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).
Consumer law in Argentina
Marval O’Farrell Mairal
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.