Brigard Urrutia > Cali, Colombia > Firm Profile

Brigard Urrutia > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 1

A destination practice for banking and finance work, Brigard Urrutia’s strong relationships with domestic and international lenders — including banks and alternative lenders — is a particular hallmark. That being said, the group also represents corporate borrowers in high-profile financings, with notable recent activity in the energy, transport and infrastructure spheres. Alongside its transactional expertise, the team stands out for its robust regulatory offering, where it routinely advises financial institutions, fintechs and others on compliance matters and proceedings before the Superintendence of Finance. Managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez is widely recognised as a foremost specialist in financial law, with extensive experience in lending transactions, structured finance, project finance and funds. Among his recent highlights, Fradique-Méndez paired up with prominent next-generation partner María Fernanda Diago to advise leading Colombian corporation, Ecopetrol, on the structuring and negotiation of a credit agreement of up to $1bn. In a key lender-side mandate, César Felipe Rodríguez demonstrated his unique infrastructure credentials through his advice to Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, Bancolombia and Itaú Colombia on a COP$210bn financing to KMA Construcciones. The group additionally draws on the experience of firm senior partner Carlos Urrutia at top level, while at associate level seniors Santiago Jaramillo Martínez and Nicolás Alonso are noted for project finance and fintech respectively. In September 2023, senior associate Juan Eduardo Gómez left to join A&O Shearman in Washington DC; partner Felipe Alarcón also departed the team. Since publication, the firm has strengthned the firm with the hire of Sebastián Lora - formerly of Martínez Quintero Mendoza González Laguado & de la Rosa; effective as of March 2025.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 1

A popular choice to handle both domestic and cross-border mandates, Brigard Urrutia ‘knows capital market issues’, according to satisfied clients. The team’s diverse client roster demonstrates strong links with issuers from across a wide range of industry sectors, while it additionally maintains close relationships with Colombian and global underwriters. Equally adept in both debt and equity offerings, the group has been particularly active in the former sphere of late, in line with current market conditions. Managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who is qualified in both Colombia and New York, brings to bear extensive international expertise. Fradique-Méndez recently teamed up with fellow practice head Luis Gabriel Morcillo and the banking and finance practice to act as special Colombian counsel to the underwriters (BBVA Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and HSBC Securities USA) on the Republic of Colombia’s landmark international social bond offering. The group also impresses at associate level, with senior Viviana Araújo standing out for her growing expertise in the capital markets and private equity fields. Also noted are senior associate Nicolás Arocha Roldán, whose practice spans capital markets, finance and corporate law; and mid-level associate Diana Useche, who is held up for her ‘practical knowledge of the market’.

City focus > Cali Tier 1

Headquartered in Bogotá, national powerhouse Brigard Urrutia continues to consolidate its five-lawyer strong Cali platform, where it provides a range of corporate, international trade, competition and employment law services. High-profile competition specialist Alejandro Garcia de Brigard — who also maintains a significant corporate practice — has led the office since its launch in 2017 and splits his time between Cali and Bogotá; he recently acted alongside the Bogotá office to advise Cali-based Carvajal on its COP$468bn bond issuance in the alternate market. At associate level, the Cali team also draws on senior Jimena Rincon, who focuses on corporate and M&A; and intermediate Rafael Reyes, who is noted for labour and employment law. Additionally, as demonstrated by the Carvajal deal, Cali-based lawyers routinely team up with specialists in Barranquilla, Bogotá, and Medellín to provide seamless national coverage. Former of counsel Maria Eugenia Lloreda left to become senior adviser to the new mayoral administration of Cali city in October, 2023.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Antitrust lawyers at Brigard Urrutia ‘continually search for alternative solutions’, according to satisfied clients. The competition group is arguably best known for its prowess in merger reviews, where it benefits from its ability to team up with the wider firm’s top-tier corporate practice. Notably, it handled 30 merger filings during 2023 - including complex cross-border filings for multinational names such as Farfetch Holdings and Brookfield. Alongside its strength in transactional matters, the team additionally packs a punch in complex antitrust investigations and competition disputes, while it is also active in the increasingly prominent area of leniency agreements. Department head Alejandro Garcia de Brigard secures strong reviews for his ‘practical approach to competition law’; he represented major Colombian airline Avianca in the antitrust investigation, launched by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), into alleged gun-jumping with Viva Colombia. The team also benefits from the strong public sector-side experience of director Nicolás Cardona, who is a former officer at the Colombian Competition Authority; and intermediate associate Natalia Amado Pérez, whose practice focuses exclusively on competition and antitrust law.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Widely recognised as a corporate powerhouse in Colombia, Brigard Urrutia is commended by clients for its ‘extensive knowledge of the law, strong experience and pro-transaction business approach’. Fielding one of the largest corporate benches in the market, the group is a popular choice to handle large-scale domestic and cross-border M&A — including private equity-sponsored deals — as well as wider corporate matters, such as shareholder conflicts and business reorganisations. As one of the country’s most prominent corporate specialists, M&A co-head Sergio Michelsen is highly sought after for his record in high-stakes transactions; he recently advised Blu Logistics on the sale of all of its logistics companies in Colombia to Rhenus. Fellow department co-head Jaime Robledo utilises his dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) status to excel in cross-border deals. In a recent example of his international prowess, Robledo teamed up with Michelsen and Fernando Alfredo Castillo to advise Casino Guichard-Perrachon (and certain affiliates), on the Colombian aspects of the sale of their 47% stake in Almacenes Éxito to Grupo Calleja. Other recommended partners include Tomás Holguín, who honed his international skills working at firms in the USA and Brazil; Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who is a force in the private equity sphere; Álvaro Cala, who combines strength in corporate, aviation and real estate; and senior partner Carlos Urrutia. A strong second line of non-partners includes directors Ángela García Páez and Mónica Gutiérrez Velasco; as well as senior associate Andrea Camila Cruz and associate Laura Ricardo Ayerbe. Former corporate and M&A practice chair Dario Laguado Giraldo and director Paola Ordoñez left the firm in April and August 2024, respectively.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 1

