Allende & Brea > BUENOS AIRES, Argentina > Firm Profile

Allende & Brea > The Legal 500 Rankings

Argentina > Bankruptcy and restructuring

Allende & Brea's 'exceptional team' represents banks and companies across the oil-and-gas, construction, manufacturing and agriculture sectors in their capacities as debtors, creditors and trustees. The practice handles corporate reorganisations, and both out-of-court negotiations and judicial proceedings regarding insolvency and bankruptcy. These often include cross-border issues, such as tracing assets abroad on behalf of creditors. Its lawyers also advise on the risks and contingencies faced by clients during distressed asset acquisitions, such as purchasing companies with subsidiaries subject to reorganisation plans. The department is led by the 'distinguished professional' Cristian Fox, who advises on corporate sales, purchases and restructurings; and David Gurfinkel and Diego Botana, who are involved in bankruptcy litigations and arbitration. Key support is provided by associates Francisca María Guyot and Lucía Yaryura Tobías.

Argentina > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Allende & Brea has a competition and antitrust practice that is one of the most active in the Argentine market, advising clients on a range of antitrust matters, from merger control filings and compliance, joint ventures, and distribution, to licensing, franchising agreements, and antitrust litigation before the country’s authorities. The team advises international corporations on merger control matters and assists with internal investigations, and designing compliance programmes and distribution systems in accordance with local and federal regulations, and is involved in complex litigation related to vertical restraint and dominance proceedings. Practice head Julián Peña is a veteran in the antitrust and competition field, with a focus on merger control proceedings, anticompetitive practices investigations, and compliance. The team also includes Federico Rossi, who has ‘extensive knowledge’ in antitrust and competition law, specialising in merger control proceedings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, and sector and market investigations. Associate Luz Villalobos provides capable support in mergers and conduct investigations, with a specialism in the fintech sector.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

Allende & Brea advises on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters linked to mining projects in Argentina, with a particular focus on the lithium and copper sectors. The team provides support across all stages of project development, including project financing – often involving sustainability-linked loans – and the acquisition of mining rights by international investors. The firm guides clients through Argentina’s complex regulatory landscape, advising on mining investment laws, stability tax regimes, and environmental compliance. Its corporate expertise extends to M&A, corporate governance, and due diligence processes for mining companies operating in the country. Practice head Florencia Heredia, praised for her ‘industry knowledge and experience’, advises mining companies and lenders on some of the largest project financings in the country. She is supported by a strong roster of senior associates, including Agostina Martinez and Maria Milagros Pieroni, who provide support in the acquisition of mining rights and shares in local companies, Martín Prieto, who advises on environmental regulatory and permitting matters, and Lucrecia Re and Vanesa Fernández, who counsel clients on competitive public bids and contracts.

Argentina > Intellectual property

Allende & Brea offers a 'comprehensive asset protection service' regarding patents, trade marks, copyright and industrial designs. Services include trade mark monitoring, the filing of oppositions, software and databese registration, drafting licence agreements, and legal audits and due diligence on IP portfolios. The practice also monitors the customs alert registration system, and is deeply experience in all IP related litigation, including coppostions, infringement and cancellation of trade marks, along with handling disputes over patents and copyright, the resolution of domain name and cybersquatting conflicts, and arbitration. The department is led by IP and internet specialist Pablo Palazzi ('an Argentine benchmark in regional IP protection') who advises on a wide scope of matters, including IP due diligence during company acquisitions, technology transfer and software licensing agreements, and trade secrets. Senior associate Carlos Octavio Mitelman is 'very punctilious and responsible' and an experienced litigator who prosecutes trade marks, patents and copyright. Further associate-level support includes Loida Gabriela da Cruz who advises companies on third-party copyright infringement risks.

Argentina > Labour and employment

Allende & Brea handles labour and employment matters for both multinational companies operating in Argentina and domestic businesses, drawing on extensive experience across sectors such as banking and finance, IT and technology, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, insurance, and energy. The team assists clients with everything from compliance and internal investigations to labour court claims, hiring and termination procedures, and day-to-day employment issues. Leading the practice is Nicolás Grandi, who advises multinational and local corporations on dismissals, M&A, employee transfers, global transactions, and labour litigation. Grandi is supported by a strong team of associates, including Lucas Tamagno, Lía D’Aloisio, and Agustina Faretta, all of whom specialise in union matters and labour litigation.

Argentina > Public law

Allende & Brea has a ‘highly qualified’ public law team which works with international and domestic players on a range of mandates, from public procurement and regulatory issues to infrastructure and construction projects involving the public and private sectors. The team, which is active across the pharmaceutical, banking, consumer services, aviation, mining, and telecoms sectors, is also proficient in privatisations. The group is led by the ‘excellent’ María Morena del Río, a specialist in procurement, public contracts, litigation, as well as public works and infrastructure projects in the water, sanitation, telecoms, and hydrocarbons sectors. Vanesa Fernández, an ‘attentive’ associate with expertise in public procurement and administrative and judicial proceedings against the state, provinces, and town councils, is the second line of support. Lucrecia Re, who focuses on administrative and regulatory law, also stands out at the associate level. Since the conclusion of research, Morena del Río has left the firm.

