Sebastián Avilés

Partner

“He is a great professional, very knowledgeable in environmental law matters and with a broad vision. He understands the business strategies very well.” CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2025

“Sebastián Avilés has very strong technical knowledge and great experience in complex projects, which results in highly valued strategic advice for the company’s decisions.” CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2024

Sebastián is one of the founding partners of MSyA Abogados, and has a recognized background in environmental law, highlighting his active participation in the design and implementation of environmental institutions, as well as his experience advising investment projects associated with multiple economic sectors, in all their stages, in the processing of authorizations and permits, in the analysis of territorial compatibility, in procedures for the development of regulations and management instruments, in the negotiation with stakeholders, and in the defense in sanctioning procedures and complex litigation.

Before founding MSyA, he worked in the Executive Directorate of the Environmental Evaluation Service and in the Environmental Superintendence, where he led the defense of the Superintendence in emblematic cases at the Environmental Courts, the control of legality of sanctioning procedures, the elaboration of the Regulation of Compliance Programs, Self-Complaints and Remediation Plans, among others. In the private sector, stands out his experience as partner in charge of the environmental and natural resources area of Urrutia & Cía.

Education

» Law, Faculty of Law, Universidad de los Andes.

» Master of Laws (LL.M.) Environmental Law and Natural Resources Certificate, Duke University.

» Master in Environment: Management, Evaluation and Environmental Law, Universidad Finis Terrae.

» Negotiation and Leadership Program, Harvard Law School.

» Diploma in Urban Development Law, Universidad de Los Andes.

Acknowledgments

» Ranked “Band 2”, Environment, Chambers Latin America in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

» Ranked as “Leading Individuals”, Legal 500 in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

» Ranked in WWL in 2022 and 2023.

» Ranked “Band 3”, Environment, Chambers Latin America in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

» Named as “Up and Coming”, Environment, Chambers Latin America, in 2018 and 2019.

» Conicyt, Becas Chile scholarship holder (2014-2015).

Memberships & Activities

» Professor of Environmental Law at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica Valparaíso, Universidad de Los Andes, among others.

» Member of the Environment, Territory and Participation Working Group at the Federation of Chilean Industry (SOFOFA).

» Chilean Association of Environmental Law.

» Chilean Bar Association.

Publications

»” The role of the offender’s previous conduct in the sanctioning administrative procedure of the Environmental Superintendence”. Environmental Law Magazine, Year V. Nº (7). pp. 177-196.
https://revistas.uchile.cl/index.php/RDA/article/view/46454/48483

» Promotion of environmental compliance https://www.google.cl/amp/s/www.latercera.com/pulso/noticia/promocion-del-cumplimiento-materia-ambiental/412327/amp/

» On environmental matters: Will the Supreme Court confirm jurisprudence that establishes a 30 days period to request invalidation of an Environmental Assessment Resolution? http://www.elmercurio.com/Legal/Noticias/Opinion/2018/08/20/En-materia-ambiental-Confirmara-la-Corte-Suprema-jurisprudencia-que-establece-plazo-de-30-dias-para-solicitar-la-invalidacion-de-una-RCA.aspx?disp=1

» OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Spain 2015. https://www.oecd.org/spain/analisis-de-los-resultados-medioambientales-de-la-ocde-espana-2015-9789264250383-es.htm

» Global Guide to Environment, “Environmental law and practice in Chile: overview”, 2015. https://content.next.westlaw.com/1-503-4725?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&__lrTS=20190408095909841&firstPage=true&bhcp=1

Languages

Spanish, English