Full-service firm Barros & Errázuriz is home to an 11-member team that is sought out for both high-stakes class actions and mediation processes with Chile’s Consumer Law Authority (SERNAC). The practice’s client base spans a broad range of sectors including public services, utilities and telecoms (including mobile services and satellite TV), along with education, real estate, postal services and healthcare. Notable examples include Sky Airlines, Delta Airlines and DirecTv Chile. Recent highlights saw the group act for Automotoras Kauffman, Bruno Fritsch and Guillermo Morales in a class action brought by Chilean consumer organisation, Conadecus, against seven vehicle sales companies (and three financial companies), the matter alleging consumer law misconduct. Civil and commercial litigation and arbitration specialist, Javier San Martín, advises on consumer law matters, in addition to acting in class action lawsuits and other actions filed by SERNAC or individuals; Luis Eduardo Toro is a competition and antitrust specialist, whose litigation experience also covers consumer law; David Cademartori advises on consumer matters, in addition to focusing on administrative and public law; and arbitration, litigation and antitrust law practitioner José Luis Corvalán is experienced in class actions. In the senior associate ranks, Isidora Fernández and Nicole Nannig both advise on consumer law.
Consumer and advertising law in Chile
Barros & Errázuriz
Praxisleiter:
Javier San Martin; Luis Eduardo Toro; David Cademartori; José Luis Corvalán
Kernmandanten
Automotoras Kauffman
Bruno Fritsch
Guillermo Morales
Sky Airlines
Correos de Chile
Aguas del Valle
Essbio
Inmobiliaria Aconcagua
Delta Airlines
Levaduras Collico
Inmobiliaria y Constructora de La Barra Serrano
Directv Chile
Universidad Andrés Bello
Didi
Socovesa
Highlight-Mandate
- Acted for Automotoras Kauffman, Bruno Fritsch and Guillermo Morales in a class action filed by Conadecus, a Chilean consumer organisation, against seven vehicle sales companies and three financial companies, the matter alleging consumer law misconduct.
- Defended Sky Airlines against a class action filed by consumer association Conadecus, in relation to flight reschedulings, cancellations and suspensions during the pandemic.
- Representing Correos de Chile in a class action filed by SERNAC against Correos de Chile, in relation to an alleged personal data leak.
Carey
The seven-member consumer and advertising law group at legal powerhouse Carey routinely acts in consumer protection litigation, as well as voluntary collective procedures before SERNAC. The firm’s lawyers, whose ‘recommendations always go beyond what is strictly requested’, also advises on advertising and marketing campaigns, recall procedures, and safety and warranty policies. Major clients additionally turn to the group for assistance with revising standard form agreements and abusive clauses, e-commerce issues, and the importing and commercialisation of products into the Chilean market. Recent highlight mandates include defending Decathlon Chile against multiple individual lawsuits concerning alleged breaches of the Consumer Protection Act; and assisting Adidas Chile with inspection procedures by SERNAC, as well as with responses to consumer complaints. Guillermo Carey's recent experience includes a consumer protection-related recall process before SERNAC; while Aldo Molinari co-heads the firm’s litigation group alongside Mónica Pérez, who ‘gives accurate opinions that are very close to what really happens at trial’, and whose wide-ranging practice includes consumer protection matters. Among the firm’s associates, Kureusa Hara advises on consumer protection regulations and advertising legislation (including e-commerce regulation, digital marketing, recalls and product liability); and the caseload of the ‘extremely diligent’ Eduardo Reveco includes defending companies against actions to protect collective and individual interests.
Praxisleiter:
Guillermo Carey; Aldo Molinari; Mónica Pérez; Kureusa Hara
Referenzen
‘One of the team’s main skills is the ability to understand the problem from the company’s perspective.’
‘Able to elucidate which issues are pressing and which are not, and without a doubt their human qualities are always outstanding.’
‘Lawyers with great knowledge of various matters.’
Kernmandanten
Adidas Chile
Algramo
Cosméticos Avon
Bayer
Blanco y Negro
Clorox Chile
The Clorox Company
Decathlon
Empresas Iansa
General Motors Financial
Hughes de Chile
Iansagro
IKSO (IKEA)
Isapre Banmédica
Isapre Cruz Blanca
Isapre Vida Tres
Kaizen Gaming International
Kraft-Heinz
Laboratorios Andrómaco
LDA
Los Parques
Mastercard International
Mercado Libre Chile
Nestlé Chile
Not company
Pepsico
Evercrisp Snack Productos De Chile
Porsche Volkswagen Servicios Financieros Chile
Sky Airline
Softys Chile
Starlink Chile
Valle Nevado
Wild Foods
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile and Pepsico with recall processes involving defective or contaminated products.
