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

Leveraging its premier offerings in public law and projects, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados specialises in representing its impressive roster of concessionaire clients on construction disputes against the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), and other public bodies. The group is also less frequently involved in international arbitrations, where it has a focus on representing multinational clients on procurement and public law-related cases. Paula Andrea Ramos co-heads the overarching litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution department and is widely recognised for her strong record in the infrastructure, public procurement, energy and telecoms’ spheres. Among her recent cases, Ramos represented Concesionaria Nueva Via Al Mar (Covimar) in arbitration proceedings seeking to obtain the termination of an infrastructure project contract. Fellow practice co-head Carlos Alberto Manzano is also noted for his emphasis on infrastructure-related disputes. The group additionally draws on the broad expertise of seasoned public law expert Carlos Gustavo Arrieta Padilla and high-profile litigator Álvaro Mantilla. Associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda provides capable support on both judicial and arbitral proceedings.

A leading public law and projects boutique, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados fields a ‘comprehensive and very committed team’ in the litigation area. Particularly noted for its premier expertise in ‘dispute resolution involving public law, especially in areas such as first generation concessions’, the practice routinely advises on contentious matters connected to the infrastructure, energy, and transport spheres. Additionally, the firm handles a significant volume of commercial and corporate litigation cases. Dispute resolution co-head Paula Andrea Ramos is widely recognised as one of the leading litigators in the market; she continues to act alongside high-profile public-law veteran Carlos Gustavo Arrieta to represent Cerrejón Zona Norte in a $1bn constitutional action concerning its open-pit coal mine. Carlos Alberto Manzano co-leads the department and provides ‘expert advice’, according to sources; he teamed up with Ramos to successfully represent the Concesionaria Vial del Pacífico (Covipacífico) consortium in a breach of contract dispute. Other key contacts include senior projects expert Álvaro Mantilla and dispute resolution-focused associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda, who provides ‘effective support’.

Public law and projects powerhouse, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados scores highly for its lawyers’ ability to ‘analyse the issues from various perspectives’. The team handles a range of energy and natural resources-related work, but it is primarily focused on the mining sector, where it has extensive experience in advising national and foreign companies on regulatory, judicial and administrative proceedings. A former Attorney Inspector General of Colombia, Carlos Gustavo Arrieta is widely recognised as a force in contentious public law matters. Yady Villaquirán, who is recommended for her ‘personal touch, disposition and professionalism’ co-heads the practice alongside Arrieta.

The highly regarded public law team at Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados impresses sources with its ‘creativity and analytical capacity to suggest actions and solutions’. The full-service group shines in all key areas of public law, with strong skill sets in transactional work, including infrastructure projects, as well as complex disputes and regulatory issues. Widely recognised as a reference in the area, department co-head Carlos Gustavo Arrieta is routinely sought after by public entities, and domestic and multinational companies to advise on judicial and arbitral proceedings. Fellow co-head Yady Villaquirán is an ‘exceptional professional’, who specialises in constitutional law, administrative law, infrastructure projects and mining law. Associate Santiago Cardona is additionally recommended for his growing profile in public law and energy and natural resources-related work.