/ Legal 500 2026 highlights Alessandri in seven categories

Legal 500 has released its Latin America 2026 ranking, and once again Alessandri has been recognized for its excellence across multiple practice areas. This year, the firm is ranked in Data Privacy, Intellectual Property, Life Sciences, TMT, Corporate M&A, Banking and Finance and Dispute Resolution: Litigation.

Alessandri Abogados was highlighted in seven categories:

1. Data Privacy – Band 2

Leading associates: Carla Illanes

Leading associates: Jaime Urzúa

The five-member technology, cybersecurity, and data privacy practice at Alessandri & Compañía Abogados assists clients with both adapting to new regulatory standards and advising on regulatory risks. ‘Technically very good and always up to date with what’s happening in other jurisdictions’, clients additionally benefit from the group’s leveraging of the firm’s specialisms in IP, corporate law, finance, litigation, tax and labor matters; its sector expertise ranges from healthcare, banking, financial services, insurance, retail and food and beverage, to fintech, education, real estate and entertainment (among others). Recent mandates include advising Corporación Nacional del Cobre (Codelco) on compliance with Chile’s December 2024-enacted data protection legislation; and assisting gender diversity foundation, Fundación Iguales, with drafting a privacy policy for its new technological platform. Following the October 2025 departure of former practice head Macarena Gatica, the firm has moved swiftly to hire Carla Ilanes – formerly a counsel at DLA Piper Chile, whose trajectory also includes time in the public sector at the digital governance division of MINSEGPRES. She will co-head the practice with Rodrigo Velasco A (who also heads up the firm’s technology and IP practices) and has particular experience in data protection-related litigation. Illanes arrives accompanied by Elisa Matta (data protection, cybersecurity & AI), who joins an associate team consisting of Jaime Urzúa, Diego Córdova, and Cristina Valenzuela. All three advise companies on the implementation of personal data protection and cybersecurity programs, particularly in the insurance, health, retail, and technology sectors.

Practice head(s): Carla Illanes; Rodrigo Velasco Alessandri

Work highlights: Advised Worldcoin, a project to create a global digital identity and universal cryptocurrency, on privacy policies.

Testimonials: ‘Alessandri’s team in this field is technically very good and always up to date with what’s happening in other jurisdictions. While there are many firms at this level, their proximity makes them very reliable.’

2. Intellectual Property – Band 2

Leading partners: Rodrigo Velasco Alessandri

Next Generation Partners: Carla Pacheco

Leading associates: Laura Hernández Bethermyt

Leading associates: Hernán Torres

‘Focused on building and maintaining close, personalized relationships with their clients’, Alessandri & Compañía Abogados’ 12-strong IP practice recently filed international applications (under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-administered Madrid Protocol), on behalf of significant Chilean wineries, fruit and food companies. It also assisted US telecoms software company Mavenir Systems (which has applied for the trademark “OPENBEAM” – again through the Madrid Protocol) and faced a formal observation regarding its coverage. The firm has additionally joined the National Institute of Industrial Property’s (INAPI) Inventors Assistance Program (PAI), which assists Chilean inventors with patenting processes. Managing partner of the firm’s technology and IP practices, Rodrigo Velasco A, is a music industry expert who specialises in licenses, contracts, taxation and litigation, in relation to domain names, trade marks, patents, data protection, software and the internet; Santiago Ortúzar’s workload encompasses IP contracts, as well as the design of strategies for the global protection and licensing of Chilean companies’, universities’ and inventors’ innovations and patents; and director Carla Pacheco assists with IP portfolio management, advertising, unfair competition and litigation. In March 2025, Hernán Torres and Laura Hernández Bethermyt were both made senior associates. Torres focuses primarily on trademarks, anti-counterfeiting, copyright, and domain name disputes, along with advising major media and entertainment companies on IP; while Hernández, an expert in managing trademark and patent portfolios, heads up the firm’s international department.

Practice head(s): Rodrigo Velasco A; Santiago Ortúzar

Work highlights: Successfully defended unregistered name, BEETLEJUICE, on behalf of a US law firm.

Testimonials: ‘The firm has a multidisciplinary team and its IP advice considers many other aspects that are also relevant to the client’s business, while always being guided by a specialist in the specific area.’

‘Focused on building and maintaining close, personalized relationships with clients.’

3. Life sciences – Band 3

The 15-strong team at Alessandri & Compañía Abogados is widely respected for its IP expertise. The group, which (in addition to lawyers) comprises patent technicians, engineers, chemists, biotechnologists, and designers, is highly experienced in the processing of applications, as well as freedom-to-operate issues, prior art studies, and drafting invention patents. The firm’s corporate team routinely works alongside its contractual, regulatory, and antitrust colleagues on large public tenders for public hospitals and private healthcare institutions; and recent growth includes advising on public procurement system reforms and regulatory compliance strategies. Experienced in designing strategies for the global protection and licensing of innovation and patents, Santiago Ortúzar co-leads the firm’s intellectual and industrial property offering; while at associate level, senior Francisca Donoso and Francesca Bozzo are the names to note.