- Assisted Adidas Chile with inspection procedures by SERNAC and responses to consumer complaints.
- Defended Decathlon Chile against multiple individual lawsuits, which concerned alleged breaches of the Consumer Protection Act.
FerradaNehme
FerradaNehme's six-member consumer and advertising practice has extensive experience in advising major fast-moving consumer goods companies. Delivering ‘multiple options depending on the clients’ needs’, the team’s expertise ranges from compliance models and evaluating advertising campaigns, to providing representation in proceedings before the Self-Regulation and Advertising Ethics Council, as well as SERNAC and other individual or collective sectoral agencies. Recent highlights include assisting Zurich Chile Seguros Generales with processing a voluntary collective proceeding before SERNAC; and representing KIA Chile in a class action lawsuit that was commenced by the Organization of Consumers and Users of Chile against thirteen commercial motor vehicle companies. ‘Outstanding in terms of her knowledge of both legal and technical aspects’, compliance group head Stella Muñoz has extensive experience in advising large mass consumption companies in multiple markets. Muñoz also has a significant track record in consumer litigation, her expertise covering the telecoms, retail and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as mediations and voluntary collective procedures. Promoted to senior associate in April 2023, former Gana y Galvez Abogados litigator Mario Garfias is experienced in private law trials, arbitrations, class action proceedings, and representing clients before the Civil Courts, Courts of Appeals, SERNAC, and the Chilean Regulatory Telecommunications Authority (SUBTEL).
Praxisleiter:
Stella Muñoz
Referenzen
‘Billing is clear, with multiple options depending on the clients’ needs.’
‘The professionals in charge constantly provide information on legal contingencies that may affect clients.’
‘Good response times to the different concerns that clients raise.’
Kernmandanten
Banco del Estado de Chile
Indumotora (KIA Chile)
Zurich Chile Seguros Generales
VTR Comunicaciones
Latamfit Chile
Sky Airline
Claro Chile
Comercializadora Skechers Chile
Banco Santander Chile
Estudio de Arquitectura y Diseño Paramétrico NPP&R
Prosegur Chile
Natura Cosméticos
Brother Industries
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing Banco del Estado de Chile in two class action lawsuits filed by SERNAC.
- Assisted Zurich Chile Seguros Generales with the processing of a voluntary collective proceeding before SERNAC.
- Representing KIA Chile in a class action lawsuit initiated by the Organization of Consumers and Users of Chile against thirteen commercial motor vehicle companies.
Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos
Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos‘ consumer and advertising law practice has significant experience in advising companies on consumer law matters. The full-service firm’s 11-member team is particularly active in class action litigation, web sales-related terms and conditions, SERNAC collective mediation procedures, consumer claims and recall processes, along with product information, labelling and pricing regulations. The group is also notably active in litigation and advisory work involving the labelling and advertising requirements for food products containing high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat and calories. The firm’s enviable client list comprises Ripley (one of the largest retail companies in Chile), as well as Mercado Libre, Levi’s, H&M, Forever 21 and American Airlines. The team also provides ongoing advice to Google on consumer and advertising law issues; and it recently assisted Banco de Crédito e Inversiones with reviewing a Chilean football team’s sponsorship agreement. Technology, privacy and media group leader Rodrigo Lavados advises on consumer protection issues; while at director-level, litigation and arbitration practitioner José Ignacio Azar assists both national and international clients with civil and commercial lawsuits, medical liability issues, consumer class actions, general consumer matters and clients’ relations with SERNAC. In the firm’s senior associate pool, Gabriel Pensa's practice includes consumer protection, advertising campaigns and product labelling.
Praxisleiter:
Rodrigo Lavados; José Ignacio Azar
Kernmandanten
Ripley
Levi’s
H&M
Forever 21
Ferrero
Arauco
Banco Bice
Medtronic
Canal 13
NFL
Kellogg´s
The Coca – Cola Company
Soprole
Mercado Libre
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Banco de Crédito e Inversiones with reviewing a Chilean football team’s sponsorship agreement.
- Provides ongoing advice to H&M on consumer and advertising law issues.
- Provides ongoing advice to Google on consumer and advertising law issues.
