Rodrigo Guzmán

Environment and Natural Resources

Partner at Guzmán, Toro y Ruiz Abogados.

Previously partner at Carcelén, Desmadryl, Guzmán y Tapia (2010-2021), and lawyer at the National Environment Commission as Executive Legal Counsel Division, been the Head of Legal between 2006 and 2010.

Lawyer from the University of Chile (1992) and Diploma in Advanced Studies from the University of Alicante, Spain. (2001)

• Regulación Constitucional del Ambiente en Chile. Aspectos Sustantivos y Adjetivos. Historia, doctrina y jurisprudencia (Segunda edición actualizada, AbeledoPerrot/LegalPublishing, 2010)

• Derecho Ambiental Chileno. Principios, Instituciones e Instrumentos de Gestión (Editorial Planeta Sostenible, 2012)

• Antofagasta Minerals: Compañía Minera Zaldívar.

• CODELCO - Corporación Nacional del Cobre.

• ENAMI - Empresa Nacional de Minería.

• Cemento Polpaico.

Passion, dedication, commitment, diligence and responsibility are the characteristics that have defined my professional career in the area of Environmental Law for almost 30 years.

I started at the National Environmental Commission, where I worked for 12 years, becoming Head of the Legal Department of the Executive Directorate of the Service between 2006 and 2010. This gave me the opportunity to understand how major environmental decisions are made at the governmental level. In addition, I participated in the discussion of the new environmental institutional framework, which allows me to understand its operation and the demands imposed as a challenge to the public and private sector.

In 2010 I joined the law firm Carcelén, Desmadryl, Guzmán y Tapia, where I developed the environmental area, becoming partner and leader of a team specialized in natural resources with which we achieved great success.

In this context I was able to apply my knowledge and experience acquired in the public sector, and incorporate in my background the meaning of working for the private sector. This allows me to perfectly understand the views that come from both worlds, which is a great advantage to contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable projects.

During my career I have led and worked with multidisciplinary teams mainly in the analysis, design and implementation of complex legal strategies in the field of environmental impact assessment system and project development. In addition, I have focused my practice in indigenous consultation mechanisms, administrative challenge processes, sanctioning procedures (Environmental Superintendence and other sectorial bodies), constitutional and special litigation (Environmental Courts).

I have participated in consultancies associated with draft laws and regulatory projects, and led teams dedicated to the development of environmental audits, as well as to the identification of permits and obligations that clients must comply with in environmental matters.

In addition, I have developed teaching activities and published legal reference books on environmental matters.