Barros & Errázuriz‘s ’environmental team is very good at both defining the general strategy and its implementation’. The full-service firm’s seven-member practice advises at every stage of clients’ business development and demonstrates expertise in projects’ planning, operation and closure phases, including due diligence, project finance, environmental assessments, permitting issues and community matters. The team also assists with local authority relations, compliance, and litigation before Chile’s environmental and ordinary courts (including the Supreme Court), along with enforcement proceedings and preventive advice. Additionally, the department has notable experience in urban planning, climate change issues, and waste management, recycling and aquaculture regulations. Recent highlights include assisting electricity transmission company Eletrans II with a sanctioning proceeding before the Environmental Superintendence. The team’s principal figures are Fernando Garrido, an expert in project finance, litigation, and natural resources and energy project development; and director Matias Montoya, a former Environmental Assessment Agency general counsel, who ‘has significant experience in environmental issues’. Montoya focuses on environmental assessments and environmental compliance, along with litigation and due diligence. In the firm’s associate pool, senior Mara Angelini has ’a lot of experience in environmental issues and development permits’, while Cristóbal Gil is also a key member of the natural resources group.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘BYE’s strong team has a lot of experience in environmental and regulatory issues.’
‘They have the ability to see all types of issues at different stages of the investment project. They are always available and deliver quick, quality responses - they are also committed to the client.’
‘B&E's environmental team is very good at both defining the general strategy and its implementation - very concerned with the details.’
‘Their knowledge of Chile’s institutions makes them efficient and they are recognised by state organisations, leading to appropriate solutions during the development of projects.’
‘Matías Montoya has significant experience in environmental issues. Matías is very efficient and accompanies the client with commitment and speed in the search for solutions.’
‘Matías Montoya is highly respected and well received during the various administrative and judicial instances.’
‘Matías Montoya works very well with Mara Angelini, a senior group lawyer with a lot of experience in environmental issues and development permits.’
‘Cristóbal Gil is always available to support the client.’
Key clients
- Austria Energy
- Eletrans II
- Eletrans III
- Colbún
- Interchile
- Albemarle
- Agrícola Mollendo
- Microsoft
- Levaduras Collico
- Chilquinta
- Agrícola Coexca
- Coexca
- International Paper
- RBT Energy
- Sonedix
- Inmobiliaria El Plomo Dos
- Indesa
Work highlights
- Acted as local counsel to a consortium formed by AE, OK and CIP regarding the environmental aspects of a project involving the production of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia in the Magallanes Region.
- Assisted Eletrans II with a sanctioning proceeding before the Environmental Superintendence.
- Defended Colbún against two claims filed before the Environmental Court of Antofagasta by an indigenous community against the environmental qualification resolutions of photovoltaic projects.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Fernando Garrido, Matías Montoya