Carlos Fradique-Méndez > Brigard Urrutia > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

A destination practice for banking and finance work, Brigard Urrutia’s strong relationships with domestic and international lenders — including banks and alternative lenders — is a particular hallmark. That being said, the group also represents corporate borrowers in high-profile financings, with notable recent activity in the energy, transport and infrastructure spheres. Alongside its transactional expertise, the team stands out for its robust regulatory offering, where it routinely advises financial institutions, fintechs and others on compliance matters and proceedings before the Superintendence of Finance. Managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez is widely recognised as a foremost specialist in financial law, with extensive experience in lending transactions, structured finance, project finance and funds. Among his recent highlights, Fradique-Méndez paired up with prominent next-generation partner María Fernanda Diago to advise leading Colombian corporation, Ecopetrol, on the structuring and negotiation of a credit agreement of up to $1bn. In a key lender-side mandate, César Felipe Rodríguez demonstrated his unique infrastructure credentials through his advice to Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, Bancolombia and Itaú Colombia on a COP$210bn financing to KMA Construcciones. The group additionally draws on the experience of firm senior partner Carlos Urrutia at top level, while at associate level seniors Santiago Jaramillo Martínez and Nicolás Alonso are noted for project finance and fintech respectively. In September 2023, senior associate Juan Eduardo Gómez left to join A&O Shearman in Washington DC; partner Felipe Alarcón also departed the team.

A popular choice to handle both domestic and cross-border mandates, Brigard Urrutia ‘knows capital market issues’, according to satisfied clients. The team’s diverse client roster demonstrates strong links with issuers from across a wide range of industry sectors, while it additionally maintains close relationships with Colombian and global underwriters. Equally adept in both debt and equity offerings, the group has been particularly active in the former sphere of late, in line with current market conditions. Managing partner Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who is qualified in both Colombia and New York, brings to bear extensive international expertise. Fradique-Méndez recently teamed up with fellow practice head Luis Gabriel Morcillo and the banking and finance practice to act as special Colombian counsel to the underwriters (BBVA Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and HSBC Securities USA) on the Republic of Colombia’s landmark international social bond offering. The group also impresses at associate level, with senior Viviana Araújo standing out for her growing expertise in the capital markets and private equity fields. Also noted are senior associate Nicolás Arocha Roldán, whose practice spans capital markets, finance and corporate law; and mid-level associate Diana Useche, who is held up for her ‘practical knowledge of the market’.

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.

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.

Widely recognised as a corporate powerhouse in Colombia, Brigard Urrutia is commended by clients for its ‘extensive knowledge of the law, strong experience and pro-transaction business approach’. Fielding one of the largest corporate benches in the market, the group is a popular choice to handle large-scale domestic and cross-border M&A — including private equity-sponsored deals — as well as wider corporate matters, such as shareholder conflicts and business reorganisations. As one of the country’s most prominent corporate specialists, M&A co-head Sergio Michelsen is highly sought after for his record in high-stakes transactions; he recently advised Blu Logistics on the sale of all of its logistics companies in Colombia to Rhenus. Fellow department co-head Jaime Robledo utilises his dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) status to excel in cross-border deals. In a recent example of his international prowess, Robledo teamed up with Michelsen and Fernando Alfredo Castillo to advise Casino Guichard-Perrachon (and certain affiliates), on the Colombian aspects of the sale of their 47% stake in Almacenes Éxito to Grupo Calleja. Other recommended partners include Tomás Holguín, who honed his international skills working at firms in the USA and Brazil; Carlos Fradique-Méndez, who is a force in the private equity sphere; Álvaro Cala, who combines strength in corporate, aviation and real estate; and senior partner Carlos Urrutia. A strong second line of non-partners includes directors Ángela García Páez and Mónica Gutiérrez Velasco; as well as senior associate Andrea Camila Cruz and associate Laura Ricardo Ayerbe. Former corporate and M&A practice chair Dario Laguado Giraldo and director Paola Ordoñez left the firm in April and August 2024, respectively.