Our Story

At a time when Chile was beginning to open up to the world, Guillermo Morales, Juan Carlos Valdivieso Fernández, and Juan Pablo Bórquez founded the law firm that would eventually become the firm as we know it today, under the name Bórquez, Morales & Valdivieso. The three shared a common conviction: to provide international-standard legal counsel from Santiago, at a time when foreign investors were beginning to see Chile in a new light. From day one, the firm specialized in corporate and financial advisory services, working alongside clients whose businesses crossed borders.

The firm was strengthened by the addition of Eugenio Besa as a partner in 1994, reinforcing its corporate practice. A year later, Juan Pablo Bórquez left the firm to pursue other projects, and as the partnership continued to gain ground in the corporate legal market, it was renamed Morales, Valdivieso & Besa.

During this period of expansion, two lawyers joined the firm who would later become partners: Carlos Silva, in 1995, and Macarena Laso, in 1996. Laso would eventually become the firm’s first female managing partner, an early reflection of the firm’s commitment to attracting talent and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture.

The merger with Noguera y Compañía brought Manuel José Noguera and Diego Noguera on board as new partners, significantly strengthening the firm’s presence in the local market. The combination complemented the firm’s already solid ability to provide counsel in line with global standards with a deep understanding of the Chilean market. The partnership then adopted the name Morales, Noguera, Valdivieso & Besa.

Driven by sustained growth, the firm expanded its services beyond its original strengths in corporate law and finance, adding practices in projects, capital markets, litigation and arbitration, regulatory and environmental law, and labor law. During this period, the firm became one of the most promising full-service legal teams in the Chilean market.

In 2004, Carlos Silva was appointed partner after several years of outstanding professional development within the firm.

The firm continued its search for talent, welcoming José Miguel Carvajal in 2006 to strengthen its finance practice. He soon became a partner. That same year, the firm mourned the passing of Juan Carlos Valdivieso Fernández, one of its founding partners.

Shortly thereafter, in 2007, Manuel José Noguera, Diego Noguera, and Paulo Larrain, together with other lawyers, left the firm to pursue a new professional venture.

The firm adopted the name that would define it for nearly two decades: Morales & Besa. This marked the beginning of a period of strong consolidation in both the Chilean and international markets, further strengthening its leadership in finance, capital markets, and infrastructure projects.

The firm consistently ranked among the leading law firms in the Chilean market, advising on some of the country’s most significant transactions, from road concessions to major corporate financing deals. This was also a period in which the firm expanded its international presence and recognition, building a strong reputation in key financial centers such as New York and London.

In 2010, Gonzalo Cordero became a partner, leading the firm’s litigation practice. In 2012, Myriam Barahona joined the partnership and currently co-leads the firm’s finance practice alongside José Miguel Carvajal.

These years consolidated the firm’s position as one of the most established and highly regarded law firms in the Chilean market. The team continued to welcome new generations of lawyers while expanding its presence across key practice areas and actively strengthening its capabilities in project finance, infrastructure, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

In 2021, Macarena Laso became the firm’s Managing Partner, and Andrea Díaz joined the partnership. She currently co-leads the capital markets practice alongside José Miguel Carvajal. In 2022, Juan Carlos Valdivieso Tagle became a partner and took the lead of the firm’s energy practice. During this period, the firm also decided to further develop its mining and insolvency practices, anticipating the evolving needs of its clients.

New partners continued to join the firm: Santiago Martínez in 2022, taking the lead of the tax practice; Vicente Valdés in 2024, strengthening the corporate and M&A practice; Daniel Weinstein in 2025, taking charge of the mining practice; and Francisca Ramírez in 2026, becoming a partner to lead and strengthen the labor practice.

During this period, the firm also established an Executive Committee as part of its corporate governance structure, comprising Macarena Laso, Carlos Silva, and José Miguel Carvajal.

In April 2026, Guillermo Morales and Eugenio Besa left the firm to embark on a new professional chapter.

As the firm prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary, it takes another step forward. As part of this new chapter, the firm has refreshed its identity, with Morales & Besa becoming SCLB Abogados.

The new name carries forward the values that have defined the firm since its beginnings: technical excellence, a collaborative culture, a commitment to meritocracy and diversity, and the ability to advise on complex transactions through multidisciplinary teams working to global standards.

Now under a new name, the firm is positioned to continue delivering legal excellence for decades to come.