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Portrait ofLuis Felipe Arze

Luis Felipe Arze, LL.M

Partner

Contact
CMS Carey & Allende
Av. Costanera Sur 2730, Piso 10
Parque Titanium, Las Condes
7550000 Santiago
Chile
Languages Spanish, English
Corporate / M&A

Luis Felipe is a partner in the Corporate/M&A Group at CMS Carey & Allende. He advises on a range of transaction types and across various sectors, but has particular expertise in merges and acquisitions – whether acting for multinationals, large corporations, scale-ups, start-ups, entrepreneurs or investors. In doing so, he deals with all aspects of corporate law – business sales and acquisitions, fundraising and investment transactions, joint ventures and reorganizations.

His knowledge and experience in matters of engineering and construction have led him to represent several firms operating in Latin America, in the structuring, negotiation and execution of contracts related to infrastructure, mining, and energy projects, with a special focus on non-conventional renewable energy projects.

Between 2004 and 2005, he worked as regional in-house counsel for Unilever, in charge of local operations as well as of mergers and acquisitions for the company in Latin America.  He also worked as foreign associate between 2002 and 2003, at the New York City law firm of Simpson, Thacher, & Bartlett, LLP.

Luis Felipe is committee chair for the American Bar Association and a frequent speaker for international ABA forums, on matters related to M&A and private equity.

 

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"He represents everything that we require in legal counsel, due to his high understanding and knowledge of the client, and great capacity for responsiveness and relationships"

Chambers Latin America

"Luis Felipe Arze has demonstrated his ability to lead in various legal areas; he has a thorough understanding of our operations and maintains a close relationship, which we highly value"

The Legal 500 - 2022

"His negotiating skills and his visibility in M&A transactions. He combines his practice in this area with noted experience in the projects field"

Chambers Latin America

"Excellent lawyer with experience across a range of corporate transactions"

Chambers Latin America - 2020

"An excellent lawyer, with outstanding negotiation abilities and full understanding of the business and the company’s objectives and needs, always available to provide accurate, informed and timely advice"

Latin Lawyer 250

"The attention Luis Felipe gives is perfect for what we need… he knows his area of expertise very well and is always available"

Latin Lawyer 250

Relevant experience

  • Porsche Aktiengesellschaft on the acquisition of a 12.5% stake in HIF Global LLC for USD 75 million as part of the international financing round, together with the majority shareholder and Chilean company Andes Mining & Energy (AME) and the US companies EIG, Baker Hughes Company and Gemstone Investments for a total amount of USD 260 million, which will be used to develop electric fuel facilities in Chile, the US and Australia.
  • Pacific Hydro Chile S.A. on the acquisition of two photovoltaic projects from Sociedad Agrícola Río Escondido Limitada. These projects, with a total capacity of 180 MWp, are currently under development in Atacama, northern Chile. 
  • Peninsula, a Brazilian private investment firm, on the USD 80 million acquisition of 48.6% of Chilean Vitamina shares, together with LGT Lightstone. Vitamina develops and manages 65 high-quality early education and preschool centres in Chile. This investment may allow potential expansions of Vitamina business in the upcoming years to other countries of Latin America, starting with Brazil, Peru and Colombia. 
  • Charles Taylor InsureTech on the acquisition of Inworx group to expand its capabilities in the Latin American insurance technology market. The deal involved the acquisition of companies and assets in several countries, including Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico and the United States, transforming Charles Taylor into Latin America’s largest insurance technology consultancy.
  • Unilever on the sale of its tea business Té Club and Té Emblem to ICB S.A, a Chilean producer, distributor and marketer of food which has the representation in the country of brands such as Nutella, ColaCao, and Pringles. 
  • Merieux NutriSciences on the acquisitions of the Chilean company Labser, a leading provider of microbiology and chemistry analysis for food, aquaculture, livestock and agribusiness in Chile.
  • Sonda S.A. on the issuing of corporate bonds on behalf of Sonda S.A. in the local market, totaling 3 million Development Units (UF), for the financing of their investment plans.
  • Centro Veterinario y Agrícola Limitada, the nation’s leading veterinary laboratory, on the sale of 51% of its stock to Virbac France, leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to veterinary health.
  • New York Life Investment Management LLC on matters pertaining to Chilean law, for the negotiation and execution of credit valued at USD 150 million, in favor of an agriculture co-op with over 700 cranberry farm owners, located in the United States and in Canada.
  • Discovery Air Inc. on the acquisition of 100% of the Chilean Air services company Helicopters.cl, and in its subsequent Latin American expansion plan, to operate over 80 helicopters of various capacities in the national and international market.
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Awards & Rankings

Luis Felipe has been recognized as leading lawyer in M&A; Projects and Natural Resources by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Latin Lawyer 250, Leaders League, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA) and Best Lawyers.

