Next Generation Partners

Consumer law in Argentina

Marval O’Farrell Mairal

Marval O’Farrell Mairal is known for the depth and breadth of its specialist consumer law team and is regularly sought out by multinational and domestic companies for advice on large, complex consumer liability claims and class actions. The firm boasts an exceptional track record and is adept at supporting clients launching new products in Argentina with regulatory and compliance backup, outlining corrective actions strategies to comply with the law and protect client reputations, and providing legal advice to adapt products, services, terms and conditions, webpages and sales plans to comply with local consumer defence regulations. The practice also represents companies before consumer protection agencies. Work from a broad range of consumer-facing sectors is covered, with the firm particularly well-known for maintaining the largest tobacco product liability practice in Argentina. The team is co-led by product liability claims and complex litigation specialist Leandro Castelli, automotive industry litigation expert Fernando Montes De Oca and Facundo Viel Temperley, who covers procedural law, class actions and civil, commercial, consumer and product liability cases. The senior leadership team is supported by a strong bench of senior associate-level talent that includes Lorena Cozzarin (product liability), Alejo Gascón (product regulatory advice, fintech, recalls and scientific evidence), Gabriela Dibble (procedural and civil law, class actions and liability claims) and Carolina del Carril (class actions and liability claims).

Responsables de la pratique:

Leandro Castelli; Fernando Montes de Oca; Facundo Viel Temperley


Les références

‘The team shows high technical skills and great understanding of the local court environment.’

‘The team is responsive and attentive to commercial needs.’

‘They stand out because of their ability to work in multiple languages, in accordance with multiple business cultures, and because of their combination of commercial common sense with legal analysis.’

Principaux clients

Massalín Particulares


Peugeot Citroën


Philip Morris International


The Walt Disney Company


Netflix


Banco Santander Rio


Diageo Argentina


Soy Henry


Stanley Black & Decker I


BNP Paribas


Banco BMA


Booking.com


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Credit Suisse, United Utilities, Loma Negra, Banco Itaú, Peugeot – Citroën, Banco Santander Río, Disney, Netflix, BNP Paribas and Hertz in different class actions brought by consumers seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
  • Providing legal assistance to Air Liquide in a worldwide product recall launched by Philips.
  • Assisted many clients before the various consumer protection agencies, designing the legal strategy to defend them from alleged infringements of the consumer protection regime.

Abeledo Gottheil Abogados

Abeledo Gottheil Abogados stands out for its expertise in contentious consumer matters and is known for its work in complex product liability cases, product recalls and claims filed before local Consumer Protection Bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission. Outside of its contentious practice, the firm is also called on for advice on product safety, product labelling and advertising and preventative measures to reduce the risk of product liability exposure. The team advises clients in the retail and consumer goods spaces and has a particularly strong portfolio of automotive industry clients. The practice is co-led by Rodrigo Blas Hernández, an experienced litigator with an extensive consumer track record; Federico Osvaldo Valiño, who covers class actions, product recalls, consumer rights and unfair practices; and Natalia Soledad Vannucci, a product liability and complex litigation expert.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rodrigo Blas Hernández; Federico Osvaldo Valiño; Natalia Soledad Vannucci


Les références

‘Federico Valiño resolves matters quickly and practically.’

‘The team is always up-to-date with new regulations and provides practical advice.’

‘An exceptional team. Everyone is aware of the issues and can provide us with high-quality advice quickly. They take on cases as their own.’

Principaux clients

Toyota Argentina


Yamaha Motor Argentina


Finning Caterpillar


Shell


Total


Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)


Softland


LG Electronics


Dorinka


Sika Argentina


YPF


Natura Cosmeticos


Club Med


Swarovski


Goodyear


Cepas Argentinas


Supermercados Makro


Cencosud


Yamaha Plan de Ahorro


Principaux dossiers


  • Advise and represent Yamaha Motor Argentina in numerous ongoing claims, including alleged unfair practices, damages and breach of sales contracts.
  • Working with Raízen on the launch of a new customer loyalty programme, including the drafting of the terms and conditions of the new programme and the design of a strategy to inform consumers on the replacement of the previous programme, in compliance with consumer defence regulations.
  • Legal advice and exclusive representation of Toyota Argentina in different consumer claims and class actions.

