DAC Beachcroft signs three-way Chilean merger

The move will make DAC Beachcroft the first European-based law firm to have a presence in the country.

It comes almost a year to the day since Beachcroft merged with Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) (31 October 2011). The combined firm posted turnover of £163m at the latest year-end (28 June 2012).

DAC Beachcroft Chile will specialise in working with international insurers, advising on all corporate, commercial, regulatory and claims issues. The firm will also provide full service legal support for international investors in Chile and local clients.

Legacy DAC had a successful Latin America practice, with bases in Madrid and Mexico and alliances with JBO Advocacia in Brazil and Seguros Lex in Chile. DAC Beachcroft aimed at the outset of the merger to expand its South American network rapidly, with plans for the Chile merger first revealed in May (18 May 2012) when the firm sealed an association with Canada’s McCague Borlack.

There are also plans for further bases in Brazil, Panama, Colombia and Peru in the next five years.

The new Santiago office will comprise nine people, including three partners: Sergio Arellano Iturriaga, Andres Amunategui and Guillermo Amunategui.

DAC Beachcroft managing partner Paul Murray said: “We are delighted to be launching DAC Beachcroft Chile, which marks another significant step toward our goal of becoming the leading international provider of legal services to the insurance sector.”

DAC Beachcroft Chile Regional senior partner Sergio Arellano Iturriaga said: “We’ve worked alongside DAC Beachcroft for a number of years, and the move to a formal merger reflects the close relationships we have built with our new colleagues and our shared commitment to our clients.”