The eleven-strong environmental practice at boutique firm Echeverría Ilharreborde Scagliotti has a strong presence across the energy, aquaculture, mining and industrial sectors. The group advises clients throughout the full project lifecycle, including conducting environmental assessments, developing regulatory strategy, obtaining environmental permits, ensuring compliance, and undertaking litigation. The team has been highly active in both contentious and non-contentious matters, handling administrative and judicial proceedings, including high-profile sanctioning processes and challenges to environmental permits. Recent significant matters include advising major fishing company AquaChile on fourteen sanctioning procedures before the SMA; conducting highly sensitive and complex environmental impact assessments for mining company SQM; and defending renewable energy company AR Energía against administrative proceedings concerning a solar power project. Name partners, José Domingo Ilharreborde and José Pedro Scagliotti are at the forefront of the practice: Ilharreborde is an expert in environmental litigation and crisis management, particularly with regard to the aquaculture and mining sectors; and Scagliotti ‘stands out for his deep knowledge of environmental law,’ and leads on complex litigation and compliance mandates. Promoted to partner in February 2024, Felipe Infante is highly active in environmental litigation and also frequently advises on compliance matters in the fishing industry. At associate level, Santiago Samaniego has a strong agribusiness portfolio, primarily focused on environmental impact assessments and litigation; and María Ignacia Parker advises on aquaculture, environmental crimes and recycling regulation, with a key role in compliance matters for salmon companies.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
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‘The members of Echeverría Ilharreborde Scagliotti truly go beyond mere legal advice and have become strategic advisors on many of the decisions we make. This allows them to interact efficiently and usefully with different teams in the company, beyond the needs of legal management.'
'We highly esteem not only the leading partners, José Domingo Ilharreborde and Felipe Infante but also the young lawyers who serve us quickly and always provide answers that are very useful in our operations. In this regard, I would highlight the work of associate Agustín Fuentes, with whom we have been working for quite some time.'
'Regarding pricing and billing, I would like to highlight that the firm has various payment structures that allow our company flexibility to meet different needs, which is an attractive factor when choosing between one advisor and another.'
‘I believe that the greatest advantage this firm has, and what makes it stand out from its competitors, is the level of involvement of its partners in each of the matters we entrust to them. This year, this quality was particularly evident when, faced with a pressing need for time and urgency due to the relevance of the matter in question, all of the firm's partners became involved in the analysis of a highly complex and sensitive matter for our company, each from their area of expertise (environmental, regulatory, administrative law, arbitration, and dispute resolution). Thanks to their teamwork, even during periods when they were on vacation, we achieved a very positive result for our company.'
'José Pedro Scagliotti stands out for his deep knowledge of environmental law, especially in the energy industry. He is also capable of addressing very complex requirements very quickly and efficiently, which generates great value for our company.'
'We have been working with Felipe Infante for several years, and he has been a pillar of our company's environmental consulting services, not only for the legal team but also for the project development and environmental teams. His experience in environmental project assessments, permitting, and dealing with authorities makes him a key advisor for our operations. Over time, he has become a fundamental element in our environmental requirements.'
Key clients
- SQM Litio
- SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal
- Anglo American Sur
- Embotelladora Andina
- AR Energía
- Transelec
- Fotovatio Renewable Ventures
- Guacolda
- HIF
- AquaChile
Work highlights
Advised HIF Global on two environmental impact assessment procedures - for the Planta de Combustibles Carbono Neutral Cabo Negro and Parque Eólico Faro del Sur projects (estimated investment of $830m and $500m, respectively) - assisting the client with the preparation and drafting of several documents responding to the observations and requirements issued by sectorial and environmental authorities during such procedures.
Defended AquaChile in fourteen sanctioning procedures before the Environmental Superintendence, primarily related to overproduction exceeding environmental permit limits—a critical issue for both the SMA and the industry.
Undertook the defence of Transelec in an administrative proceeding initiated by an individual identifying as indigenous, who filed a claim contesting the main environmental permit (RCA) of the transmission line project “Nueva Línea 2x220 kV Lagunas Nueva Pozo Almonte, Tendido Primer Circuito”, in the Tarapacá Region
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
José Domingo Ilharreborde; José Pedro Scagliotti; Felipe Infante