Beccar Varela

Beccar Varela advises local and international clients on fair trade and consumer regulations including advertising, product labelling, product liability, e-commerce and internet and intermediary liability issues. The team is also called on for support on promotional activities, loyalty programs, recalls, customer service support and consumer communications. The practice works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution department and is known for its expertise in complex litigation and arbitration matters, including class actions, damages, fair trade issues and consumer protection regulation. Dispute resolution partners Federico Sosa and Gonzalo García Delatour co-lead the team with further partner-level support provided by antitrust specialist Agustín Waisman and Ignacio Flores, who has an active product liability practice. Senior associate Rocío Alejandra Labán covers consumer-related class actions and leads the second line.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gonzalo García Delatour, Federico Sosa


Les références

‘The team has excellent subject knowledge and is always up-to-date on new legal developments.’

‘The firm delivers high quality technical assistance.’

‘The team always demonstrates great knowledge and experience. They provide information clearly, offer alternative solutions and are always available to solve problems.’

Principaux clients

Citibank


Banco Santander


Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires


BBVA


Banco Itaú


Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)


Western Union Financial Services Argentina


Cardif Seguros


Ualá


Samsung


Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen

Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen provides comprehensive consumer law support to manufacturers, importers, distributors, retail companies and financial institutions on extrajudicial claims made by consumers before administrative agency hearings, product liability cases, class actions, recalls and insurance coverage claims. The practice also assists with the management of claims portfolios and advises on compliance with consumer protection regulations. The practice is led by Luis Barry, a consumer law expert who also covers antitrust and competition matters, with further senior-level support provided by María Carolina Abdelnabe Vila, who was raised to the partnership in December 2023 and focuses on consumer protection, fair trade, data protection law, product liability and legal tech. Sonia Del Regno (competition, antitrust, fair trade and consumer law) is the primary contact at the associate level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luis Barry


Les références

‘The team fulfils all our requests on time, some of them very urgent, and always produces high-quality work.’

‘Luis Barry’s ability to put himself in the shoes of the in-house lawyer is a valuable attribute. Maria Carolina Abdelnabe Vila combines technical legal expertise with a practical approach.’

‘A professional team that is always up to date on regulations and responds quickly to requests.’

Principaux clients

Honda Motor de Argentina


Life Seguros


United Airlines


Puma Sports


MercadoLibre


Coppel


Softys


Marfrig Global Foods


Johnson & Johnson


Lenovo


Principaux dossiers


  • Represents Life Seguros in all claims filed by consumers related to consumer protection agencies.
  • Advise and represent Honda Motor de Argentina in all claims filed by consumers within consumer protection agencies from all around the country.
  • Provide ongoing advice to Marfrig on consumer protection and related regulations. Recent work includes ensuring compliance with packaging and labelling regulations.

Bomchil

Bomchil advises consumer-facing companies across a wide range of sectors on individual consumer claims, class actions and civil and commercial disputes at judicial and arbitral levels. The team also provides support in contractual and tort claims and is sought out to help clients devise strategies to reduce exposure to litigation risk. Martín Girotti is a well-known litigation and restructuring lawyer and co-leads the practice alongside Melisa Romero, a partner in the litigation department who specialises in class actions and advising clients on litigation risk mitigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Martin Torres Girotti; Melisa Romero


Principaux clients

Amazon Prime Video


American Express


BBVA


Big Box


BMW


Duty Paid


Havanna


KPMG


Rolex


Stellantis


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising American Express in consumer class actions involving the interpretation of Argentina’s consumer law and regulatory framework for credit card holders.
  • Advising Stellantis in several individual consumer claims and class actions related to alleged manufacturing defects and breach of contracts.
  • Advised BMW in several consumer claims related to premium products in the Argentine car market.