‘Creative and knowledgeable in the field of litigation’, Brigard Urrutia maintains a broad dispute resolution practice, which houses specialist offerings in civil and commercial disputes, administrative law cases, private litigation and contentious bankruptcy proceedings. Well versed in cases across all of Colombia’s key industry sectors, the team is chiefly recognised for its skill sets in the infrastructure, energy, and public services and utilities spheres, where it can additionally link up with the wider firm’s top-tier projects, energy, and public law practices. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the department and acts for a diverse mix of domestic and multinational corporations in judicial proceedings, with strong recent showings in the technology and transport spheres. Rounding out the partner group is María Munevar Torrado (promoted to the partnership in June 2023), who has an emphasis on disputes concerning infrastructure, energy and corporate law, among other market segments. The team also draws on two recently promoted (December 2023) directors: Paola Guerrero Yemail, who heads up the the insolvency and bankruptcy litigation practice; and Carlos Mauricio Cerrato, who focuses on antitrust, unfair competition and consumer protection disputes. At associate level, seniors Camilo Valenzuela and Paula Juliana Téllez provide support across the full range of dispute resolution matters. Felipe Mutis  left the firm in September 2024.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Brigard Urrutia houses a go-to energy and natural resources practice that clients laud for ‘its implementation of innovative strategies resulting from extensive experience’. Combining a standalone renewable energy and energy efficiency team with strength in conventional energy and mining work, the group is routinely called upon by major domestic and multinational clients to advise on regulatory, transactional and project development matters. Among the names to note, Claudia Navarro stands out for her broad expertise in renewable energy, utilities and infrastructure-related matters; she is advising Total Eren on the construction of a 99MW solar plant in a major Colombian oil field. Energy is also a key industry focus for multidisciplinary senior partner Carlos Urrutia; he recently co-led advice to to Cordoba Minerals on the $100m sale of a 50% ownership interest in its affiliate, CMH Colombia, to JCHX. Tragically, in a loss to both the practice and the firm, director Marianna Boza -who co-led on this mandate- has since passed on. Other senior names include corporate and M&A specialist Jaime Robledo, who possesses a strong record in energy transactions, and managing partner Carlos Umaña, who is noted for his broad coverage of energy and infrastructure work. A deep bench of supporting senior associates includes Juan Carlos Padilla, who contributes significant hands-on experience, following in-house stints at Ecopetrol and International Gas Transport; Andrés Felipe Parra, who is noted for his regulatory expertise; and Carlos Cerón, who is ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’. In June 2024, Margarita Solorza joined from Holland & Knight as director of the environment and sustainable business area.