Argentina > Fintech

The ‘unrivalled, forward-thinking and innovative’ team at Allende & Brea helps register nascent fintech clients as virtual assets service providers and accountable AML entities with the Argentine Financial Information Unit. The firm provides further regulatory counsel on consumer data protection and the Central Bank’s foreign exchange controls, with digital wallet providers in particular frequently seeking this advice when incorporating new features, such as non-fungible tokens, closed-loop transactions, peer-to-peer exchanges and credit card facilities into their products. The firm recently showcased its ‘unmatched’ expertise when it was selected by the International Bar Association to produce a comparative fintech guide on payment service providers, open banking, blockchains and crypto-currency regulations, among other matters. The lawyers also advise on defence and prosecutorial strategies during contentious matters, such as anticompetitive complaints filed before the Argentine Antitrust Authority. The practice is steered by fintech and payment lawyer Carlos Maria Melhem; banking and finance practitioner Jorge Mayorga; and the ‘stellar’ IP, internet, and data protection specialist, Pablo Palazzi. The partners are aided by senior fintech and IP associate Mercedes Elaskar, and banking and fintech associate Esteban Gómez Moretto. Semi-senior associates Luciana González and Luciano Gimenez joined the team in 2024.

Argentina > International trade and customs

The October 2025 arrival of Pedro Menéndez San Martin from Estudio Bunge reinforces the international trade and commerce practice at Allende & Brea, currently co-led by competitioner partners Julián Peña and Federico Rossi, in conjuntion with tax specialist Nicolás Procopio.

Argentina > Banking and finance Tier 2

Allende & Brea provides ‘high-quality, personalised services’ across commercial and syndicated loans, structured finance, trade financing, capital markets, and reorganisations. It also supports fintech innovators, card issuers, and corporate clients with regulatory analysis, product rollouts, and strategic alliance agreements. The banking and capital markets practice is led by Carlos Melhem and Jorge I Mayora, who shine in advising financial institutions on structured financing, commercial lending, and other collateral structures. The partners are backed by a strong secondary team, including senior associate Jimena Fernández and semi-senior associate Esteban Gómez Moretto, who counsel local banks on loan agreements and cross-border lending and provide regulatory advice to foreign entities conducting business in Argentina. Semi-senior associate Luciano Gimenez joined the team in 2024 from EGFA Abogados.

Argentina > Compliance Tier 2

Allende & Brea is on hand to assist clients working across the financial, pharmaceutical, mining, and chemical industries with day-to-day regulatory compliance matters. This includes providing anti-corruption training and requirements to be met by internal compliance officers and reviewing codes of conduct for inconsistencies with local regulations and laws. The practice also advises on potential conflicts of interest and other issues following internal corporate investigations. Following the mid-2025 departure of María Morena del Río, the team is co-led by experienced litigation and arbitration partner David Gurfinkel, who handles compliance and competition matters; and Jorge I Mayora, who advises on foreign exchange and anti-money laundering issues. Senior associate Mercedes Elaskar provides support with IP, privacy, and data protection regulations.

Argentina > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Allende & Brea‘s corporate and M&A practice is a popular choice for international companies seeking advice on complex, high-value transactions in Argentina. The team has a strong presence in a variety of sectors, including technology, banking, transport, mining, real estate, agribusiness, and pharmaceuticals, and works closely with the firm’s insurance team to provide tailored corporate and M&A advice to both multinational and domestic insurance companies. Valeriano Guevara Lynch, a corporate and M&A specialist with over twenty years of experience, and Santiago Sturla, whose expertise spans M&A, shareholders’ conflicts, finance and restructuring, project finance, and foreign investments, lead the practice. Raúl Fratantoni is regularly engaged by Argentine closely-held companies and family-owned businesses; Tomás Di Ció is adept in M&A, commercial agreements and general corporate law; and Marcos Patrón Costas is noted for his experience in transactions involving the energy and infrastructure sectors. The practice is supported by a growing cohort of high-performing associates, including Nicole Dillon. As we go to press the firm has announced the further strengthening of the corporate practice with the hire of seasoned transactional specialist Pedro Menéndez San Martin from Estudio Bunge – effective as of October 2025.

