With a straightforward premise – that many business relationships fail not for legal reasons, but due to a deterioration of trust and unnecessary escalation of positions – three lawyers with experience in commercial mediation and corporate governance created Alinea Partner, the first consultancy in Chile dedicated exclusively to the alternative resolution of commercial disputes.
Through a structured, efficient, and confidential system, the firm assists individuals and companies from various sectors in resolving emerging or ongoing conflicts, preventing them from escalating into litigation or arbitration, thus saving years of legal proceedings and significant costs for the parties involved.
“Our focus is on using commercial mediation as a business and enterprise risk management tool, protecting executive time, resources, reputation, relationships, and operational continuity. In this way, the organization and its people regain focus on their core business,” said Macarena Vassallo, partner at Alinea Partner.
Commercial mediation is suitable for resolving disputes in sectors such as construction, retail, energy, mining and real estate, as well as disputes in business families and community relations processes in extractive and infrastructure industries, among others.
The model operates under strict confidentiality: unlike litigation, nothing discussed in a commercial mediation process can be used in subsequent court proceedings. The solution reached is formalized in a legally enforceable settlement agreement, providing the parties with certainty regarding compliance with the agreed terms.
A well-prepared mediation usually requires fewer steps and can reduce legal, expert, and administrative costs by up to 80%, compared to traditional conflict resolution: litigation and arbitration, according to data from Alinea Partner.
“Mediation seeks a cost-effective solution in weeks or a few months, instead of years of uncertainty,” Vassallo stated.
More of the new additions
José Tomás Marambio, with more than two decades in corporate consulting and alternative dispute resolution, is a member of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CAM Santiago) and the first Latin American professional incorporated into the OECD’s list of commercial mediators.
Macarena Vassallo brings experience in regulatory affairs, sustainability and institutional relations, particularly in processes where reputational and community dimensions are crucial.
For his part, Felipe Garay combines business experience with practice in commercial disputes and strategic negotiation, and is also a member of CAM Santiago.
The three are also part of the roster of mediators of the International Mediation Institute (IMI).
Alinea Partner works with the direct involvement of its partners and coordinates with the advisors each party already has. Its approach does not compete with law firms: it intervenes at the point where escalating to litigation is still avoidable.