Practice head(s): Santiago Ortúzar

Work highlights: Assisted Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft with patent registration-related cancellation actions.

4. TMT– Band 3

The six-member technology, cybersecurity and data protection team at Alessandri & Compañía Abogados routinely leverages the expertise of its IP, corporate, financial, tax and labor departments for TMT mandates. The ‘excellent’ group advises banks, financial institutions, software, technology, entertainment, and insurance companies on the implementation of governance in relation to the management of information security and cybersecurity risks. Rodrigo Velasco, head of the practice, focuses on legal issues in the music industry. At the associate level, Jaime Urzúa advises companies on personal data protection and cybersecurity programs across the financial, insurance, health, retail, and technology sectors.

Practice head(s): Rodrigo Velasco

Work highlights: Assisted Palo Alto Networks with the organization of various events aimed at training the company’s employees, partners, and customers in cybersecurity from a legal point of view.

Testimonials: ‘Kindness, empathy, very good client relationships, and great knowledge of this area.’

‘Excellent team. A wealth of applied knowledge with a good business vision.’

5. Banking and Finance – Band 4

Notably active on behalf of manufacturing, financial, retail, and energy clients, Alessandri & Compañía Abogados’ banking and finance group also assists domestic and foreign banks (including multilateral lenders) that lend to Chilean companies. Representative expertise for the seven-member team ranges from loan agreements to syndicated loans, collateral documents, credit securities, and fintech services. The group is led by Fernando Jamarne, whose specialisms include banking law and corporate finance; while José Antonio Cuadra assists multilateral entities with structuring and granting corporate loans to domestic entities. In the associate pool, Vicente Guíñez’s experience covers syndicated loans and other financing work.

Practice head(s): Fernando Jamarne; José Antonio Cuadra

Work highlights: Advised Inter-American Investment Corporation on its $10m loan to Servicios Financieros Progreso, in support of financing operations in Chile through non-bank financial intermediaries.

6. Corporate and M&A – Band 4

Alessandri & Compañía Abogados’ experience in corporate law is extensive and extends across multiple industries. The 12-strong corporate and M&A department assists with negotiating share and asset purchase agreements, as well as shareholder and transitional services contracts. The full-service team additionally covers legal, tax, and environmental due diligence work, along with advising multinationals and private equity firms on acquisition and sale transactions. It also fields experts in cross-border business deals, joint ventures, and reorganizations. The practice is co-led by Fernando Jamarne, an ‘absolutely outstanding’ adviser for commercial transactions, international deals and corporate M&A; and Felipe Cousiño, who also leads the firm’s insurance, capital markets, mutual funds and investment funds groups. The department further includes José Antonio Cuadra, whose practice encompasses foreign investment, M&A and corporate finance; and experienced senior associates Hans Kokott and Francisca Donoso.

Practice head(s): Felipe Cousiño; Fernando Jamarne; José Antonio Cuadra

Work highlights: Advised Amwins Global Group (and minority shareholders) on the sale to AJ Gallagher of all of the shares in THB Corredores de Seguros and THB Corredores de Reaseguros.

Testimonials: ‘The team is always well informed, and provides excellent advice from a global viewpoint. They provide direct advice, which is consistent but with direct language and a pro-business approach.’

‘Alessandri has a strong corporate practice in Chile.’

7. Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Band 5

In addition to Alessandri & Compañía Abogados’ renowned expertise in IP disputes, the firm’s six-member litigation practice has notable experience in civil and commercial disputes, along with product liability, misleading advertising and class actions. It also acts in defense-side administrative claims; while the practice’s sector specialisms cover technology, capital markets, insurance, construction, transport, and manufacturing. The department is led by Raúl Montero, who “certainly demonstrates a deep understanding of his cases”; while Patricio Rámila focuses on civil and commercial disputes, particularly in relation to the real estate, construction, agribusiness, and automotive sectors. The practice further includes March 2025-promoted director Luis Fuentes, who is experienced in both litigation and administrative sanctioning procedures; and Hans Muñoz, who specializes in civil and commercial dispute resolution, along with domestic arbitration. Former associate Bruno Orrego departed the firm during 2024.

Practice head(s): Raúl Montero; Patricio Rámila

Work highlights: Representing Empresa Sanitaria de Valparaíso in its conflict with Constructora Bravo e Izquierdo and Inmobiliaria Argenta, the action concerning the construction of Barrio La Foresta (a building in Reñaca).

Testimonials: ‘The price-quality ratio of their services is very good.’

‘It’s a very close-knit team. They have excellent litigation skills and a strong focus on finding the best strategy.’

Texts extracted directly from the Legal 500 website.