Brigard Urrutia’s projects team stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, which ensures that it can turn its hand to any aspect of a project on behalf of any key stakeholder. Arguably best known for project finance prowess — where it can lean on recognised experts in the field, such as managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez — the team also brings extensive expertise in energy, public utilities, corporate transactions and dispute resolution, among other areas. Among its project finance highlights, high-profile finance specialist César Felipe Rodríguez advised AMP Capital Investors US and Enel Colombia on financing the acquisition of electric public transportation buses from BYD Auto Industry Company (China) to TransMilenio. In a non-finance matter, Carlos Umaña advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional on pre-feasibility studies connected to the reactivation of the Pacific Rail Corridor. Other senior contacts include managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who excels in project finance; Claudia Navarro, whose practice spans energy, infrastructure and public utilities; and banking and finance partner María Fernanda Diago. The department further benefits from a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, who focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and senior associate Nicolás Alonso, who sits in the banking and financial services team. Senior associate Felipe Alarcon left in June 2023; while former director Julián Parra moved in house at ZEmobility in September 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Brigard Urrutia projects team is committed to providing the best service to users by keeping an eye on missing documents, giving accurate legal opinions and being in constant contact with the client.’

  • ‘One of the main strengths of the team is that its lawyers have extensive knowledge of the subject and the applicability of the different regulations.’

Key clients

  • Bancolombia
  • Caribbean Financial Group Partners
  • Gramercy
  • Citibank Colombia
  • Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional
  • Banco de Bogotá
  • QNT
  • Latam Airlines Colombia
  • Finkargo
  • ZMP Fontibón
  • Ecopetrol
  • Itaú Corpbanca Colombia
  • AES Colombia
  • Grupo Lamosa
  • Blackrock
  • Elecnorte
  • Perimetral Oriental de Bogotá
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • Fiduciaria Scotiabank Colpatria
  • Termonorte
  • KMA Construcciones
  • Odinsa
  • Scotiabank Colpatria
  • Promigas
  • Grupo Ortiz
  • Matrix Renewables
  • Celsia
  • Solarpack
  • Concesión del Sisga
  • Enel Colombia
  • Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce
  • Total Eren
  • BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Colombia
  • Desarrollo Vial al Mar
  • Unión Vial Camino del Pacífico
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank
  • Atlas Renewable Energy
  • Autopistas del Nordeste
  • Carmet Medellín

Work highlights

  • Advised AMP Capital Investors US and Enel Colombia on financing the acquisition of electric public transportation buses from BYD Auto Industry Company (China) to TransMilenio.
  • Advised the Bank of China (Panama Branch) and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on providing a $230m revolving construction financing to Metro Línea 1 for the design, construction and development of Bogotá’s first metro line.
  • Advised Concesión Transversal del Sisga, and its sponsors, on a $235m refinancing for the Transversal del Sisga project.

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.
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.

Carlos Fradique-Méndez, Carlos Umaña, César Felipe Rodríguez, Claudia Navarro, Maria Fernanda Diago, Mario Alejandro Forero, Carlos Urrutia, Julián Parra