The Peruvian office of Iberian firm Garrigues is a force to look out for in the local legal market. The operation is built around a relatively small group of high-profile partners that have succeeded in developing one of the most successful Garrigues teams in Latin America. This is thanks not only to the talented line-up but also the kind of deals it works on. The firm’s banking and capital markets groups are among the best in Peru, while its project finance and M&A departments shine too.
A good example of the firm’s capabilities is its legal advice to the company developing Lima’s second metro line, which is Peru’s largest infrastructure project. Garrigues is also a popular choice among banks. According to in-house counsel research conducted by the Latin American Corporate Counsel Association, which is affiliated to Latin Lawyer, Garrigues (Peru) represents 12 of the region’s 50 largest banks, making it one of the most popular Latin American law firms among these clients.
The office is led by corporate finance partner Oscar Arrús . Through hires from some of Peru’s leading law firms, Garrigues has established other noted practices, including administrative law, disputes and tax. More recently, it launched a competition, IP and economic regulation practice with the hire of the local competition authority's former president, Ivo Gagliuffi, as a partner. In the move, the firm brought in the CEO of the same agency as an economic director.
Investment in technology is key for the partnership to stay ahead in the market, and being part of a big international firm with financial muscle helps in that sense. As the local M&A market is once again picking up, following a few quiet years due to the pandemic and political instability, the local leadership intends to allocate more resources there in the coming year. It is also keeping a close eye on fintech regulation, which is an active sector as investors keep showing their appetite for the talented start-ups on offer, not only in Peru but across Latin America.
Garrigues’ coverage of all Pacific Alliance countries gives it an edge, something that is noted by its visibility on cross-border transactions. With its well-established network of Latin American offices, as well as the work of several active lawyers in Spain, Garrigues remains in good stead in the region.
Offices
Offices in Bogotá, Mexico City, Lima and Santiago and a foreign law office in Brazil make up Garrigues’ Latin American footprint.
Alliances & networks
Garrigues has strong relationships with lawyers across the region, notably with alumni of the firm – there are thought to be around 50 in the region today – and former students of its Centro de Estudios Garrigues, which is a private entity focused on legal training and linked to the firm.