López Escobar del Río

Home to ‘excellent professionals in the field of criminal law’, López Escobar del Río is also widely respected for its expertise in civil and administrative law issues, particularly in relation to the financial, retail, electricity, ports, mining, banking, telecoms and infrastructure sectors. Recent highlights for the practice include defending former army general Cristián Le Dantec in a criminal investigation against several former Chilean Army commanders-in-chief for alleged embezzlement of public funds. The team’s principal figures are criminal, civil and commercial litigation specialist, Julián López Masle, whose track record includes leading the defence of the Penta Group’s controllers, in relation to criminal proceedings concerning alleged tax and bribery offences; and José Ignacio Escobar Opazo, whose experience includes defending Camanchaca in an investigation into irregular financing of political campaigns and alleged bribery of public officials. Escobar’s expertise also extends to cases involving environmental law issues. In a major boost to the group, former senior associate Ignacio Ananías Zaror, a trial lawyer who routinely defends high-stakes white-collar crime cases, was promoted to partner in January 2024. Ananías’ experience further extends to advising the Ministry of Justice and the Senate on criminal law bills. Former associates Carla Lagomarsino Talma and Monserrat Cárcamo left the firm in July 2023 and April 2024, respectively.