Domingo Irarrázaval

Partner

Our Practice
  • Environmental
  • Water
  • Mining
  • Energy
  • Administrative Law
Education
  • Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, with an academic certificate in Economic-Commercial Law
  • Master's in Regulatory Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Languages
  • Spanish
  • English

Domingo is in charge of the Natural Resources and Environment area. Since 2009 he has advised electricity, mining and aquaculture projects on environmental, water, energy and mining issues, as well as on regulatory and administrative matters. He has broad expertise in procedures associated with hydraulic works, water rights, mining property, electricity concessions, and in obtaining the required easements for the exercise of such rights and the exploitation of concessions. Additionally, he has advised several industry players on environmental matters, on the design of environmental assessment strategies, community relations, and the conduction of environmental assessment and sanctioning procedures.

After 2 years working as a lawyer at “Prenafeta y Asociados", in 2011 he joined the natural resources and energy team that would later become "Cubillos Evans Abogados", from where he retired being a partner in 2018 in order to work independently through Irarrázaval y Cía. Abogados.

Contact:

  • Counsel for Salmón Chile A.G., in the definition of strategies and formulation of observations in the process of preparing the Environmental Decontamination Plan for Lake Villarrica (2021 to date);
  • Counsel for a mining project in the Tarapacá Region (USD5,260 million), as attorney on record in administrative claims concerning its Environmental Assessment Resolution (Resolución de Calificación Ambiental, RCA); in the preparation and processing of permits for hydraulic works and water rights; in the defense of water rights; and generally, providing advice on water, mining, environmental and community matters (2016 to date);
  • Counsel for an aquaculture company in the Araucanía Region, defining strategies of community relations with indigenous communities in the environmental assessment process of a USD 4 million project; and then acting as attorney on record in appeals filed by indigenous communities with administrative and judicial bodies concerning its RCA; and finally in a sanctioning procedure before the Superintendence of the Environment against another project amounting to USD 8 million (2018 to date);
  • Counsel for a mining project in the Coquimbo Region, in the definition of community relations strategies; obtaining permits for hydraulic works and water rights; and in administrative proceedings (2017 to date);
  • Counsel for a hydroelectric project in the Los Ríos Region (170 MW), designing strategies for the improvement of its water rights, and processing and defending hydraulic works permits and electricity concessions (2016 - 2020);
  • Counsel for a wind farm in the Atacama Region (193 MW), assisting the design of strategies and defining the route for the transmission line, as well as approaching and negotiating with owners and communities (2013 - 2015);
  • Counsel for a hydroelectric project in the Aysén Region (USD7,000 million), in the design of strategies for the implementation of the relocation plan, in the study and definition of the design of its transmission line, preparing applications for electricity concessions, and defending water rights (2011 - 2015).
  • Recognized in The Legal 500 (2024) in the areas of Water Law (Band 3) and Environment (Band 4), where, additionally, "the clarity of their presentations and the quick response to clients' requirements are some of their many qualities, as well as their friendly and cordial treatment," and for making "great contributions to projects, which are recognized by both clients and counterparts."
  • Recognized in the Leaders League ranking (2022 and 2023) under the category of "Recommended" in the area of Environmental Litigation.
  • Professor in the course "Water Sanctioning Procedure", in the postgraduate course (Diplomado) in Sanctioning Administrative Law of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2019-present),
  • Professor in "Legal regulation of the use and protection of water", in postgraduate course in Water Management and Regulation, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2020-present).
  • Member of the Chilean Association of Administrative Law (ADAD).
  • Member of the Chilean Association of Administrative Law (ADAD).
  • Member of the Chilean Association of Environmental Law (ACHIDAM).
  • (2020): «Zonas de escasez hídrica y restricciones a los Derechos y usos de Aguas», en: Estado Diario, Julio 2020.
  • (2020): «Disponibilidad de aguas subterráneas no consuntivas, ¿se requiere regulación específica?», en: Estado Diario, Mayo 2020.
  • (2012): «Proyectos energéticos y legislación indígena. Un año de jurisprudencia», en: ADEner, Actas de Derecho de Energía, N° 2 (Santiago, ThomsonReuters-LegalPublishing), pp. 125-144.