Sergio Cifuentes
Associatescifuentes@carey.cl
+56 2 2928 2665
His practice focuses on administrative, constitutional, and regulatory law, advising various national and international clients, as well as organizations and companies, on a variety of matters directly or indirectly related to the public sector in Chile, including concession awards, public procurement, negotiation and development of public-private partnerships, litigation before State Administration agencies, domestic and international courts, the Public Procurement Court, and the Constitutional Court. Additionally, he defends clients against sanctions imposed by public entities, and offers advice on regulatory aspects across various markets, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Previously, he also worked in Carey's corporate and commercial law area.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Codelco on its defense in a constitutional action challenging the National Lithium Strategy, arguing that the implementation of this public policy violates the Chilean Constitution, particularly with regard to the requirements and limitations imposed on state-owned business activities.
- DNB Bank New York Branch, as administrative and collateral agent acting on behalf of a syndicate of international banks, on the amendment of the outstanding credit facilities and several guarantees granted in Chile, to secure a refinancing to Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Cooke Aquaculture USA for approx. USD616 million (CDN675 million and USD120 million).
- Red Salud UC Christus, one of Chile's largest healthcare providers, on a litigation against the national healthcare regulator regarding the liquidation and use of the legal guarantee of one of the country's largest private health insurance companies (Isapres) for the legitimate payment of its users' health insurance premiums.
- A major international construction company on preliminary negotiations for the development of an international arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) regarding the Chilean Government's breaches of a construction contract for a major hydroelectric project in Chile.
- An important international insurance and pension services company on the preliminary negotiations for the development of an international arbitration before the ICSID, regarding the Chilean Government's non-compliance with pension legislation.
- Sun Dreams, one of the largest gaming casino operators in the country, on a lawsuit before several national courts against the casino regulatory agency, regarding the applicable regulations for the renewal of the operating permit of the largest gaming casino in Chile.
- One of the largest fund managers in Chile on a lawsuit against the financial markets oversight agency, regarding the improper request of sensitive information from its users in the absence of legal powers on the part of the regulator.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
- Recognized in Arbitration and Mediation, Best Lawyers.
- Fulbright Scholarship, US-Chile Fulbright Commission (2021).
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Foreign Associate, Vinson & Elkins, New York (2023-2024).
- Member of the New York Bar Association,
- Member of the Chilean Bar Association.
RELATED AREAS
EDUCATION
- Law, Universidad de Chile (Summa Cum Laude).
- LL.M. Harvard Law School (Fulbright Scholar and Becas Chile).
- Degree in Administrative and Regulatory Law, Universidad Católica de Chile (2020).
ADMISSIONS
- Chile (2018).
- New York (2023).
LANGUAGES
- Spanish.
- English.
- Portuguese.
