Team Spotlight: Marguerite de Villiers, Partner

By Luke Musto
Team Spotlight Marguerite De Villiers Featured Image

Introducing Marguerite

Marguerite de Villiers is a Partner and Senior Lawyer at Harris Gómez Group (HGG), specialising in cross-border corporate and commercial law. With a deep grounding in both Australian and Latin American legal contexts, Marguerite brings strategic insight and practical clarity to clients navigating international transactions and regulatory environments.

Background and Experience

Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of New England and is a member of the NSW Law Society. She is fluent in English, Afrikaans and Spanish.

She has worked extensively in cross-border matters involving commercial contracts, joint ventures, investment structuring, financial transactions, and regulatory compliance. Marguerite has led several complex deals for clients entering and operating in Latin America, advising on diligence processes, local law alignment, contract negotiation, and implementation of corporate frameworks across jurisdictions.

In her time with HGG, Marguerite has become a trusted go-to advisor for clients in sectors such as mining services, technology, infrastructure, and energy, supporting their operations across Australia and Latin America.

Current Focus

Marguerite is currently based in Lima, Peru, where she has played a central role in establishing and growing HGG’s operations over the past few years. Her work in Peru has positioned the firm to support an increasing number of international clients taking advantage of the country’s strategic role in Latin America.

Her current focus includes:

  • Leading HGG’s Lima office and building its client base across Peru

  • Supporting Australian, Canadian, and European companies in the mining, engineering, and technology sectors entering the Peruvian market

  • Advising on cross-border corporate structuring, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance tailored to Peru’s business environment

  • Acting as a trusted bridge between HGG’s Sydney, Santiago, and Lima offices to deliver seamless, multi-jurisdictional legal services

With her on-the-ground presence, Marguerite ensures clients receive practical advice that is regionally grounded, commercially aligned, and internationally focused.

Cross-Border Expertise

Marguerite’s strength lies in helping clients establish and grow in Peru while connecting their legal strategies to the broader Latin American and Australian business landscape. Having been on the ground in Lima for the past several years, she brings clients:

    • Bilingual, bicultural fluency – bridging Australian and Latin American legal systems with clarity and precision.

    • Proven cross-jurisdictional results – experience working on the ground across Peru, Chile, and Australia.

    • Commercial insight – aligning legal advice with business goals in mining, engineering, and technology.

    • Regional leadership – instrumental in establishing and expanding HGG’s Lima office, providing clients with a reliable base for growth in Peru.

Marguerite combines legal expertise with cultural fluency and commercial foresight, giving clients the confidence to operate effectively across borders.

In 2025, Marguerite was named a Finalist in the NSW Women in International Business Award at the 2025 Premier’s NSW Export Awards, presented by the Export Council of Australia. This recognition highlights Marguerite’s exceptional contribution to building stronger international links between Australia and Latin America, supporting NSW companies expanding abroad, and excellence in international business.

The Value Marguerite Brings

With her cross-border legal experience and on-the-ground presence in Lima, Marguerite delivers practical, business-aligned legal strategies that reduce risk and enable growth. She offers clients:

  • Clear advice grounded in both local regulation and international business standards

  • A pragmatic approach that balances legal compliance with commercial opportunities

  • The ability to act as a trusted connector between HGG’s Sydney, Santiago, and Lima offices

Her style is collaborative, responsive, and commercially focused, making her a valuable partner for clients navigating Peru’s evolving business landscape and beyond.

Supporting the growth of HGG’s Lima office has been an incredible journey. Peru is a dynamic market with enormous potential and opportunities, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right legal framework can open doors for international companies. My goal is to help clients enter and grow with clarity, confidence, and strategies that are tailored to both local realities and global ambitions.”
Marguerite de Villiers, Partner

Harris Gomez Group METS Lawyers ® opened its doors in 1997 as an Australian legal and commercial firm. In 2001, we expanded our practice to the international market with the establishment of our office in Santiago, Chile. This international expansion meant that as an English speaking law firm we could provide an essential bridge for Australian companies with interests and activities in Latin America, and to provide legal advice in Chile, Peru and the rest of Latin America. In opening this office, HGG became the first Australian law firm with an office in Latin America.

As Legal and Commercial Advisors, we partner with innovative businesses in resources, technology and sustainability by providing strategy, legal and corporate services. Our goal is to see innovative businesses establish and thrive in Latin America and Australia. We are proud members of Austmine and the Australia Latin American Business Council.

To better understand how we can support your management team in the Region, please contact contact@hgomezgroup.com 

Date:

September 25, 2025

Category

Team Profile

Tags:

Australia Latin America | Australian lawyer | Bilingual Lawyer | business law Latin America | commercial law | corporate law | cross-border legal services | cross-cultural legal advice | Harris Gomez Group | international expansion | international law | Latin America legal services | legal advisor Chile | legal advisor Peru | legal strategy | legal support for business | METS sector | Mining Law | technology law

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