Pumpin, Dorfman, Nasser, Diaz (PDND)
Highly focused on dispute resolution and litigation work, Pumpin, Dorfman, Nasser, Diaz (PDND)'s consumer group routinely acts for national and international companies from the telecoms, supermarket, retail, fuel and parking industries in consumer law-related disputes, including matters before the National Consumer Service, local judicial instances and High Court. Caseload examples include issues concerning accidents on commercial premises, thefts in parking lots, fuel contamination and accidents at gas stations, and terms and conditions-related disputes. The group, which ‘helps clients resolve legal issues efficiently at a reasonable fee’, also assists with matters involving telephone equipment warranties, false advertising, defence-side class action suits, faulty product issues, and complaints over online sales and stock certification. In addition to heading up the firm’s transportation and telecoms practices, Ignacio Díaz's specialisms include consumer protection law; and the focus of associate Cristián Silva (whose career includes working in Adidas Chile’s legal department) covers consumer law issues, as well as commercial and insurance matters.
Praxisleiter:
Ignacio Díaz
Referenzen
‘Helps clients resolve legal issues efficiently at a reasonable fee.’
‘Trials are won, which is what is expected when hiring the services of this law firm.’
‘Always available for questions and guidance.’
Albagli Zaliasnik
The sole Chilean member firm of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance, Albagli Zaliasnik is ‘highly committed to clients’ needs’. Recent highlights include assisting Empresas La Polar with its consumer law breach-related settlement with SERNAC. The caseload of litigation and arbitration specialist Ariela Agosin covers advertising and IP law, while fellow practice group co-head Eugenio Gormáz leads the IP, technology and data group. The department also includes director of public law and regulated markets, Antonio Rubilar; senior associate and intellectual and industrial property practitioner, Antonia Nudman; and associate Gonzalo Bravo, who focuses on consumer law.
Praxisleiter:
Ariela Agosin; Eugenio Gormáz
Referenzen
‘A team that is highly committed to clients’ needs.’
‘Experts in their subjects.’
‘Gonzalo Bravo stands out for his approach – knows clients’ business in detail and provides solutions with excellent results.’
Kernmandanten
Empresas La Polar
NBC Universal
KikoKo Pet
Bodegas San Francisco
WOM
Intcomex
Dimeiggs
LG Electronics
Banco Santander-Chile
La Polar Corredores de Bolsa
Azul Azul
DeepL
Forum
Patagonia Live
Super Zoo
Highlight-Mandate
- Managing La Polar’s trade mark portfolio throughout LatAm, and assisting with the implementation and audit of the main milestones of the Compliance Plan for the Collective Voluntary Proceeding initiated by the National Consumer Service (SERNAC).
- Assisted NBC Universal with evaluating the applicable copyright law related to advertising material, and analysing the regulations of the National Television Council, Consumer Protection law and CONAR’s advertising code.
- Assisted Kiwoko Pet with a complaint led by Mars, Incorporated that was filed at the Chilean Self-Regulation and Advertising Ethics Council (CONAR).
Alessandri & Compañía Abogados
Alessandri & Compañía Abogados' consumer team is particularly focused on legal and regulatory compliance work, including the establishment of crime prevention models that encompass prevention, management, control and reaction mechanisms. It also assists with claims before SERNAC, collective procedures, privacy policies, and e-commerce-related online sales. Co-heading the firm’s intellectual and industrial property group, Santiago Ortúzar assists with the application of the Consumer Protection Law, while Macarena Gatic leads the TMT and data protection teams. At senior associate level, Luis Fuentes focuses on civil and commercial litigation, as well as administrative sanctioning procedures.
Praxisleiter:
Santiago Ortúzar
Kernmandanten
JetSmart
Swiss Nature Labs
Engenis (Healthatom)
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising JetSmart on compliance issues, including adjustments to crime prevention manuals and policies for suppliers.
- Assisted Engenis with identifying risks.
- Assisted Swiss Nature Labs with developing a plan for creating a compliance plan for organisations.
Baker McKenzie Chile
Notably active in both advisory and litigation work, Baker McKenzie Chile's 10-member group covers product liability and recalls, as well as compliance with advertising regulations for the alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food and beverage industries. The team also assists with compliance with information obligations to consumers, consumer matters before SERNAC, and individual and class actions. Dispute resolution head Rodrigo De Valdés and Ignacio Naudon are class action specialists, while IP expert Valentina Venturelli also advises on consumer and advertising matters. Key senior associate Juan Ignacio Donoso focuses on consumer, competition and compliance work.
