The ‘serious, prepared and creative’ litigation department at Larrain y Asociados Abogados regularly acts in trials before Chile’s different courts and tribunals. The nine-strong team is experienced in commercial, civil, bankruptcy, tax and contentious-administrative litigation, as well as disputes over public works concessions. The firm has additionally developed a consumer law practice that assists with disputes before Chile’s Consumer Agency (SERNAC), particularly in relation to the energy, water, public services and sanitation sectors. An ’outstanding and strategic professional’, José Pedro Baraona represents highway concession holders, individuals and construction and energy companies in civil trials; Isabel Palacios (the firm’s first female partner) and Carlos Aravena are both experienced litigation and arbitration practitioners; and Víctor Manuel Avilés is a tax litigation expert. The associates to note are Claudio Torres, Macarena Gonzalez and César Vásquez, while Daniela Baron left the firm in July 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent team of professionals - serious, prepared and creative. Good client service.’

  • ‘Clients know that the firm they will do everything possible to obtain justice.’

  • ‘They really make an effort to look for all possible alternatives.’

  • ‘Clients only have words of gratitude towards them, because they know for a fact that they could not be in better hands.’

  • ‘Always at clients’ disposal for all their doubts and queries. Very high level of professionalism and commitment.’

  • ‘Great experience in infrastructure arbitrations and the quality of partners and staff is very high.’

  • ‘José Pedro Baraona is an excellent lawyer with a lot of knowledge, experience and commitment to his cases - he also has deep values ​​and immediately puts himself in the client’s shoes.’

  • ‘José Pedro Baraona is very good at treating clients with patience. Very prepared, studious and creative in relation to complex and dynamic issues. An outstanding and strategic professional.’

Key clients

  • Grupo SAESA
  • Condominio Parque Monasterio
  • AIM Futbol
  • Sociedad Concesionaria Vespucio Norte Express
  • FLSmidth
  • Sociedad Punta del Cobre
  • Industrias VINICAS
  • Aguas del Altiplano
  • Nueva Atacama

Work highlights

  • Defending Sociedad Punta del Cobre (Pucobre) against a constitutional action filed by certain residents of Tierra Amarilla, demanding that the National Geology Service, Ojos del Salado Mining Company, Candelaria Mining Company and Pucobre confirm whether subway mine tunnels are active.
  • Defending Sociedad Concesionaria Vespucio Norte Express against a collective proceeding under the Consumer Protection Law for allegedly making improper charges to users of a highway and for charging higher rates.
  • Defending Aguas del Altiplano against a lawsuit commenced by the Ministry of Public Works for the cost of removing certain pipelines.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

José Pedro Baraona, Carlos Aravena, Isabel Palacios