Irma Rivera Ramírez > Brigard Urrutia > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

‘Creative and knowledgeable in the field of litigation’, Brigard Urrutia maintains a broad dispute resolution practice, which houses specialist offerings in civil and commercial disputes, administrative law cases, private litigation and contentious bankruptcy proceedings. Well versed in cases across all of Colombia’s key industry sectors, the team is chiefly recognised for its skill sets in the infrastructure, energy, and public services and utilities spheres, where it can additionally link up with the wider firm’s top-tier projects, energy, and public law practices. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the department and acts for a diverse mix of domestic and multinational corporations in judicial proceedings, with strong recent showings in the technology and transport spheres. Rounding out the partner group is María Munevar Torrado (promoted to the partnership in June 2023), who has an emphasis on disputes concerning infrastructure, energy and corporate law, among other market segments. The team also draws on two recently promoted (December 2023) directors: Paola Guerrero Yemail, who heads up the the insolvency and bankruptcy litigation practice; and Carlos Mauricio Cerrato, who focuses on antitrust, unfair competition and consumer protection disputes. At associate level, seniors Camilo Valenzuela and Paula Juliana Téllez provide support across the full range of dispute resolution matters. Felipe Mutis  left the firm in September 2024.

The insurance practice at Brigard Urrutia stands out for the ‘agility, depth of response and commitment of its lawyers’, according to satisfied clients. A popular choice for complex or high-stakes mandates — particularly on the non-contentious front — the team is noted for its impressive record in highly regulated transactional matters before the Superintendence of Finance, including M&As and incorporations. The team also excels in advising insurers on product development issues and other regulatory work. Alongside its activity on behalf of insurer clients, the group keeps busy advising insured entities on a mix of regulatory compliance and claims litigation. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the insurance and reinsurance department, as well as the litigation, arbitration and insolvency department, which ensures that her practice spans a diverse range of regulatory, contractual and claims matters. The group additionally benefits from the specialist experience of next-generation partner Lucas Fajardo, who is ‘an expert in the sector’ and advises on insurance-related corporate, commercial and regulatory issues, as well as claims handling. Fajardo recently advised Everest Re Group on the incorporation process to establish a local insurer. Key supporting associates include senior Juan David Marín, who joined in February 2024 from the Ministry of Finance. Former senior Iván Montenegro left to join Asensi Abogados in November 2023.

Forming a key part of the firm’s overarching dispute resolution and insolvency offering, Brigard Urrutia’s arbitration group brings to bear diverse contentious experience. The team is particularly active in energy and infrastructure-related disputes, where it can leverage the wider firm’s premier public law, projects, and energy and natural resources practices. Irma Rivera Ramírez heads the department and represents domestic and multinational clients before national and international arbitration tribunals. Other key contacts include María Victoria Munevar, who was promoted to partner in June 2023; and senior associate Camilo Valenzuela. However, since the conclusion of research, Felipe Mutis  – who made partner in 2022 – has left the firm (effective as of September 2024).