Claro y Cía

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Founded in 1880, Claro & Cia is one of the oldest and most prestigious full-service law firms in Chile. The firm takes pride in representing clients in every civil and commercial legal field. It is recognised for its M&A and banking and finance practices and its experience in the global markets. Its litigation department is widely known for its vibrant, well-established and groundbreaking practice. The firm’s international practice concentrates mainly on representing multinational clients doing business in Chile.
The planning, structuring and implementation of foreign investments and the financing of the same are part of our daily business. Claro & Cia is the Chilean member of Lex Mundi and also a member of the Ibero-American section of the Club de Abogados. Those memberships, in conjunction with its association with the Bomchil Group, enable us to maintain close links with major law firms around the world. Claro & Cia enjoys an undisputed lead in the Chilean legal market and has set standards of premier service in the most complex business transactions and lawsuits. We constantly strive to maintain the most stringent standards of professional achievement. We are recognised by international surveys as “top-notch” in most areas of legal practice.

Main international areas of practice
M&A and corporate: The firm is the market leader on tender offers, and advises on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions. M&A work represents a substantial part of the firm’s practice. Claro & Cia also advises clients on all corporate matters including the negotiation of domestic and international contracts for the purchase and sale of assets, tender offers, distribution strategies, corporate reorganisations, corporate governance matters, private equity and venture capital transactions, internet related projects, and all aspects of Chilean employment law.
Banking and finance: The firm is well known for the development of new financial products and innovative banking transactions that later became standard in Chilean securities and capital markets. Claro & Cia represents foreign banks with a large business presence in Chile, including some of the largest international banks. It customarily acts on behalf of lenders, borrowers and guarantors, in the structuring and negotiation of loans, bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper and financial leases.
Securities and financial markets: The firm is also known for the design and structuring of sophisticated financial transactions comprising multilateral financing and cross-border capital flows. It supports clients in developing and implementing all types of project financing, public and private placement of securities, debt restructuring, futures, derivatives and structured products.
Litigation and arbitration: The firm handles commercial litigation, national and international arbitration, ADR, and specialises in cases that demand an aggressive and efficient approach. The firm’s teams in this area are results-oriented and have a reputation for success, efficiency and creativity. As such, they are ranked as a top Chilean litigation and arbitration practice. Claro & Cia also advises on all aspects of Chilean competition law. Its litigation department has successfully defended antitrust cases and implemented negotiated agreements in multiple areas.
Energy and public utilities: Claro & Cia provides on a constant basis regulatory advice to clients having interests in the production, transportation and distribution of energy, whether hydro, thermo or combined-cycle. In addition, the firm has substantial experience on the structuring and regulatory aspects of oil and gas, including domestic and Trans Andean pipelines, as well as in the potable water and sewage businesses. The firm’s experience includes the drafting and negotiation of EPC agreements, purchase agreements, development and investment agreements, production sharing contracts, joint operating agreements, and other service contracts.
Mining, natural resources and environmental: The firm’s experience has helped implement projects of international renown in which Chile is a key player in the world markets. The firm advises domestic and foreign companies engaged in exploration, exploitation and operating activities, assisting them in connection with mining concessions, environmental impact studies, permits, option agreements, mining exploitation agreements, joint ventures, thus covering a vast array of matters both in the metallic and non-metallic mining sectors. Claro & Cia is also a market leader in advising clients in water resources, forestry, farming, sea farming, wine and chemical industries, both in transactional and regulatory aspects. Environmental advice is provided in each of these industries, as well as to energy and public utility clients.
Tax: The firm advises foreign and domestic clients on income tax, value added tax, stamp tax and any other taxes in Chile in relation to determining the optimum structure of businesses. This includes tax planning, the creation of tax efficient structures and the use of double taxation treaties mechanisms. Claro & Cia also acts before tax authorities on behalf of clients seeking the grant of tax refunds, rulings and exemptions.
Intellectual property: The firm advises on trademarks and trade names, patents and industrial models, copyrights, license agreements, franchising, confidential information, unfair competitive practices and the transfer of technology. Claro & Cia’s services extend to infringement control, software protection and consumers rights.

www.claro.cl