Sebastian Abudoj

Accomplished qualified lawyer recognised for corporate law, real estate, and government leadership achievements, including successful project´ management, impactful regulatory reforms, and advancing sustainability in urban development.

UCL Corporate Law Master. PQE+7. Spanish/English bilingual (IELTS 7.5). E&W SRA registered. Graduate VISA.

PRIVATE PRACTICE                                                                                   Chile, remote from London

Lawyer and Consultant                                                                                                   May 2022 - Present

• Conducted legal compliance of corporate transactions by drafting/submitting incorporations, restructurings, shareholders agreements and board resolutions/meetings. Secured business completion by preparing and negotiating construction (JCT) and commercial contracts, reviewing permit submissions for regulatory agencies, and handling civil/commercial litigation.  

• Enhanced corporate and building initiatives by devising governance frameworks, delivering ESG consulting, and managing construction/planning permits´ legal conformity. Unlocked investment opportunities for associations/NFPOs by discharging project´s legal management, implementing compliance with regulatory changes and lobbying with decision-makers.

• Directed real estate contract management (non-contentious) by drafting purchasing/mortgage agreements and undertaking property conveyancing and business due diligence. Performed legal enforcement (contentious) of real estate disputes by submitting/handling to conclusion tenancy, eviction, disrepair, and indemnification Court procedures.   

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN PLANNING,[1] GOVERNMENT OF CHILE          Chile

Regional Minister (Director) of Housing and Urban Planning                December 2020 - March 2022

• Led government department in the country's second-largest Region (33 boroughs), managed 700 professionals, allocated annual budget (£250,000,000), and represented the National Minister.Boosted construction market by enacting new regulations for 33 LPAs to prevent LGs´ delay and to upgrade planning agreement (S.106) and appeal (S.78-20) procedures.

• Expanded sustainability city policies by developing over 100 town regeneration investment initiatives (+£70,000,000) and increasing net-zero housing subsidies allocation (+4,000 units). Conducted compliance with urban planning and climate change regulations by reporting/voting on 60 energy and infrastructure projects ($1.996,366 MM USD) as an EIA committee director.

• Revamped sustainability regulations and large infrastructure projects´ consents (S.55) by managing approval for a new metropolitan city planning from stakeholders and elected officials. Advanced building policies by facilitating planning deals between LGs and associations and lobbying cross-party MPs´ support for three housing legal reforms as Urban Development Council MD.

• Organized effective collaboration by managing a cross-sector investment portfolio (£1,000,000,000) with political leaders and business/building associations as Economic Recovery Committee CEO. Secured planning compliance of 987 construction procurement contracts and SME´s financial aid (£3,000,000) by overseeing government departments' permissions management. 

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL ASSETS,[2] GOVERNMENT OF CHILE                                        Chile

Regional Minister (Director) of National Assets                                           April 2019 - December 2020

• Led government department in the Region (33 boroughs), managed 130 public officials and represented the National Minister. Upgraded property registration policies and increased title-registers output (+40%) by issuing new directives to ease ownership application requirements, halve processing time, and foster public investment (+£2,000,000) in 20 LG services.  

• Bolstered public estate management sustainability policies by prioritising concession contracts for NFPO/ESG initiatives (+40%), renewable energy projects (+30%) and natural resources protection (+20%). Advanced lawful and valuable use of government real estate by devising a monitoring/eviction plan and setting up a strategic tender procedure to promote private investment.

• Safeguarded official documents´ legal/policy compliance by last checking 2,000 land registrations, procurement contracts (NEC), concession agreements, and government communications/resolutions. Built public support for policy and regulatory changes by networking with 500 community/NFPO leaders and speaking at 200 training/Q&A sessions.

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN PLANNING, GOVERNMENT OF CHILE            Chile

Legal Counsel - Chief Compliance Officer                                                            April 2018 - April 2019

• Ensured department resolutions compliance/implementation by delivering legal and DD reports on governance and construction legislation and following up on governance agreements. Strengthened strategic decision-making by conducting legal/ESG risk assessments and presenting 30 management proposals to the governance committee.

• Accomplished adequate implementation of building/planning regulatory changes by developing guidelines, scrutinising critical construction procurement contracts (JCT), and coordinating local adjustments with agencies and LPAs. Collaborated with annual budget financial compliance (£150,000,000) by setting up a monitoring system for 150 housing projects execution. 

• Handled projects' social/environmental impact and acted as an escalation point by chairing 20 conflict management committees with housing associations, companies, and stakeholders to achieve compromise (ADR). Maintained conformity with disclosure/transparency regulations by drafting 30 reports to official inquiries and participating in three auditing committees. 

additional experience

UNIVERSIDAD DEL DESARROLLO                                                                                               Chile

Construction Law Professor                                                                                       October 2023-present

Company Law Lecturer (Assistant)                                                                                            2017 - 2018

COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT                                                                                                     Chile

Arbitrator on real estate and corporate disputes (ADR)                                          January 2023-present

IN-HOUSE AND LAW FIRM ASSOCIATE (RPMP)                                                                     Chile

Corporate and Litigation Solicitor                                                                                             2016 – 2018

ARAB SPORTS CORPORATION (NFPO)                                                                                       Chile

Director and Secretary of the Board                                                                                          2015 – 2017

LOWER HOUSE, CHILEAN CONGRESS                                                                                       Chile

Legislative Advisor – Stakeholders Manager                                                                            2013 – 2015

[1] The department develops and finances housing/infrastructure projects, urban development/repairing programs, sewerage/water supply systems and city planning. It oversees planning legislation and enforces its regulations.

[2] The office manages public estates (2,500), delivers property registering for incomplete ownership holders (1,500 PY), and enforces regulations on the State´s domain areas, natural resources (wetlands, non-urban areas, coastal and maritime territory) and government infrastructures.

University College London (UCL), London, UK:

• Degree: Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate Law
• Year: 2022 - 2023
• Note: Graduated with merits. Legal dissertation on corporate sustainability and ESG.

New South Wales University, Sydney, Australia:

• Degree: Certified program in Legal English and Common Law
• Year: 2018
• Note: Graduated with high distinction.

Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile:

• Degree: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Business Law
• Year: 2017
• Note: Graduated with 6.3 CL, equivalent to a 1st class UK degree.

Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile:

• Degree: Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Year: 2014 - 2016
• Note: Graduated with 6.04 CL, equivalent to a 1st class UK degree. Focus on policy research related to renewable energy investment regulations.

Universidad Catolica de la Santisima Concepcion, Chile:

• Degree: Law Degree (LLB)
• Year: 2007 - 2014
• Note: Bachelor of Laws LLB (2016). Graduated with 5.8 CL, equivalent to a 2:1 UK degree. Qualified by the Chilean Supreme Court. Legal research on insolvency law reform.