Castellan Abogados
Client SatisfactionCastellan Abogados provides representation in civil and commercial disputes and civil liability and damages cases to a diverse clientele of national and international corporations, individuals and families. The team also noted a recent increase in cases requiring alternative dispute resolution. Following her promotion to partner in August 2023, Maria Lucia Acosta rose to head of the practice, bringing particular expertise in multi-jurisdictional disputes and experience in judicial proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and interim measures in arbitration. Santiago Castellán plays an active role in the team, representing both companies and creditors in financial restructurings and insolvency proceedings. Senior associate Carolina Diaz de Armas joined the team in August 2023, strengthening its cross-border capabilities and advising on international contractual matters.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Castellán's litigation team is very balanced. It is led by Lucía Acosta, who is not only technically excellent, but has an enormous ability to identify the true needs that clients have and translate this into the strategy. She works very closely with young, creative and very tenacious lawyers, and also has the support of external consultants in different innovative practice areas (such as technology), which guarantee the constant updating and also provide a fresh vision to the team. For those of us who work in non-traditional industries, this is a great support.’
‘The strong interaction between the different practice areas, and the team feeling they convey really makes us clients think that "all fronts" are covered. Lucia Acosta is exceptional. She has always had great lucidity for strategy, she is innovative and extremely versatile, and she works with great ease in different areas and complex situations: it should be noted that she is conciliatory by nature but also relentless when she must be. What I value most about working with Castellán and the team is the deep knowledge of the client they have. I always feel like they are "one more" of my company's team, and that is not easy to see in the market.’
‘The team offers an overall legal approach for business, able to cover the main relevant legal aspects in Uruguay and most of the Latin American countries.’
‘The individuals are highly qualified and strongly focused on the clients' needs.’
‘They are part of the company, something that is preached but not always fulfilled. Especially, my reference is to Santiago Castellán and Lucía Acosta.’
‘Very good personal relationship. The partners that I identify who are linked to this company are: Santiago Castellán and Lucía Acosta.’
‘Castellan has a team varied in views and contributions, women and men with attention and agility to face different challenges.’
‘Lucía Acosta, Santiago Castellán and Carolina Diaz de Armas, three members who stand out for their empathy, clarity and proactivity. Especially Lucía has been a notable ally in the monitoring and control of agreements and follow-up for the business configuration of our company.'
Key clients
- Rispany (Coyre Group)
- Shift Brazil
- Shafel
- M Dias Branco / Las Acacias
- Kia Motors Uruguay
- MAPA
- Export Jaime
- Mantiba
- Abelenda
- Sandonato
- Club Urunday Universitario
- Club de Golf del Uruguay
- Alva Creative House
- Reacción
Work highlights
- Assisted Coyre Group (Rispany) in securing and collecting an arbitral award against Cobra Group (Taxway), after having its $15m counterclaim rejected, regarding breach of contract of a wind farm project.
- Represented Mantiba as largest creditor (90% of total liabilities) in bankruptcy proceedings filed by Isolux Ingeniería, leading out-of-court negotiations.
- Represented Las Acacias against the Ministry of Security seeking damage compensation.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Maria Lucia Acosta