such law - which does not take effect until December 2026 - regulates the conditions under which personal data is processed; and in addition to bringing Chile’s protection standards in line with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the legislation creates a technical agency that is responsible for overseeing compliance and imposing fines.

Legislation yet to be enacted includes the Medicines II Law Bill, which is currently in its final legislative stage. The bill, which proposes changes to the 1967 Health Code, aims to ensure that the bioequivalent medication regulations are to an appropriate standard. It also intends to introduce a pharmaceutical product price regulation system and envisages new surveillance facilities for State agencies.

In addition to new legislation, investor clients are also turning to their legal advisers for counsel on the Chilean Government’s April 2024-declared Green Hydrogen Action Plan for 2023-2030, which seeks to promote Chile’s green hydrogen sector. The plan intends to replace polluting industries with sustainable sectors, thereby achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; and as a result of Chile’s decarbonisation aspirations, law firms are reporting increasing interest from potential investors that wish to develop clean energy projects. Legal practices are also being mandated to assist clients that seek to convert to clean energies.

The Chilean legal market continues to experience significant movement. Further to the departure of name partner Felipe Bascuñán in January 2025 to found Bascuñán & Cía, which covers energy, natural resources, corporate law, arbitration, dispute resolution, real estate, agribusiness, and public and regulatory law, Allende Bascuñán & Co renamed itself Allende & Cía; the latter firm advises both domestic and foreign investors on taxation, litigation, labour and employment, and corporate and M&A.

The litigation legal market in Chile was particularly buoyant during 2024, with a number of new litigation practices being established in December. Specialised civil and commercial litigation firm Awad & Cía. was launched by dispute resolution expert and former Contreras Velozo partner, Álvaro Awad; while litigation and arbitration firm García & Ruiz-Tagle Abogados was co-formed by complex litigation experts Benjamín García and Tomás Ruiz-Tagle , both former partners at Marinovic & Alcalde Abogados.  Earlier in the year, litigation and arbitration boutique firm Gonzalo Fernández & Cía. was established in June by renowned litigator Gonzalo Fernández, after 20 years as a Carey partner; while in October, Rosenberg y Compañía was re-established by civil law dispute and business conflict specialist, Bernardo Rosenberg, a former partner at Reymond Abogados.

To date, 2025 has proved to be just as fluid for the dispute resolution market. In May, Bulnes Lihn Abogados was co-founded by experienced litigators José Tomás Bulnes and Oscar Lihn, former partners of Ovalle & Bulnes Abogados (now known as Ovalle Abogados); and in April, dispute resolution, projects and insolvency-focused boutique, P&M Abogados, was co-established by construction, contract and insolvency dispute specialist, Orlando Palominos, a former partner at Fleischmann & Román Abogados, and Manuel Morera, previously the general counsel at Sociedad Concesionaria Metropolitana de Salud (the concessionaire for Chile’s Felix Bulnes hospital).

In other practice areas, notable developments include the late 2024 launch of specialised commercial and insurance law firm, Silva & Parmar Abogados, by former Kennedys senior associates Daniel Silva and Pía Parmar; and in early 2025, Baraona Marshall & Cía hired former Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos partner Ricardo Tisi to lead its labour and employment practice, while specialised labour law boutique firm RMR Laboral was co-founded by Francisco Ruay and Francisca Montenegro (former partners at Salinas Toledo Abogados). Other significant market developments saw Garrigues Chile strengthen its projects, public law and (construction) arbitration capability with the absorption of specialist boutique Riquelme & Silva Abogados in March 2025; and the August 2025 dissolution of MBC Abogados, from which emerged a number of boutiques, including B2SG Legal and Cremaschi Abogados.

Certain legal practices are seeking to expand through mergers. DAC Beachcroft Chile (DAC), the Santiago branch of international law firm DAC Beachcroft LLP, joined forces in December 2024 with Chilean litigation law firm RRA (Ríos Abogados), the combination adding insurance market specialist Roberto Ríos to DAC’s Chile offering.

