Prieto Abogados' ‘lawyers stand out for their application of environmental regulations and laws to business contexts’. The eight-strong environmental law team, which comprises industry expertise in mining, energy and real estate, routinely acts in judicial cases, administrative sanctioning proceedings and environmental assessments. It has also developed notable compliance experience in relation to environmental offences. The team is co-led by Agustín Martorell, who is ’truly an excellent lawyer’; and counsel Romina Tobar, an April 2023 hire and former Environmental Assessment Service legal department head. Tobar advises on environmental assessments, community relations, and permitting, administrative and judicial procedures. Associate Ignacio Matte is also a key member of the firm’s environmental and regulatory law team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Prieto's environmental team is top of the line.’

  • ‘Knowledge of the industry is excellent.’

  • ‘They have a mix of former public employees and top-level lawyers, which gives them an advantage over other law firms.’

  • ‘Prieto’s lawyers stand out for their application of environmental regulations and laws to business contexts.’

  • ‘Diligence, availability, and they put themselves in the client's shoes to find solutions that are balanced.’

  • ‘Agustín Martorell is truly an excellent lawyer - very involved in the day-to-day work and his fees are very reasonable.’

  • ‘Romina Tobar has unique expertise in the market after working for many years in the public service, which allows her to have a comprehensive view when assisting clients.’

  • 'Prieto's environmental team has emerged in recent years due to a change in its way of working. Today, the team is top flight and led by Agustin Martorell who was elected best environmental lawyer in Chile in 2023. The big difference with large and traditional firms is that the partners are involved in the work day by day, which is contrary to what other firms implement, where senior associates take the lead in the deal. The relationship with clients is first class and the partners, being "young", are completely involved in the day to day.'

Key clients

  • Sociedad Punta del Cobre
  • Empresas CMPC
  • Aguas Nuevas
  • Engie Energía Chile
  • Vivo Santiago
  • Solek Chile Services
  • Acciona Agua
  • DP World Chile
  • SMU Group
  • Bio Energía Molina

Work highlights

  • Assisting Engie Energía Chile with a judicial action initiated by the Mejillones community against an environmental permit that allows Engie to convert a carbon-based energy generation plant to a gas-based plant.
  • Currently assisting Conexión Energía on several regulatory matters.
  • Assisting Acciona Aguas with a sanctioning proceeding (concerning a desalinisation plant) before the Environmental Superintendency.

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.

Agustín Martorell, Romina Tobar