Ferrere has a highly remarkable ability to attract clients seeking advice on high-value and cross-border transactions. Its renowned disputes practice group represents an impressive list of prominent clients.
The compact size of the Uruguayan market means it is often left to two law firms to compete for a seat on the country’s big-ticket deals. Ferrere sits across the table as one of the two market leaders. Its service offering is as broad as its knowledge is deep. The firm’s M&A group is particularly notable for its regular appearance on cross-border transactions. Where Uruguay’s lucrative forestry industry is concerned, Ferrere’s corporate team is kept extremely busy handling transactions. Meanwhile, the firm’s banking offering wins it a position advising on sophisticated lending deals and intricate capital markets work. Project finance is another strength, and the firm has been active in advising on much of the country’s road and public transport infrastructure, while its distinguished energy group attracts a steady stream of work in the country’s growing renewables sector.
Ferrere’s deep bench reaches across a variety of industries and markets. Likewise, its leading legal expertise often incites lucrative and important clients to remain loyal to the firm. Uber has been a major source of firm-wide work for Ferrere for several years, with the US app recently winning a tax refund in front of Uruguay’s Supreme Court. Multilateral lenders such as Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) and IDB Invest continue to be key banking clients. Oil companies Petrobras and Shell, as well as regional paper and pulp giants CMPC and Suzano, are all among the firm’s client portfolio. Argentinian energy company YPF and retailer Mercado Libre are other prominent clients. According to a study, “Who Represents Latin America's Biggest Companies”, published by the Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA), which is affiliated to Latin Lawyer, Ferrere represents 13 of the approximately 100 largest companies in the region.
Clients flock to commend the firm’s in-depth, technical knowledge, dedication and personalised services. One client says Ferrere fields “an excellent group of lawyers and tax experts. A multidisciplinary team that helps you with precise advice.”
Thanks to significant investment in technology over recent years, lawyers at this firm are equipped with the latest legal software and digital innovation, allowing them to provide first-class legal advice all over the world.
Ferrere plans to establish itself as the go-to law firm in each country where it is present. A universal understanding of each region’s jurisdictions has put the firm in excellent standing where multi-jurisdictional matters are concerned. With Agustín Mayer overseeing the firm’s operations in all three countries in his capacity as a regional managing director, Ferrere has a regional approach to its internal operations.
Meanwhile, managing partner Mayer is quick to recognise the unequal access to opportunities and education that pervades Uruguayan society. To tackle this inequality, Ferrere runs a corporate social responsibility programme called Transforma, which partners with local institutions and organisations to provide legal work experience for young people. The programme offers mentorships for students at local schools and universities in underprivileged areas. Aspiring lawyers are attracted to the firm’s involvement in these initiatives, with graduate attorneys looking to work where they can best use their education to give back to the community.
The firm continues to strive towards a diverse partnership, both in terms of gender and socio-economic background, hiring lawyers from a mixture of both public and private universities. In 2023 the firm launched its Closing the Gap initiative across its three offices, which included networking sessions for women within the firm.
Ferrere’s diversity policies are numerous, and the firm has established a board to monitor equal pay across genders. The firm has also taken part in a set of female empowerment initiatives established by the United Nations, such as the HeForShe campaign that encourages men to become involved in gender equality movements and stand up for their female counterparts. Partner Verónica Raffo heads up the firm’s diversity initiatives, which include a mentorship programme that pairs first-time mothers across the firm’s three offices.
Ferrere’s partners retire at the age of 60. This policy is characteristic of the group’s forward-looking outlook, and the firm hopes to motivate and provide a platform for younger lawyers to ascend the ladder.
Management
Agustín Mayer has helmed Ferrere since 2017.
Offices
Ferrere has the largest national presence of any local firm, with five outposts in Uruguay in total. Aside from its Montevideo hub, its office in the Zonamerica free trade zone draws public law work. The group also has a presence in the city of Colonia, while its Tacuarembó office is a key hub for forestry clients. It also has an outpost in Paso de los Toros.
Alliances & networks
Ferrere is a member of the Latin American tax and legal network Lataxnet.