The ‘very comprehensive' arbitration practice at Posse Herrera Ruiz strikes the right note with sources for consistently committing the ‘maximum effort in satisfying the needs of its clients'. The sizeable 12-lawyer-strong group represents local and international clients on a mix of domestic and international arbitration, including commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and arbitral award enforcement proceedings. Among the names to note, Daniel Posse is recommended for his ‘enormous experience in dealing with judicial and arbitration processes‘; he led the firm’s advice to the members of the CCC Ituango consortium in an arbitration against Empresas Públicas de Medellín concerning liability for the collapse of the auxiliary diversion gallery of the Ituango Hydroelectric Project. Posse co-heads the department alongside Carolina Posada, who ‘integrates very well into work teams' and has notched up an impressive record of cases in the construction, energy and defence spheres. The practice also fields an impressive second line of younger lawyers, with senior associate Estefania Ponce standing out for her marked focus on arbitration — notably, she is qualified in Colombia, New York and Paris. Additionally, sources highlight senior associate Laura Vengoechea (‘a good legal command of the issues'), associate Natalia Tobón (‘technically impeccable'), and associate Daniela Corchuelo (‘great knowledge in procedural matters'). Senior associate María Isabel Osorio and associate Alejandro Casas also provide capable support.

Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados‘ arbitration unit sits as part of its wider litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution practice. Particularly recognised for its emphasis on construction arbitrations (in line with firm’s signature infrastructure strength), the team also has experience in the energy, technology and financial services spheres. Seasoned veteran Carlos Gustavo Arrieta Padilla currently serves as the Agent of the Republic of Colombia before the International Court of Justice and enjoys a strong profile for contentious matters; he is particularly recommended for mining, energy and public law-related cases. Also a senior figure, Paula Andrea Ramos is widely hailed for her record in infrastructure arbitrations; she recently represented Concesionaria Panamericana in arbitration proceedings against the Instituto de Infraestructura y Concesiones de Cundinamarca (ICCU), connected to the operation and maintenance of certain road routes. The group also incudes senior partner Álvaro Mantilla and Carlos Alberto Manzano, who both co-lead the practice together with Arrieta Padilla and Ramos. Associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda is also noted for his focus on domestic and international arbitration disputes.

Brigard Urrutia houses a comprehensive arbitration practice, which plugs into the wider firm’s full-service offering to advise on domestic and international arbitrations across all core industry sectors. That said, the team’s busy caseload reflects its particularly strong record in the construction, energy and public sector arenas, where it routinely acts for both major Colombian and multinational clients. Department head Irma Rivera Ramírez has a broad disputes practice and spearheads both the litigation, arbitration and insolvency group and the insurance and reinsurance team. On the arbitration front, Rivera has notched up key roles in major arbitrations for both national and foreign clients. The group also benefits from the experience of newly made-up partner Felipe Mutis, who has supported on several construction and concession-related arbitration cases of late. Key associates include María Victoria Munevar, Camilo Valenzuela (who joined from Lloreda Camacho & Co. in September 2021) and Ana Carolina Abreo — all advise on a mix of litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Chemás & Asociados‘ marked focus on the transport, energy, telecoms and infrastructure sectors continues to pay dividends, with the firm remaining a top choice to represent clients in claims against the National Infrastructure Agency, the National Roads Institute and the Regulation Commission, among other public entities. The boutique firm enjoys close relationships with both Colombian and foreign clients and makes regular appearances at both domestic and international arbitration tribunals. Founding partner Jorge Eduardo Chemás has nearly four decades of experience, which includes a three-year stint as Legal Counsel to the Presidency of the Colombian Republic. Chemás recently teamed up with junior partner Sergio Alejandro Chemás Vélez to represent Centro de Gerenciamiento de Residuos Doña Juana in its $400m claim against Unidad Administrativa Especial de Servicios Públicos, relating to a concession contract for a waste treatment plant. Ingrid Soraya Ortiz, who co-leads the department alongside the aforementioned partners, also has strong arbitration experience. Associate Manuela Sossa Sánchez  is noted for her focus on public procurement arbitrations.

Standing out for its ‘deep knowledge and availability‘, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) also finds favour with sources for its ‘legal excellence in multiple fields and excellent client service‘. The group has broad experience in arbitration cases, particularly domestic commercial arbitrations, where its lawyers have been involved in over 200 cases — its lawyers have also secured key roles in 13 international commercial arbitrations. Department director David Ricardo Araque is commended by clients for his active involvement in cases and possesses a strong record in matters relating to the construction, insurance, energy and commercial distribution fields, among others. He recently represented Cine Colombia in a $5m arbitration against Construcciones Planificadas related to a lease agreement. The group also benefits from the senior expertise of counsel William Araque, who has over 40 years’ disputes experience. Among its key associates, Loredana De Trizio, who ‘cares deeply about understanding the issues‘, and Samuel Hernández Lizarazu, are recommended at senior level; while intermediate associates Alfonso Linares Durán and María Valentina Díaz also provide capable support. Additionally, in September 2021, the department welcomed two new lawyers: highly rated senior associate Felipe González Arrieta joined from Suescún Abogados, while associate Marcela Lesmes joined from the Superintendence of Corporations.