Brons & Salas

Clients turn to Brons & Salas for advice on product liability regulations, torts, administrative claims and risk mitigation strategies. The practice is led by Pablo Brusco, a consumer law expert who handles product liability and out-of-court claims, with associates Mariana Laura Sierra (court and out-of-court claims), Virginia Gonzalez (product liability claims) and Matias Foiguel (civil and commercial litigation) providing second line support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pablo Brusco


Principaux clients

Aerolineas Argentinas


Kimberly Clark


Laboratorios Andrómaco


Praxair


Rayovac


Clorox


TTC Auto Argentina


SKF


Citibank


Mercedes Benz


Hyundai Motors


AB Mauri Hispanoamerica – Comapañía Argentina de Levaduras


Tronador


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Kimberly Clark and its affiliates as defendants in various consumer and product liability claims in connection with products manufactured and sold by the company in Argentina.
  • Assisting Mercedes Benz regarding numerous consumer and product liability claims in connection with the company’s products in Argentina.
  • Advising Laboratorios Andrómaco regarding many different consumer and product liability claims filed against Laboratorios Andrómaco, in connection with products manufactured and sold by the company in Argentina.

Bruchou & Funes de Rioja

The Bruchou & Funes de Rioja consumer law team is closely integrated with the firm’s dispute resolution and banking and finance departments and is best known for supporting banking and insurance businesses in contentious consumer matters, most notably class actions, where the team has extensive experience. Clients in the retail, manufacturing and aviation industries also turn to the team for support in class actions and product recalls, with day-to-day advice on corporate and dispute resolution matters offered as well. The practice is led by highly respected litigation and bankruptcy lawyer Martín Beretervide, with litigation and international arbitration practice head Carlos Rotman providing further senior-level expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Martin Beretervide


Les références

‘The team is professional and always up-to-date on the latest market and legal developments.’

‘Martín Beretervide and Juan Zocca are responsive and and professional.’

‘Always interested in advancing and achieving good results.’

Principaux clients

Banco Santander


Banco Macro


Banco BBVA


Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires


Univision


Candy Electrodomésticos


Orbis Mertig


American Express


Banco Cetelem


Banco de Servicios y Transacciones


ICBC


Hydro Extrusion de Argentina


Digital House


Sundance Spas


Norwegian Air Shuttle


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Norwegian Air Shuttle with its defence in a huge consumer claims portfolio related to flight cancellations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Advising Banco Santander on a wide range of class actions involving claims pursued by consumer associations.
  • Provide day-to-day advice to Brubank, a digital bank operating in Argentina, in all matters related to consumer law in pre-dispute matters and administrative claims.

Cerolini & Ferrari Abogados

Cerolini & Ferrari Abogados is best known for supporting banking and financial services clients in consumer-related class actions, litigation, torts, arbitration and administrative proceedings. Consumer goods, travel and online retail are also covered by the team. Matias Ferrari leads the practice and handles a mix of work, including civil and commercial lawsuits, class actions and contractual disputes. Senior associates Cecilia Massone and Lorena Quiroz provide additional support on complex litigation, contractual disputes and class actions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Matías Ferrari


Les références

‘A very good team of lawyers that is well led by Matías Ferrari.

‘Very good service and availability to meet client needs. Matías Ferrari stands out.’

‘The attention, dedication and monitoring of issues by the team generates confidence for my company.’

