McCarthy Tétrault: Santiago Office Launch Formalizes Latin America Presence

• McCarthy Tétrault is launching a new Latin American office in Santiago, Chile.
• The Santiago office will not practice local law but will coordinate cross-border legal support for clients.
• Shawn Doyle, previously based in Santiago, has been appointed managing partner of the new office.
• Santiago was chosen due to its importance as a regional hub for sectors like mining, critical minerals, and energy.
• The firm aims to formalize its existing five-year presence in Latin America and deepen client relationships.

The new Santiago office is poised to fulfill this need, offering a dedicated point of contact for Canadian clients with interests in Latin America.

McCarthy Tétrault has announced the establishment of a new Latin American office, strategically located in Santiago, Chile. This move is designed to enhance the firm's capacity to serve clients with operations throughout the region. The McCarthy Tétrault Santiago office launch signifies a formal commitment to the area, although the new outpost will not engage in the practice of local law within Chile or any other Latin American jurisdiction. Instead, its primary function will be to coordinate legal support for complex cross-border engagements, working in conjunction with local counsel for specific jurisdictional advice.

Shawn Doyle, who has been based in Santiago for the past three years and was previously a member of the firm's Vancouver team, has been appointed as the managing partner for this new venture. Karl Tabbakh, McCarthy's National Leader of Markets and International Business, indicated that the firm is still finalizing the exact physical location for the office, with plans to conclude arrangements in the coming weeks. He likened the Santiago operation to the firm's existing representative offices in New York City and London, which also operate with small teams.

The selection of Santiago as the base for this new Canadian law firm Latin America presence was deliberate, according to Tabbakh. Santiago is recognized as a pivotal regional hub for several sectors crucial to McCarthy Tétrault's client base, including mining, critical minerals, infrastructure, power, and energy. For over five years, the firm has actively advised clients engaged in operations across Latin America, frequently collaborating with local firms, particularly through its global metals and mining practice.

This engagement has involved various cross-border transactions, dispute resolution, and strategic advisory services, establishing a significant, albeit informal, presence in the region. The McCarthy Tétrault Santiago office launch now formalizes this long-standing involvement. Tabbakh emphasized that as client activity and investment flows continue to expand across Latin America, a permanent office provides a more robust platform to support clients operating internationally and to deepen relationships throughout the region.

This strategic expansion reflects the increasingly global nature of clients' business operations and their corresponding legal requirements. Many of McCarthy Tétrault's clients require legal advisors capable of coordinating intricate matters that span multiple jurisdictions, diverse industries, and various markets.

The new Santiago office is poised to fulfill this need, offering a dedicated point of contact for Canadian clients with interests in Latin America. Shawn Doyle highlighted that while clients perceive substantial opportunities across the region, they are also confronted with an escalating array of complex legal, commercial, and geopolitical considerations. Furthermore, the firm noted in a press release that Latin America presents a "natural link" for resource companies and issuers based in the region who are seeking access to Canadian capital markets. This McCarthy Tétrault Latin America initiative underscores the firm's commitment to providing comprehensive support in a dynamic and challenging environment, particularly for those involved in mining legal Latin America.

Lawyers advising Canadian clients with interests in Latin America, particularly in mining, critical minerals, infrastructure, and energy, should note McCarthy Tétrault's new Santiago office as a dedicated resource for coordinating cross-border legal support, signaling increased focus on the region's complex regulatory and commercial landscape.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Lawyer