Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico
CARRERA 11A # 96-51
BOGOTA
Colombia

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 3

Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico‘s signature financial-regulation practice handles a significant volume of compliance, banking responsibility and electronic fraud-related matters. Notably, the group handled a string of consumer protection mandates over the past year, with partners frequently appointed to act as a Financial Consumer Ombudsman to support conciliation processes between financial institutions and consumers. Luis Humberto Ustáriz and Jose Federico Ustáriz co-head the department and are highlighted together as ‘true experts in banking, financial litigation and financial regulation‘. Experienced counsel Pablo Valencia is noted for corporate finance, while senior associate Andrés Pineda — who joined the firm in November 2021 from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit — specialises in financial compliance and capital markets. Senior associate Adriana Rivera left in October 2021 for an in-house position at Trii.

Practice head(s):

Luis Humberto Ustáriz; José Federico Ustáriz

Testimonials

It is a very competent and committed firm, which is distinguished by the constant support it provides.’

The team’s up-to-date market knowledge, together with the holistic way it approaches the issues, makes it a very reliable choice.’

The firm is always available to address client concerns and propose creative and disruptive solutions. It stands out from other firms due to the high quality and knowledge of its team members.

Luis Humberto Ustáriz, founding partner, is available 24/7 to assist us. His deep knowledge makes him one of the best lawyers in financial and stock market matters.

It is a young and dynamic team, which allows for better interaction and communication between parties. Compared to other offices, it is a team that generates trust and easy access to lawyers.’

Beyond their professional skills, which are very high, lawyers are also friendly, accessible and always willing to help and provide support. José Federico Ustáriz stands out for his availability.’

The firm is specialised in financial litigation in Colombia, especially in matters of consumer protection before the Financial Superintendence. It is also one of the few teams with expertise in transactional fraud and new technologies.’

Luis Humberto Ustáriz and José Federico Ustáriz are true experts in banking, financial litigation and financial regulation. The firm is a true boutique and is very specialised in the area.

Key clients

Banco Agrario de Colombia

Itaú Corpbanca Colombia

Banco GNB Sudameris

Caja de Auxilios y de Prestaciones de la Asociación Colombiana de Aviadores Civiles

Lulo Bank

Banco Mundo Mujer

Bancoldex

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco Agrario de Colombia on several International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements.
  • Jose Federico Ustáriz was appointed as the Financial Consumer Ombudsman to support Itaú Corpbanca Colombia’s conciliation process with consumers.
  • Represented Caja de Auxilios y de Prestaciones de la Asociación Colombiana de Aviadores Civiles in the negotiation of an ISDA master agreement with Goldman Sachs International.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 3

Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico houses a prominent regulatory practice, which specialises in advising brokers, investment banks and trust companies on compliance issues. Key contact Luis Humberto Ustáriz      brings to bear robust industry experience earned during a string of high-profile in-house roles, including at major financial solutions company, Corporación Financiera Colombiana. Group co-head Jose Federico Ustáriz   is noted for his focus on the financial services and insurance sectors. At associate level, corporate and finance lawyers Pablo Valencia   and Manuel Antonio García  are recommended. Adriana Rivera  left in October 2021 to become legal head at Trii.

Practice head(s):

Luis Humberto Ustáriz; José Federico Ustáriz

Testimonials

‘The team is always ready to collaborate; it is an interdisciplinary group that does an excellent job.’

‘The firm’s greatest characteristics are: it is knowledgeable about regulations, and it knows how to deal with the client and manage the activities assigned to it.’

‘The team of professionals at Ustáriz & Abogados provides an external audit service for Collective Investment Funds — CIFs. We value the team’s closeness, and its understanding of the regulations applicable to CIFs.’

‘It is distinguished by its knowledge of the Colombian capital markets, including the role of the different agents in the public securities market and current regulations.’

‘An excellent law firm; it supports our processes and is clear when responding to queries. Additionally, its platform is good, which allows for dynamic and efficient communication.’

‘The attention the lead partner provides on all the requested issues makes a significant difference’

‘Access to the firm’s staff is very easy. Their responses are prompt and very timely.’

‘Lawyers are very prepared. In particular, Manuel Antonio García is the person with whom we have a direct relationship; he is always very willing to answer any questions that arise.’