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Publications

  • Co-author of CMS CG report " Guía para gerentes legales: Más allá de la marca personal", 2022
  • Co-author of CMS CG report "The Latin American GC: Rising to the challenge", 2020.
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Education

  • 2003 – Master of Law (LL.M.), New York University School of Law
  • 1997 – Law Degree, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile School of Law
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Energy & Climate Change

Luis Felipe is a partner in the Energy & Climate Change Group at CMS Carey & Allende. He advises clients on new transmission line projects, electrical generation, and non-conventional renewable energy source projects.  In this manner, Luis Felipe has been able to participate in the earliest of stages in these projects, to the point of entry into operation, as well as financing, M&A, and auction related processes.

His knowledge and experience in engineering and construction matters have led him to represent several of the Latin America’s most important firms, in the structuring, negotiation, execution, and closing of EPC and EPCM contracts related to energy, infrastructure and mining projects, with a special focus on non-conventional renewable energy projects.

As a member of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group, his practice focuses on advising international and national clients on M&A transactions, private equity, issuance and placement of capital and debt bonds in the securities market. He advises financial companies and institutions in the development and financing of projects, with a particular emphasis on the industries of energy, natural resource, and infrastructure.

Luis Felipe is committee chair for the American Bar Association and a frequent speaker for ABA international forums, on matters related to M&A and private equity.

 

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"We hired this firm because of this attorney-he makes it easy for us and is well backed-up by colleagues with different specialisms who combine to give us prompt and well-balanced answers"

Chambers Latin America

"A very approachable and knowledgeable lawyer who maintains an excellent ongoing relationship with his clients"

Chambers Latin America

"Luis Felipe Arze has demonstrated his ability to lead in various legal areas; he has a thorough understanding of our operations and maintains a close relationship, which we highly value"

The Legal 500 - 2022

"A brilliant lawyer who manages his matters very well and is quick to defend his clients' interests"

Chambers Latin America

Relevant experience

  • Porsche Aktiengesellschaft on the acquisition of a 12.5% stake in HIF Global LLC for USD 75 million as part of the international financing round, together with the majority shareholder and Chilean company Andes Mining & Energy (AME) and the US companies EIG, Baker Hughes Company and Gemstone Investments for a total amount of USD 260 million, which will be used to develop electric fuel facilities in Chile, the US and Australia.
  • Solarpack on the financing transaction for the construction and development of the photovoltaic Project named “La Granja”, to be located in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile. The project is a milestone in terms of solar energy pricing worldwide for breaking the record as the lowest price per MWh tendered (USD 29.1 per MWh).  
  • Acciona Energía on its bid for a public tender to build, operate and manage a new desalination plant in Antofagasta, northern Chile.  Said bid was awarded under a BOOT (build-own-operate-transfer) arrangement. The contract included the design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the aforementioned plant. 
  • Eléctricas de Medellín Ingeniería y Servicios - EDEMSA (Colombia) as the construction company (EPC contractor) for the Interchile interregional line, on construction and subcontracting agreements, the installation of high voltage towers, overseeing the negotiation process for electrical easements, the procurement of building permits, work facilities, warehouses and land use change. Also, on the procurement of all environmental permits. This project aims to build the most important high voltage power line in Chile, which will allow the interconnection of the two main transmission systems in the country
  • Solarpack on an energy project tender for the construction and financing of the first commercial scale power project in Chile, with an investment of USD 120 million, expected to begin operation in 2019. As a result of this project, Solarpack won the “Renewable Energy Project of the Year” award at the 2016 International Congress of Renewable Energies.
  • Ibereolica Cabo Leones I S.A. and Amunche Solar SpA. (two of the four winning companies from among 38 bidders) on the 2015-02 supply tender for regulated customers in concession areas from the Norte Grande Interconnected System (SING) and the Central Interconnected System (SIC), for a total of 1,200 GWh/year.
  • wpd on securing contracts for three wind farms with a total capacity of 350 MW in the tender conducted by Chile for renewable energy projects. In the process, wpd won power purchase agreements for 786.8 GWh per year with a term of 20 years beginning in 2021.
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Awards & Rankings

