Corporate and M&A

Cuatrecasas

Client Satisfaction

Valued for its ‘deep knowledge of the critical aspects of transactions’, Cuatrecasas continued to make inroads into Colombian M&A during 2023/24 and added 12 new clients, including Macquarie Capital and GFT Technologies. Juan Felipe Vera co-heads the department and contributes broad industry knowledge, with experience in deals involving private equity, financial services, energy, life sciences and infrastructure, among other areas. Fellow co-head Felipe Mariño cemented his reputation as an up-and-coming corporate specialist with leading roles on a string of matters during 2023/24, such as advising Two (a special-purpose acquisition company) on a $578m merger with LatAm Logistic Properties in relation to certain subsidiaries in Colombia and Peru. The team additionally benefits from a strong second line of senior associates: Carolina Trejos Robledo possesses ’excellent knowledge of Colombian law and international law’; Natalia Villamizar ‘gets into operational detail without losing perspective of the client’s objective’; and Fabio Ardila is recommended for energy-related work. Former senior associate Andrés Felipe Saldarriaga moved in house at GeoPark in December 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Cuatrecasas team is agile, comprehensive, assertive, with deep knowledge of the critical aspects of transactions. As a client we truly feel supported by a great business ally.’
‘Lawyers stand out for their closeness, the depth of their knowledge, their unconditional availability to meet our needs in the matters we require and their impeccable quality.’
‘Cuatrecasas' corporate and M&A team is one of the best in the country due to the talent of its lawyers; in particular their determination in the work they deliver and dedication to moving transactions forward. They always demonstrate complete dedication to delivering everything on time and with the best quality.’
‘Strengths: its knowledge and experience in transactions; its ability to negotiate with counterparties; its command of the English language. It compares favourably with other offices, due to its lawyers' good disposition, excellent management of interpersonal relationships, soft skills and technical knowledge.’
‘Carolina Trejos Robledo has excellent knowledge of Colombian law and international law. We also highlight her disposition and handling of clients under pressure.’
‘The team (Felipe Mariño and Natalia Villamizar) is characterised by its quality of execution and its ability to be at the service of the transaction with a pragmatic, practical and efficient approach. Apart from excellence in process and project management, it plays a crucial role as advisor and is always available.’
‘Natalia Villamizar stands out for her ability to understand commercial realities and translate advice into a clear legal business and structured negotiation process. Natalia gets into operational detail without losing perspective of the client's objective. Natalia Villamizar is one of the best senior associates in Colombia firms.’
‘Felipe Mariño is always present and available not only for the work team but also for the client, attentive to support them in decisions and provide guidance/advice when there is a concern that the business perspective is being lost or all the risks and benefits are not being considered.’

Key clients

Macquarie Capital
GFT Technologies
Ashmore
Mercantil Colpatria
Apollo Infrastructure Fund
Sacyr
VGMobility
TC Latin America Partners
Octapus
EDF Renewables
Edenred
Scatec
Minsait Payment Systems
Banca De Inversión Bancolombia

Work highlights

Advised Two (a special-purpose acquisition company) on a business combination agreement with LatAm Logistic Properties in relation to certain subsidiaries in Colombia and Peru.
Advised GFT Technologies on the bidding process to acquire 100% of the share capital of Sophos Colombia and its subsidiaries in Chile, Mexico, Panama, Peru, India and the USA.
Advised Fondo Ashmore Andino II - FCP and Ashmore Andean Fund II on transferring Ashmore’s entire shareholding in SF Convías to Globalvía Inversiones.