Sanguinetti Foderé Abogados

This content can only be accessed by Latin Lawyer subscribers

Sanguinetti/Fodere is undisputedly one of the top law firms in Uruguay. Its local and international clients praise the innovative style of bringing solutions to their issues on every field of law and the immediate response, availability and unlimited access to all the members of the firm. The firm’s success lies on three basic pillars: broad experience, solid knowledge of the different areas of law and a strong commitment to its clients’ projects. Its members are committed to professional development and most of them have academic or professional experience both in the United States and Europe.

No matter the size of the client or the importance of the project, the firm is committed to satisfying its clients’ interests. Every professional in the firm aims to understand the clients’ business and to solve problems with smart and practical solutions.

Main areas of practice

Banking, finance & capital markets: The firm has a strong expertise in the banking and financial industries, making it one of the leaders in this field. Sanguinetti/Fodere routinely performs in specialised and complex transactions for a number of financial institutions, including banks, trust funds, pension funds, securities brokers and financial advisers, both local and international. Sanguinetti/Fodere has been retained in most of the relevant bond issuances in the local financial market.

Corporate: The firm regularly advises its clients on a wide variety of corporate transactions and issues, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, development of strategies in conflict of interests between shareholders, shareholders agreements, operations of corporate restructuring, directors and officers obligations, bankruptcy, liquidation and rehabilitation proceedings. Sanguinetti/Fodere has been retained by the World Bank to provide consulting services on the state of corporate governance in Uruguay and to improve its business climate.

Administrative law and PPP: The firm has developed special expertise in government procurement bids, PPP projects and compliance with economic and industrial sector regulations. Sanguinetti/Fodere has also achieved remarkable experience in free trade zones authorisations, permits and related proceedings before the regulatory agencies in Uruguay. Sanguinetti/Fodere has been retained by the Inter-American Development Bank to provide consulting services to improve the regulatory framework of services exports in Uruguay.

Energy & natural resources: The firm actively represents leading clients in the fields of gas transportation, distribution and supply, as well as on the renewable energy business. The firm also represents clients in the forestry and other related industries, providing legal counsel to the most relevant forestry project ever conducted in Uruguay.

Mergers & acquisitions: Sanguinetti/Fodere has an extensive M&A group that has performed successfully in high-profile transactions, including take-overs in the forestry, energy, healthcare and financial industries. The firm’s broad expertise on due diligence reports, negotiations and executions of M&A deals grants its clients an unparalleled service in these often stressing transactions.

Software & telecoms: Among the firm’s clients are important companies engaged in the marketing of computer hardware and the distribution of software related services.

Pharmaceuticals & healthcare: Sanguinetti/Fodere has a relevant practice in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The firm offers a full range of services to its clients in these industries, including regulatory compliance, administrative proceedings before the healthcare authorities and drafting of complex contracts with healthcare services providers.

Litigation & international arbitration: The firm is regularly retained for highly complex litigation and has an ample experience in corporate conflict cases and commercial disputes. The firm has represented the Central Bank of Uruguay in international arbitration proceedings as well as international companies in disputes conducted under the ICC and UNCITRAL rules, GAFTA regulations and before ad-hoc arbitral tribunals.

Real estate: Sanguinetti/Fodere has a highly regarded real estate department with specialised attorneys and public notaries, which advises current and incoming clients on real estate transactions, urbanisation projects, agricultural investment opportunities, country club developments, among a broader range of operations.

Labour & social security law: The firm’s labour department comprises specialists in employment law, benefits and pensions. The labour lawyers of the firm are regularly involved in collective bargaining with labour unions and in the drafting and execution of agreements before the labour authorities.

Tax law: The tax department of the firm provides its clients with highly qualified tax advice, both to companies established in Uruguay and abroad.

Clients: Among other representative clients, the firm advises: AES, Autolíder Uruguay (Mercedes Benz), Bridas Corporation, British Telecom, Despegar.com, Gaz de France, Grupo Empresarial ENCE, Petrobras, Petrogal, Phillips, The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

www.sfb.com.uy