Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 1

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas houses a full-service banking and finance practice, which stands out for its comprehensive industry coverage as well as its broad international outlook. With experience acting for lenders and corporate borrowers, the group is a popular choice to advise global and domestic clients on a wide range of financing matters, including subordinated loans, acquisition finance, project finance and structured finance. Managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is a transactional specialist who leverages expertise in both banking and corporate deals; he recently acted as local counsel to First Abu Dhabi Bank, as lender, on two senior secured credit facilities granted to Nugil and JGDB Holding to fund the $1.3bn acquisition of Grupo Nutresa and the $780m acquisition of Grupo Sura. In another bank-side matter, Catalina Pinilla advised Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF), as lender, on $650m worth of unsecured credit facilities provided to Banco de Occidente, Bancoldex, BBVA Colombia and Davivienda. Rounding out the key partners is corporate head Eduardo Cárdenas, who recently advised the lenders (Banco de Occidente, Banco de Bogotá and Corficolombiana) on a project financing of up to COP$550bn to infrastructure concessionaire, Concesión Sabana de Occidente. Pablo Jaramillo, who has a focus on project finance, is also noted. Senior associate Felipe Molano left the firm in February 2023. Since research concluded, the practice has been further strengthened with the hire of next generation partner Felipe Alarcón from Brigard Urrutia - effective as of September 2023.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas houses a leading debt capital markets practice, which is distinguished by its ability to plug into the wider firm’s dominant banking and structured finance groups. On the equity side, the team has extensive experience in share sales and acquisitions. Colombia managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is noted for corporate and finance transactions and has notched up a strong record in representing underwriters on debt issuances. Cárdenas co-heads the department together with high-profile corporate specialist Eduardo Cárdenas and Catalina Pinilla, who splits her practice between banking, finance and capital markets. In February 2023, senior associate Felipe Molano left to join CMS Rodríguez-Azuero.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’s full-service corporate practice routinely advises domestic and multinational clients on M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. With the ability to handle transactions across all key market segments, the team has recorded a significant uptick in activity relating to the mining, real estate and technology spheres of late. Seasoned M&A specialist and department co-head Eduardo Cárdenas brings to bear an impressive CV of involvement in corporate matters, which includes a stint as Microsoft Corporation’s senior regional counsel for Latin America. Mauricio Borrero co-leads the practice and recently advised Upfield Colombia on the acquisition of certain assets in Cali. Jorge Neher spearheads the firm’s energy practice for Latin America and the Caribbean and remains a popular choice for energy and natural resources-related deals; he advised Aris Gold Corporation on a merger process with GCM Mining Corp, under which GCM acquired all the outstanding Aris Gold shares it did not already own. The team also includes managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas, who splits his practice between corporate and M&A, and banking and finance; and energy specialist Santiago González. Key associates include senior Santiago Miramón, who is noted for his growing experience in corporate reorganisations, M&A, and corporate governance issues; and real estate associate director María Paula Álvarez. Associate Felipe Molano left the firm in February 2023.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ energy offering is primarily oriented towards energy transactions, with robust recent experience in M&A, project development and energy financings, among other deals. That being said, the group also handles a significant volume of regulatory work, where it frequently leverages its international platform to shine in advising multinational energy and natural resources companies on their local day-to-day local matters. Among the names to note, Venezuela-qualified Jorge Neher brings to bear significant multi-jurisdictional firepower; he notably leads the energy practice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Neher co-heads the department alongside transactional energy and infrastructure specialist Hernán Rodríguez, finance expert Bernardo Cárdenas, and next generation partner Santiago González. The team also draws on María Margarita Lorduy, who is the associate director of the environmental law practice.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ full-service IP practice acts for an impressive roster of international clients, with its cross-border capability standing as a key asset in multi-jurisdictional work. However, it also acts for a significant share of local companies and it notably manages worldwide IP portfolios for many of Colombia’s most recognisable brands. Department head Luz Helena Adarve handles a mix of patent and trade mark matters for major domestic and foreign clients, including Colombina, AB InBev. and Avianca. Juanita Acosta is also highly regarded for her expertise in trade marks, technology and advertising issues, among others. Senior associate Ana María Ruiz provides specialist practice support.

Colombia > Projects Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ multidisciplinary projects practice strikes a balance between transactional and contentious matters. The group acts for a range of industry participants — including sponsors, construction companies, banks and government entities — with particular activity in the roads, rail, airports, ports and energy sectors. Up-and-coming projects partner Pablo Jaramillo spearheads the group and is recommended for his transactional focus, with experience in the structuring, finance, and development of projects. Ximena Zuleta is the key contact on administrative and public law side and specialises in bidding processes and public contracts. Banking and finance partners Bernardo Cárdenas and Catalina Pinilla are also noted. In June 2022, associate Laura Streubel left to study abroad.

Colombia > Public law Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas finds favour for its ‘experienced and well co-ordinated team,’ which advises domestic and multinational companies on a range of bidding processes, government contracts, sanction proceedings, and related issues. The group also stands out for its ability to draw on the wider firm’s project practice for support on transactional matters. The ‘very methodical but also very practical’, Ximena Zuleta spearheads the department and advises on administrative law, government procurement and projects, including litigation. Other key contacts include public law litigator Andrés Fernández de Soto and projects head Pablo Jaramillo, while associate Nicolás Díaz supports on projects-related work. Associate Laura Streubel left to study abroad in June 2022.

