Advising a broad client portfolio spanning key industries such as mining, agribusiness, energy, utilities and infrastructure, Carey‘s seven-member water law practice provides high-level legal and commercial advice across a broad spectrum of water-related matters. The group provides end-to-end services, including the strategic planning of water rights, regulatory compliance advice and contract negotiations, along with litigation and contentious matters. The team is particularly noted for its ability to secure water supplies for critical projects, delivering solutions to major domestic and international clients in the face of ongoing regulatory reforms. Recent matter highlights include advising state-owned mining company Codelco on the water-related aspects of its landmark lithium production agreement with SQM in the Salar de Atacama; and providing strategic water rights counsel to major clients such as water utilities company Suralis, and large-scale agricultural producer Agroveen. On the contentious side, the team is advising Chilean salmon producer Aquafarms in a significant case concerning the validity of water rights under the Chilean Water Code. Practice head Alberto Cardemil is a water and natural resources law specialist who has successfully advised hydropower generators, mining companies, water utilities, and various stakeholders on critical water rights and supply issues for over a decade. Other key lawyers in the practice include senior associate Camila Lavín, an expert in water administration issues and lawsuits related to water rights titles; and associate Joaquín Granados, who advises on energy and natural resources matters.

Guerrero Olivos' multidisciplinary, standalone practice provides a full-service water law offering that handles both contentious and non-contentious water rights' matters. The group, led by co-heads Sebastián Abogabir and Benjamín Pérez, is engaged advising clients from sectors such as mining, energy and agribusiness on matters including regulatory compliance, permitting, litigation, inspections, due diligence and the structuring of water rights for complex infrastructure projects. Recent matter highlights include advising food and beverage producer Empresas Carozzi on water rights applications and supply agreements; representing Empresas Ariztía in litigation related to Chile’s first groundwater communities; assisting Rio2 with securing scarce water sources for the Maricunga gold project; and advising US based chemicals manufacturer, Albermarle, on acquiring water rights for its mining operations. The team has also played key roles in major desalination and sanitation infrastructure initiatives, including the landmark Aconcagua desalination plant. Abogabir is highly experienced at managing environmental assessments and conducting water due diligence in project finance and M&A matters, alongside obtaining regulatory approvals and water rights authorisations for infrastructure projects. Pérez, in turn, brings deep mining sector insight and expertise in the water access and availability components of large-scale developments. Newly made partner Francisca Pellegrini contributes to key regulatory and permitting work involving water rights issues from an environmental law perspective.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría (PPU)’s market leading water law practice is ‘always ahead of the curve‘, frequently advising on complex, high-impact projects across key sectors including mining, energy, sanitation and agriculture. The practice is focused on providing comprehensive legal counsel throughout the entire life cycle of water-dependent projects, from planning and environmental evaluations to permitting, operations and litigation. The group’s expertise encompasses water (re)distribution agreement negotiation, and processing and obtaining all types of hydraulic authorisations – particularly for significant mining projects. The team is also skilled at representing such clients in contentious and administrative matters before the General Water Directorate (DGA). Notable recent mandates include advising mining company Minera Los Pelambres on the development and implementation of its water strategy; and advising state mining company, Codelco, on key matters – including defence against DGA sanctioning procedures and successfully challenging unfavourable regulatory restrictions. The team recently secured the first-ever DGA approval for operating a hydraulic barrier under new regulations The team is led by practice head Matías Desmadryl, an environmental and natural resources law expert and former General Water Director of Chile. Senior associates Sergio Jaque and Franco Valenzuela support the practice, bringing additional experience obtaining permits and sector authorisations before the DGA, along with expertise advising on regulatory compliance and strategic risk management for major water-reliant projects.

The six-member team at Aylwin Estudio's boutique water law practice is widely recognised for its expertise in water rights, permitting, due diligence, audits, and complex regulatory compliance. Equipped with 'excellent knowledge of the issues and regulations', the group provide strategic, regulatory and litigation-related advice, and represents clients from key industries such as energy, agriculture, sanitation and mining as necessary. The team often handle matters before the Water Bureau and the Environmental Superintendence, utilising in-depth knowledge of the Chilean water code to defend clients in contentious administrative procedures. With over 15 years of experience in high-impact mandates, Nicolás Cannoni Mandujano leads the practice; clients note he demonstrates an ‘extraordinary ability to understand problems and always find solutions'. As former head of the legal division at the Water Directorate and permanent advisor to the Hydraulic Works Directorate, counsel Gonzalo Arévalo Cunich brings over 40 years' experience advising on water rights and regulatory developments. He is supported by senior associates Carmen Gloria Ramírez Astudillo (a former Water Directorate official and a specialist in water permitting matters), and Andrés Ibarra (who advises on water and administrative law from a regulatory perspective).

Lauded by clients for being ‘a team with one foot in the office and the other foot on the ground‘, boutique firm BEC Abogados offers a highly specialised water law practice with a strong emphasis on sustainable water use and efficiency. The group is particularly active in the agriculture sector, advising key players including exporters, producers and non-profit organisations managing water distribution. The team’s standout strength lies in its ‘deep understanding of the regulatory aspects of water management in rural communities and agribusiness’, which it leverages to help clients improve water resilience and navigate increasing regulatory scrutiny. The firm has also become a key player in natural resources litigation, representing clients before governmental bodies, courts of appeal and the Chilean Supreme Court. Led by partners Benjamín Bulnes León and Gonzalo Bulnes Llompart, the team delivers comprehensive advice on permitting, administrative litigation, ESG compliance, and crisis management related to drought and water scarcity. Senior associate Guillermo Reeves rounds out the practice, obtaining environmental permits and advising mining and energy companies on regulatory issues.

Described by clients as ‘undoubted leaders in the market‘, the nine-strong team at the environmental and natural resources practice of Dentons Chile specialises in designing water supply strategies for mining companies, agribusinesses and energy projects. Led by José Ignacio Morán, who brings ‘great experience and problem-solving skills‘, and also serves as the firm’s global mining and natural resources leader, the team is expert in securing social licenses for projects while ensuring sustainability and regulatory compliance. As co-leader of the environment practice, José Domingo Villanueva provides expert advice on regulatory matters, with expertise obtaining permits guaranteeing mineral and agricultural projects’ water supply. Supporting the practice, Gonzalo Nieto specialises in mining law and litigation; while Pauline Chiffelle brings specific energy and litigation expertise to the team, defending energy and mining companies and projects. Associate Cristián Vial, who ‘stands out for the speed of his attention’, assists national and international companies on water supply strategies, with a particular focus on integrating ESG principles to secure sustainable water use.

Natural resources and environmental law boutique, Lawgic Abogados, has a powerful offering in the water law sector, with a dedicated six-strong team that includes two partners. The practice is consistently sought out by companies of all sizes from (primarily) the energy, agriculture, aquaculture, desalination and mining sectors to advise on water law-related legal strategies, regulatory issues, corporate law and litigation. Recent matters include advising major renewable energy generator, Statkraft, with the preparation and execution of the its water rights legal and permitting strategies for the development of the Los Lagos and Rucatayo hydroelectric power plants, as well as representing the company in more than 25 judicial proceedings relating to the constitution of legal easements required for construction of the plants. The group is co-led by Sebastian Del Campo (‘delivers good strategies when facing complex issues’), whose water law practice covers regulatory matters and administrative and judicial litigation, as well as natural resources-related transactions and the development of investment projects; and former Núñez Muñoz Abogados‘ of counsel, Agustín Walker, (‘a strong and very competent practice’), who is experienced in water rights, natural resources and project development work. In the firm’s associate ranks, senior Francisco Silva – whose career includes working at the litigation unit of Chile’s General Water Agency – is a specialist in water law, along with administrative and judicial sanctioning proceedings; while Karla Miranda routinely advises on administrative and judicial litigation, regulatory due diligence and project development. Semi senior Guillermo Del Campo Bakulic and junior Luciano León complete the team.

Araya & Cía. Abogados’s water and natural resources and water team deals with an array of mandates, including water-use rights' matters, representation in related administrative and judicial proceedings, registration of water use organisations and relevant contractual matters. The practice is led by Sebastián Leiva Astorga, whose key areas of specialism include water law, natural resources law and agricultural law; and José Ojeda Arriagada, who also specialises in water and natural resources, in addition to real estate matters.

Echeverría Ilharreborde Scagliotti has developed a robust water law practice, closely linked to its environmental law work, advising clients primarily drawn from the mining, energy, aquaculture and industrial sectors. The team represents companies in administrative and sanctioning procedures before the DGA, and often advises clients on compliance with recent amendments to Chile’s Water Code, particularly in procedures for modifying water collection points and addressing non-use patent issues. José Pedro Scagliotti leads the practice, representing major clients in both strategic and contentious water rights matters. Fellow name partner Jose Domingo Ilharreborde provides legal support on water law issues connected to large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects. Recently promoted to the partnership, Felipe Infante contributes to water rights due diligence reviews and advises on regulatory compliance and DGA procedures, while associate Santiago Samaniego further supports the firm’s litigation capacity in water-related matters.

