Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 1

‘Always available and attentive‘, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas‘ banking group strikes the right note with its ability to work ‘very collaboratively to achieve the client’s goals‘. Equally adept at advising lenders and borrowers, the Bogotá platform of the global firm is particularly well versed in transactions involving the energy, infrastructure, transport and financial services industries. In a recent highlight example of its transport prowess, Catalina Pinilla — who specialises in banking, finance and insolvency matters — represented multinational airline Avianca Holding on local matters related to its $1.6bn exit financing as part of its corporate reorganisation. Bogotá office managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is a high-profile name for banking and finance deals, especially with regard to the natural resources sector, where he brings to bear strong experience in representing multinational lenders and borrowers in major financings. Corporate head Eduardo Cárdenas also has a significant banking and finance dimension to his practice; he recently advised Bancolombia (as lender) in two project financing agreements granted to infrastructure concessionaires Devimed and Devisab, worth a combined COP$971bn. Pablo Jaramillo, who is widely hailed for his projects expertise, is another senior member of the team. The group also includes talented senior associate Felipe Molano, who handles a mix of banking and M&A work. Associate Ángela Botía departed the firm to join Rio Money Transfer in October 2021, while associate Daniela Mejía left two months later.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 2

Equally adept in representing issuers and underwriters, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' recent work is well weighted between examples of both types of transactions. Among its key highlights, Colombia managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas advised Frontera Energy Corporation on its $400m notes offering. He also acted as Colombian counsel to BofA Securities and HSBC Securities (USA), as initial purchasers, on Interconexión Eléctrica’s $330m debt offering. Cárdenas co-heads the capital markets practice together with seasoned specialist Eduardo Cárdenas and dua-qualified (Colombia/New York) Catalina Pinilla. The group also includes increasingly prominent senior associate Felipe Molano, who handles a mix of finance and corporate work. Senior associate Daniela Mejía left the firm in December 2021.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

‘Comprised of ethical and pragmatic problem-solvers‘, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas‘s team strikes the right note with its lawyers’ ability to create a ‘friendly and trusting environment‘. A strong performer in multi-jurisdictional deals, where it can lean on the wider firm’s extensive global network for support, the group also handles a steady stream of sizeable domestic transactions. Moreover, despite the pandemic, the firm opened an office in Medellin in October 2020, giving it an on-the-ground presence in the country's second city and entrepreneurial heartand. The team is also distinguished by its increasing presence in the energy and healthcare spheres. Senior name Eduardo Cárdenas jointly heads the group alongside Mauricio Borrero — together, they acted as Colombian counsel to Ron La Hechicera, a distillery and producer of premium rum in Colombia, on the acquisition of majority shareholding in the company by Pernod Ricard. Other recommended partners include Bernardo Cárdenas, who handles M&A and finance matters (and is also the key contact for Medellin), and transactional energy specialists Jorge Neher and Santiago González. At associate level, senior associate Santiago Miramón secures strong reviews from clients for providing ‘excellent transactional advice‘. Other key associates for the corporate team are senior lawyer Felipe Molano, who is experienced in domestic and cross-border matters, and  María Paula Álvarez, who sits in the corporate and real estate groups. Partner Alejandra Bonilla left to re-join her previous company, Frontera Energy, in March 2021.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Clients value Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas for its ‘responsiveness and ability to transcend legal issues to provide good practical advice'. The multidisciplinary practice is particularly well-primed to handle transactions, including M&A, project finance and securities offerings, but it is also equipped to advise on regulatory matters. Venezuela-qualified Jorge Neher is a ‘practical and sagacious lawyer' and leads the energy practice in Latin America and the Caribbean; he is noted for his focus on hydrocarbons and mining. Other senior names include Hernán Rodríguez, who demonstrates ‘comprehensive knowledge of mining issues', and corporate finance specialist Bernardo Cárdenas. Up-and-coming energy specialist Santiago González is acclaimed as an ‘expert in advising companies in the oil and gas sector'; he handles a mix of transactional and regulatory matters. María Margarita Lorduy, who is associate director of the firm’s environmental practice, is also recommended.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas climbs a tier on the back of its increasingly high-profile client roster, which includes new wins Paramount and Tik Tok, alongside long-established clients such as Microsoft and Anheuser-Busch. The 12-lawyer-strong practice handles the full gamut of patent, trade mark and copyright matters, from prosecution through to litigation and transactional matters. It also draws on the wider firm’s full-service offering to provide support in complementary areas, including consumer protection, product liability and regulatory issues. Luz Helena Adarve leads the IP and technology, and privacy and cybersecurity practice groups, and is highly regarded for her expertise in the area. Juanita Acosta is also a key contact for IP and IT matters. Experienced associate Ana María Ruiz provides support.

Colombia > Projects Tier 2

Projects lawyers at Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas are commended for their ‘ability to generate consensus at the negotiating table'. The team stands out for its activity in the port sector, where it is representing Puerto Bahía Colombia de Urabá and Puertos Inversiones y Obras on development projects; it also frequently handles energy and other transport infrastructure work. Pablo Jaramillo heads the transactional side of the practice, with support from associate Laura Streubel; together they are highlighted as ‘high-performance professionals'. Other key contacts include project finance specialist Bernardo Cárdenas and Catalina Pinilla, who has strong experience in representing multilateral entities.

