Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico is a first port of call for banks and financial services clients in contentious matters and one client attests, ‘there is no other team in Colombia with its specialty in handling bank fraud litigation’. Alongside fraud-related disputes, the group attracts praise for its adept handling of financial consumer law litigation and trust litigation, among other financial law matters. The group is also increasingly active outside of its niche, as evidenced by a growing volume of cases involving construction, real estate and corporate conflicts. Department head Luís Humberto Ustáriz is highlighted as ’above outstanding for banking litigation’; he recently represented Mundial de Seguros in a $14.3m claim filed by the trust Fondo de Financiamiento de la Infraestructura Educativa (FFIE) related to the construction of educational institutions in Colombia. The group also benefits from the support of Angela Restrepo, who serves as associate director of the dispute resolution practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘There is no other team in Colombia with its specialty in handling bank fraud litigation. It is the best by far in this area. It has the best technology and personnel in Colombia.’

  • ‘The firm's team is characterised by its constant updating on the issues in which it defends the interests of the bank. It also stands out for its commitment, availability, and the technological resources it utilises for this work.’

  • ‘Lawyers are differentiated by their marked proximity to clients and their availability. Luis Humberto Ustáriz is above outstanding for banking litigation, due to his knowledge of the issues and strong professionalism.’

  • ‘Excellent and very capable lawyers, especially in relation to litigation specialising in financial consumer protection. They are recursive and very agile in their response.’

  • ‘Luis Humberto Ustáriz is a renowned lawyer in the field of commercial and financial law, with deep knowledge in the field of consumer law and contractual and extra-contractual civil liability. He is very studious and very accurate when issuing concepts about legal risks.’

  • ‘We engage this firm for its technical knowledge of financial law. Lawyers stand out for their agility, understanding of needs and technical knowledge.’

Key clients

  • Banco Popular
  • Mundial De Seguros
  • Banco Davivienda
  • Financiera Juriscoop
  • Consorcio Betaoil
  • Fiduciaria Bogotá
  • Banco Caja Social
  • Fiduciaria La Previsora
  • Fiduciaria Colpatria
  • Fts Desarrollos Inmobiiliarios
  • Coninsa Ramón H

Work highlights

  • Representing Fiduciaria Colpatria in disputes concerning the real estate project, Verano Mall.
  • Representing Banco Davivienda in different processes related to electronic fraud.
  • Representing Banco Agrario de Colombia in various contentious proceedings.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Luis Humberto Ustáriz