Ferrere‘s corporate and M&A team is ‘always ahead of the curve‘, advising on sector-significant investments and active on both the seller and buyer side of high-profile acquisitions. The group has extensive experience in mergers and de-mergers, as well as business closures and the sale of commercial ventures. It stands out for having an established compliance practice, making it well placed to advise on anti-corruption and the prevention of asset laundering and terrorism financing. The group works in tandem with other departments in the firm to provide clients with a one-stop-shop specialised service that spans the energy, infrastructure, real estate, construction and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. Martín Cerruti leads the team alongside Santiago Fontana, whose practice focuses on foreign investment and M&A. Specialising in insurance matters, Geraldine Ifrán represents significant clients in the banking and finance sector in corporate and M&A transactions. At the senior associate level, Clara Porro advises an impressive roster of national and international clients on acquisitions and investment projects. Carla Arellano leads the compliance practice, and Carolina Piacenza focuses on corporate governance. Cristina Vignone plays a lead role in due diligence procedures for the sale and purchase of companies.

A prominent player in the Uruguayan M&A market, Guyer & Regules is one of the ‘strongest and most recognised‘ teams in this field and is often called upon to advise on high-value transactions. It regularly participates in international deals, drawing on its global network to advise an extensive list of global clients and leading exporting companies in Uruguay. A ‘reference in Uruguay for foreign investment’, Nicolás Piaggio was promoted to senior partnership in January 2023. He co-leads the team alongside Corina Bove, who is praised by clients for her ‘great intelligence and knowledge of the market‘. Álvaro Tarabal bolsters the team’s international capabilities, representing clients in cross-border transactions and foreign investment matters. Javier Berdaguer is regularly sought out by foreign clients looking to operate businesses in Uruguay. Following his recent promotion to partner, Guzmán Rodríguez advises the team’s key clients on corporate matters on a day-to-day basis. At the associate level, María Emilia Cadenas is another name to note.

With a multinational client base, Dentons Jiménez de Aréchaga regularly advises on corporate transactions across the full range of sectors, including the TMT, oil and gas, fintech, energy and infrastructure industries. The team demonstrates prowess in the drafting of various agreements, and in guiding clients through the termination of supply and services agreements. Virginia Brause co-leads the team, experienced in advising global clients on the establishment of operations in Uruguay and active in innovative projects in the construction and wastewater sectors. Practice co-head Nicolás Herrera Alonso acts for an impressive roster of multinational clients in major acquisitions, particularly in the consumer finance and fintech spaces. Fernando Jiménez de Aréchaga Jr brings sector-specific expertise in the energy, infrastructure and agriculture industries to the team, and has a successful track record advising companies on exiting projects. At the senior associate level, Jimena González plays a leading role in corporate due diligence processes. Mariana Lartigau advises a clientele of financial institutions and other regulated entities, excelling in the negotiation of transaction agreements. Alfredo Arocena and Inés Mastroianni are also senior associates to note.

Hughes & Hughes advises on M&A across various sectors, with a particular specialism in the energy, pharmaceutical, health and biotechnology industries. The team is active in infrastructure projects, adept at designing corporate structures related to PPP and bidding procedures. Joint ventures are another prolific area for the team, and it counts a number of consortiums among its clients. Three partners jointly lead the team: Haroldo Espalter advises a roster of national and international clients on the development of commercial, industrial and services activities in Uruguay; Héctor Ferreira is an expert in the design of corporate structures; and Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau is experienced in joint ventures, acquisitions and investments in the forestry and energy sectors. Mariana Estradé is an expert in project development, advising on foreign investment in energy and infrastructure projects, and Florencia Beyhaut focuses her practice on the real estate sector and particularly on advice to foreign investment funds. At the associate level, Clara Villaamil is an active member of the team, and Dayana Brites has a strong corporate governance practice.

Acting on behalf of both local and foreign companies, Posadas advises on M&A, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. The team’s client base spans the full range of sectors, from infrastructure, energy and automotive to agribusiness and forestry. Due diligence is another prolific area for the practice, in which the team often operates on a cross-border basis. Fernando de Posadas concentrates his practice on significant investment projects and leads the sizeable corporate team alongside Tomas Gurméndez, who advises corporations and shareholders on corporate governance. Tomás Guerrero is an expert in M&A, and advises national and international clients on commercial agreements. Andrés Aznárez has particular experience in advising Brazilian companies, while Lucía Barrios focuses on the e-commerce and agribusiness sectors. Gerardo Caffera receives high praise from clients and Martina Reyes is an associate of note.