Colombia > Public law Tier 2

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas advises domestic and multinational companies on a broad array of public law matters, including contentious procurement issues and sanctions proceedings. Department lead Ximena Zuleta is a ‘skilful attorney with a very relevant commercial awareness‘ and has an emphasis on bidding processes, including contentious work. Andrés Fernández de Soto is noted for his record in administrative law disputes and Pablo Jaramillo is focused on project transactions. At associate level Laura Streubel, who sits in the project development group, and the ‘fully committed‘ Nicolás Díaz are recommended.

Colombia > Tax Tier 2

‘A collaborative team that understands the nuances of the business', Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' tax group is valued by sources for its ‘knowledge and experience in the various areas that must be handled'. On the non-contentious front, it handles tax advisory work, tax planning and transaction structuring for an impressive roster of domestic and multinational clients. The department is also well versed in transfer pricing and tax litigation. Practice head Camilo Cortés is noted for his broad experience, which spans the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Other senior names to note include partners Carmen Sanabria and Ernesto Lopez. Associate Natalia Dávila left the firm in January 2022.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' strength in advising on the local leg of multi-jurisdictional merger reviews was recently demonstrated by its roles in a clutch of high-profile transactions. Ximena Zuleta has an emphasis on public law, competition and dispute resolution and acted for Groupe Lactalis on the merger control procedure connected to its acquisition of the international cheese business of Kraft Heinz. Senior associate Carlos Arboleda left the firm.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas fields a full-service dispute resolution practice, which is equipped to advise on the full spread of contentious matters, from pre-litigation advice through to major litigation and arbitration proceedings. The firm’s extensive global network marks it as a key partner for multinational companies, with Ford, Samsung and Donaldson Company among its representative clients — it also enjoys close relationships with leading domestic and regional corporations. Andrés Fernández de Soto co-heads the department and brings nearly four decades of experience to his role; he recently paired up with public law and competition specialist Ximena Zuleta to represent Aecom Technical Services in landmark state-private company litigation, in which a governmental entity is claiming breach of contract for the supervision of a major Colombian resettlement project. Senior associate Paula Vejarano co-leads the practice and combines strength in litigation and arbitration matters. Other key associates include Carlos Miranda, who is noted for commercial and administrative litigation, and Daniel Jimenez Pastor, who has a focus on dispute resolution connected to corporate transactions.

Colombia > Environment Tier 3

‘A high-level legal team in environmental issues', Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' group strikes the right note with its ‘in-depth and up-to-date knowledge'. The practice handles a comprehensive range of matters, from environmental evaluations and compliance audits, through to due diligence and contentious proceedings. In terms of industry sweet spots, the firm’s robust energy practice ensures it is particularly active in the energy and natural resources sphere, but it also represents clients operating in the infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and transport sectors. Associate practice director María Margarita Lorduy heads the team and is roundly praised for ‘deep knowledge and mental acuity'. Energy and natural resources specialist Hernán Rodríguez is also noted.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 3

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' multidisciplinary life sciences group brings to bear cross-practice experience in IP, regulatory affairs, tax matters and consumer law — among other areas. The team draws on the wider global firm’s cutting-edge expertise in medical cannabis to provide a comprehensive offering in that sphere, but it also acts for companies in the pharma, food and beverage, cosmetic, IT and consumer product segments. The department is co-led by IP and technology specialist Luz Helena Adarve, banking and finance partner Catalina Pinilla, and Santiago González, who has robust experience in the cannabis sector.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 4

According to sources, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas demonstrates ‘strong legal knowledge and understanding' in its handling of arbitration cases. The group is noted for its experience in both domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings; in terms of the latter, its ability to plug into the wider firm’s extensive global network is a significant asset. Department head Andrés Fernández de Soto acts as both arbitral counsel and arbitrator and brings over 35 years' experience to his role. Senior associate Paula Vejarano, who is a listed arbitrator for both the Cali and Medellín Chambers’ of Commerce, is also a key contact.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

The labour and employment practice at Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas assists domestic and multinational clients with a wide range of advisory, transactional support and contentious matters. The team frequently works alongside other departments in the full-service firm to provide holistic advice on strategic matters, but it is also a popular choice to advise on standalone, day-to-day issues. Lorena Arámbula steers the group and also maintains an active commercial and corporate practice. Associate Laura Mateus provides focused support on labour, social security and immigration matters, including litigation.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 4

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas's real estate team strikes the right note with its ‘immediate attention, knowledge and willingness to respond to requests‘. The group handles a wide range of real estate work, with real estate transactions, financing matters and hotel-related issues standing as key strong suits. Corporate and finance specialist Eduardo Cárdenas heads the team, with support from tax partner Camilo Cortés, and associates María Paula Álvarez and Andres Diaz — both of whom sit within the firm’s real estate and corporate groups.

Colombia > TMT Tier 5

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas‘ TMT offering is particularly weighted towards technology work, drawing on the firm’s IP and technology practice and its privacy and cybersecurity group. Other areas of activity include media and entertainment, advertising and consumer protection. Juanita Acosta is highly regarded for her experience in privacy and e-commerce matters and co-heads the department together with IP expert Luz Helena Adarve, who additionally handles privacy and cybersecurity matters. Senior associate Rocío Ruíz is also noted for IT law.