Luis Felipe has been recognized as leading lawyer in M&A; Projects and Natural Resources by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Latin Lawyer 250, Leaders League, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA) and Best Lawyers.

more less

Publications

  • Co-author of CMS CG report " Guía para gerentes legales: Más allá de la marca personal", 2022
  • Co-author of CMS CG report "The Latin American GC: Rising to the challenge", 2020
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Education

  • 2003 – Master of Law (LL.M.), New York University School of Law
  • 1997 – Law Degree, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile School of Law
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Infrastructure & Projects

Luis Felipe is co-head of the Infrastructure & Projects Group at CMS Carey & Allende. His knowledge and experience in matters of engineering and construction have led him to represent several of the area’s most important firms operating in Latin America, in the structuring, negotiation, execution, and closing of EPC and EPCM contracts related to infrastructure, mining, and energy projects, with a special focus on non-conventional renewable energy projects.

As part in the Corporate/M&A Group, his practice focuses on advising international and national clients on M&A transactions, private equity, issuance and placement of capital and debt bonds in the securities market.  He advises financial companies and institutions in the development and financing of projects, with a particular emphasis on the industries of energy, natural resources, and infrastructure.

Between 2004 and 2005 he worked as regional in-house counsel for Unilever, in charge of local operations as well as mergers and acquisitions for the company in Latin America.  He also worked as foreign associate, between 2002 and 2003, at the New York City law firm of Simpson, Thacher, & Bartlett, LLP.

 

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"Widely endorsed by clients for his availability, transactional experience and problem-solving skills within the projects ambit"

Chambers Latin America

"Luis Felipe Arze has demonstrated his ability to lead in various legal areas; he has a thorough understanding of our operations and maintains a close relationship, which we highly value"

The Legal 500 - 2022

"The CMS C&A team, led by Luis Felipe Arze and senior associate Sebastián Barros, stands out for its thorough knowledge of project-related legal matters"

The Legal 500 - 2022

"He is a knowledgeable and very business-oriented lawyer.He looks for solutions rather than putting up roadblocks"

Chambers Latin America

"Always available and providing a very client-focused service"

Chambers Latin America

"Luis Felipe Arze is particularly well received by clients, who praise his expertise and availability"

Latin Lawyer 250

Relevant experience

  • Porsche Aktiengesellschaft on the acquisition of a 12.5% stake in HIF Global LLC for USD 75 million as part of the international financing round, together with the majority shareholder and Chilean company Andes Mining & Energy (AME) and the US companies EIG, Baker Hughes Company and Gemstone Investments for a total amount of USD 260 million, which will be used to develop electric fuel facilities in Chile, the US and Australia.
  • Suez Chile, key client, which operates largely in the water treatment and waste management sectors, on its potential purchase of all equity and debt interests in a water and sewerage business in Chile. 
  • Eléctricas de Medellín on the negotiation of design and engineering and construction contracts for a desalination plant that will allow the desalinization and distribution of 1.000 Lt/s E&P) of industrial waters to clients in Valparaiso, Central Chile. 
  • Acciona Energía  on its bid for a public tender to build, operate and manage a new desalination plant in Antofagasta, northern Chile.  Said bid was awarded under a BOOT (build-own-operate-transfer) arrangement. The contract included the design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the aforementioned plant. 
  • Solarpack, a multinational specialised in solar power plants, on the financing transaction for the construction and development of the photovoltaic Project named “La Granja”, to be located in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile. The project is a milestone in terms of solar energy pricing worldwide for breaking the record as the lowest price per MWh tendered (USD 29.1 per MWh).  
  • Eléctricas de Medellín Ingeniería y Servicios (EDEMSA, Colombia) as the construction company (EPC contractor) for the inter-regional line of Interchile in the procurement of building permits, work facilities, warehouses, towers, surface modification, among others. This project aims to build the most important high-voltage line in Chile, which will allow the interconnection of the two transmission systems in the country.
  • Aker Solutions (currently known as Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.) on the negotiation and drafting of their engineering and construction contracts for the Toromocho copper project, entailing USD 2.2 billion of property belonging to Chinalco, an important copper and molybdenum open pit mine, located in eastern Lima, Peru.
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Awards & Rankings

