Commended as ‘responsive, competent, clear, agile and adaptable’, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ corporate team acts for a diverse mix of buyers, sellers and private equity clients on M&A transactions, joint ventures, restructurings and general day-to-day matters. Active in both domestic and cross-border work, the group has particular experience in the energy and natural resources, real estate and technology spheres. In a recent showcase of one of its industry sweet spots, energy and mining head Jorge Neher paired up with fellow energy and natural resources specialist Santiago González to advise LNG Holdings on the indirect acquisition of Lewis Energy Group’s oil and gas assets in Colombia, worth $100m. Eduardo Cárdenas and Mauricio Borrero co-head the department and are together held up as ’always attentive, quick to respond, and able to understand client requests’. Managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas divides his practice between banking and finance, and corporate and M&A; he recently advised Toppan Gravity on the acquisition of plastic credit card producer, Hogier Gartner. The group also includes Santiago Miramón, who was promoted to partner in April 2024; María Paula Álvarez, who is associate director of the real estate practice; and commercial law associate director Camila Fernández de Soto.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘From the very first communication up till the acquisition was completed, DCC provided complete guidance with expertise, professionalism, and dedication. In the end, it didn't just handle the legal aspects of the deal; it guided us through complex negotiations and assisted on the implementation of practical solutions.’
  • ‘We highlight the team for Bernardo Cárdenas and Santiago Miramón’s practical approach, rooted in a deep understanding of not only legal matters but the broader business context, which was key throughout the transaction.’
  • ‘We worked with an amazing multidisciplinary team of lawyers, who navigated us through the complexities of our transaction, giving their expert advice in each of their fields. The team is responsive, competent, clear, agile and adaptable in their solutions to us.’
  • ‘We highlight Bernardo Cárdenas, who was always responsive even when he was on holiday and Santiago Miramón, who led the team in the transactional documentation and negotiations — it was so helpful that he has good English, and could understand the nuances of the challenges with the transaction.’
  • ‘The team is very skilled, attentive and diligent. Lawyers are excellent at negotiations and closing, in addition to their depth in document reviews and discussions.’
  • ‘Eduardo Cárdenas and Mauricio Borrero are excellent; they are always attentive, quick to respond, and able to understand client requests. Dentons is very pleasant to work with.’
  • ‘Despite being a firm of great importance in the world, with an extensive infrastructure, the team manages to preserve what, as a client, one wants in any firm: the personalised attention of the hired team without skimping on the time of the project leaders.’
  • ‘The team is characterised by having a clarity that makes it easy to understand legal discussions and the solutions proposed. Working with Camila Fernandez de Soto is very pleasant given that her legal qualities allow everything to be easily understood and, because of this, the solutions proposed are highly useful.’

Key clients

  • Sun Valley Capital
  • Abai Colombia
  • Applus Servicios Tecnológicos
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • TC Transcontinental Packaging
  • Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia (PCR) Investments
  • PIO Puertos Inversiones Y Obras
  • New Stratus Energy
  • Perenco Colombia
  • Minerales Camino Real / Royal Road Minerals.
  • Ambulancias Aéreas De Colombia
  • WSP Colombia
  • LNG Energy Group
  • Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía
  • Upfield
  • Deva Capital Investment Company
  • Fondo De Inversión Colectiva Inmobiliario De Renta Davivienda Corredores
  • Denarius Minerals Corp
  • Western Atlas Resources
  • Rio Tinto Zinc
  • Gran Tierra Energy
  • Aris Mining Corporation
  • Vinccler Corporation
  • Puma Energy Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advised LNG Holdings on the indirect acquisition of Lewis Energy Group's oil and gas assets in Colombia, worth $100m.
  • Advised WIG Latam Holding on the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of O-Tek Internacional, and on the indirect acquisition of O-Tek Mexico and O-Tek Central, and also on the partial acquisition of O-Tek Argentina from Grupo IMSA, totalling $40m.
  • Advised ABAI Colombia on a purchase agreement regarding key assets belonging to Oesía Networks.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Eduardo Cárdenas, Mauricio Borrero