Francisco Varela is a partner in the Corporate and M&A area of Garrigues' Santiago de Chile office. His practice centers on the corporate structuring of investment projects and M&A transactions, with a special focus on the mining and energy sectors. He advises domestic clients and foreign investors on the development of projects in Chile, from their initial stages through to their implementation, and leads complex, strategic negotiations. He also brings international experience from his work as a lawyer in Beijing, China, and holds postgraduate qualifications in tax law.
Experience
His practice centers on corporate law and M&A, with a special emphasis on the structuring of investment projects and sales and purchases of assets and companies. He has advised companies and funds in the mining, energy (including renewable energy), natural resources and telecommunications sectors, on both domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as foreign investors entering the Chilean market. His experience covers the complete project cycle, from its initial structuring through to its financing and divestment.
He was a founding partner of Barros Silva Varela & Vigil from 2012 until its integration with Garrigues in 2026. Prior to that, he was an associate at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría (2008-2012), an international lawyer at Uría Menéndez in Beijing, China (2010), and an associate at Urenda Rencoret Orrego & Dorr (2007-2008).
He is fluent in Spanish and English.
Academic background
- Degree in Law, Universidad de los Andes (2007).
- Admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Chile (2009).
- Master's Degree in Tax Management, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (2015).
Memberships
- Chilean Bar Association.
Distinctions
- Chambers and Partners
Natural Resources: Mining, Band 3
His clients have said: “Francisco Varela is an extremely skilled lawyer with great business intuition. This is perfectly complemented by the quality and timeliness of his work.”