"I prefer to work with them over any other top firm," one attorney notes of Barros & Errázuriz. "They have a way of working with you that is easy-going, but very well prepared....
[more]
"I prefer to work with them over any other top firm," one attorney notes of Barros & Errázuriz. "They have a way of working with you that is easy-going, but very well prepared."
Other attorneys agree, stating that the firm is "very solid" and "has top lawyers in almost every area." Of those top lawyers, other market practitioners made special mention of Pablo Guerrero Valenzuela and Fernando Barros this year. Guerrero is described as "possibly the most significant attorney at the firm on the corporate side," while a partner at another firm says, "Fernando Barros I like very much as a lawyer and a person."
The firm is still recognised for its leading tax practice, an area of strength that is viewed as going hand-in-hand with its still-growing corporate department. The firm expanded its offices over the past year in addition to promoting five former associates to partner, bolstering both the firm's tax division and its financial team in the process.
The firm's rapid growth has not affected clients' view of its position as a market leader. "I work with several firms in Chile," one client explains. "With Barros & Errázuriz – maybe because they're mostly younger lawyers or a fairly young firm – you get the feeling that they understand what's going on in Chile and are in touch with what it takes to do business in a modern way."
Deals
Barros & Errázuriz advised Celfin Capital in the negotiations for the Celfin Capital – BTG Pactual merger beginning in August 2011 and closing in February 2012. The $600 million transaction involved BTG Pactual's acquisition of 100% of the shares of Celfin Capital, gaining control over its subsidiaries in Chile, Perú and Colombia.
The corporate team acted in concert with Allen & Overy last August as it advised Chilean mining and industrial conglomerate Sigdo Koppers in its acquisition of the Belgian company Magotteaux, which produces implements for mining, cement, and dredging processes. The approximately $670 million acquisition positions Sigdo Koppers as among the largest Chilean mining interests and a significant international mining entity.
The firm also advised Chilean paper products company CMPC in the negotiation and execution of a secured $600 million international syndicated loan to help refinance its debt last October. The loan was led by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi as administrative agent and included a total pool of 10 banks. The credit agreement was structured as a two-tranche credit, with $400 million in a term loan, and $200 million in a committed revolving credit facility
[hide]