The ’very energetic team’ at full-service law firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos has ‘great experience in litigation’. The 18-strong litigation and arbitration department, which represents both domestic and international clients in high-stakes litigation that is frequently conducted against the Chilean State, is experienced in disputes over environmental, regulatory, energy, mining, securities, tax, construction, and insurance issues. The group is also regularly mandated to act in suits concerning damages, torts, competition law, and consumer protection. The firm additionally maintains robust white-collar and data protection practices. Among the firm’s notable disputes practitioners, national and international litigation and arbitration specialist Florencio Bernales acts in disputes involving construction, insurance, shareholder agreements and takeover operations, as well as damages, mining, environment, electricity and antitrust-related actions; Fernando Urrutia primarily handles construction cases and related insolvency proceedings; Raimundo Moreno's recent experience includes environmental cases; and Jorge Boldt is a civil and criminal litigation expert. The practice further comprises director José Ignacio Azar, who leads the firm’s consumer law and class action offering. In the firm’s senior associate ranks, Trinidad Torres' experience includes securities-related litigation; Lorena Avendaño assists with civil litigation and criminal defence work; and María Francisca Larraín (promoted in December 2023) is an experienced litigation, arbitration and ADR practitioner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Their strength is that they empathise very well with clients’ needs.’
  • ‘They have a highly-qualified team that knows clients’ business very well.’
  • ‘Great experience in litigation - clear focus and a very energetic team.’
  • ‘Experience and clarity to its legal strategy.’
  • ‘All very competent - clients have a very good opinion of them.’
  • ‘These are lawyers with a lot of technical knowledge and are very attentive to clients' requirements.’

Key clients

  • Larrain Vial Corredora de Bolsa
  • ENEL Generación
  • ENEL Chile
  • Google
  • BHP Billiton
  • Minera Escondida
  • UC Christus
  • Empresa Nacional de Energía Enex
  • Mercado Libre
  • Sandvik Chile
  • Dreams Chile
  • KPMG Chile
  • Pan Atlantic Bank and Trust
  • Soprole
  • Isapre Banmédica
  • Discovery
  • Vida Tres
  • Empresa de Transportes Transvip

Work highlights

  • Acting for investment Chilean bank Larraín Vial Corredora de Bolsa (LVCB) in civil court claims to reverse Cascada-related fines imposed on LVCB and two of its executives.
  • Representing Escondida in environmental litigation, which was commenced by the State of Chile (and an indigenous community) for alleged environmental damage in the San Pedro de Atacama area.
  • Defended Sandvik Chile and Sandvik Credit against a civil claim for allegedly infringing industrial property law.

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