Moreno Baldivieso Estudio De Abogados remains at the forefront of the energy and natural resources sectors, regularly advising on high-level lithium projects in Bolivia. The team has continued to add to its stellar client list, which spans the oil and gas, mining and energy sectors, with the addition of new clients such as New Pacific Metals and Gunvor International. Four partners jointly lead the team: Ramiro Moreno is a leading figure in the hydrocarbons space, advising on regulation and legislation; Andrés Moreno has extensive experience in transactions related to the natural resources sector; Daniel Arredondo specialises in mining law, focusing his practice on foreign investment in the area; and Luis Moreno regularly plays a lead role in oil and gas matters. At the senior associate level, José María Navarro combines his specialism in natural resources with an established arbitration practice. Santiago Gantier and Fernando Landa are also active members of the team, and André Tejerina heads the firm’s environmental department.

Operating at the forefront of the mining sector, PPO Abogados continues to lead the way in lithium projects and other innovative ventures. The team excels in advising foreign investors looking to enter the Bolivian mining industry and provides both legal and technical advice to a stellar list of both national and international clients in the sector. The firm has a strong background in advising state-owned companies, as well as private clients on interactions with the Bolivian government, handling concession, operation and mining production agreements related to sensitive or controlled areas. Hydrocarbons expert Pablo Ordóñez co-heads the mining practice alongside Mattias Garrón, who advises local and foreign companies on the development of mining projects and any related regulatory matters. Diego Böhrt is a regulatory specialist and focuses his practice on energy matters. With a diverse roster of multinational clients, Carlos Pinto provides both transactional and regulatory advice across the energy, hydrocarbons and mining sectors. At the senior associate level, Carlos Covarrubias Paz brings further experience in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors to the team, and Delma Paz is another name to note.

Mining remains a particularly prolific area for Dentons Guevara & Gutierrez, which advises on M&A, joint ventures and the project financing of mining operations, as well as related arbitration proceedings. The team’s clientele spans the midstream and upstream sectors and includes gas transportation and storage companies, refineries and state-owned companies in the oil, gas and minerals spaces. Three partners jointly lead the team: Enrique Barrios focuses his practice on the oil and gas sector, as well as handling mining contracts; Jorge Inchauste advises both national and international energy and natural resources clients on investment and financing matters; and Ramiro Guevara has extensive experience negotiating energy and natural resources projects and contracts in Bolivia. At the senior associate level, Alejandra Guevara brings expertise in project financing to the group, and associates Rosario Echeverría and Emil Jung are also active members of the team.

Wayar & Von Borries Abogados S.C. has a team of ‘highly renowned lawyers in the energy field’ and advises on projects at the forefront of the sector, such as lithium and hydrocarbons matters, often in tandem with the State. The practice advises key players within the sector. Iver von Borries, based in Santa Cruz, leads the hydrocarbons and energy team, with experience in both national and international transactions, as well as in arbitrations within the sector. Bernardo Wayar Ocampo co-heads the natural resources team from La Paz and is sought after by foreign investors looking to enter the mining and energy space. His sector-specific expertise also sees him regularly handle mining disputes. Bernardo Wayar Caballero advises a stellar client base, which includes multinational corporations. Mauricio Dávila brings in-depth expertise of mining law, while Javier Romero Mendizábal, as head of the public contracting practice, focuses his practice on energy, oil and gas, and mining contracts. Senior associate Andrés Ríos focuses on labour matters within the energy and natural resources sector.

Clients across the electricity, oil and gas industries continue to turn to Becerra de la Roca Donoso & Asociados S.R.L. for advice on energy sector regulation. Working in tandem with the firm’s team of engineers, the energy practice excels in audits and legal analysis, and it regularly advises clients on interactions with the Bolivian government. The group specialises in alternative energy and has niche expertise in the generation of electricity from sugarcane bagasse. Mauricio Becerra de la Roca leads the team, with a wealth of experience advising clients in the energy sector on regulatory matters. Manfred Arauz Olavarria is another name to note.

Offering advice across the full spectrum of regulatory, corporate and financing matters, Indacochea & Asociados acts for a diverse list of local and multinational oil, gas and lithium companies. Oil and gas expert Mariana Pereira leads the team, strengthening the firm’s offering in the hydrocarbons sector. Practice co-head Ana Carola Muñoz has a successful track record advising on the regulatory aspects of lithium projects. Leonardo Azurduy is also an active member of the team. At the senior associate level, Maria Laura Paz focuses on the oil and gas sector, assisting clients with participation in public bids. Sebastian Alba’s regulatory expertise sees him advise on operating licenses, environmental data sheets and sanitary authorisations, and Juan Pablo Sánchez advises national and international companies on dispute resolution processes and other matters. Maria Jose Martinez left the firm in July 2023.

As well as advising an impressive base of clients on traditional mining matters, Bufete Aguirre, Quintanilla, Soria & Nishizawa Sociedad Civil – (BAQSN) is also involved in up-and-coming areas within the sector, such as lithium projects. Practice co-head Fernando Aguirre is an expert in mining and hydrocarbons law and leads the team alongside Eduardo Quintanilla who, as a mining and energy specialist, has been involved in the drafting of mining regulations. Ignacio Aguirre brings particular knowledge of environmental law to the team.

Prominent in the hydrocarbons and electricity sectors, Criales & Urcullo advises an impressive roster of private and public clients on the negotiation of contracts regarding construction in the gas industry, as well as the development and operation of electricity transmission lines. José Antonio Criales Estrugo leads the team and has experience in arbitration in the energy sector. Practice co-head Adrian Barrenechea B. specialises in the electricity sector, from generation to transmission and distribution. Senior associate Laura Andrea Rivas Quevedo brings international expertise, with professional experience in both Bolivia and Chile, and focuses her energy practice on project management.