Rodrigo Diaz de Valdez

Rodrigo Diaz de Valdes

Partner
Servicios Legales Baker McKenzie SpA

Biography

Rodrigo Díaz de Valdés heads the Dispute Resolution and Antitrust practice groups of Baker McKenzie's Santiago office. He has represented the Chilean State, as well as major transnational and local companies in a broad range of cases, from long-term energy contracts to construction, projects and investment protection matters. He is ranked among the most recommended lawyers for dispute resolution, antitrust and public law by Chambers & Partners.

Rodrigo serves as arbitrator of the Center of Arbitration and the Chamber Commerce of Santiago, and is a professor of constitutional and civil law at the Catholic University’s School of Law. He has written articles for various publications, particularly on constitutional law, civil liabilities and arbitration matters.

Practice Focus

Rodrigo focuses his practice on litigation as well as domestic and international arbitration, particularly in the areas of civil, administrative, constitutional, commercial, regulatory, insurance, securities, finance, insolvency and bankruptcy matters. He has extensive experience in complex disputes and has appeared in cases under major domestic and international arbitration rules.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Represented an important international mining company developing a key mining project in Chile valued approximately at USD 1.5 billion.
  • Represented a joint-stock company in the construction of a thermal power plant of 350 MW for a major player in the Chilean energy market.
  • Represented a Slovak company against a major player in the Chilean energy market in a dispute arising out of an EPC contract for the construction of a power plant.
  • Advised a mining company in acquiring permits to begin the process of developing a world-class copper-molybdenum project in Chile.
  • Obtained favorable results for the State of Chile in a litigation involving a claim seeking compensation for environmental damages purportedly suffered in the vicinities of Laja River as a result of construction works in a highway north of Concepción.

Professional Honors

  • Best Lawyer in Chile, Global Banking & Finance Review, 2012
  • Best Litigator in Chile, Client Choice Award, 2013
  • Best Litigator in Chile, International Law Office Awards
  • Recognized, Who's Who Legal
  • Recognized, Legal 500
  • Received Deal of the Year Award for Dispute Resolution, Latin Lawyer 2011

Admissions

  • Chile (2000)

Education

  • Catholic University of Chile (Lic. in Law) (1998)
  • Catholic University of Chile (LL.B.) (1998)

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish