/ Alessandri Abogados Announces Promotions Within Its Team

Alessandri Abogados announces the promotion of three outstanding lawyers within its team. Luis Fuentes has been appointed Director of the Litigation and Arbitration Practice Area, while Laura Hernández Bethermyt and Hernán Torres have been promoted to Intellectual Property Senior Associates. 

In an environment marked by rapid technological advances that are reshaping the legal landscape, the role of the new director and the newly promoted senior associates will be crucial in advising clients and providing innovative and effective legal solutions. 

Meet the New Senior Associates and the New Director 

Luis Fuentes is a lawyer from Universidad Diego Portales and holds an LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London. He has also completed specialized courses in investment and construction arbitration at Washington College of Law. His professional practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, administrative sanctioning proceedings, and compliance. Throughout his career, he has litigated in ordinary courts, arbitration, and special jurisdictions, handling cases related to civil liability, unfair competition, environmental rights, industrial property, and consumer law. Luis advises national and international companies on criminal law and regulatory compliance, conducts training, and develops risk matrices and crime prevention models through close client collaboration to identify their needs. 

Laura Hernández Bethermyt is a lawyer from Universidad Santa María in Venezuela, specializing in Intellectual Property at Universidad de Los Andes. She is responsible for Alessandri’s international department and has an outstanding career in intangible asset protection, with a strong focus on managing global trademark and patent portfolios, among other intangible assets. She is one of the founders of the Latin American School of Intellectual Property (ELAPI), where she promotes the dissemination and advancement of knowledge in this field across the region. 

Hernán Torres is a lawyer from Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile, holds a Master’s in Business Law from Universidad de Los Andes, a Master’s in Law and New Technologies from Universidad de Chile, and an International Diploma in Specialized Studies from Universidad Europea de Madrid. He has extensive experience in business law, intellectual property, and IP litigation. Hernán previously served as Legal Manager at Penguin Random House, one of the world’s largest publishing groups, and was recognized for his role by GC Powerlist from Legal 500 in 2019 and 2022. He currently leads Alessandri’s Enforcement department and has achieved significant results in areas such as piracy, illicit trade, advertising ethics, and unfair competition. 

Outlook for the Intellectual Property Practice Area 

“We are very pleased to make this announcement, which is part of the continuous growth and development of our Intellectual Property team, which has been consolidated and recognized as a leader in Chile by various legal rankings and publications. Laura and Hernán have stood out for their outstanding commitment to dedication and professional excellence in their respective fields. They will be participating alongside the Intellectual Property partners of Alessandri at the IACC and INTA international congresses in San Diego this May”, says Rodrigo Velasco, partner at Alessandri. 

“The most significant challenge for the international department is undoubtedly Chile’s accession to the Madrid Protocol, which has been successfully leveraged by our domestic clients across different jurisdictions. Likewise, patent applications processed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) at a global level represent another crucial aspect of our work”, explains Laura Hernández Bethermyt. 

“The development of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a major challenge for intellectual property. It is essential to regulate the use of copyrighted works in the context of AI, as well as the content generated by this technology. Generative AI not only poses a significant regulatory challenge but is also set to revolutionize the legal profession by introducing new solutions to the legal market. By enhancing the efficiency of legal processes, these advancements will benefit both lawyers and clients”, explains Hernán Torres. 

Outlook for the Litigation and Arbitration Practice Area  

Meanwhile, Raúl Montero, partner, adds: “Providing legal advice in a dynamic and complex world requires agile and timely legal assistance that comprehends risks and contingencies. This kind of leadership is precisely what Luis has developed and demonstrated over the years at Alessandri, advising clients across various industries with diverse needs.” 

“We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Luis Fuentes as head of the Litigation and Arbitration department. Luis has demonstrated an exceptional ability to manage extremely complex cases in various areas, including construction, real estate and corporate disputes, among others. His vast experience and innovative approach will be fundamental to continue offering effective and personalized legal solutions, adapted to the specific needs of our clients”, says Patricio Rámila.

As the newly appointed Director of the Litigation and Arbitration Practice Area, Luis Fuentes identifies new opportunities in areas such as unfair competition, construction disputes, and shareholder conflicts. He also anticipates an increase in case complexity and the need for greater specialization, particularly due to the enforcement of the Economic Crimes Law, which will result in mixed civil and criminal disputes. 

https://chambers.com/articles/alessandri-abogados-announces-promotions-within-its-team