Luis Felipe has been recognized as leading lawyer in M&A; Projects and Natural Resources by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Latin Lawyer 250, Leaders League, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA) and Best Lawyers.

more less

Publications

  • Co-author of CMS CG report " Guía para gerentes legales: Más allá de la marca personal", 2022
  • Co-author of CMS CG report "The Latin American GC: Rising to the challenge", 2020
more less

Education

  • 2003 – Master of Law (LL.M.), New York University School of Law
  • 1997 – Law Degree, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile School of Law
more less

Feed

07/03/2024
Renewable energy in Chile
1. Brief overview of the renewable energy sector The energy challenge in Chile has reached a crucial point in its transition to more sustainable energy sources.   Initially, Chile sought to incorporate...
08/11/2023
Cannabis law and legislation in Chile
Medical use It is permitted to grow, sell and import cannabis for medical use in Chile. The Agricultural and Livestock Service (state agency in charge of the control of flora and fauna in Chile) must...
22/10/2023
ACC Annual Meeting 2023
Meet our experts at booth #712
07/04/2022
Porsche acquires 12.5% of HIF Global
CMS Carey & Allende advised the vehicle manufacturer Porsche on the acquisition of a 12.5% stake in HIF Global for USD 75 million as part of the international financing round, together with the majority...
04/04/2022
Beyond a personal brand
The new CMS General Counsel (GC) report ‘Beyond a personal brand’ explains why general counsel should make time for personal branding, and to look at the initial steps they can take, as well as the...
31/01/2022
Time for transition: Energy M&A 2022
While world leaders have been gathering for COP meetings for decades, what made COP26 perhaps particularly notable is that the private sector also gathered in force, and with a commitment and determination to be a key driver in the decarbonisation of the world’s economies.  In previous years, there have been murmurings from various corporates that to make social or environmentally driven investment decisions may not align with their fiduciary duty to act in the interests of shareholders. As shareholder activism has driven the debate into boardrooms from above, this attitude is rapidly reversing direction. While returns are generally seen as lower in the clean sector compared to, say, the oil & gas sector, being invested in the green transition is increasingly seen as a key route to preserving and protecting shareholder value. At the same time, voluntary and mandatory climate related disclosures are aligning the drivers for investors across the board so that capital is increasingly driven by the metrics they produce.  This is being reflected in, among other things, the plummeting cost of capital for green investments. At the same time high carbon intensive investments, such as coal based projects and businesses, are struggling to secure funding, with many facing in­solv­ency. In­vest­ments in the energy transition, a key part of the green transition, will principally take the form of M&A. The outcome of COP26 and the momentum it has generated means that European dealmakers in the energy sector will be even busier in 2022. Europe leads the world in the energy transition and the race to net zero is driving near-record levels of dealmaking – notably in wind and solar photovoltaic generation. At the same time, the energy transition is both expanding and fragmenting the energy sector. For many, it has traditionally been focused on energy generation. The transition is bringing to the fore less visible technologies. Everything from traditional hydropower to grid-scale batteries, electrification of transport and hydrogen. It is also bringing into the mix sectors that have not traditionally been focused on energy, such as industrial decarbonisation, shipping and mining for the natural resources needed for the energy transition. In parallel with this, there is a huge and growing story around energy transmission and distribution. Electricity networks will need to expand massively to facilitate electrification and new technologies. They are also becoming smarter with the use of digital technology to optimise the way power is distributed, traded and consumed. Further, new types of networks may provide investment opportunities for those looking for stable long term assets, such as hydrogen and carbon networks. Against this background, traditional fossil fuel-based players are decarbonising their operations. For the oil and gas majors, this means acquiring or significantly enhancing their capabilities in renewables, including wind, solar and hydrogen, while simultaneously divesting selected carbon-intensive assets in response to mounting ESG pressures. This may be one of the reasons why 50% of respondents in our study point to distress-driven deals as a top sell-side driver. Change is endemic in the energy sector, but the current transition makes the years since liberalisation of energy markets in the late 1980s seem almost steady-state in comparison. Despite the momentum and push for capital to be invested in the energy transition, there remain obstacles, not least the limited pipeline of good quality investment opportunities, continuing concerns over lockdowns and COVID-19 variants, financing difficulties arising from potentially unstable long term revenue streams and diminishing rates of return. Notwithstanding these challenges, our study finds that energy sector M&A will increasingly be an engine driving capital into propositions that match social and political ambitions for the green transition. Key findings  Energy remains a premium asset class for most institutional investors, with its performance during the pandemic and impetus from COP26 further enhancing its at­tract­ive­ness75% of energy companies are considering an acquisition and/or divestment in 2022Alongside premium assets, in some subsectors there are undervalued targets driving buy-side activity, with sellers shedding distressed assets as the sector shifts in response to the energy transition45% think COVID-19 will be a major M&A obstacle in 2022, but this remains a fluid situation that can change rapidly
