In Talks With: Soledad Riera – Partner at Marval O'Farrell Mairal

In this edition of In Talks With, we had the pleasure of speaking with Soledad Riera, partner at Marval O’Farrell Mairal in the Energy and Natural Resources practice. Soledad shared insights from her diverse career—spanning in-house roles and external legal advisory—as well as her views on Argentina’s energy sector and cross-border collaboration.

Soledad’s career in energy began at Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS) at age 26, where she evolved from regulatory legal work to being deeply involved in commercial negotiations and infrastructure projects supporting Vaca Muerta. “Understanding the operational side was key for me,” she explained. “I visited plants and pipelines to draft contracts that truly reflected the risks and realities of the business.”

Three years ago, she joined Marval as a partner, transitioning from corporate counsel to external advisor. “While the industry remained the same, the role changed significantly. As external counsel, I am called on for highly complex or sensitive matters and must bring a broad strategic perspective.”

Recently, Soledad was honored as Latin American Energy, Natural Resources and Mining Lawyer of the Year by the Women in Business Law Awards. She described the recognition as especially meaningful because it acknowledges not only her recent work at Marval but her entire professional journey. “These awards have historically focused on law firm lawyers. This award summarizes my career in the energy industry from various perspectives and roles.”

On Argentina’s energy outlook, Soledad noted strong momentum for LNG and infrastructure projects under analysis and attractive incentives through the RIGI framework. She emphasized the country’s potential to become a key LNG exporter, supported by recent regulatory updates and investment incentives, though macroeconomic stability remains crucial.

Importantly, she sees organizations like the Argentina Texas Chamber of Commerce (ATCC) playing a vital role in this ecosystem. “ATCC builds bridges between markets and people,” Soledad said. “For foreign investors, it offers trusted local connections and insights. For Argentine companies, it opens doors to partnerships and global networks. The Chamber’s role as a connector helps generate trust and facilitates investment—a critical element for the sector’s growth.”

When asked for advice to young women entering energy law, Soledad stressed the importance of understanding both the law and the business: “Knowing the regulations isn’t enough. You need to understand the client’s operations and risks to provide meaningful legal solutions.”

Soledad Riera’s journey reflects the dynamic challenges and opportunities within Argentina’s energy sector, offering inspiration and insight for legal professionals and business leaders alike.