Colombia > Insurance Tier 1

The insurance practice at Brigard Urrutia stands out for the ‘agility, depth of response and commitment of its lawyers’, according to satisfied clients. A popular choice for complex or high-stakes mandates — particularly on the non-contentious front — the team is noted for its impressive record in highly regulated transactional matters before the Superintendence of Finance, including M&As and incorporations. The team also excels in advising insurers on product development issues and other regulatory work. Alongside its activity on behalf of insurer clients, the group keeps busy advising insured entities on a mix of regulatory compliance and claims litigation. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the insurance and reinsurance department, as well as the litigation, arbitration and insolvency department, which ensures that her practice spans a diverse range of regulatory, contractual and claims matters. The group additionally benefits from the specialist experience of next-generation partner Lucas Fajardo, who is ‘an expert in the sector’ and advises on insurance-related corporate, commercial and regulatory issues, as well as claims handling. Fajardo recently advised Everest Re Group on the incorporation process to establish a local insurer. Key supporting associates include senior Juan David Marín, who joined in February 2024 from the Ministry of Finance. Former senior Iván Montenegro left to join Asensi Abogados in November 2023.

Colombia > Projects Tier 1

Brigard Urrutia’s projects team stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, which ensures that it can turn its hand to any aspect of a project on behalf of any key stakeholder. Arguably best known for project finance prowess — where it can lean on recognised experts in the field, such as managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez — the team also brings extensive expertise in energy, public utilities, corporate transactions and dispute resolution, among other areas. Among its project finance highlights, high-profile finance specialist César Felipe Rodríguez advised AMP Capital Investors US and Enel Colombia on financing the acquisition of electric public transportation buses from BYD Auto Industry Company (China) to TransMilenio. In a non-finance matter, Carlos Umaña advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional on pre-feasibility studies connected to the reactivation of the Pacific Rail Corridor. Other senior contacts include managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who excels in project finance; Claudia Navarro, whose practice spans energy, infrastructure and public utilities; and banking and finance partner María Fernanda Diago. The department further benefits from a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, who focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and senior associate Nicolás Alonso, who sits in the banking and financial services team. Senior associate Felipe Alarcon left in June 2023; while former director Julián Parra moved in house at ZEmobility in September 2024. Since publication, the practice has been strenghened on the project-finance side with the hire of Sebastián Lora, formerly of Martínez Quintero Mendoza González Laguado & de la Rosa; effective as of March 2025.

Colombia > Public law Tier 1

Valued for its ‘legal rigour and specialised knowledge in public law’, Brigard Urrutia excels in linking the public and private sectors in the context of large public projects. The full-service team is equipped to advise on the full range of matters but it is primarily recognised for its skill sets in procurement, project structuring and administrative litigation, where it acts for a mix of state and semi-state entities and commercial clients. Seasoned specialist Carlos Umaña handles a broad scope of public law matters, with an emphasis on infrastructure and public procurement; he recently advised (as part of a multi-firm group) state development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, on the structuring of Bogota’s Second Metro Line project. Infrastructure and public utilities specialist, Claudia Navarro, is also a key contact. The department additionally draws on a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, whose practice focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and associates Rafael Cifuentes and Mariana Maya, who both sit in the infrastructure and public utilities group. Former director Julián Parra left the firm to move in house at ZEmobility in September 2024.

Colombia > Tax Tier 1

Brigard Urrutia’s tax practice covers the waterfront for contentious and non-contentious tax work, with strong offerings in transactional tax — where it can act in tandem with the wider firm’s dominant corporate practice — as well as tax planning, tax litigation and day-to-day matters. The team additionally stands out for its cross-border expertise, with clients highlighting its ‘capacity and experience to carry out highly complex work on international tax issues’; notably, both domestic and multinational companies utilise its multi-jurisdictional tax capability. Among the group’s recent international highlights, sought-after tax litigation head Catalina Jaramillo represented BlackRock subsidiary, Concesionaria Santa Marta Paraguachón, in landmark litigation against the tax office, following its ruling that the double tax treaty between Colombia and Mexico is only applicable to companies and individuals and not funds. The three-partner group also draws on Daniel Duque, who was elevated to the partnership in July 2023 and is highlighted for his ‘outstanding analytical skills’; and Andrés Hernández, who is noted for tax advisory and tax planning for both domestic and foreign clients. Key support is provided by intermediate associate Nicolás Mondragón. Former partner Adrián Rodríguez left the firm in August 2024 to establish his own boutique.

Colombia > TMT Tier 1

A destination practice for TMT in Colombia and the wider region, Brigard Urrutia’s clients attest that ‘the regulatory consultations this team provides are the best in Latin America’ — the full-service group also handles transactional and contentious work. Significantly, the practice continues to extend its lead over the market and it added 11 new clients during 2023/24 — across the full range of technology, media and telecoms — including major domestic and multinational names such as Hyland Software, Dynamo Producciones and Capcom. High-profile corporate and TMT expert Sergio Michelsen Jaramillo heads the department and ‘understands business’; he recently advised Dynamo Producciones on all legal matters related to the production of a film produced in Colombia. Juan Nicolás Laverde serves as associate director of the TMT unit, where he specialises in work relating to telecoms, privacy, data security and technology. Also singled out for praise by clients are TMT-focused junior associates Laura Huérfano (‘communicates effectively with authorities’) and Juan Manuel Pacheco (‘good judgement’).