Principaux clients

Banco Patagonia


HSBC


Galicia Seguros


Coppel


Banco Sáenz


Banco Cetelem


Grupo Sancor Seguros


Laboratorios Andrómaco


Banco de Servicios Financieros


Banco Hipotecario


Assist Card


Afluenta


Banco Galicia


Open Bank


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising and representing Banco Patagonia in a class action filed by the Acuba consumer association.
  • Advising Coppel on its operations as a non-financial credit provider and on financial consumer protection compliance obligations.
  • Advised Assist Card Argentina on the terms and conditions of its services.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados

Nicholson y Cano Abogados advises clients in the tobacco, pharma, automotive, home appliances, e-commerce, travel, banking and insurance sectors on individual claims, class actions and product liability matters. The practice is co-led by Naldo Dasso and Juan Manuel Sampietro, who both have experience handling individual claims in administrative courts and working on class action lawsuits.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nald Fabian Dasso; Juan Manuel Sampietro


Principaux clients

Adidas


Banco Patagonia


Beohringer Ingelheim


Bridgestone


British American Tobacco


Cardif ARDIF


Cervecería y Malteria Quilmes


Chevrolet de Ahorro para fines determinados


Chubb


Consolidar


Delivery Hero


Despegar


Expedia


Fravega


General Motors


Gpat Cia Financiera


HSBC


Prudential


Sauma Wagen


Whirlpool


Zurich


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Chevrolet de Ahorro para fines determinados in a class action lawsuit from a consumer association, which alleged that administrators are overcharging for life insurance policies associated with savings plans.
  • Providing legal counsel to British American Tobacco in a series of highly complex and long-standing product liability cases.
  • Advising General Motors on a class action lawsuit related to the alleged improper collection and retention of tax exemptions by automotive manufacturers in Tierra del Fuego.

O'Farrell

O'Farrell has extensive experience in the negotiation of consumer claims and investigation of procedures related to fair trade law, advertising law and e-commerce. Class actions and drafting terms and conditions for promotions and competitions are other busy areas. The practice works with companies across a wide range of industries, including automotive, airline, transport, retail and personal loans, and is particularly well known for leveraging the firm’s public law expertise to provide niche advice in matters where consumer law and public services regulation overlap. The practice is led by experienced administrative law expert Jorge Muratorio, with Pilar Magallanes and María Sol Acuña, both handling consumer law and e-commerce matters, as the main contacts at the associate level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jorge Muratorio


Les références

‘The team is engaging and responsive and provides good advice’

‘The service in consumer protection matters is very good.’

‘Associate Pilar Magallanes and partner Jorge Muratorio are always receptive to our requests and willing to learn about the particularities of our business to better handle customer complaints and follow up on recall campaigns.’

Principaux clients

Ford Argentina


Plan Ovalo de Ahorro para Fines Determinados


Naturgy Ban


Farmcity


Grupo Concesionario del Oeste


AMX Argentina


Universidad Siglo 21


Medicus


Nokia Solutions and Networks Argentina


Turkish Airlines


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Ford Argentina against complaints initiated by consumers before the administrative authority for Consumer Defence Law.
  • Advising Plan Ovalo de Ahorro para Fines Determinados on all cases initiated by consumers in administrative proceedings throughout the country.
  • Represented Naturgy Ban in several class actions filed by consumer associations claiming the nullity of the tariff regimens before federal courts. In addition, advised the company on individual consumer claims related to tariff regimens and gas distribution service problems.

Richards, Cardinal, Tützer, Zabala & Zaefferer

Richards, Cardinal, Tützer, Zabala & Zaefferer advises clients from the technology, e-commerce, food and financial services industries on the management of consumer defence complaints, new product launches, product recalls, labelling regulations, advertising law and drafting consumer contract terms and conditions. The practice is co-led by Víctor San Miguel, who has a successful track record in high-profile individual and class action claims, and Damian Navarro, an administrative law specialist who advises on the consumer law aspects of product launches, labelling and marketing campaigns. Associate Agustin Fruet Walter leads the second line and focuses on consumer litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Victor San Miguel; Damián Navarro


Les références

‘The team stands out for its technical knowledge, for the comprehensive advice it provides to the company and for its specialisation in various areas of interest.’

