With ‘impeccable legal judgement’, the 18-strong team at full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has longstanding experience in high-stakes arbitrations concerning international infrastructure disputes, energy supply contracts involving mining companies and shareholder conflicts. The team, which has ’complete and in-depth knowledge of arbitration matters’, is also mandated to act in insurance-related cases, as well as construction and engineering-related arbitrations. Recent highlights include acting for Alkhairat Shipping Co in a recognition proceeding before the Supreme Court, the matter concerning a London-rendered arbitral award. The practice is led by ‘excellent litigator’ Florencio Bernales, a specialist in national and international litigation and arbitration. The team further showcases Fernando Urrutia (’deserves special mention for his talent’), who acts in construction cases and insolvency-related proceedings; Raimundo Moreno, whose experience includes CAM Santiago and ICC proceedings; civil and criminal litigation practitioner Jorge Boldt; and consumer law and class action head José Ignacio Azar, a director whose practice encompasses domestic and international arbitration. From the firm’s senior associate ranks, Trinidad Torres is a recently-appointed CAM Santiago Young Arbitrator; Lorena Avendaño regularly acts for national and multinational companies in significant litigation and arbitration cases; and recently-promoted litigation and arbitration practitioner Francisca Larraín also acts as a CAM Santiago actuary.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘In terms of arbitration, the firm is characterised by its very professional processing of each case under its responsibility. They have complete and in-depth knowledge of arbitration matters, as well as the applicable regulations.’
  • ‘They always look for a strategy within arbitration that is compatible with the client's security and the correct maintenance of its activity.’
  • ‘Lawyers specialising in arbitration with a lot of experience.’
  • ‘They maintain constant and permanent relationships with clients, which allow them to have perfect knowledge of the issues at stake. Stands out in arbitration for the quality of the team they have and the great technical knowledge with which they advise clients.’
  • ‘The litigation team is top-notch. They have a great ability to understand clients' problems and the strategies they propose are innovative.’
  • ‘They have impeccable legal judgement that is consistent with the needs of the client’s business. Among the lawyers to highlight are Florencio Bernales and Trinidad Torres.’
  • ‘Florencio Bernales is an excellent litigator - very attentive to detail and with a lot of experience. He is always available.’
  • ‘Fernando Urrutia deserves special mention for his talent and ability to determine strategies and negotiate agreements.’

Key clients

  • KPMG
  • Campbell
  • Minera Escondida
  • Minera Spence
  • UC Christus
  • Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile
  • Besalco Maquinarias
  • WeWork Chile
  • Cognita Chile
  • Isapre Banmédica
  • Isapre Vida Tres
  • Ripley
  • Esmax Distribución
  • Empresa Nacional De Energía Enex
  • Enel Generación Chile
  • Geotérmica Del Norte (Enel Green Power)
  • Sodexo Chile
  • FLSmidth

Work highlights

  • Acted for Tangoe in the recognition of an arbitral award, rendered in France against a Chilean company that sued Tangoe for alleged breach of contract.
  • Acted forAlkhairat Shipping Co in a recognition proceeding (before the Supreme Court), which concerned an arbitral award rendered in London.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Florencio Bernales, Fernando Urrutia, Raimundo Moreno, Jorge Boldt