Home to ‘experts in multiple aspects of environmental law’, Eelaw's 13-strong team also comprises public and private sector specialists in mining, energy, waste, the circular economy and water resources, as well as advisers on community relations. The boutique practice is consistently mandated to advise on the development and implementation of a range of major projects, including regulatory developments at both national and international levels. Examples include environmental licensing and permitting strategies, feasibility studies and environmental proceedings, particularly against the Chilean Environmental Enforcement Agency. The firm also handles international environmental law issues such as climate change, the Minamata Convention on mercury and global plastics treaty negotiations. The group is led by the ’excellent, brilliant and very hard-working’ founding partner Paulina Riquelme, who currently serves as chair of the Confederation of Production and Commerce’s Sustainability and Climate Change Commission. Riquelme’s longstanding environmental law expertise ranges from investment project-related environmental impact assessments, preventive environmental compliance strategies and defence-side litigation and sanctioning administrative procedures, to waste regulation, contaminated site remediations, corporate environmental issues and emissions-related damages. In the firm’s senior associate team, Jorge Brower specialises in mining-related environmental issues; while Camila Martínez's workload encompasses environmental compliance, sanctioning procedures and environmental litigation.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Unparalleled knowledge of environmental issues. Interest and dedication to the subject and the client.’
‘They manage environmental issues in a comprehensive manner, and with a broad and systemic viewpoint.’
‘They have a lot of expertise, a very important network of relevant players, and vast experience.'
‘High standards of excellence.’
‘They are experts in multiple aspects of environmental law, and very vigilant in relation to regulation and global trends.’
‘The opinions given are always direct, honest and raw, and aim to mitigate and control risks.’
‘Paulina Riquelme is excellent, brilliant and very hard-working. Very easy to work with her.’
‘Paulina Riquelme responds at high speed, which is highly valued.’
Key clients
- Sociedad Nacional de Minería
- Haldeman Mining Company
- Cerro Negro Mining Company
- Grupo Minero Las Cenizas
- Confederación de Producción y Comercio
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- Compañía Minera del Pacífico
- KDM
- CEMIN Holding Minero
- Minera Tres Valles
- Lithium Chile
- Mainstream Renewable Power
- Agrícola y comercial Olivo
- Battery Mineral Resources
Work highlights
- Acted for Haldeman Mining Company in sanctioning proceedings initiated by the Mining Agency.
- Advised Minera HMC on obtaining the environmental licence for the Plan de Desarrollo Michilla project.
- Advising Battery Mineral Resources on obtaining mining sector project permits.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paulina Riquelme