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’.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Demonstrates good knowledge of the market, business sense, customer service, and response times.’
‘Luis Gabriel Morcillo stands out for his knowledge of the market, client service, business sense and proactive mentality to solve difficulties. Associate Diana Useche stands out for her experience, practical knowledge of the market, regulatory knowledge and responsiveness.’
‘The team knows capital market issues. It is clear that it has experience in the subject, with good availability and the disposition to develop advice and support.’
‘Lawyers bring to bear good knowledge.’
Key clients
- BlackRock Institutional Trust Company
- Invest in Bogotá
- Terranum Corporativo
- Amarilo
- LarrainVial Colombia
- Sura Asset Management
- JPMorgan
- Latam Logistic Properties
- Carvajal
- Grupo Argos
- Asociación Colombiana de Fondos de Capital Privado
- Credit Suisse Securities
- Banco Santander
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- Ocensa
- LarraínVial Colombia
- Atento Luxco
- La Haus
- UBS
- Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)
- Colombina
- Fondo Futuro (Fondo Mutuo de Inversión)
Work highlights
- Acted as special Colombian counsel to the underwriters (BBVA Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and HSBC Securities USA) on the Republic of Colombia’s international social bond offering.
- Advised Almacenes Éxito (and its former owner Grupo Casino) on registering its shares as Brazilian Depositary Receipts (BDRs) and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) in Brazil and the USA.
- Advised Ecopetrol on a cash tender offer, as well as on its $1.8bn bond issuance in the US market.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carlos Fradique-Méndez, Luis Gabriel Morcillo