Lawyers at Holland & Knight score highly with sources due to their ‘knowledge, dedication, generosity and understanding‘. The Bogotá office of the Florida-headquartered firm has a thriving arbitration practice, which is best known for its reputation in representing multinational clients in commercial and investment arbitrations. Following the March 2022 departure of former department head Alberto Zuleta-Londoño, executive partner Enrique Gómez-Pinzón now steers the team. Gómez-Pinzón, whose practice is split between Bogotá and Washington DC, handles a range of cross-border  transactions and international arbitration cases; notably he has participated in international investor arbitrations against Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panamá and Honduras. Energy specialist Jose Vicente Zapata is also a key member of the arbitration practice and has a focus on environment, energy and natural resources-related disputes. The group also leans on the experience of senior counsel Juan Casallas, who is recognised for his record in commercial, constitutional and administrative law matters, and associate Estefanny Pardo, who is noted for environmental law and energy disputes. Since publication, Casallas has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

At Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, lawyers ‘demonstrate total commitment' and provide ‘comprehensive support', according to sources. The arbitration practice leverages the firm’s robust international network — which encompasses on-the-ground teams in Chile and Peru as well as a formal alliance with Uría Menéndez — to form a formidable offering in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Department co-head Hector Hernandez handles the full range of contentious matters and clients say, ‘his experience brings great peace of mind'; he has advised on a string of domestic and international arbitrations over the past year, including cases concerning the transport, energy and infrastructure sectors. Julio César González co-heads the practice and is also well-equipped to handle domestic and international arbitrations, with a strong recent record in energy and construction cases. Dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) principal associate Juan Sebastián Arias is noted for his ‘simple explanations and ability to provide clear advice'; he has a strong focus on arbitration. Principal associates Santiago Cruz Mantilla and Alejandra Gómez also frequently support the practice.

Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados' signature strength in projects and public law translates into a thriving arbitration practice that specialises in infrastructure-related disputes. The boutique firm has a solid track record in large-scale cases and is routinely called upon by Colombian and multinational construction companies and concessionaires to advise on domestic and international arbitrations. Disputes head José Ignacio Leiva is particularly recognised for public transport and procurement-related matters; he recently represented Metrobus in arbitral proceedings against Transmilenio stemming from the liquidation of a concession contract. Projects and infrastructure specialist Marcela Castro is also a key contact. Associates Natalia Uribe and  Laura Amaya provide support.

The ‘excellent interdisciplinary team‘ at DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán is ‘trustworthy, transparent and professional‘, according to sources. The practice secures a particularly high percentage of domestic arbitrations — though it also possesses significant international arbitration experience — with an emphasis on the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors. Managing partner Camilo Martínez handles the full array of contentious matters and represents Colombian and multinational companies in arbitration proceedings — both domestic and international. Other senior names include José Miguel Mendoza, who specialises in shareholder disputes. Additionally, Sergio Rojas, who focuses on liability disputes, and domestic arbitration expert Julian Solorza, were both promoted to partner in January 2022. Key support is provided by director of international arbitration Ricardo Alarcón and associate Sergio Londoño.

Public law specialist Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos has a focus on domestic arbitration. Its activity in this area was recently evidenced by its advice to Fondo para el Financiamiento del Sector Agropecuario (FINAGRO) in six arbitral proceedings related to the breach of a management contract concerning several reforestation projects with Forestal Monterrey Colombia — public law partners Felipe Piquero and Adriana Nieto handled that work. The dispute resolution department is co-led by Piquero together with former Minister of Justice Juan Carlos Esguerra and Andrés Jaramillo Hoyos.

Regulated industries specialist Lloreda Camacho & Co. utilises its close relationships with life sciences, telecoms and energy companies to excel in advising on arbitrations pertaining to these spheres. Department head Gustavo Tamayo is highly regarded for his telecoms expertise and is notably representing América Móvil’s local subsidiary, Comcel, in a long-running case against Empresa de Telefónos de Bogotá concerning interconnection charges. Christian Pérez Rueda is associate director of the litigation, insolvency and insurance groups and has a growing profile for insurance-related cases. Senior associate Camilo Valenzuela left the firm in September 2021.

According to sources, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas demonstrates ‘strong legal knowledge and understanding' in its handling of arbitration cases. The group is noted for its experience in both domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings; in terms of the latter, its ability to plug into the wider firm’s extensive global network is a significant asset. Department head Andrés Fernández de Soto acts as both arbitral counsel and arbitrator and brings over 35 years' experience to his role. Senior associate Paula Vejarano, who is a listed arbitrator for both the Cali and Medellín Chambers’ of Commerce, is also a key contact.

New entrant to the ranking, Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados leverages its top-tier positions in projects and public law to garner a steady stream of infrastructure-related arbitrations. Clients are drawn from both the private and public sectors, with Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and the National Roads Institute (INVIAS) both on the department’s books. Managing partner Jorge Gabriel Taboada  is recommended for his expertise in disputes with a significant public law dimension. Junior associates Sofía Leguizamón  and Camila Angulo  provide specialist dispute resolution support.

Garrigues‘s arbitration practice is well versed in all key industry segments but is arguably best known for its experience in construction-related disputes. Department head Alberto Acevedo has over 15 years' experience in contentious work and is equipped to advise on both national and international arbitrations; notably, he is also qualified in New York, which is an asset in multi-jurisdictional cases. Senior associate Ángela María Rueda is an increasingly prominent member of the team and is particularly recommended for cases with a public law element.