Morales & Besa

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Morales & Besa was established in 1992 by a group of leading professionals in the fields of corporate, finance and tax law, and has been at the forefront of the legal profession in Chile, in the field of international and local transactions. It offers in-depth expertise in complex legal matters, unrivalled execution capabilities and adherence to the most exacting international standards of the legal profession. Morales & Besa is among the largest law firms in Chile, endowed with a uniquely qualified body of attorneys, and aims to provide a comprehensive legal service to clients with international business interests. Banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, antitrust and regulated industries, taxation, intellectual property and litigation are particular areas of expertise. The firm does not participate in formal alliances or networks, preferring to maintain selective contacts with various firms worldwide on the basis of expertise and resources relevant to each individual international transaction. The firm regularly advises foreign and domestic clients in all kinds of complex cross-border transactions. Morales & Besa has advised several global sovereign bond issuances, capital market transactions, wrapped-bond issuances placed locally and in international capital markets. The firm has among its clients international or multinational companies, agencies of foreign governments and diplomatic representations of sovereign states; US and European banks, financial services companies, securities firms and a host of multinational corporations engaged in a variety of business sectors and industries such as telecommunications, oil and gas, infrastructure, energy, retailing and mining. Morales & Besa is considered a leading Chilean pro bono law firm.

Areas of practice

M&A: The firm has advised international and domestic buyers and sellers in acquisitions and takeover processes. Its privatisation practice group has represented international buyers and the government of Chile in all major transfers of Chilean state-owned assets and enterprises.

Banking & finance: The firm covers all areas of investment banking and finance, including corporate finance, leveraged buyouts, structured finance, project finance, derivatives, distressed debt and restructuring, commercial lending and syndicated loans.

Securities & financial markets: The firm is involved in advising and executing debt and equity securities offerings, securitisation of all kinds of assets, listing of companies, domestically and internationally. The firm has particular expertise in the areas of asset management and venture capital law.

Taxation: Morales & Besa is one of few local firms with a highly specialised tax practice group that provides advice on tax planning, tax-driven restructurings, tax litigation and general tax advice.

IP: The firm advises on all kinds of IP issues, infringement disputes and all other aspects of IP law. The practice group undertakes trademark, patent and copyright registration and litigation, as well as related transactional work. The IP practice group is actively involved in the structuring and negotiation of licensing agreements and technology transfer agreements.

Litigation, arbitration & ADR: The firm’s group of highly skilled litigation practitioners represents the firm’s clients in a variety of civil, commercial, tax, antitrust, white-collar crime and other specialised court litigation. The group has experience and familiarity with domestic and international arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of foreign awards. In the area of alternative dispute resolution its attorneys are active, particularly in large infrastructure projects and engineering contracts.

Antitrust: Chile actively enforces its antitrust statute and the firm’s lawyers undertake antitrust, competition and marketing related cases involving companies in the Chilean market.

Energy, public utilities & infrastructure: Morales & Besa plays an active role in the continuing development and deregulation of the Chilean energy, utilities and infrastructure sectors. The firm has vast experience in the regulatory framework of infrastructure public works concessions, power generation, transmission and distribution, fuel transportation and distribution, water and sewage and public works. It has advised major multinational companies that have made significant investments in power plants, gas pipelines, transmission lines and privatised toll roads.

Labour: The firm has developed a strong labour law practice, leading collective bargaining processes, advising international corporations with their employees in Chile and defending the interest of their clients before the labour courts.

Real estate: Our real estate practice group has advised major projects such as the tallest building in South America and has extensive experience with real estate investment companies.

Languages: English, French, German and Spanish.

Av. Isidora Goyenechea 3477, Piso 19

Las Condes, Santiago 7550106

Chile

Tel: +56 2 472 7000

Fax: +56 2 472 7001

mbabogados@moralesybesa.cl

www.moralesybesa.com