31/03/2021
Law and regulation of consequential damages clauses in the energy sector...
1. Do the words “consequential loss” have a given meaning in law? No. The legal term “consequential loss” has no given or recognised meaning in Chilean law. Chilean law only recognises three classes...
06/07/2020
Chile
Here’s a selection of our energy sector credentials in Chile: Solarpack, the multinational specialised in solar power plants, on the financing transaction for the construction and development of the photovoltaic Project named “La Granja”, to be located in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile. The project is a milestone in terms of solar energy pricing worldwide for breaking the record as the lowest price per MWh tendered (USD 29.1 per MWh). Celeo Redes on the bidding process for new energy transmission works, awarding concessions for the construction, operation and maintenance of two projects related to Chile’s main power grid; said project is for the National Energy Commission.  One project will include the construction of two substations in central Chile with a combined line length of over 200 km, while the other – a 360 km-long line - will be located in southern Chile. SAIPEM on a legal opinion for our client, an Italian company of the oil and gas sector, that analyzes a potential changer order for an EPC contract, given difficulties arising from the connection of the project’s power lines to the national power grid. Acciona Energía on its bid for a public tender to build, operate and manage a new Codelco desalination plant in Antofagasta, northern Chile.  Said bid was awarded under a BOOT (build-own-op­er­ate-trans­fer) arrangement. The contract included the design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the aforementioned plant. Enagás on the acquisition of Endesa’s total stake in GNL Quintero S.A, which operates a three-tank regasification plant and docking facilities for methane tankers. Subsequently, CMS Chile advised Enagás on the acquisition of an additional 20% of GNL Quintero from a local affiliate of Gas Natural Fenosa. Total consideration of both transactions worth USD 400 million. In 2017, advised Enagás in GNL Quintero S.A. stock restructuring for USD 532 million. Promigás on the potential tender process to acquire the complete shareholding of Gasvalpo S.A., one of the main residential natural gas supply distributors in Chile, which has concessions in three regions of Chile. Eléctricas de Medellín Ingeniería y Servicios - EDEMSA (Colombia) - Advised EDEMSA as the construction company (EPC contractor) for the Interchile interregional line, on construction and subcontracting agreements, the installation of high voltage towers, overseeing the negotiation process for electrical easements, the procurement of building permits, work facilities, warehouses and land use change. Also, on the procurement of all environmental permits. This project aims to build the most important high voltage power line in Chile, which will allow the interconnection of the two main transmission systems in the country. SolarReserve Chile Limitada on the procurement of concessions for contracts that permit the onerous use of land (approx 9,000 hectares) to develop three solar projects in northern Chile. In addition, on the procurement of title deeds and proceedings before the Ministry of National Assets. wpd - Advised the client to secure contracts for three wind farms with a total capacity of 350 MW in the tender conducted by Chile for renewable energy projects. In the process, wpd won power purchase agreements for 786.8 GWh per year with a term of 20 years beginning in 2021. Saeta Yield - Advised on the competitive process for the acquisition of our client’s operations in Chile, consisting of its 81-MW owned interest in the 115-MW El Arrayán Wind project to its affiliates.
19/06/2020
The Latin American General Counsel
The first CMS General Counsel report in the Latin America region, “The Latin American GC: Rising to the challenge”, explores the development of the General Counsel role and how the world in which...
18/11/2019
CMS Public Procurement Toolbox of Remedies
Public procurement is the largest single global marketplace, accounting for around one-fifth of worldwide GDP. In this increasingly international marketplace, companies need to have confidence that public...
10/10/2019
The Latin American GC of today: Challenges & opportunities
Luis Felipe Arze, Partner at CMS Santiago and Jonathan Warne, Partner at CMS London, will be speaking at the ‘The Latin American GC of today: Challenges & opportunities’ panel session at the LACCA...
03/09/2019
Latin America Quarterly Energy Update
The CMS Latin America group has issued the latest quarterly update covering hot topics and developments in the energy industry in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Download the PDFs below to read...