Colombia > Environment Tier 2

The environmental law team at Brigard Urrutia ‘complements legal knowledge with technical knowledge’, according to clients. Demonstrating extensive experience across regulatory, corporate support and environmental sanctioning investigations, the group’s recent work spans matters in the energy, natural resources, transport, life sciences, and food and drink sectors, among others. Corporate and M&A co-head Jaime Robledo steers the department at partner level. The practice is additionally co-led by senior associates Juana Valentina Micán, who is a former lawyer for the District Secretary of the Environment; and Juan Sebastian Panesso, who contributes a strong track record in energy and mining-related matters. Former associate director and department co-head Guillermo Tejeiro left for an in-house position at Citibank in October 2023; the firm has since replaced him with the hire of Margarita Solorza - formerly a senior counsel at Holland & Knight - as practice director for environmental and sustainable business matters; effective as of June 2024.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 2

Brigard Urrutia’s practice is commended for its ‘high-level knowledge of foreign trade and customs regulations at a national and international level’. Well versed across a range of regulatory and contentious trade matters, the team is primarily noted for its activity in customs disputes and trade remedies. Dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) department head, Jose Francisco Mafla, splits his time between the corporate and M&A and customs and international trade practices, with his experience in the former area arguably informing his ‘business approach’. Among Mafla’s recent matters, he is representing Mexichem Colombia in an anti-dumping and safeguarding duty investigation concerning imports of PVC from China and South Korea. The team is additionally supported by a strong duo of rising stars, with director Camilo Castrillón noted as ‘very rigorous in the evaluation of his positions’, while intermediate associate Gerardo Chadid is ‘always innovative and very practical’.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 2

Lawyers in Brigard Urrutia’s labour and employment group are ‘agile and very effective in their responses and deliverables’, according to some. The wider firm’s corporate prowess ensures that the team is routinely called upon to advise on M&A due diligence, while it also handles collective bargaining, social security issues, labour audits and litigation. Catalina Santos heads the department and handles a comprehensive range of collective and individual labour law matters; she successfully represented Signify Colombia in employment litigation brought by a former employee requesting reliquidation of all employment accruals. The team additionally draws on the experience of two recently promoted (January 2024) practice directors: Camilo Mutis and Daniela Caicedo are well versed across a mix of corporate support, advisory and contentious matters. Associate Rafael Reyes is also singled out by clients.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 3

Forming a key part of the firm’s overarching dispute resolution and insolvency offering, Brigard Urrutia’s arbitration group brings to bear diverse contentious experience. The team is particularly active in energy and infrastructure-related disputes, where it can leverage the wider firm’s premier public law, projects, and energy and natural resources practices. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the department and represents domestic and multinational clients before national and international arbitration tribunals. Other key contacts include María Victoria Munevar, who was promoted to partner in June 2023; and senior associate Camilo Valenzuela. However, since the conclusion of research, Felipe Mutis  – who made partner in 2022 – has left the firm (effective as of September 2024).

Colombia > Real estate Tier 3

Brigard Urrutia’s real estate, urban regulation, hotel and agribusiness practice ‘knows the sector and focuses on detail’. Well balanced between transactional and regulatory work, the team advises on all stages of real estate projects, with its experience ranging from project structuring and development, through to corporate and finance transactions. Francisco Uribe fronts the department and advises funds, developers, concessionaires, property owners and hotels, among others, on project development and transactions. The group also includes director Wilben Palacios, who handles urban and real estate law; director Juanita Bermúdez, who specialises in transactional real estate; and real estate-focused intermediate associate Laura Castellanos.

Colombia > Compliance and white-collar crime Tier 4

A popular choice for multinational clients, the internationally oriented team at Brigard Urrutia is commended for combining ‘excellent knowledge of local laws with great practicality in applying changing laws and regulations in a multinational company context’. The multidisciplinary group handles both compliance matters and criminal proceedings, with niche expertise in environmental crime prevention. Experienced associate practice director Ricardo Forero is regarded by many as a rising star in the compliance and white-collar crime area. Other key contacts include senior associate Catalina Riveros; and intermediate associate María Camila Sarria.