Most Highly Regarded Firms: Argentina 2008 - Insolvency & Restructuring
The country's economic crisis, which began in the mid-1990s, climaxing in recession and the sovereign debt deafult at the turn of the century increased the workload for Argentina's insolvency and restructuring lawyers, but as the economy began to recover, the number of legal cases declined. However, in the past few years changes in the global economy and difficulties closer to home have led to a further rise in the number of insolvency and restructuring cases.
The specialism remains a staple practice for many of Argentina's top firms and sole practitioners.
Estudio Alegria Buey Fernandez Fissore Montemerlo has worked on every stage of the insolvency and corporate restructuring process from the drafting of new legislation to in-court and out-of-court work-outs. The firm specialises in early detection services to provide quick solutions. Founding partner Héctor Alegria has been involved in the drafting of bills, including the Argentine Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law No.19,551. He was described by one source as being "one of the founders of bankruptcy law", while another complimented his "focused attitude". Pablo Buey Fernández is known for his "expertise" in financial restructurings and is a regular speaker in this area. Gabriel Fissore also specialises in restructuring and teaches bankruptcy and insolvency law at the Argentine University of Business (UADE). He was described as a "very smart lawyer". Miguel Montemerlo, who specialises in financial restructuring, is "highly respected".
Guillermo Matta Trejo is a founding partner of Estudio Matta y Trejo. His focus is on reorganisation and out-of-court restructurings. He is known for his "thorough knowledge" in insolvency and restructuring.
Alfredo Rovira of Brons & Salas has been cited for his "experience and prominence in the market". His work in this field focuses on insolvency cases and creditor's rights.
Horacio Fargosi of Fargosi & Asociados was described as "a top lawyer who certainly deserves to be selected for the top-tier". Fargosi has recently taken part in the reorganisation of Aerolineas Argentinas and Transportes Metropolitanos.
Carlos Maria Rotman of Bruchou Fernández Madero & Lombardi was recognised for his experience as a member of the Commission for the Reform of the Argentine Bankruptcy Law and his "comprehensive knowledge" of insolvency law in general. He has given a number of seminars on bankruptcy law at institutions such as the Argentine Association of Studies and Austral University.
Hugo Maciel of Hope Duggan & Silva gives advice on bankruptcy, reorganisation and debt restructuring. Maciel has worked for debtors and creditors and has been called a "true professional".
Marcelo Santurio of Basílico Santurio & Andrada has represented debtors and creditors in debt restructuring processes conducted in private, through pre-trial settlements and in court. He was described as "well-established" within the industry.
Julio Cesar Rivera of Julio César Rivera Abogados was recognised for his "unquestionable skill" in insolvency law. He has been involved in the development of many bankruptcy laws and was one of the authors of Argentine Bankruptcy Law No. 24,522.
David Gurfinkel of Allende & Brea has published articles on insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings in legal journals, lectured in conferences at foreign universities and given postgraduate lectures at Argentine universities. He was recognised by one source for his "excellent work in this sector".
Eduardo José Güemes works in debt restructuring and bankruptcy for the steering committees of creditor financial entities and also for the restructured groups, among other things. He was described as a "very able practitioner".