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

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.

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 Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados ‘provide a perfect combination between the legal and the technical’, according to clients. The group leverages the wider firm’s public law firepower to excel in advising energy and natural resources companies on administrative law proceedings. Arguably best known for its work in the mining sphere, where it advises longstanding clients Carbones del Cerrejón, Drummond and Cerro Matoso on various public law, regulatory and contentious issues, the team also handles electricity and hydrocarbons-related work. Public law veteran Carlos Gustavo Arrieta provides ‘excellent analysis and practical solutions’ and co-heads the department alongside Yady Villaquirán, who oversees the mining law area.

According to satisfied clients, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados’ ‘knowledge of the public law area is total’. Recognised by many as a destination practice for the full range of public law disputes, public contracts, procurement matters and regulatory work, the team counts concessionaires, government departments, banks and major corporations among its key clients. A go-to specialist in the public law field, Carlos Gustavo Arrieta contributes extensive experience in arbitral, judicial and administrative law proceedings, where he represents an array of public sector entities and domestic and multinational companies. He recently represented the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the International Court of Justice in a maritime dispute with Nicaragua. Yady Villaquirán co-heads the practice alongside Arrieta and is highly regarded for her combination of constitutional law, administrative law and infrastructure expertise; she advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (Colombia’s infrastructure-focused development bank) on the structuring of the Ranchería-San Juan del Cesar and Triángulo del Tolima irrigation districts. The team also draws on four-year associate Laura Arias, who specialises in public and administrative law. Former associate Santiago Cardona left for an in-house role at Multiriesgos de Colombia in Janaury 2023.