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

Clients of Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s arbitration team reserve particular praise for its ability to ‘always go the extra mile to provide outstanding service’. A strong performer in domestic arbitrations, the group also possesses international arbitration experience; notably, its formal partnership with Iberian firm Uría Menéndez is a significant asset in the latter sphere. In a highlight example of its recent international arbitration work, dispute resolution specialist Julio César González teamed up with Juan Sebastián Arias (who was promoted to partner in December 2023) to act as co-counsel, together with Uría Menéndez, to represent Canal Extensia in ICSID investment arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Colombia. González and Arias co-head the overarching dispute resolution department together with Héctor Hernández, whose broad expertise spans cases before both national and international arbitral tribunals. The group also benefits from a capable band of associates including principal Santiago Cruz Mantilla, who has supported on cases under ICC and CCB rules; and intermediate Esteban Lagos, who keeps busy advising on a mix of judicial and arbitral disputes. Since publication, Cruz Mantilla has been raised to the partnership – effective as of January 2025.

According to satisfied clients, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s litigation team is ‘more creative and more versatile in determining solutions than other firms’. Ranking among the largest dispute resolution practices in the market, the three-partner team is additionally distinguished by its ability to draw on the firm’s formal partnership with Uría Menéndez for further contentious firepower, particularly in cross-border cases. The group’s international strength is reflected in its client roster, which is composed of major regional and multinational corporations such as Viva Airlines, Canacol Energy and Clipper Oil — it also acts for leading domestic companies and state-owned entities. Key names to note include Julio César González, who is singled out by sources as ‘an experienced lawyer who fully masters procedural law’; he successfully obtained a decision ordering an early termination of class action proceedings against Fast Colombia in relation to an alleged violation of collective rights. González co-heads the department together with Héctor Hernández, who led on several high-stakes cases involving the infrastructure and technology sectors during 2023/24; and Juan Sebastián Arias, who was promoted to partner in January 2024 and represented Clipper Oil in filing a breach-of-contract claim against CI Terra Bunkering. The group also benefits from a band of capable associates, including principal Santiago Cruz Mantilla, who stands out for his ‘agility in responses’; intermediate Esteban Lagos; and junior Ricardo Valencia. Since publication, Cruz Mantilla has been raised to the partnership – effective as of January 2025.