José Joaquín Silva is a partner in the Corporate and M&A area of Garrigues’ Santiago de Chile office. His practice focuses on comprehensive real estate business services, including real estate, regulatory and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects, taking in corporate and financial structuring, contracts, insolvency matters and regulatory disputes.
He also advises mining companies on the development and operation of projects in Chile, including contractual matters, environmental assessments, and negotiation with communities and stakeholders.
He serves as a mediator in commercial mediation processes as an alternative method of dispute resolution, and is a mediator at the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of California, Berkeley (USA).
Experience
- He was a founding partner of Barros Silva Varela & Vigil from 2012 to its integration with Garrigues in 2026.
- Associate at Espina Zepeda & Acosta (2006–2008).
He is fluent in Spanish and English.
Academic background
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), University of California, Berkeley (2013).
- Degree in Law, Universidad de los Andes (2006).
- Admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Chile (2007).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Planning Law, Universidad de los Andes (2020).
- Commercial Mediation, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, with “IMI Qualified Mediator” certification from the International Mediation Institute.
Memberships
- Professor, Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Real Estate Law, Universidad de los Andes (since 2020).
- Professor, Postgraduate Diploma in Planning Law, Universidad de los Andes (since 2025).
- Member of the team of mediators of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce.
Distinctions
- Chambers and Partners
Real Estate, Band 3
His clients have said: “José Joaquín Silva is an extraordinarily talented lawyer with deep knowledge of the market and strong negotiation skills. He is approachable, a pleasure to work with, and inspires great confidence”. - The Legal 500
Real Estate, Leading Partner - Leaders League
Real estate
Restructuring & insolvency
Publications
- Editor, “Urbanismo y Construcción” (Urban Planning and Construction) (third edition revised and expanded), by Juan Eduardo Figueroa Valdés. DER Ediciones. 2022.