Acknowledgements
The most prestigious international publications specialized in legal services recognize and rank Hughes & Hughes as one of the leading firms in the Uruguayan market, emphasizing our excellent practices and the qualities of our lawyers.

Chambers Latin America
- Chambers & Partners has published the results of their 2020 ranking of the most recognized law firms in Latin America. Hughes & Hughes remains a key player in the market, exhibiting strenghts across the majority of practice areas.
- Our partners and associates have also been recommended:
- Corporate/M&A
- Department co-head Haroldo Espalter boasts extensive experience advising both private and public entities on acquisition and divestment matters. Clients laud his "proactivity and direct, regular communication." Another source highlights his experience and the precision of his work.
- Co-head of department Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau maintains a notable practice assisting clients with significant corporate mandates. He is particularly experienced advising on the structuring of joint ventures and acquisitions.
- Projects & Energy
- Department co-head Haroldo Espalter is described by clients as "very respected in the local market, skilful and a very good lawyer." They go on to underline that "he provides personalised attention to the matters, is easy to locate and talk to, and is willing to discuss different approaches."
- Co-head of department Hector Ferreira is noted by clients for "the ease with which he approaches his work, his quick handling and interpretation of situations and his broad business vision." They also recognise him as "attentive, available and ready to help at any time."
- According to clients, up-and-coming partner Mariana Estrade is "very efficient, responds very quickly and is always available." They also value her because "she substantially facilitates negotiations and delivers excellent work."
- Banking & Finance
- Department co-head Hector Ferreira routinely assists domestic and international companies on a wide range of financing matters. He advises borrowers and lenders in sophisticated transactions. One impressed client points to "the ease and swiftness with which he works, his perfect interpretation of the matters, and his business-oriented approach" as key strengths.
- Co-head of department Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau possesses significant experience assisting on matters such as financial transactions related to foreign direct investments, structuring of joint ventures and acquisitions. A market commentator praises his "leadership skills and his knowledge of the market and of business."
- Real Estate
- Haroldo Espalter has a noted presence in the Uruguayan real estate market, assisting clients from a vast array of industry sectors. He combines his corporate, energy and project experience to advise on related real estate matters.
- Dispute Resolution
- Practice co-head Bernardo Porras boasts solid expertise in disputes and is highlighted by clients for his "excellent technical capabilities." A source states: "His approach is very down to earth and open to any kind of enquiry."
- Co-head of department Alfredo Taullard is frequently sought out to handle significant arbitration and litigation matters for prominent clients. Sources praise his attention to clients' needs and highlight his "well-rounded vision and ability to develop ideas and solutions."
- Labour & Employment
- Head of department Enrique Radmilovich possesses a wealth of experience in the Uruguayan labour and employment field. Sources value his "proactiveness and excellent knowledge" of this area.
- María Durán is praised by interviewees for her "business awareness, pragmatic vision, responsiveness and excellent performance." A client comments: "She is able to clearly explain every topic and find practical solutions."
- To see the full ranking go to the following link



Chambers Latin America
- Chambers & Partners has published the results of their 2020 ranking of the most recognized law firms in Latin America. Hughes & Hughes remains a key player in the market, exhibiting strenghts across the majority of practice areas.
- Our partners and associates have also been recommended:
- Corporate/M&A
- Department co-head Haroldo Espalter boasts extensive experience advising both private and public entities on acquisition and divestment matters. Clients laud his "proactivity and direct, regular communication." Another source highlights his experience and the precision of his work.
- Co-head of department Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau maintains a notable practice assisting clients with significant corporate mandates. He is particularly experienced advising on the structuring of joint ventures and acquisitions.
- Projects & Energy
- Department co-head Haroldo Espalter is described by clients as "very respected in the local market, skilful and a very good lawyer." They go on to underline that "he provides personalised attention to the matters, is easy to locate and talk to, and is willing to discuss different approaches."
- Co-head of department Hector Ferreira is noted by clients for "the ease with which he approaches his work, his quick handling and interpretation of situations and his broad business vision." They also recognise him as "attentive, available and ready to help at any time."
- According to clients, up-and-coming partner Mariana Estrade is "very efficient, responds very quickly and is always available." They also value her because "she substantially facilitates negotiations and delivers excellent work."
- Banking & Finance
- Department co-head Hector Ferreira routinely assists domestic and international companies on a wide range of financing matters. He advises borrowers and lenders in sophisticated transactions. One impressed client points to "the ease and swiftness with which he works, his perfect interpretation of the matters, and his business-oriented approach" as key strengths.
- Co-head of department Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau possesses significant experience assisting on matters such as financial transactions related to foreign direct investments, structuring of joint ventures and acquisitions. A market commentator praises his "leadership skills and his knowledge of the market and of business."
- Real Estate
- Haroldo Espalter has a noted presence in the Uruguayan real estate market, assisting clients from a vast array of industry sectors. He combines his corporate, energy and project experience to advise on related real estate matters.
- Dispute Resolution
- Practice co-head Bernardo Porras boasts solid expertise in disputes and is highlighted by clients for his "excellent technical capabilities." A source states: "His approach is very down to earth and open to any kind of enquiry."
- Co-head of department Alfredo Taullard is frequently sought out to handle significant arbitration and litigation matters for prominent clients. Sources praise his attention to clients' needs and highlight his "well-rounded vision and ability to develop ideas and solutions."
- Labour & Employment
- Head of department Enrique Radmilovich possesses a wealth of experience in the Uruguayan labour and employment field. Sources value his "proactiveness and excellent knowledge" of this area.
- María Durán is praised by interviewees for her "business awareness, pragmatic vision, responsiveness and excellent performance." A client comments: "She is able to clearly explain every topic and find practical solutions."
- To see the full ranking go to the following link