‘A professional team that is always on top of new legal and regulatory developments and provides practical advice that supports decision-making and helps to prevent risks.’

A large and capable team that meets high technical standards and provides personal service.’

Principaux clients

Mondelez


Mercedes Benz


Microsoft


RH Sudamericana


Royal Canin


Topper


Ecipsa / Construir


NSS


TV Fuego


Disbyte


Edelap


Principaux dossiers


  • Achieved the rejection of a class action promoted by a local congressman against internet service provider TVFuego that aimed to represent thousands of consumers affected by the decrease in the quality of the bandwidth service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Successfully advised Mondelez in a high-profile claim related to the presence of a piece of string in a cookie.
  • Advise Disbyte, the e-commerce resellers, on the recall procedure of approximately 3,000 submersible pumps sold throughout the country, which contained an electrical fault.

Tanoira Cassagne Abogados

Tanoira Cassagne Abogados‘s consumer law team sits within the firm’s competition and economic regulation department and is well-known for its expertise across the related areas of consumer protection, fair trade and antitrust. The practice has a mix of clients across various industries, who turn to the team for advice on the drafting of terms and conditions, advertising and commercial claims, extended warranties, product liability and recalls and food and drug labelling compliance. Consumer litigation, class actions and other complex lawsuits are also handled. The practice is led by the well-reviewed Francisco Rondoletti, who focuses on competition, consumer protection and trade law. Litigation lawyer Juan Martín de la Vega is another key senior name and has extensive experience in class actions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Francisco Rondoletti


Les références

‘Attentive and knowledgeable.’

‘Francisco Rondoletti is good at listening and an excellent negotiator.’

‘The team provides very good advice on regulatory matters linked to the protection of financial services consumers.’

Principaux clients

Philips


Einhell


Unilever


PepsiCo


Bayer


Mondelez


Bridgestone


Saputo


3M


Telefonica de Argentina


Saint Gobain


Nestle


Balanz SGFCI


Banco Macro / Macro Fondos


Favacard


Schroder Investment Management


COTO


Remax


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Unilever in a high-stakes dispute challenging a fine levied by the Ministry of Commerce, which has deemed that Unilever breached consumer protection law.
  • Advising Remax on an investigation initiated by the National Consumer Protection Agency for alleged violations of consumer protection laws.
  • Assisted Genomma Laboratories, a Mexican laboratory with a subsidiary in Argentina, in filing a lawsuit against a local producer for deceptive advertising related to a cosmetic product that claimed therapeutic properties prohibited by law.

Zang, Bergel & Viñes Abogados

Zang, Bergel & Viñes Abogados handles individual and collective claims, class actions and administrative sanctions with a particular emphasis on matters concerning banking, retail financial services and public services. Consumer health law is a particularly strong area, with the firm regularly sought out by clients involved in prepaid health insurance and social security institutions. Accomplished dispute resolution and litigation lawyer Rodrigo Bustingorry leads the practice and has extensive experience defending clients in consumer-related issues and serving as a conciliator in consumer relations through the Consumer Protection Commission (COPREC).

Responsables de la pratique:

Rodrigo Bustingorry


Principaux clients

Tarshop


Gran Cooperativa de Crédito, Consumo, Vivienda y Servicios Sociales


Cooperativa Cuenca del Salado de Crédito Vivienda y Consumo


IRSA


Arcos del Gourmet


Panamerican Mall


Banco de Crédito y Securitización


Sancor Salud


Asociacion Mutual Sancor Salud


Staff Médico


Ospersaams


Espacio Digital


D.F. Entertainment


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully represented Tarshop in a class action against several claims by a collective civil association representing the rights of consumers and users of financial services.
  • Successfully represented Banco Hipotecario in a class action against several claims by a collective civil Association representing the rights of consumers and users of financial services.