Some firms are looking overseas to bolster their growth. In November 2024, full-service market stalwart Barros & Errázuriz became the first Chilean law firm to open a representative office in New York, which serves as a hub for the practice’s cross-border operations and is expected to bolster its venture capital credentials.

In other news, Jaime Carey, senior partner of legal market giant Carey, took on the presidency of the International Bar Association (IBA) in January 2025; Carey is the first Chilean to hold the position and shares the two-year presidency with Claudio Visco, senior partner at Lipani  in Italy, marking the first joint presidency in the IBA’s history.

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Press Releases

DLA Piper welcomes Macarena Gatica to the Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity practice

DLA Piper is pleased to welcome Macarena Gatica as a partner in the firm’s Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity practice. Her arrival reflects the firm’s commitment to expanding the capabilities of its Chile office. Gatica brings more than 20 years of experience in data protection, cybersecurity, and technology law in Chile and greater Latin America. She is recognized for her work implementing new data privacy regulations and has worked with companies across various industries. In addition to her legal practice, Gatica lectures on data protection at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universidad del Desarrollo. She played a key role in shaping Chile’s Data Protection Law and is frequently invited by Chile’s Congress to provide deep industry insight on technology-related legislative initiatives. “Macarena is widely regarded as one of Latin America’s go-to lawyers when companies face their most complex data and technology challenges,” said Francisco J. Cerezo, Chair of the firm’s US-Latin America practice. “Her arrival strengthens our global platform and reflects our continued commitment to excellence and delivering the highest level of counsel to our clients across the Americas and globally.” “We are delighted to welcome Macarena and are confident she will be a tremendous asset to our team, especially in continuing the outstanding work already underway in the technology and cybersecurity space,” said Matias Zegers, Managing Partner of DLA Piper Chile. DLA Piper in Latin America’s team offers full-service business legal counsel to domestic and multinational companies with interests in and operations throughout the region. Our integrated approach to serving clients combines local knowledge with the resources of the DLA Piper global platform. With more than 400 lawyers practicing throughout Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, in addition to our US-based cross-border attorneys, our teams frequently work with our professionals throughout the LatAm region, Iberian Peninsula, and around the globe. DLA Piper’s global platform of 90+ offices in more than 40 countries enables us to serve all our clients’ legal and business needs, whether they are based in Latin America or wish to do business there. For more information, visit Latin America | DLA Piper.
DLA Piper - October 20 2025
Press Releases

Albagli Zaliasnik Appoints Yoab Bitran as New Director of the Compliance Group

Yoab joins the law firm to enhance and strengthen the strategy and business plan defined for the coming years, where Albagli Zaliasnik continues to strongly invest in this area as one of its pillars. With over 15 years of experience in Compliance, Yoab Bitran joins as the new Director of the Compliance Group at Albagli Zaliasnik (AZ) to co-lead, along with Rodrigo Albagli, a value proposition based on the prevention and active management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risks for companies and organizations. Mr. Bitran is a lawyer from the University of Chile with a master’s in business and Corporate Criminal Law from the same institution. Additionally, he holds an LL.M from Boston University. He has served as the Academic Director of the Compliance LatAm Diploma at Thomson Reuters and as a professor of the Legal Management Program LatAm Diploma at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV). Throughout his career, he has actively contributed to the compliance and corporate ethics industry as the Head of LRN Latin America, the world's largest company dedicated to ethics and compliance. On the other hand, his professional trajectory also highlights his experience as an International Associate at Chadbourne & Parke and as part of the legal management team at ENAP. Rodrigo Albagli, partner at the firm and head of the compliance area at AZ, emphasizes that "Yoab will strongly support our expansion plan for the Compliance area, which represents a strategic pillar for AZ's sustained development in the coming years." "It is time to push harder for excellence in ethics and compliance. Yoab has the experience, tools, and knowledge to help companies elevate standards and guide the effective implementation of compliance programs," Albagli emphasized. Yoab focuses his practice on advising companies of various sizes and industries, as well as building and sustaining ethical corporate cultures. One of his main goals is to promote ethical leadership and best practices in the region, frequently being invited as a speaker at international conferences and events. "I am excited to maintain and enhance AZ's leadership in our country and to become a regional reference in best compliance practices. We have the opportunity to significantly impact the elevation of ethical standards in Latin America, also taking advantage of our role as founders and coordinators of the Compliance Latam platform" concluded Yoab.  
Albagli Zaliasnik - September 5 2024
Press Releases

