A robust performer in both local and cross-border financings, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría added several new clients to its roster over the past year, including Banco Santander and Societé de Promotion et de Participacion pour la Cooperation Economique (Proparco). The group’s ability to draw on its top-tier projects practice is a significant differentiator and it has a strong record in project finance (particularly in the infrastructure space), as well as for corporate lending and acquisition finance. High-profile specialist Juan Fernando Gaviria excels in project finance and corporate lending; he recently spearheaded the team’s advice to International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the granting of a $150m two-tranche loan to Nu Colombia. Hernando Padilla maintains a broad transactional practice spanning banking and finance, capital markets and corporate work. Padilla recently teamed up with the projects group to handle several matters connected to the $906m refinancing of the Rumichaca-Pasto 4G toll-road project, including advising a group of international lenders on a $305m international credit facility, and also advising FDN, Bancolombia and Banco Davivienda on the provision of a $260m local credit facility. The team additionally draws on the senior experience of Claudia Barrero, whose diverse focus encompasses corporate, banking, capital markets and private client law, and corporate and finance partner Camilo Ballesteros. Impressive co-ordinating associate Daniela Mejia, is also recommended. Principal associate Paula Buriticá left the firm in May 2022.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is capable of perfectly understanding the structure of our company, being able to negotiate any issue from our perspective as necessary, without us having to explain the business details.’
‘The team led by Juan Fernando Gaviria is wonderful. We highly value its practicality. It is capable of being impartial in any discussion and always makes weighty arguments.’
‘It is a very committed team, always available to the client. It is also a team with a high technical level and great abilities when negotiating.’
‘Lawyers are very committed to business and available at all times.’

Key clients

Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Bancolombia
Banco Davivienda
Banco Santander
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional
Societé de Promotion et de Participacion pour la Cooperation Economique (Proparco)
QMC Telecom Group
Deutsche Bank
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Interamerican Development Bank (IDB)
Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF)

Work highlights

Advised the joint bookrunners and initial purchasers (Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan), as well as the lenders (JP Morgan Chase Bank, MUFG, SMBC, Société Générale, CACIB, Siemens Financial Services, FDN, Bancolombia, and Banco Davivienda), on the $906m refinancing of the Rumichaca-Pasto 4G toll-road project.
Acted for Cititrust Colombia —as local administrative agent, administrative agent of the liquidity credit, and collateral agent— in the $906m refinancing of the Rumichaca-Pasto 4G toll-road project.
Acted as Colombian Counsel to International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the granting of a two-tranche loan to Nu Colombia, totalling approximately $150m.