Praxisleiter:
Rodrigo Díaz de Valdés; Ignacio Naudon; Valentina Venturelli
Kernmandanten
HDI Securities
Abbott
Isapre Consalud
HP
Cencosud
Essity
Aguas Antofagasta
Colgate-Palmolive
Cela Cosmetics
AFP Habitat
Black & Decker
Costanera Norte
Continental Tires
Subway
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing global insurance company HDI in connection with a class action filed by SERNAC for delays to vehicle repairs.
- Acting for Cencosud Retail in a class action filed by SERNAC for infringements to the Consumer Protection Act.
- Defending Aguas de Antofagasta against a class action brought by SERNAC before the civil courts, following a service interruption.
Guerrero Olivos
The five-member consumer law team at full-service firm Guerrero Olivos advises consumer goods and services clients on compliance with Chile’s consumer protection regulations. The group’s expertise extends to marketing approaches, product warranty strategies and complaint-related protocols. It also assists with advertising and promotional campaigns, e-commerce, consumer rights protection litigation, and inspections and search orders. The firm’s main consumer law figure is Benjamín Ferrada, whose practice covers consumer protection regulatory compliance and litigation. At associate level, senior Sebastián Marambio focuses on the commercialisation of consumer goods and services, while intermediate Rosario Díaz assists with consumer rights litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Benjamín Ferrada
Kernmandanten
Western Union
Riot Games
Kraft Heinz
GoDaddy
OLX
CCL Label
Bizagi
Edenred
Pandora
UPL
CBS Inmobiliaria
ENACO
Safecard
Huerto Sur
Trayecta Inmobiliaria
Empresas Carozzi
Teka Chile
Autofact
Mitta
FALP
BCI Corredora de Bolsa
Tronwell
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully acted for UPL in three separate lawsuits, thereby ensuring its ability to continue marketing its products in Chile.
- Advised CBS Inmobiliaria in relation to a legal reform which incorporates consumer rights issues into the real estate industry.
- Advised GoDaddy on its consumer law review website consolidation questions.
Sensus Legis Abogados
Sensus Legis Abogados' consumer and advertising law team routinely acts for retail, department store and supermarket clients. The 11-strong group also assists banks, financial companies, trade associations, medical supply businesses and fintech companies with consumer and advertising issues. The practice’s principal figures are senior counsel Christian Acuña Fernández, whose track record includes representing the interests of business associations in relation to legal reforms (such as the Consumer Rights Protection Law); new technologies and data protection law department head, María José Acuña Yáñez; and director Carlos Felipe Corro Calderón, who is the firm’s consumer and advertising law director.
Praxisleiter:
Christian Acuña Fernández; María José Acuña Yáñez; Carlos Felipe Corro Calderón
Referenzen
‘The flexibility and, above all, the clarity and competence transmitted at every stage stand out.’
‘Great commitment to clients and high levels of competence are shown at every step.’
‘Clients always feel well represented.’
Kernmandanten
SMU
Cámara Chilena de Centros Comerciales
Banco del Estado de Chile.
Multitiendas Corona
Poincenot Tech Studio
Unicard
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Poincenot on the implementation of the technological model that allows Mercado Pago’s consumers to invest their balances in Bice’s financial instruments.
- Advised Banco del Estado de Chile on matters concerned with fraud suffered by consumers through payment cards and electronic transactions.
- Advised Multitiendas Corona on the implementation of its new shopping application for mobile devices.
Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr
The 10-strong consumer practice team at Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr provides a range of advisory services, in relation to e-commerce, consumer compliance models, product imports, safety and warranty policies, advertising and marketing campaigns, and product information and labelling. It also acts for mass consumption and retail companies in consumer-related judicial proceedings, class actions, and administrative procedures before SERNAC. Juan Carlos Dörr Bulnes regularly acts in consumer law cases, while Juan Pablo Morales is an experienced dispute resolution practitioner. Key associate María Francisca Saieh Fernández also advises on consumer and advertising law.
Praxisleiter:
Juan Carlos Dörr Bulnes; Juan Pablo Morales Barros
Kernmandanten
Sony
Grupo Marina
Inmobiliaria E3
Cintac
Aceros AZA
Thomson Reuters
Highlight-Mandate
- Defended the interests of Sony in multiple individual consumer interest lawsuits.
- Defended the interests of Grupo Marina in multiple individual consumer interest lawsuits.
- Defended the interests of Inmobiliaria E3 in a lawsuit, in accordance with Law No. 19,496 on consumer protection and the General Law of Urban Planning and Construction.