Carlos Umaña > Brigard Urrutia > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Brigard Urrutia houses a go-to energy and natural resources practice that clients laud for ‘its implementation of innovative strategies resulting from extensive experience’. Combining a standalone renewable energy and energy efficiency team with strength in conventional energy and mining work, the group is routinely called upon by major domestic and multinational clients to advise on regulatory, transactional and project development matters. Among the names to note, Claudia Navarro stands out for her broad expertise in renewable energy, utilities and infrastructure-related matters; she is advising Total Eren on the construction of a 99MW solar plant in a major Colombian oil field. Energy is also a key industry focus for multidisciplinary senior partner Carlos Urrutia; he recently co-led advice to to Cordoba Minerals on the $100m sale of a 50% ownership interest in its affiliate, CMH Colombia, to JCHX. Tragically, in a loss to both the practice and the firm, director Marianna Boza -who co-led on this mandate- has since passed on. Other senior names include corporate and M&A specialist Jaime Robledo, who possesses a strong record in energy transactions, and managing partner Carlos Umaña, who is noted for his broad coverage of energy and infrastructure work. A deep bench of supporting senior associates includes Juan Carlos Padilla, who contributes significant hands-on experience, following in-house stints at Ecopetrol and International Gas Transport; Andrés Felipe Parra, who is noted for his regulatory expertise; and Carlos Cerón, who is ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’. In June 2024, Margarita Solorza joined from Holland & Knight as director of the environment and sustainable business area.

Brigard Urrutia’s projects team stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, which ensures that it can turn its hand to any aspect of a project on behalf of any key stakeholder. Arguably best known for project finance prowess — where it can lean on recognised experts in the field, such as managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez — the team also brings extensive expertise in energy, public utilities, corporate transactions and dispute resolution, among other areas. Among its project finance highlights, high-profile finance specialist César Felipe Rodríguez advised AMP Capital Investors US and Enel Colombia on financing the acquisition of electric public transportation buses from BYD Auto Industry Company (China) to TransMilenio. In a non-finance matter, Carlos Umaña advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional on pre-feasibility studies connected to the reactivation of the Pacific Rail Corridor. Other senior contacts include managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who excels in project finance; Claudia Navarro, whose practice spans energy, infrastructure and public utilities; and banking and finance partner María Fernanda Diago. The department further benefits from a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, who focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and senior associate Nicolás Alonso, who sits in the banking and financial services team. Senior associate Felipe Alarcon left in June 2023; while former director Julián Parra moved in house at ZEmobility in September 2024. Since publication, the practice has been strenghened on the project-finance side with the hire of Sebastián Lora, formerly of Martínez Quintero Mendoza González Laguado & de la Rosa; effective as of March 2025.

Valued for its ‘legal rigour and specialised knowledge in public law’, Brigard Urrutia excels in linking the public and private sectors in the context of large public projects. The full-service team is equipped to advise on the full range of matters but it is primarily recognised for its skill sets in procurement, project structuring and administrative litigation, where it acts for a mix of state and semi-state entities and commercial clients. Seasoned specialist Carlos Umaña handles a broad scope of public law matters, with an emphasis on infrastructure and public procurement; he recently advised (as part of a multi-firm group) state development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, on the structuring of Bogota’s Second Metro Line project. Infrastructure and public utilities specialist, Claudia Navarro, is also a key contact. The department additionally draws on a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, whose practice focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and associates Rafael Cifuentes and Mariana Maya, who both sit in the infrastructure and public utilities group. Former director Julián Parra left the firm to move in house at ZEmobility in September 2024.