Distinguished Lawyer to Lead Energy and Infrastructure Group at Chilean firm Albagli Zaliasnik

The law firm albagli zaliasnik (az) has announced that Federico Rodríguez will lead the firm's Energy and Infrastructure Group. The distinguished lawyer has over 20 years of experience, dedicated to various industries related to energy, infrastructure, mining, salmon farming, and other natural resources. He has also been involved in the development of thermal, hydraulic, solar, and wind power generation projects, including significant mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions in the market in recent years. His areas of practice include Public Law, Regulated Markets, Energy, Sustainability, and Regulatory and Environmental Litigation. Rodrigo Albagli, az's managing partner, highlighted that  "Federico is recognized for his legal and commercial depth in client matters. His experience as a legal manager gives him a commercial perspective in his advisory work, approaching each issue as if he were part of the internal team. This is why we know he will strengthen our Energy and Infrastructure area." Federico has also led complex transactions in the energy and infrastructure industry, which have been noted for their complexity and innovation, using commercial structures and instruments for the first time in the local market. He is recognized by prominent international rankings such as Best Lawyers and Legal 500, with the latter nominating him as a "next generation partner" for his extensive transactional experience.  
Albagli Zaliasnik - August 27 2024
Press Releases

FerradaNehme names a new partner

Mónica Cortés has been named as a new partner of FerradaNehme, in charge of the Energy Law area. As of 1 August, we welcomed Mónica Cortés as a new partner in our firm. Mónica's arrival is a true reflection of our commitment to gender equality within the framework of FerradaNehme's objectives, along with continuing to grow with integrity, creativity, innovation, collaboration and excellence in every aspect of what we do. Mónica, who was part of our Competition and Regulation team for more than 6 years, has returned to FerradaNehme to lead our Energy Law practice. With extensive experience in matters related to electrical markets (generation, transmission and distribution), fuel markets and the regulation of markets in general, her work includes advising on preventive matters, permanent consultancy and litigation before the Energy Expert Panel and in other administrative and jurisdictional venues. She has also developed significant experience in salmon farming and other areas of aquaculture. Mónica was a partner at RegLaw Abogados, worked as a lawyer for Pacific Hydro Chile, was attorney secretary for the Electricity Expert Panel, and both director of regulatory affairs and compliance officer for the Salmon Council. She holds a law degree from the University of Chile, an LL.M. in Regulatory Law from the Universidad Católica de Chile; and diplomas in Electricity Regulation from the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, in Economic Administrative Law from the Centre for Regulation and Competition of the Faculty of Law, and in Regulation and Competition from the Faculty of Economics and Business, all from the Universidad de Chile. She also obtained a certification in management skills development from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. As for her academic activities, she is a lecturer in the Masters in Energy Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the Catholic University of Chile, was director of the Diploma in Litigation before the Panel of Experts at the Adolfo Ibáñez University, and assistant lecturer in Civil Law at the same university. Our founding partner, Nicole Nehme, comments that "it is with great excitement and joy that we welcome Mónica Cortés as a new partner of FerradaNehme. She will undoubtedly contribute to us with her tremendous human qualities, in addition to her brilliant track record, which shows a unique experience and knowledge from the public and private sectors, in energy and market regulation issues. For us, it is also very special that she has taken her early career steps in our firm and now returns as a partner to help us take into the future that we are planning". Monica says she is "very excited to contribute again at FerradaNehme, with a renewed vision and a firm commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of energy law. The experience gained in a generation company, in the Energy Expert Panel, and advising different actors in the sector, has prepared me to face the profound challenges that this industry is currently facing. In addition, I am motivated by the possibility of extending the firm's advisory services to aquaculture and other regulated markets. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to building on the foundations established during my career".
FerradaNehme - August 14 2024