Leading UK construction and energy law firm Fenwick Elliott has formed an alliance with Chilean firm Molina Ríos to strengthen its offering across Latin America.

Fenwick said the alliance, which will bring together the two firms’ expertise in complex international arbitration cases as well as construction and energy law, would enable it to better help clients as they expand their operations across Latin America.  

The region’s construction industry is expected to grow from $675bn in 2024 to more than $840bn by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence. It has seen a surge in smart city development and renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower, which is leading to increased foreign investment and creating more opportunities for international construction and energy companies to enter the market.

James Cameron, arbitration partner at Fenwick Elliott, said: “We are delighted to announce our alliance with Molina Ríos, which brings together two pre-eminent firms for construction and energy law in our respective markets.  

“This alliance makes us uniquely well-placed to service both our existing and new clients who are expanding their operations across Latin America, and we are hugely excited to be embarking on this collaboration.”

Santiago-based Molina has around 20 lawyers, including prominent projects partner Víctor Ríos, who has worked on more than 400 megaprojects across the region as a litigator and adviser on contractual matters. He co-founded the firm in 1995 alongside commercial litigation specialist Carlos Molina, who also heads the firm’s insurance practice.  

“Fenwick Elliott has a lot of synergy with our firm,” Ríos commented. “So working together at a Latam level is natural for developing our project support and arbitration practices.  

“Our intention is to build a long-term relationship, offering our clients a global presence in a complex and highly litigious industry. We are working on an ambitious joint business plan, focused on offering a service of the highest standard to our local and foreign clients.”

London-headquartered Fenwick is the largest specialist construction and energy law firm in the UK. The 25-partner firm, which has a highly rated contentious offering, opened an office in Dubai in 2015 to serve as an international hub and runs associated offices in New York and Copenhagen with local construction specialist law firms.  

Saudi Arabia’s booming economy has also seen the firm apply for a licence to continue operating in the kingdom following rule changes that mean it can no longer operate there through an association with its former local ally Hammad & Al Mehdar. If successful Fenwick will be the only international specialist construction law firm licensed to operate in the kingdom.