Focus on: VGC Abogados Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados

VGC Abogados Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados (VGC Abogados) www.vgcabogados.cl has established itself as a leading firm in environmental and regulatory matters and is recognized among the most distinguished in Chile.

It is a law firm with expertise advising both domestic and foreign companies and provides its services in the environmental assessment of large- and medium-scale projects and in obtaining the authorizations and permits required for the development, construction, and operation of these projects, in addition to providing advice in the oversight processes carried out by the authorities and in compliance with the established legal requirements. It also conducts litigation in cases of constitutional, administrative, civil, and criminal law, in addition to working in areas related to natural resources, mainly mining and water.

VGC Abogados has more than 60 lawyers specialized in matters related to the energy & natural resources,  environment, and the regulation of economic activities. Likewise, it is one of the largest legal firms in the country dedicated to mining operations and their issues associated with natural resources and energy. Its practice areas include legal advice in issues related to environment, energy, water, sanitary law, occupational health, and safety, among others. Regulatory compliance and defense in constitutional, administrative, civil, and criminal litigation are part of its permanent practice.

It is widely known that environmental law has developed greatly in recent years. VGC Abogados, was the first boutique firm  specialized in this area of practice, providing  support to important and stable clients in the Chilean market over the complete cycle of each project so that they can carry out their projects successfully.

The firm provides its services to a diverse array of industries, such as mining, agribusiness, forestry, cement, energy, infrastructure and sanitary, among others. In this context, the firm has positioned itself as an undisputed leader in the adoption of emerging technologies and innovative digital practices in its various processes and legal services in the environmental sector, allowing the integration of technology into its legal work. Some of the advising and legal support provided by VGC Abogados include the following:

• Review and strategic support in the environmental assessment of projects, environmental management instruments, territorial planning instruments and general instructions of the Superintendency of the Environment.
  Contact: Javier Vergara ([email protected]), Francisca Olivares ([email protected])
• Advice on preventive environmental compliance, both in the framework of internal evaluations of deviations from environmental or regulatory requirements, as well as in the framework of environmental inspection processes by the Environmental Superintendency.
  Contact: Cecilia Urbina ([email protected]),  Florencia Evans ([email protected])
• Strategic accompaniment, legal advice and defense in sanction proceedings initiated by the Environmental Superintendency.
  Contact: Cecilia Urbina ([email protected]), Artemio Aguilar ([email protected])
• Review of the applicability of environmental and sectoral permits for projects, constructions and infrastructure and/or existing activities, as well as support in the periodic updating of permit matrices and in strategic definitions for the processing of these permits.
  Contact: Javier Vergara ([email protected]), José Luis Fuenzalida ([email protected]).
• Processing and obtaining environmental and sectorial permits.
  Contact: Francisca Olivares ([email protected]), Lorna Püschel ([email protected])
• Elaboration of environmental due diligence and permits.
  Contact: Cecilia Urbina ([email protected]), Florencia Evans ([email protected])
• Advice on negotiation and conflict management processes with stakeholders, communities and community organizations.
  Contact: Patricio Walker ([email protected]), Mario Galindo ([email protected])
• Advice and assistance in administrative and judicial litigation and Litigation at the Constitutional Court. Contact: Ignacio Mujca ([email protected]), Josefa Conget ([email protected])
• Preliminary analysis of possible risks that could lead to legal and administrative proceedings.
  Contact: Pablo Ortiz ([email protected]), Melany Parini ([email protected])
• Integral Advising on the relations generated with the organs of the State administration. Contact: Patricio Walker ([email protected]), , Mario Galindo ([email protected]).
• Analysis and strategic planning of water use rights in all types of projects.
  Contact: Winston Alburquenque ([email protected]), Solange Villarroel ([email protected])
• Obtaining and perfecting water use rights before administrative and judicial agencies.
  Contact: Winston Alburquenque ([email protected]) , Solange Villarroel ([email protected]).
• Comprehensive advice on all matters related to mining, from the initial exploration phase, development, project operation, mine closures and related aspects. Contact: Winston Alburquenque ([email protected]), Mariela Garrido ([email protected])
• Processing of mining property and mining lawsuits, obtaining and processing of permits and authorizations from regulatory agencies.
  Contact: Winston Alburquenque ([email protected]), Ignacio Maureira ([email protected])

Is important to note that VGC Abogados partners, consultants and associates regularly participate permanently  in the media through reports, columns and opinion pieces on technical issues related to their specialties, which can be referred to doctrine and jurisprudence, legislative initiatives, environmental regulation, and political, economic, environmental, and social trends that the industry must keep in mind when planning projects.

In this context, Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados actively participates in the last years in discussions and dialogues regarding new regulations and their impact on their areas of expertise, as well as on current topics related to energy, natural resources, the environment, water, lithium, and others, considering their effects or implications in various industries. The aim is to provide information that supports informed decision-making by stakeholders in the environment.

The excellence of VGC Abogados has been recognized in the main international directories of the legal sector such as The Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, Leaders League, Latin Lawyers among others.

On the other hand, VGC Abogados is part of the Gender Alliance of the ProHUmana Foundation, which seeks to promote actions focused on gender equality, as well as to put an end to the salary gap between men and women. In this context, the legal firm has sponsored and participated in several meetings over the years.  Also, joined the Pro Bono Foundation in 2019, with the purpose of working to facilitate access to justice for people and communities in situations of social vulnerability.