A prominent player in the Uruguayan M&A market, Guyer & Regules is one of the ‘strongest and most recognised’ teams in this field and is often called upon to advise on high-value transactions. It regularly participates in international deals, drawing on its global network to advise an extensive list of global clients and leading exporting companies in Uruguay. A ‘reference in Uruguay for foreign investment’, Nicolás Piaggio was promoted to senior partnership in January 2023. He co-leads the team alongside Corina Bove, who is praised by clients for her ’great intelligence and knowledge of the market‘. Álvaro Tarabal bolsters the team’s international capabilities, representing clients in cross-border transactions and foreign investment matters. Javier Berdaguer is regularly sought out by foreign clients looking to operate businesses in Uruguay. Following his recent promotion to partner, Guzmán Rodríguez advises the team’s key clients on corporate matters on a day-to-day basis. At the associate level, María Emilia Cadenas is another name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Guyer & Regules team in the corporate area is one of the strongest and most recognised in the country. Guyer's team is generally involved in more than 65% of the relevant operations taking place in the country. The team is simply formidable.’

  • ‘The experience and expertise they have, the rigor and the personalised treatment is what we feel differentiates them from their competitors. We greatly value the time they dedicate to us and often the patience they have. Its best qualities are those mentioned above but in summary it is excellence, experience, personalised treatment, soft skills and diversity. Names of outstanding partners and associates: Guzman Rodriguez, Javier Berdaguer, Nicolas Piaggio, Corina Bove, Emilia Cadenas Tania Cavallo.’

  • ‘Nicolas Piaggio is outstanding, a reference in Uruguay for foreign investment, always available and with great knowledge of the market and corporate practice. Corina Bove, a partner with great intelligence and knowledge of the market, should also be highlighted as exceptional. Another name that stands out is Guzman Rodriguez, simply outstanding and a great lawyer who would stand out in any office in the world. I also want to mention Javier Berdaguer, a partner with great experience. Finally, we would like to mention Emilia Cadenas, an exceptional associate who has a bright future.’

  • ‘Deep understanding of clients' needs and market, exceptional work (and teamwork), excellence, people skills. It is, in my opinion, by far the best corporate and M&A team in Uruguay. They are naturals in complexity. Strong approach to diversity and AI as well.’

  • ‘Guzman Rodriguez, Corina Bove, Javier Berdaguer, Federico Piano, Nicolas Piaggio. Each with their own qualities and characteristics but overall, they deliver a work of excellence, they care about our needs and are very responsive and creative as well as a natural approach to complexity. One thing that I have always valued about the team is how they are great at teamwork among themselves and with clients.’

  • 'The expertise, the relationship, the speed in solving problems, being business oriented, are all issues that make us return to work with them every day. They are really excellent and like the other teams of the firm, they give us a lot of confidence, which is what matters to us at the end of the day. We feel safe working with them.’

  • ‘They differ in direct participation of partners, creative solutions, business oriented and excellence. Nicolas Piaggio and Corina Bove are who we have traditionally worked with. Both Corina and Nicolas are brilliant. Business oriented, solution seekers without ever ceasing to take care of our interests, excellent negotiators and are highly respected in the market and by counterparties. Also excellent: Javier Berdaguer, Emilia Cadenas and Guzman Rodriguez.’

Key clients

  • Montes Del Plata (Stora Enso – Arauco)
  • Philip Morris – Abal
  • Puerta Del Sur – Airport Concessionaire – Grupo Eurnekian
  • Minerva
  • Unilever
  • Almacenes Éxito
  • Casino Guichard Perrachon
  • Sodimac (Grupo Falabella)
  • Petrobras
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Bacardi Martini
  • Merck
  • Hilton
  • Eurofarma
  • SURA
  • Oracle
  • Saam
  • Femsa
  • CVC
  • Acciona (Spain)
  • Tesla
  • BASF
  • Perez Companc
  • DLF Seeds
  • The Rohatyn Group
  • Auxly Cannabis Group
  • Amazon
  • Samsonite
  • The Urban Haus
  • TMF Group
  • Tripadvisor
  • Upostal
  • Inchape PLC
  • General Atlantic
  • Aquila Software
  • Tata Consultancy Services
  • Jam City
  • Magna Motors (BMW)
  • Amicorp

Work highlights

  • Assisted Axo Group in the acquisition of Komax’s operations in Chile, Peru and Uruguay.
  • Assisted M Dias Branco in the acquisition of Las Acacias.
  • Advising Minerva on the acquisition of Breeders & Packers Uruguay (BPU) from Japan’s NH Foods for $40m.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nicolás Piaggio, Corina Bove