Carlos Umaña
Brigard UrrutiaValued for its ‘legal rigour and specialised knowledge in public law’, Brigard Urrutia excels in linking the public and private sectors in the context of large public projects. The full-service team is equipped to advise on the full range of matters but it is primarily recognised for its skill sets in procurement, project structuring and administrative litigation, where it acts for a mix of state and semi-state entities and commercial clients. Seasoned specialist Carlos Umaña handles a broad scope of public law matters, with an emphasis on infrastructure and public procurement; he recently advised (as part of a multi-firm group) state development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, on the structuring of Bogota’s Second Metro Line project. Infrastructure and public utilities specialist, Claudia Navarro, is also a key contact. The department additionally draws on a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, whose practice focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and associates Rafael Cifuentes and Mariana Maya, who both sit in the infrastructure and public utilities group. Former director Julián Parra left the firm to move in house at ZEmobility in September 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Its knowledge of the sector, which includes legal, commercial, financial and technical knowledge, generates more comprehensive advice with greater value for us than other firms. Likewise, the availability and personalised attention with which it serves the client is a plus.’
‘Lawyers possess excellent capabilities and excellent customer service skills; they stand out for their knowledge of the sector. We make special mention of the work done by Julián Parra, Rafael Cifuentes and Mariana Maya.’
‘We value the team for its legal rigour and specialised knowledge in public law.’
‘A solid internal team with extensive experience, which integrates not only public law but also its impact on other matters of interest to the client.’
Key clients
- Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN)
- Sinovac Group
- Puerta de Oro Empresa de Desarrollo Caribe
- Aguas de Cartagena
- Ciudad Limpia
- Cobre Minerals
- Concesión Santa Marta Paraguachón
- BMO Sur (owned in equal parts by Fanalca and Transdev)
- Concesionaria Férrea de Occidente (controlled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation)
- Metro Línea 1
- CRRC Changchun Do Brasil Railway Equipamentos & Serviços
- Oleoducto Bicentenario
- Consorcio Cable Móvil
- ZMO Fontibón III and ZMO Fontibón V (owned in equal parts by Fanalca and Transdev)
- Green Móvil P6 and Green Móvil P17 (owned in equal parts by Fanalca and Transdev)
- BMO Sur (a company owned in equal parts by Fanalca and Transdev)
- Concesión Costera Cartagena Barranquilla
- China Harbour Engineering Company Colombia, Beijing Enterprises Water Group and Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co
- Concesión Perimetral Oriental de Bogotá
Work highlights
- Selected by state development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN), to form part of the group advising on the structuring of Bogota’s Second Metro Line project.
- Advised FDN, alongside Garrigues, on legal studies and designs at the pre-feasibility level for the reactivation of the Pacific Rail Corridor from Buenaventura Port and its connection to the Central Rail Corridor.
- Advised Sinovac Group — integrated by Sinovac Biotech, Sinovac (Dalian) Vaccine Technology and Sinovac Life Sciences Co — on its successful participation in the public tender to be selected as a strategic partner of vaccine development centre, BogotáBio.
Lawyers
Leading partners
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carlos Umaña, Claudia Navarro, Julián Parra, Mario Forero