Guzmán & Cia has been acting for clients in Chile’s water law sector for almost 30 years, advising major agricultural, mining, and real estate companies on their water rights. The practice group members are specialists in water supply strategy, sanitation and administrative law litigation, and frequently advise clients on navigating regulatory frameworks and engaging with administrative authorities. One notable recent matter saw the team represent clients in several lawsuits invoving the legislation concerning drinking-water companies in relation to expropriated land. The department is led by Alberto Guzmán Alcalde, a recognised expert in environmental and natural resources law, who has advised on numerous cases including water rights purchases, mineral water acquisitions and regulatory exemptions. Associate Roberto Parada Herrera contributes further expertise in administrative and natural resources law.

The water law and environmental practice at IMAD Abogados is specialised in advising clients on water and environmental law in relation to major industries such as mining, energy, agribusiness and real estate. The group has deep experience in obtaining water rights, carrying out environmental impact assessments, permitting and regulatory defence, and often work on high-stakes matters such as water scarcity strategies, groundwater exploration, and regulatory compliance, as well as representing clients before the Chilean Environmental Agency and the water administrative authority. The team is led by partners Domingo Irarrázaval and Jorge Ignacio García Nielsen; both bring experience designing environmental assessment strategies, handling sanctioning proceedings, and advising on water law aspects of large mining and energy projects.

Prieto Abogados‘ strategic water law practice is often called on to combine its legal expertise with environmental and regulatory advice so as to address water scarcity issues. With a focus on industries where sustainable water management is essential, the group advises clients across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure and real estate. The team works on a range of matters, including environmental assessments before the SEA, the development of desalination and treated-water reuse projects, and – notably – advising the water rights’ holders of the Margarita Canal on forming a water community (involving regularising their rights and handling their registration with the DGA). The practice is led by partner Agustín Martorell, a director of the Chilean Association of Desalination and Reuse (ACADES), where he also heads the legal and public policy committee. He is supported by José Tomás Veas, who brings valuable experience in regulatory and environmental law.

The water law department at Pruzzo Ruscica Brotfeld Abogados (PRB) specialises in water rights, environmental and energy law. The practice frequently advises clients across a variety of Chilean industries, including mining, energy, sanitary, agribusiness and infrastructure. Led by Javier Ruscica, the team assists with obtaining water rights, licence modifications and regulatory compliance, including securing sectoral permits and defending clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The group is also recognised for its expertise in desalination projects, working on aspects of both environmental and mining law. Dino Pruzzo brings further expertise in environmental law.

Established in early 2023, RAM Abogados is the result of a merger between Acevedo, Allende, Mujica & Cía. and Ríos y Cía Abogados, the latter firm the previous home to various water law specialists. With a ‘great focus on water rights’, the nine-strong practice advises agro-industrial companies, along with other water users and organisations, on the constitution and regularisation of water use rights; transfers of catchment points; and authorisations for construction of water accumulation works. It also assists with audits, patents for non-use of water, contracts, title studies and technical reports. The group is co-led by Andrés Ríos, who has 'a deeply integrated, collaborative, pro-business approach', and Pablo Astorga, 'an excellent professional, committed and responsible, proactive', both of whom predominantly focus on water law and agricultural real estate projects. Young associate Gregorio Bustamante (water law, real estate and administrative law) is also highlighted by clients.

The 14-strong team at Schenke Brancoli Abogados | SLBZ advises over 100 active clients on multiple aspects of water law across numerous industries. The practice provides comprehensive legal services covering all aspects of water rights - including constitution, regularisation, protection and negotiation. The team assists companies governed by the Water Code, undertakes property audits, and performs due diligence for major projects; moreover, it is also frequently called on to draft legal opinions for clients on key natural resource and mining matters. Practice head Hipólito Zañartu is recognised as an expert in natural resources, particularly as regards water and mining law, and brings extensive experience advising on large-scale projects. Ricardo Brancoli is an accomplished litigator and arbitrator, with a particular specialism in environmental lawsuits and natural resource conflicts. A July 2024 hire, Francisco Charlin brings nearly three decades' experience in natural resources, his track record including time as an in-house counsel at a number of major mining companies; his expertise spans regulatory issues, water rights, corporate and financial matters, indigenous law, and contract negotiations.

Vergara Galindo Correa Abogados specialises in environmental, regulatory, mining and water law. With a 60-strong team of lawyers, the firm advises domestic and international clients on environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, resource permitting, and litigation in constitutional, administrative, civil, and criminal matters. The firm serves key industries such as mining, agribusiness, forestry, energy and sanitation, and provides strategic guidance on environmental management, sustainability and water resource regulation. Winston Alburquenque has been a partner at the firm since 2013, and is a recognized expert in mining, energy, and water law. Associate director Solange Villarroel brings additional expertise in water law, transactions, and litigation, advising clients with a strong focus on natural resource management.