Bergstein Abogados advises an extensive list of international clients, and regularly handles the Uruguayan aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions. The corporate team is experienced in advising multinational organisations on the establishment of operations in Uruguay. Practice co-head Guillermo Duarte advises local and foreign clients on M&A, investments and takeover projects. He leads the team alongside Jonás Bergstein, who focuses his practice on international corporate transactions, privatisations and concessions. Daniel Mosco joined the team as senior associate from Guyer & Regules in June 2023, bringing particular experience in the transport, logistics and customs sectors. Associate María Eugenia Alvarez handles corporate governance matters.

Bragard Abogados provides corporate advice on a regular basis to a growing roster of national, international and multinational clients. Commercial companies constitute a significant part of the firm’s clientele, and it handles formations, dissolutions and acquisitions. The team’s prowess in due diligence makes it well equipped to advise on corporate planning, as well as M&A and reorganisations. The practice is adept at drafting shareholder and participation agreements and structuring administration, financial, guarantee and investment trusts. Agustina Bomio heads the team, focusing her corporate practice on advice to global companies establishing operations in Uruguay. Managing partner Jean Jacques Bragard plays a lead role on many of the team’s key matters, bringing to the group a strong background in corporate disputes. Senior associate Alberto Frigerio is an active member of the practice, who excels in the drafting of contracts, as well as advising on public procurement. Associate Guillermo Lorbeer left the firm in June 2023.

Corporate compliance is a core focus for Castellan Abogados, which advises clients on the implementation of internal policies, often on a multi-jurisdictional basis. International companies make up a significant proportion of the group’s client roster, spanning the real estate and construction, infrastructure, agribusiness, retail and automotive industries. The team has a successful track record advising on the incorporation of subsidiaries in the country and mergers by absorption. Share transfers, share purchase agreements and shareholder disputes are also areas of expertise. Practice head Santiago Castellán brings a strong background in M&A to the team. Maria Lucia Acosta leads the dedicated corporate compliance practice, spearheading the firm’s due diligence work and playing a key role in subsequent M&A. At the associate level, Mariana Fagioli joined the team in June 2023, bringing to the team corporate governance expertise and advising both local and foreign companies. María Paula Uhalde García left the firm in January 2024.

With a background in foreign investment, Andersen Tax & Legal Uruguay plays a key role in setting up businesses in the country, and the team advises a growing list of multinational and foreign investors, as well as local companies. It excels in the drafting of commercial and share purchase agreements and corporate structures and regularly handles joint ventures, financing trusts, debt-equity swaps and project finance deals. Practice co-head Juan Federico Fischer has extensive cross-border experience, advising multinational companies on local acquisitions, participating in international tenders and handling the establishment of operations in Uruguay on behalf of global clients. Senior associate Gonzalo Trapp co-heads the team, and his broad corporate practice ranges from corporate governance advice to international restructurings.

Specialising in due diligence processes, Brum Costa Abogados assists clients through M&A, corporate structuring and restructuring, joint ventures and spin-offs. The sale and purchase of shares is another particularly prolific area for the team. It has broad sector expertise, including in the entertainment, technology, pharmaceutical, oil and fuel industries, as well as niche areas, such as the cannabis market. Practice head Leonardo Costa advises an impressive clientele that includes international companies, national and foreign banks, and key stockbrokers in Uruguay. Oscar Brum co-leads, focusing his practice on M&A and business structuring and bringing to the team a strong track record in commercial litigation. Practice co-head and senior associate Paula Porteiro’s established regulatory and contractual practice sees her advise on due diligence processes, internal bylaws, and board and shareholder meetings. At the associate level, Agustina Correa focuses on advising commercial companies, while Sofía Matteo excels in the negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements. Florencia Imbrosiano and Ana Laura Lores are also associates to note.

Deloitte S.C. advises clients on M&A, providing support throughout the full transaction life cycle, from due diligence to post-closing integration. Demonstrating particular prowess in the real estate sector, the team carries out due diligence processes for investments and projects. Practice co-head Juan Bonet brings extensive experience in corporate and tax matters to the group. He leads the team alongside Javier Domínguez, who represents an extensive roster of clients, spanning the banking and finance, chemicals, tourism and energy industries, in M&A. The team continues to grow, with the addition of Guillermo Lorbeer in May 2023.

Foderé Abogados advises its growing roster of clients on the sale of assets and shares and demonstrates expertise in various shareholder matters, such as agreements and shareholder restructuring. The team is also involved in project development, advising consortiums on their formation and project authorisation. Four partners jointly lead the team: Alberto Foderé handles M&A and foreign investment; Alicia Quirici is experienced in the resolution of corporate conflicts and corporate restructurings; Belen Hernandez focuses on corporate governance; and Hector Schaianschi represents clients in commercial arbitration on both a national and international level. Paulina Fodere is another key contact in the team.