Juan Felipe Vera > Cuatrecasas > Bogotá, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Cuatrecasas’ team is lauded by sources for its ‘in-depth knowledge and experience’ coupled with its ‘direct and personalised service’. Following the international firm’s Bogotá launch in January 2021, its corporate offering has risen to become a key contender for major deals in Colombia, particularly in the energy and infrastructure spheres. In response to its growing market presence, the team boosted its senior firepower in December 2022 with the hire of Felipe Mariño from Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA); he brings a strong record in real estate, energy, and infrastructure-related work. Juan Felipe Vera continues to lead the department and maintains a broad transactional practice that spans M&A, private equity and real estate; he recently advised Bancolombia Banca de Inversión on its joint venture with Celsia to create an investment platform to develop solar generation projects. The practice also draws on several impressive associates including seniors Carolina Trejos Robledo and Fabio Ardila, as well as intermediate Andrés Felipe Saldarriaga. Principal associate Pablo Martínez left in August 2022 to study abroad.

Cuatrecasas is a significant player in Latin America thanks to its offices in Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Chile. Alongside its growing teams in these jurisdictions it has a substantial group of Latin America-facing practitioners in Iberia and New York. It is among the most prolific advisers on Latin America transactions, excluding Brazil. Along with a range of local transactions, the firm has extensive experience in cross-border deals, including private equity investments and exits. In January 2023, the firm absorbed Mexican four-partner firm Rico, Robles, Libenson, S.Cl into its local Mexico office and wider Latin America team – which  remains best known for operations in the energy and infrastructure, healthcare and retail sectors. Alfonso Ugarte transferred from Santiago to New York in 2022 to head the Latin America M&A, finance and special situations practice in North America. He joined an established Latin America-facing M&A team there, including Antonio Baena and Diego Pérez-Yarza; Baena recently advised Patria on the sale of Odata, the local company that operates a network of data centres in Latin America. Alfonso Reina led the launch of the Bogota office before returning to Madrid where he continues to have a strong focus on cross-border M&A in Colombia. Peru-based Oscar Trelles is head of the Latin America M&A and private equity practice and has a fine record in cross-border transactions, including intra-regional deals. Chile’s Roberto Guerrero V, Colombia-based Juan Felipe Vera and Santiago Ferrer in Mexico City are also key partners.