Alessandri is one of the oldest firms in this chapter and without doubt a leading name in IP. Having established a remarkably deep bench over the years, the firm has shown its agility in what is a rapidly changing practice, and is credited with having significant muscle in the ever-evolving digital world. It also achieves landmark victories for clients year after year. That’s not the whole story, though. While IP may be what this firm is best known for, Alessandri also has solid corporate and finance offers that are growing in visibility, as well as offering energy and tax consulting arms that it recently incorporated under the Alessandri umbrella as part of a wider rebrand. With a good balance between the firm’s seasoned practitioners and a group of talented and internationally minded young lawyers in its ranks, Alessandri has done much to ensure it will continue to provide a high quality of service for many years to come. In a sign of the firm moving with the times, the IP department appointed the first-ever female partner at the firm in 2014.

PEOPLE & PRACTICES

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Alessandri has a top-tier IP team that is the first port of call for companies in need of complex advice in the area. Renowned practitioners Rodrigo Velasco S and Rodrigo Velasco A are responsible for some of the most important IP victories in the country’s recent history. Velasco S has the highest profile internationally through his membership of the administrative panel of arbitrators and mediators of the World Intellectual Property Organization. In 2014, he helped fashion brand Michael Kors prosecute two Chilean businessmen for selling fake copies of its clothing, and was invaluable in ensuring US food franchise Domino’s won its three-year trademark battle against Chile’s Productos Alimenticios Donuts over IP rights to the Domino’s name. Velasco S is also the International Chamber of Commerce’s regional ambassador for IP in Chile. Velasco A comes recommended in LACCA Approved, research conducted by the Latin American Corporate Counsel Association, Latin Lawyer’s sister association, and has built an impressive reputation off the back of the considerable success he has had in local courts, and in securing favourable settlements for clients whose products have been counterfeited. One client thinks Velasco A is on the ‘cutting edge’ of IP rights in the digital world, while another says he and his team ‘always act promptly and efficiently, considering all possible ways and alternatives for value-added solutions.’ One US lawyer who has worked with the team says: ‘They are good lawyers, good people, good communicators, smart, energised, effective and a pleasure to work with.’ Both Velasco A and Velasco S help clients with their internet IP rights and related litigation. Patents are another key source of work – the firm helped a UK animal healthcare provider obtain a patent for a vaccine to control salmon lice (important given Chile is a major global salmon exporter) after it was initially declined, and has assisted an Anglo–American mining company in a dispute against Codelco over a patent application. The IP team is further reinforced by Arturo Alessandri (now of counsel at the firm), who is recognised for his patents work. The practice received a boost at the beginning of 2014 with the promotion of its first-ever female partner, Loreto Bresky.

CORPORATE AND M&A

Over the years, Alessandri has used its reputation in IP to build its corporate and antitrust offer, and it is gaining further recognition in this area. Fernando Jamarne bridges the corporate and IP practice areas, while Arturo Alessandri, a highly regarded member of the Chilean legal community, adds further muscle to the area, and also acts in arbitration matters. Felipe Cousiño has also done much to build the firm’s competition capabilities. Starbucks is one big-name client to have relied on the department.

BANKING & FINANCE

LSE-educated Felipe Cousiño, a specialist in financial markets regulation, is charged with building the firm’s visibility in banking and finance work, which sees him focus on capital markets, investment work and mutual funds. He is recommended in LACCA Approved and is a well-regarded member of the Chilean legal community. One US investment client calls him ‘one of the best international lawyers I have worked with’ on account of the comprehensive advice he supplies and his understanding of the commercial aspects of his clients’ businesses. The team is strengthened by the presence of senior associate Nicole Cartier, who worked at the Chilean securities regulator until joining Alessandri two years ago.

SPORT & ENTERTAINMENT

Rodrigo Velasco A’s IP practice extends to sports and entertainment law, which he practices alongside corporate partner Fernando Jamarne. Velasco A has previously helped a film about the run-up to the 1973 coup receive copyright clearance, while Jamarne helped a production company obtain financing.

CLIENTS

For IP matters Alessandri has a large group of pharmaceutical and personal care businesses on the books, including L’Oréal and Pfizer. Other big brands the firm advises are Mars, Starbucks, Warner Bros and PepsiCo. Global clothing brand Lacoste has turned to the firm for over 20 years and says: ‘They have been very professional and all our files have been handled with care all these years – the firm is certainly one of the best in Chile in the field of IP.’ Other loyal clients include the Chilean Wine Producers Association, which has made the firm its permanent counsel. On the corporate side, GM Financial has been a high-profile transactional client, Canadian furniture designer Dorel uses the firm, as does Caterpillar. The firm has also advised major banks such as JP Morgan Chase and BBVA. One US corporate client says: ‘We have found their lawyers to be knowledgeable, diligent, business savvy and very responsive. Their oral and written English is impressive, and we have received top-notch service and support’. Similarly, a New York lawyer who has collaborated with the firm says: ‘The different attorneys with whom I have worked are professional, responsive and deeply knowledgeable.’

ALLIANCES & NETWORKS

Alessandri is a member of the American Law Firm Association (ALFA), an organisation of independent law firms. It is also noted for assisting clients with other professional services via tax consultancy Alessandri & Hedge, and environmental consultancy Alessandri & Hedge Ambiental.

PRO BONO

Alessandri is recognised by Latin Lawyer as a Leading Light in pro bono, and offering free legal services to the country’s underprivileged is high on the firm’s agenda. Rodrigo Velasco A is on the board of Chile’s pro bono clearing house, the Fundación Pro Bono, and litigation associate Nicolás Miranda, who is the firm’s pro bono coordinator, was commended in 2014 by Chile’s Fundación Pro Bono Chile network. Fernando Jamarne meanwhile serves as vice president of Federación Atlética de Chile, through which he has enlisted the firm in sports pro bono projects, including assistance with the Santiago marathon. The firm has also provided pro bono trademark advice to Teach for America, an educational charity that helps underprivileged children. LL