Latin Lawyer 250
- As Uruguay’s oldest firm, Hughes & Hughes stands out in a small but dynamic and competitive market thanks to its long, successful history. Throughout the country’s economic cycles, the firm has retained its considerable clout thanks to its exceptionally high standards of service, hands on approach and commitment to ethics and transparency.
- Uruguay´s stagnant economy has meant less transactional work in 2018, but the firm has still managed to grow thanks to more work in debt restructurings with Banks and litigation. While the corporate practice is core to the firm, other areas such as banking, project finance, disputes and energy contributed to its growth in 2018. With general elections in October 2019, the firm does not expect the economy to pick up in the coming year, but it foresees work to come out of Finnish forestry Company UPM´s investment in Uruguay, which will help stimulate the market. It is also eyeing up growing opportunities in the cannabis and fintech sectors.
- Hughes & Hughes prides itself on being reliable and highly accessible to its clients – characteristics that are supported by our research. A recent client has commented that the firm´s lawyers have good technical knowledge and respond very quickly, while another client says it possesses good knowledge about its business and appreciates the lawyers´extremely customer-oriented and professional manner.
- Hughes & Hughes is led by the well-recognised Haroldo Espalter, who took over the reins from the highly regarded Marcela Hughes, who retired from the firm in late 2017. The firm does not have a dedicated management committee; instead, all the partnership participates in the running of the firm.
- To see the full ranking go to the following link.

IFLR 1000
- Hughes & Hughes has been particularly active in the M&A space this research period. It did work for acquirers and sellers and worked in a range of industries including healthcare and gaming.
- The banking team is also active and advises borrowers and lenders, often in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects.
- Client feedback:
- “Professional, efficient and pro-active.” – M&A
- “Very proactive in the search for solutions; timely suggestions.” – Restructuring and insolvency
- Partners Haroldo Espalter, Mariana Estradé, Juan C. Oreggia and Hector Ferreira have been ranked as Highly Regarded lawyers.
- To see the full ranking go to the following link.

The Legal 500
- The Legal 500, a British publication, dedicated to research and analysis of Firms in the world, published the results of its research in Latin America 2019. Our firm has been recognized in the practice groups: Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A, Dispute Resolution, Labour and Employment, Real Estate and Tax.
- To see the full ranking go to the following link.
- Several partners and associates have also been recommended in the recent editorial published by The Legal 500 Latin America 2019:
Banking and Finance
- Bernardo Porras
- Haroldo Espalter
- Héctor Ferreira
- Juan Carlos Oreggia Carrau
- Mariana Estradé
Corporate/M&A
- Haroldo Espalter
- Héctor Ferreira
- Juan Carlos Orregia Carrau
- Mariana Estradé
- Clara Villaamil
Dispute Resolution
- Alfredo Taullard
- Bernardo Porras
- Fernando Barrios
Labour and Employment
- Enrique Radmilovich
- María Durán
Real Estate
- Haroldo Espalter
- JuanC. Oreggia Carrau
Tax
- Miguel Rocca
- Fernando Barrios
- Magela Ramón

Americas Women in Business Law awards
- Hughes & Hughes was recognized for several years as “Uruguay Firm of the Year”.