Colombia > Tax Tier 2

Among Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ main attributes, it stands out for its ability to draw on the wider firm’s global network for support on cross-border tax matters, which is a key advantage for multinational clients. A strong performer in transactional tax, including corporate, finance, and capital markets-related work, the team also routinely advises on tax litigation. Experienced sector specialist Camilo Cortés covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious tax law, with a focus on tax planning, advisory, and transaction structuring. Cortés co-heads the department together with Carmen Sanabria, who handles tax litigation and advisory matters; and transactional tax partner Ernesto Lopez. Senior associate Nathalie Medina provides capable support.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Distinguished by its formidable global platform, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas maintains a strong pipeline of merger review work, where it frequently advises on the Colombian competition aspects of cross-border M&A. The group also provides ongoing advice to several multinational corporations on day-to-day compliance and training matters, including Autodesk and BASF Química Colombiana. Key contact Ximena Zuleta is a litigator who steers both the public law and competition departments. Senior associate María Paula Macías splits her time between the corporate and M&A, and the competition and antitrust practices.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ dispute resolution practice stands out for its ability to plug into the wider firm’s global network, which ensures it is routinely selected to represent multinational clients in domestic and cross-border disputes. Combining skill sets in commercial and administrative litigation, the team handles contentious matters involving many of Colombia’s key economic sectors, including recent activity in the energy, infrastructure, agroindustry, telecoms, technology, and food and drink spheres. Group co-head Andrés Fernández de Soto is an experienced litigator with a focus on commercial and public law disputes; he is representing the Colombian branch of FCC Construcción in administrative proceedings for patrimonial reparation initiated by Colombia’s Comptroller General. The team also includes: Ximena Zuleta, whose practice spans public law, competition, and dispute resolution; department co-head Paula Vejarano, who was promoted to director in July 2022; and senior associate Carlos Miranda, who advises on dispute resolution, and restructuring and insolvency. In January 2023,  associate Daniel Jimenez Pastor left for beverage company, Postobón

Colombia > Environment Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ team is well versed in environmental law matters relating to the energy, mining, hydrocarbons, infrastructure, and manufacturing industries, among others. With experience across the full range of permitting, project development, administrative procedures, and due diligence-related issues, practice director María Margarita Lorduy is fully equipped to support domestic and multinational clients on their local environmental law needs. Natural resources co-head Hernán Rodríguez also advises on environmental law matters, with a focus on the mining and minerals sphere.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ interdisciplinary life sciences group sits within the firm’s wider regulatory law practice and focuses on IP, sanitary registrations, health permits,and other regulatory matters. Distinguished by its ability to plug into its extensive international network, the team is a popular choice to advise multinational clients, including companies in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food and beverage sectors. The department is led jointly by Luz Helena Adarve — who also heads the intellectual property, and privacy and cybersecurity practices — and Juanita Acosta, who specialises in  IP, privacy, and consumer protection. Since research concluded, the practice has been strengthened with the September 2023 hire of former Posse Herrera Ruiz senior associate Mónica Bonnett as a partner

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 4

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ arbitration practice benefits from the Bogotá-based team’s ability to draw on its formidable global platform to resource international cases. However, the group is also routinely engaged on domestic proceedings. In an example of its work in the latter sphere, department co-head Andrés Fernández de Soto acted for Integral in a domestic arbitration related to the execution of a share purchase agreement. Fellow co-head Paula Vejarano was promoted from senior associate to litigation and arbitration director in August 2022 and brings to bear significant first-chair experience in both international and domestic arbitration cases.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

A strong performer in corporate support work, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas utilises its full-service model and extensive international network to shine in advising multinational companies on M&A-related issues, corporate restructurings and local litigation proceedings. Department head Lorena Arámbula provides support on advisory and contentious labour and employment matters; she also brings to bear significant transactional expertise due to her active corporate and commercial practice. In August 2022, senior associate Laura Mateus was promoted to director of the labour practice; she advises on labour, social security and immigration law.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 4

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ real estate team finds favour for its ‘deep knowledge of national and municipal regulations’. Acting for a range of industry participants — including domestic and international investors, developers, occupants and lenders — the group is particularly well versed in transactional work, but is also equipped to handle regulatory matters. Corporate head Eduardo Cárdenas oversees a practice that also draws on tax partner Camilo Cortés and María Paula Álvarez, who was promoted to real estate practice director in April 2022.

Colombia > TMT Tier 5

The TMT team at Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas is closely aligned with its IP offering, while it also demonstrates strong skill sets in data protection and privacy issues. Luz Helena Adarve heads both the IP and technology, and the privacy and cybersecurity practices, and has extensive experience in data protection and data management. Juanita Acosta is also a key contact for data protection; notably, she is the regional leader of the firm’s Latin America TMT group. Senior associate Rocío Ruíz provides support.

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia