Independent Reviews

Chambers and Partners Reviews

Tax: Uruguay/ Band 1
Estudio Bergstein is “a brilliant and efficient firm for tax matters” and “an incredible help in moving deals forward.” Well known for its expertise in the corporate area, the tax department houses two skilled partners, including Jonás Bergstein. His ability to provide “accurate and responsive advice on short notice” is well noted in the market, as is his “vast knowledge of Uruguay’s tax law.” His clients report “a consistently positive experience,” especially when it comes to setting up and organising new companies in Uruguay. The outfit provides tax advice to both international and domestic clients and works hand in hand with the corporate department. The group recently assisted MAPFRE on its purchase of Real Seguros. (Chambers Latin American 2009)

Corporate/M&A: Uruguay /Band 2
This firm’s fine reputation in the corporate field is the result of the lawyers’ “extremely efficient advice and significant help in pushing matters along.” The team proved to be a significant support to Spanish company MAPFRE AMERICA when, along with ABN AMRO, it acquired Real Uruguaya de Seguros. The team also demonstrates noteworthy capabilities in work relating to contracts, restructuring and the setting up of companies; for example, it assisted Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank establish an office in Uruguay. Clients’ experiences with Jonás Bergstein have been overwhelmingly positive, and he is singled out for being responsive and “exceptionally willing - he's always available to help clients, even at very short notice.”(Chambers Latin America 2009)

Dispute Resolution: Uruguay/ Band 2
With an impressive track record, this firm demonstrates a celebrated adaptability and, working hand in hand with other departments, is able to handle a large array of dispute matters, from banking to tax. As well as concentrating on litigation cases, the team also delivers a brilliant performance in international arbitration. Carlos de Cores is “a highly capable and thorough lawyer with an extremely responsive practice.” He is widely renowned in the dispute resolution area for his dextrous handling of complicated cases. Market sources also praise the head of the dispute resolution department Leonardo Melos for his skills in litigious matters.(Chambers Latin America 2009)

Labor & Employment: Uruguay/ Band 2
Estudio Bergstein enjoys an established reputation in the labour field, where clients benefit from “a very high quality of customer service.” With a number of lawyers dedicated to the area, the firm places employment matters to the forefront of its practice, and interviewees highlighted a particular expertise in analysing the risks of labour and social insurance cases. Clients hail labour lawyer Patricia Spiwak’s “exceptional insight into the area” and peers agree that her “sharp acumen” makes her an important figure in the employment market.(Chambers Latin America 2009)

Corporate/Commercial: Uruguay / Band 2
The Firm - Estudio Bergstein: Clients spoke extremely positively of the firm, and its “excellent service.” They further highlighted “punctuality, incredibly fast delivery times and total commitment to clients” as excelling traits. The 12-strong team recently assisted Abbott Laboratories with the sale of its diagnostics and point of care businesses to GE, co-ordinating the Uruguayan aspect of this international transaction.
The Lawyers: Jonás Bergstein is seen as “a dynamite lawyer.” Peers view him as “an outstanding practitioner” who is “really pushing the firm forward.” He impresses clients with his remarkable diligence, demonstrating a standard of service that is “undoubtedly in line with international standards.”
Clients/Work Highlights: In a prominent local transaction, the firm acted as counsel to Diageo in its purchase of local whisky brand Old Times from producer Carray & Cía. The squad also assisted Allflex in its successful bid for the supply of electronic tags for livestock to the Ministry of Agriculture. The TMF Group is another client.(Chambers Global 2008)

Latin Lawyer Reviews

“(…) well regarded across a variety of practice areas, starting with its core expertise in litigation. The firm has an impressive and loyal client list for its size, banks and new technology companies in particular being well represented, and its clients regularly report very positive experiences. A client in the tourism sector praises the firm’s “local relationships and ability to deal with matters involving international jurisdictional agreements, together with their very professional approach”, (…) another (client) sees Jonás Bergstein as “a meticulous strategist and exceptionally bright litigator” (…).

“(…) Bergstein has been active in the privatization process, notably in the gas sector, and has strong clients in the computer and electronics industries and insurance among other areas, as well as a substantial offshore practice. Partner Jonás Bergstein has been specifically mentioned in glowing terms by clients, while a technology client said of the firm that it is “one of the best firms I have worked with at an international level, including the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia”.