Dr Álvaro Mantilla Padilla > Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

A first port of call for judicial proceedings involving public law elements, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados stands out for ‘its specific knowledge, concrete experience and practical knowledge’. The boutique’s signature strength in projects and administrative law is reflected in its long-term relationships with major construction, infrastructure and energy clients; it is currently advising Estudios y Proyectos del Sol (EPISOL), Drummond Coal Mining and Cerrejón Zona Norte -among others- on litigation cases. Paula Andrea Ramos co-heads the litigation and arbitration practice and represents government entities, multinational corporations and banks in contentious matters; she recently acted for EPISOL in a direct reparation proceeding initiated by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI). Other names to note include former Attorney General Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, who is acting alongside Ramos to represent Cerrejón Zona Norte in a $1bn environmental and indigenous rights class action; next-generation partner Carlos Alberto Manzano, who co-heads the department; and senior partner Álvaro Mantilla, who is well versed in both judicial and arbitral disputes. Additional associate support is provided by Juan Felipe Cornejo, who specialises in litigation and IP. Former dispute resolution associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda recently relocated to the infrastructure department.

Lawyers at infrastructure and public law boutique Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados are valued for their ‘capacity for analysis, creativity and consideration’, according to some. The group is distinguished by its focus on representing the full range of project stakeholders, including public-sector entities, concessionaires and construction companies, on the structuring, procurement and performance of contracts. It is particularly active in toll-road concessions, where it leverages a formidable record in handling projects across all five generations of Colombia’s road infrastructure initiatives. Among the names to note, senior partner Álvaro Mantilla is a go-to expert for public contracts and procurement matters, as well as complex project-related disputes. He is acting alongside fellow projects specialist, Álvaro Mantilla Sánchez, to advise Coviandina on its public-private partnership (PPP) contract with the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) regarding the road corridor connecting the southern part of Colombia with Bogotá. Administrative law partner Yady Villaquirán Castro also has a significant projects dimension to her practice and advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN) on the structuring of the Ranchería-San Juan del Cesar and Triángulo del Tolima irrigation districts. The group also includes senior associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda, who impresses with his ‘willingness to serve the client’s team’; and transport specialist Diana Marcela Díaz, an August 2023 hire from the Cámara Colombiana de la Infraestructura. Associate Julián González Torres departed in July 2023, as did Ramón Enrique Ramírez in January 2024.

Hailed by clients for its ‘extensive experience in the concessions sector in Colombia’, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados’s arbitration offering reflects the wider firm’s dominance in projects and public law. In particular, the team is a first port of call for concessionaires looking to bring disputes against ANI, with its recent cases in this sphere spanning economic imbalance, insurance coverage and concession agreement violations, among other issues. Paula Andrea Ramos is recommended for her ‘transparent dialogue’ and co-heads the department together with up-and-coming disputes specialist Carlos Alberto Manzano, who can ‘easily understand the technical characteristics that underpin conflict resolution’. Ramons and Manzano recently partnered up to represent Concesionaria Vial de los Andes (Coviandes) in arbitration proceedings against ANI seeking to collect higher costs for contract contingencies. Other key contacts include eminent public law expert Carlos Gustavo Arrieta Padilla; senior partner and high-profile infrastructure specialist Álvaro Mantilla; and prolific associate Juan Felipe Cornejo, who supports on dispute resolution and insurance work. In November 2023, senior associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda relocated from the dispute resolution group to the infrastructure practice.