Lexia Abogados

LITIGATION & ARBITRATION / INSURANCE & REINSURANCE / BUSINESS LAW

José Fernando Torres Fernández de Castro is the Founding Partner and head of the litigation and arbitration practice at Lexia Abogados. With over 40 years of experience, he is recognized as a leading authority in insurance law and complex dispute resolution in Colombia.

He holds a law degree with honors from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and has completed specialized international programs at UC Berkeley and The Wharton School. His career includes executive positions at major insurance companies (Colseguros, Seguros Colmena) and as Administrative Vice President of Bavaria S.A. (1991-2001).

He has been an arbitrator on the "A" list of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce since 2003, having presided over landmark cases in the financial and insurance sectors. His international experience includes appointment as sole arbitrator by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

He has advised leading national and international insurers, reinsurers, and brokers, and is an active member of the Colombian Association of Insurance Law (ACOLDESE). His profound knowledge of the insurance industry and extensive professional network position him as a reference in strategic litigation and arbitration in Colombia.

José Fernando Torres Fernández de Castro graduated with honors from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 1980. He has developed a distinguished career across corporate and legal sectors, with key executive positions including:

• Administrative Vice President at Bavaria S.A. (1991-2001) • Vice President at Colseguros (now Allianz Colombia) (1987-1991) • President of Fiduciaria Colmena S.A. (1987) • Vice President at Seguros Colmena S.A. (1983-1986) • Legal Vice President at Fasecolda (1977-1982)

His board experience is remarkably extensive, spanning multiple industries:

In the insurance and financial sector: He has served on boards of Mundial de Seguros S.A. (since 2005), Multibank S.A. (2008-2020), Ace Seguros S.A. (2003-2005), Porvenir Pension Fund (2001-2002), Colseguros (1999-2001), La Nacional de Seguros (1992-1996), Invercrédito S.A. (1987-1997), and various other financial institutions.

In the industrial and telecommunications sector: His directorships include Laboratorios Vogue S.A. (2009-2013), Sofasa S.A. (1998-1999), Celumóvil de Colombia (1996-1999), Aluminio Reynolds Santo Domingo (multiple periods between 1991-2000), and several companies in Ecuador including Compañía de Cervezas Nacionales C.A. (1996-2001).

In the public sector: He served as Presidential Delegate on the board of Servicios Postales Nacionales S.A. (2007-2015).

Since 2003, he has been an "A" list arbitrator at the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, handling significant national arbitration cases and serving as sole arbitrator in an international arbitration appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

He is an active member of the Colombian Association of Insurance Law (ACOLDESE) and was previously Financial Consumer Ombudsman for Bolívar Insurance Group (2003-2019).

Spanish

• Law Degree with Honors - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (1980), with academic distinction for thesis project • Specialization in Labor Law - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (1976) • General Insurance Course - Swiss Insurance Training Centre, Zurich (1986) • Strategic Human Resources Administration and Organizational Change - University of California, Berkeley (1997) • Management Program - The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1999) • Advanced Negotiation Course - University of California, Berkeley (2000) • Negotiation Course - taught by William Ury • Conciliation in Law Diploma - Bogotá Chamber of Commerce (2010)