Argentina > Environment Tier 2

Allende & Brea‘s ESG and sustainability practice assists clients such as Minera del Altiplano and Ferrero Argentina with all environmental issues encountered during project development, construction, financing, and real estate acquisition. This includes advising on regulatory requirements, compliance audits, and obtaining and renewing permits. The team also defends clients during administrative proceedings and mediations regarding alleged polluting activities. The department is co-led by project finance and administrative specialist María Morena del Río, who advises on permitting applications and individual and collective environmental litigation. She is joined as co-head by natural resources, energy, and M&A lawyer Florencia Heredia, who advises companies on green loans and ESG matters relevant to project development. Senior associate Martín Alejo Prieto represents clients during sanctioning proceedings and advises on potential remediation liability. Since the conclusion of research, Morena del Río has left the firm.

Argentina > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 2

Allende & Brea advises major domestic and international clients in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, and food industries on a wide range of matters, from incorporation and registration with state health authorities to M&A, joint ventures, reorganisations, and commercial agreements, such as manufacturing, licensing, and distribution contracts. It also supports clients with regulatory compliance, data privacy, and dispute resolution, including administrative proceedings before food and drug authorities. Following the mid-2025 departure of former co-head María Morena del Río, the practice is currently solely led by Fernando Martínez Zuviría, who focuses on supporting laboratories and medical device manufacturers with transactional, corporate, contractual, and regulatory matters. The team’s expertise is further strengthened by Vanesa Fernández, who specialises in life sciences administrative and regulatory issues, and Lucrecia Re, who represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in regulatory and administrative proceedings.

Argentina > Tax Tier 2

At Allende & Brea, the tax team is skilled in a wide variety of cases involving transactional tax structuring, tax planning, transfer pricing disputes and interpreting and applying international tax treaties. The department advises an array of domestic and international clients in the agribusiness, insurance, technology and energy sectors as well as many others. The practice is co led by experienced partners Raúl Fratantoni, who has extensive experience advising private banks and high net worth individuals on various tax matters; and Nicolás Procopio, who specialises in tax planning and has vast experience representing clients in tax disputes and litigation. The practice group was further consolidated with the promotion of Mariano Federico Anna (fiscal advisory and contentious matters) to the partnership in July 2025; while key support is provided by senior associate Gaspar Leveratto who has extensive experience representing clients in disputes before the national tax court and other tax bodies.

Argentina > Transport: Aviation Tier 2

Regulatory compliance, transactional guidance and dispute resolution form the foundation of Allende & Brea’s respected aviation practice, which acts for airlines, lessors and aviation service providers operating in Argentina. The practice advises on a broad spectrum of matters, including authorisations for scheduled and non-scheduled air services, aircraft sales and financing, registration, and the establishment of liens and precautionary measures. Experienced partner Jorge I Mayora leads much of this work, combining deep regulatory knowledge with practical insight. Firm chairman Valeriano Guevara Lynch focuses on corporate governance, commercial contracts, and mergers and acquisitions, offering clients comprehensive legal support across their aviation operations. The team regularly assists major international carriers – including Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Emirates and Sky Airlines – alongside service providers such as LSG Sky Chefs.

Argentina > Dispute resolution: Litigation and arbitration Tier 3

Adept at handling complex litigation and commercial arbitration, Allende & Brea has extensive experience in the Argentine courts, particularly in financial and insurance class actions, environmental claims and shareholder and other commercial conflicts. The practice is headed by David Gurfinkel, who specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration, and Cristian Fox, who focuses on representing domestic and foreign companies in judicial and extra-judicial debt restructuring, bankruptcy, and corporate cases, particularly sensitive shareholders’ conflicts. The firm benefits from the support of several capable junior lawyers, such as senior associate Daiana Mascheroni, and associates Francisca María Guyot, who has experience in civil and commercial cases, and Lucía Yaryura Tobías, who specialises in civil and contentious-administrative matters.

Argentina > TMT Tier 3

The technology, media and telecoms practice at Allende & Brea assists clients with a broad array of matters, such as obtaining telephone operation licences, programming agreements, and internet licences, among many others. Its advisory services range from strategic counsel on the implementation and use of technology to regulatory compliance and high-stakes litigation. Practice head Pablo A Palazzi's practice encompasses AI, IP, privacy & cybersecurity, fintech and TMT. A February 2025 hire from Ojam Bullrich Flanzbaum, Mariano Peruzzotti has a similar set of specialisms to Palazzi, while María Morena del Río handles administrative law, project finance and infrastructure, TMT and consumer protection.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 4

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4

Argentina > Insurance Tier 4

Allende & Brea is recognised for its deep understanding of Argentine insurance regulations, including advising foreign and local companies on their obligations towards the state regulator. The practice also guides insurers through their day-to-day operations, including reorganising their businesses, underwriting high-risk policies, forming strategic partnerships with other insurers, and commercial agreements. In addition, the team provides arbitration and litigation services in individual and consumer class actions. Practice head Santiago Sturla draws on his corporate and M&A expertise to assist insurance companies in transactional, corporate, and claims matters. Further partner-level talent includes Tomás Di Ció, who has similar commercial and corporate experience, and David Gurfinkel, who defends insurers in class action claims.