Posadas > Montevideo, Uruguay > Firm Profile

Posadas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Uruguay > Real estate Tier 1

Local and international developers and private and institutional investors continue to turn to Posadas for advice on real estate matters, spanning the retail, leisure, commercial and industrial sectors. The group has noted a recent uptick in foreign high-net-worth individuals seeking its advice on real estate investment. The team has a strong track record structuring real estate projects, demonstrating expertise in the implementation of real estate trusts and due diligence processes. It is active in the forestry sector, advising on acquisitions, financings and real estate regulatory matters. Following the departure of Eduardo Ferrari in August 2023, Federico Peñasco has assumed the role of practice head, bringing extensive experience in the real estate sector to the team. He specialises in the structuring of real estate projects and is an expert in real estate trusts, sales and acquisitions. Associate Lorena Speranza is also a public notary and has particular expertise in rural assets and the structuring of real estate projects. Nicolas Ferreira is also an active associate in the team, focusing on advice on foreign investment and the drafting of commercial agreements in the real estate sector.

Uruguay > Banking and finance Tier 2

Acting for a clientele of multinational lenders, Posadas regularly advises on project finance, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The team has a proven track record in corporate, acquisition and asset finance deals, on both the lender and borrower side, as well as in structured finance and syndicated, cross-border credit facilities. Its regulatory expertise sees the team sought out by development banks, payment services companies, fintechs, crypto platforms, brokers and investment advisers for assistance in obtaining operating licenses. The firm is a key player in the Uruguayan capital markets space, handling securities placements and public bond offerings. Practice head Tomas Gurméndez bolsters the team’s cross-border capabilities and is regularly engaged by multinational investment banks and multilaterals, particularly for advice on collateral structures. As head of the banking regulatory department, Andrés Aznárez has ‘unmatched experience’ and advises an impressive list of regulated financial entities, from banks and investment firms to brokers and fintechs. Victoria Garabato plays a key role in the team’s project finance practice, particularly in the renewables and infrastructure sectors. Martina Reyes is a name to note at the senior associate level.

Uruguay > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Acting on behalf of both local and foreign companies, Posadas advises on M&A, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. The team’s client base spans the full range of sectors, from infrastructure, energy and automotive to agribusiness and forestry. Due diligence is another prolific area for the practice, in which the team often operates on a cross-border basis. Fernando de Posadas concentrates his practice on significant investment projects and leads the sizeable corporate team alongside Tomas Gurméndez, who advises corporations and shareholders on corporate governance. Tomás Guerrero is an expert in M&A, and advises national and international clients on commercial agreements. Andrés Aznárez has particular experience in advising Brazilian companies, while Lucía Barrios focuses on the e-commerce and agribusiness sectors. Gerardo Caffera receives high praise from clients and Martina Reyes is an associate of note.

Uruguay > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Active in litigation, arbitration and mediation, Posadas represents clients in civil, commercial and administrative disputes and plays a prominent role in class action lawsuits. As well as representing large corporations in both domestic and international litigation, the team also advises individuals on civil lawsuits, particularly inheritance and succession cases. Expert litigator and mediator Luis Nin Estevez jointly leads the team, with a wealth of experience in contractual liability and damages cases. Practice co-head Valeria Techera specialises in both civil and commercial disputes, advising on the enforcement of guarantees, bankruptcy proceedings and liability claims. Senior associate Virginia Yellinek plays a key role in financial matters, representing multinational companies in debt collection and bankruptcy proceedings. Emiliano Opertti, senior associate, brings arbitration experience to the team, advising clients on commercial disputes at a national and international level. Associate Luis Seguí is praised by clients.

Uruguay > Labour and employment Tier 2

With a strong contentious and non-contentious practice, Posadas‘ labour team advises on employment contracts and benefits packages, salaries and payroll filing, and immigration and social security issues. In addition, the team represents clients in labour claims and lawsuits. The practice has a strong background in sensitive terminations and is adept at handling sexual harassment allegations. It also advises on the labour aspects of reorganisations and conducts labour due diligence in M&A. Senior associate Mariana Fernández Fasciolo leads the team, advising a diverse roster of national and multinational companies on the labour law aspects of restructurings and M&A, employee transfers and union relations. Senior counsel Alejandro Castello plays a lead role in the team, particularly in collective bargaining and labour litigation, and excels in the drafting of employment conditions and termination agreements. Senior associate Maria Florencia Novaretto has a strong contentious labour practice, representing clients in employment-related litigation and negotiations. Senior counsel Gonzalo Gari is another name to note.

Uruguay > Projects and energy Tier 2

PPP projects are a focal point for Posadas, and the team is involved in a range of transport and social infrastructure projects. With a balanced developer and lender practice, the team handles project financing and development and has a strong background in the acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets. The group demonstrates expertise in renewable energy matters and continues to take on new clients in the sector, such as HIF Global and Essential Energy. Tomas Gurméndez jointly leads the team, specialising in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects and with a successful track record in cross-border acquisitions and divestments of energy and project companies. Practice co-head Fernando de Posadas takes a lead role in various construction projects across the hydrogen, pulp and paper, and mining industries. Victoria Garabato counts both lenders and sponsors among her clients, advising on project development, construction and financing.

Uruguay > Tax Tier 3