Morales & Besa appoints two new partners and a director
New partners Juan Carlos Valdivieso and Aldo Cardinali will take over in the energy and environment, mining, and natural resources areas, respectively, while Juan Ignacio Eymin will take over as director in the litigation and arbitration practice.
Juan Carlos Valdivieso takes over as partner in the energy area, a challenge he undertakes after two years at Morales & Besa, since he joined the firm in 2020 to lead the same area. He is a lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and holds a Diploma in Electricity Markets from the same university and a Master of Laws with a specialization in Energy and Environment from the University of Texas. Previously, he served as legal manager of Prime Energía (2017-2020) and was alternate director of the Chilean Association of Generators A.G. He was also an associate at Arteaga Gorziglia law firm in Santiago and an international associate at Holland Knight in Miami.
“In addition to being very happy with this appointment, I feel very challenged considering the timing. The energy sector, and in general the infrastructure sector in areas such as telecommunications, desalination or transportation, are at an important juncture, which will require a relevant level of investment to make the transition a reality”, says Juan Carlos regarding the appointment, adding that “Morales y Besa’s team has everything necessary to continue growing and stay on top of the wave in this process, advising our clients with the quality and business vision that has always characterized us”.
Aldo Cardinali, who between 2015 and 2017 was an associate at Morales & Besa, takes over as partner of the environmental, mining, and natural resources area. He is a lawyer from Universidad de Los Andes, has a Master of Laws in Environmental Law from the University of Melbourne, a Diploma in Future Electricity Markets, and their Regulation, and a second Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development, both from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. In addition, he has experience advising in the development of energy, mining, real estate, infrastructure and other projects of diverse nature, as well as in environmental and regulatory matters. Previously, he was partner of the law firm IVM Abogados, head of the Sustainable Development Division of the Ministry of Mining and head of the environmental and natural resources area of Prieto Abogados.
“I am very happy to have the opportunity to join Morales & Besa again as partner and leader of the area I was part of some years ago. Morales & Besa is one of the most prestigious law firms in our country, where the level of excellence in its work with a view to satisfying the different needs and requirements of its clients, no matter how complex they may be, is one of its most characteristic hallmarks. In natural resources and environmental matters, our challenge as a group will be to continue promoting this area as a national and international leader”.
Regarding his vision of Chile’s future, Aldo says that “it will be marked by the development of the energy and mining industries, while at the same time taking care of the environment and the communities. In the development of sustainable projects, our clients will always find in Morales & Besa a close ally and at the forefront in these matters, which are so relevant for the development of our nation”.
The partner who leads the infrastructure and projects area, Carlos Silva, highlights the great contribution that the incorporation of these two new partners represents for the firm: “The areas that Juan Carlos and Aldo will now lead are strategic for our firm and also have great growth potential. For Morales & Besa it is a real privilege to add such talented professionals as Juan Carlos and Aldo; we are sure that their experience, business vision, industry knowledge and leadership will deepen our comprehensive advice on projects in which we are leaders, will strengthen the advice on transactional matters and will enhance the growth of their respective areas of expertise”.
On the other hand, Juan Ignacio Eymin, takes over as new director of the firm in the litigation and arbitration group. Juan Ignacio is a lawyer graduated from Universidad de Chile and joined Morales & Besa in 2007 as a paralegal of the litigation group, joining the firm in 2010 as an associate in that area. He has specialized in civil lawsuits, arbitration and contentious-administrative proceedings. He has a Diploma in Current Problems on Civil Liability and Tort Law from the University of Chile. He is also in the process of writing his thesis, after having completed his studies in the Master of Laws program at the Law School of the Universidad de Chile.
“For me, this appointment is another manifestation that the meritocracy and internal promotion policies of Morales & Besa are real, a place where I have been able to develop myself permanently for more than 10 years. Personally, this opportunity and challenge finds me at a time when I believe that, with the help of the team, I can contribute to further enhance the growth of our Litigation Group, which in recent years has been recognized both by our traditional clients, who continue to entrust us with their matters, and by more and more new clients, who have placed their trust in us based on the hard, responsible and creative work that characterizes us”, adds Juan Ignacio.
The partner of the litigation area, Gonzalo Cordero, highlights the long trajectory that Juan Ignacio has had in the firm since he joined as a paralegal: “Juan Ignacio has stood out in Morales & Besa for his great professional and human quality. He has had a great development in his career, being a crucial part of the growth of our area, always providing excellent advice, standing out among our clients”.
These appointments join the appointment of Andrea Diaz as partner, who last July assumed the position in the capital markets area.
Macarena Laso, managing partner of Morales & Besa said “these appointments make us very proud and are the reflection of a successful year in Morales & Besa that we want to project to 2022 and beyond. We are sure that Andrea, Juan Carlos, Aldo and Juan Ignacio will continue with the executive and close to our clients style that characterizes us within the legal market”.