Key clients

Citivalores Comisionista de Bolsa

Itaú Comisionista de Bolsa Colombia

Skandia Valores Comisionista de Bolsa

Casa de Bolsa Comisionista de Bolsa

BBVA Valores Comisionista Bolsa

Compass Group Comisionista de Bolsa

BBVA Asset Management

Valores Bancolombia Comisionista de Bolsa

Fiduciaria Bancolombia

Fiduciaria Popular

Work highlights

  • Represented stockbroker Citivalores on regulatory and compliance issues.
  • Advised Itaú Comisionista de Bolsa Colombia on various regulatory and compliance matters.
  • Advised stockbroker Skandia Valores on several regulatory issues.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico is ‘perfectly balanced between institutional robustness and personalised advice', according to sources. In particular, the group draws rave reviews for its financial litigation expertise, with lawyers commended for demonstrating ‘great knowledge and mastery of the topics and issues related to financial law'. The firm routinely represents banks, funds and other fiduciary entities in the full range of contentious matters, including administrative proceedings and collective actions. Co-founding partner Luís Humberto Ustáriz is distinguished by his ‘commitment, knowledge and maintenance of high standards' and is widely hailed as a leader in financial law; he is representing Fiduciaria Bogotá, as the manager of Transatlántico Trust, in a collective action concerning contracts related to a trust that the plaintiff esteems detrimental to the local government in Meta. The team also draws on the experience of director of the litigation practice Angela Restrepo, whose broad litigation experience encompasses administrative, civil and commercial matters. Additionally, co-founding partner and financial regulation expert Jose Federico Ustáriz is well versed in financial defence cases.

Practice head(s):

Luis Humberto Ustáriz

Testimonials

‘The firm has evolved remarkably in terms of dispute resolution and litigation management. The preparation of the cases, the management of the hearings, and the firm personnel in charge of the business makes it a highly reliable firm in the market today.’

‘The leadership of its founding partner Luis Humberto Ustáriz is key; his commitment, knowledge and maintenance of high standards make the firm stand out in this area.’

‘The firm’s extensive experience in financial law and insurance law is a very important combination that is not common to find in this market.’

‘We recommend Luis Humberto Ustáriz, who directly handles important matters that are entrusted to the firm.’

‘It is an advanced firm in the use of new technologies, it is very agile in its responses to our requests, it is flexible in agreeing fee arrangements, lawyers’ constant training ensure they are at the forefront in the analysis of doctrine and jurisprudence. In short, it is perfectly balanced between institutional robustness and personalised advice.’

‘The team is comprised of dedicated, timely professionals, who are very studious and attentive to the bank’s requirements, particularly Luis Humberto Ustáriz and Angela Restrepo. The firm is flexible when setting fees, and equally flexible when making contractual commitments.’

‘The team has a great knowledge and mastery of the topics and issues related to financial law and financial and commercial legislation. It presents bold, creative and real alternatives and options to the problems that are submitted for its consideration.’

‘The people of the firm are integral professionals and we love that they always look for solutions to problems. They are people who maintain strong relationships and that distinguishes them from other firms.’

Key clients

Banco Agrario de Colombia

Fiduciaria Bogotá

Consorcio Beta Oil

Compañía Mundial de Seguros

Fiduciaria la Previsora

Fiduciaria Colpatria

GM Financial Colombia

Banco Davivienda

Mastercol Trading

Scotiabank Colpatria

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco Agrario de Colombia on the recovery of public resources for the construction of subsidised housing.
  • Advised Fiduciaria Bogotá, as the manager of Transatlántico Trust, in a collective action concerning contracts related to a trust that the plaintiff esteems detrimental to the local government in Meta.
  • Represented Patrimonio Autónomo PA PAVIP in an action against a contractor concerning the management of public resources.

Attorneys Luis Humberto Ustáriz Gonzalez and Jose Federico Ustáriz Gonzalez, who have significant experience in legal advice to domestic and foreign companies, established Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico in 2006.

The law firm was founded in the belief that a small group of responsible lawyers may provide legal services of the highest quality to customers. Therefore, the law firm provides personalized attention to its customers in order to meet their legal needs in a comprehensive, efficient and confidential manner

The firm’s team of partners and lawyers are graduates from the most prestigious universities in Colombia and many hold postgraduate law degrees on the major legal areas in Colombia and abroad. They have acquired extensive experience to deal competently with the practice areas in which the law firm practices.

The firm is highly appreciated because of the wide experience of its partners and associates handling financial and capital markets issues as well as financial consumer protection and litigation cases.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Partner Luis Humberto Ustárizejustariz@ustarizabogados.com+57(1)6108161
Partner Jose Federico Ustárizjoseustariz@ustarizabogados.com+57(1)6108161
Partners : 2
Associates : 4
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