Professional notice
Chile
By the numbers, FERRADANEHME boasts the largest competition practice in Chile, led by perennial Who’s Who Legal: Competition nominee and founding partner Nicole Nehme Zalaquett. Nehme and partner Sander van der Voorde, who joined FerradaNehme from Allen & Overy, oversee a team of 10 associates, many of whom are former FNE officials.
A substantial part of the firm’s work over the past year concerned the wholesale and retail distribution of consumer goods, as well as the communication and energy sectors. In addition to advising clients during investigations and merger processes before the FNE and the TDLC, FerradaNehme is currently developing competition compliance programmes for nearly a dozen clients. Earlier this year, Nehme was invited by Parliament to share her views on the pending amendments to Chile’s competition law.
Some of the firm’s notable clients include Walmart, Nestlé, BHP Billiton Chile, electrical network operator Transelec, and Gasco, one of the largest gas companies in Chile. FerradaNehme is currently representing Nestlé Chile against a claim by dairy farmers before the TDLC for alleged abuse of dominance. The claimants argue that Nestlé Chile and two other dairy companies, which are major purchasers of raw cow’s milk, are not fully passing on discounted international prices to the national market. Meanwhile, the firm continues to represent Transbank in a joint venture with credit card companies, which the FNE challenged.
Founded in 2000, the firm’s Competition Law department was the first specialized practice established by a firm in Chile in this area. Led by Nicole Nehme, this practice area has the largest and, many believe, best-prepared team among Chilean firms.
Given their involvement in some of the most important cases taken place in the past 15 years before Chilean competition authorities, the professionals working in this team have extensive knowledge and experience in Competition Law. They employ multidisciplinary approach to the cases where they work, being well-versed in the principles of economics applicable to their practice, and they are known for their skills to creatively prepare solutions for the most complex competition law problems.
FerradaNehme’s excellent track record and expertise makes it one of the most sought-after law firms by businesses facing delicate and complex issues in this area. The members of this team are experts in issuing memoranda, preparing legal opinions, queries before the Antitrust Court and representing clients involved in legal disputes. In addition, the lawyers permanently advise clients with regard to investigations by the Chilean Economic Prosecutor’s Office, compliance programs and other classified matters. Many of the firm’s professionals teach competition law and related matters at some of the most prestigious Law Schools in Chile.
- Inquiries by Authorities
- Competition Court Cases
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures
- Strategic Business Advice
- Antitrust-Competition Compliance
- Anti-Dumping Law and Retaliatory Tariffs and Defenses
- Memoranda and Legal Opinions