Juan Sebastián Arias > Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Lawyers at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría are ‘always attentive to the needs of the case’, according to satisfied clients. The team continues to increase its market share of international arbitration proceedings, where it stands out for its ability to leverage its international offices in Chile and Peru — as well its formal partnership with Iberian firm Uría Menéndez — to secure roles on prominent, cross-border disputes. The ‘supremely attentive’ Héctor Hernández maintains a broad dispute resolution practice, with strong skill sets in both judicial and arbitral disputes. Among his recent work, Hernández has been particularly active in arbitrations concerning the energy and infrastructures spheres of late. Julio César González, who co-heads the dispute resolution group alongside Hernández, also handles a significant volume of arbitration cases. Sources additionally single out principal associates Juan Sebastián Arias (‘very clear in his advice’) and Santiago Cruz Mantilla (‘excellent lawyer’), along with fellow principal Alejandra Gómez. Since publication, Arias has been raised to the partnership – effective as of December 2023.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría secures strong feedback for its business-oriented approach and one source asserts that the team ‘is not only expert in the legal issues’ but that it also ‘gets to know and understand the client’s business’. Among its other key attributes, the team also garners praise for its lawyers ‘excellent professional and personal qualities’. Through its extensive international platform, which additionally benefits from the firm’s formal partnership with Uría Menéndez, the dispute resolution group is well-positioned to advise local and multinational clients on cross-border cases — it is also frequently appointed to handle complex domestic instructions. A 35-year veteran in dispute resolution, Héctor Hernández co-heads the department and his practice encompasses the full range of judicial and arbitral proceedings. Fellow co-head Julio César González also maintains a broad disputes focus, with particular expertise in civil procedural law and domestic and international arbitration; he recently represented Deere & Co and John Deere Thibodaux before the Supreme Court in a dispute stemming from the termination of a distribution agreement. The team also benefits from an experienced second line of associates including principals Juan Sebastián Arias, who is dual-qualified in Colombia and New York; Santiago Cruz Mantilla, who demonstrates ‘strategic and agile vision’; and Alejandra Gómez, who brings experience in administrative, civil, family, and commercial litigation as well as arbitration. Former principal associate Mario Pérez left in May 2023. Since publication, Arias has been raised to the partnership – effective as of December 2023.