Bernardo Cárdenas > Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas houses a full-service banking and finance practice, which stands out for its comprehensive industry coverage as well as its broad international outlook. With experience acting for lenders and corporate borrowers, the group is a popular choice to advise global and domestic clients on a wide range of financing matters, including subordinated loans, acquisition finance, project finance and structured finance. Managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is a transactional specialist who leverages expertise in both banking and corporate deals; he recently acted as local counsel to First Abu Dhabi Bank, as lender, on two senior secured credit facilities granted to Nugil and JGDB Holding to fund the $1.3bn acquisition of Grupo Nutresa and the $780m acquisition of Grupo Sura. In another bank-side matter, Catalina Pinilla advised Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF), as lender, on $650m worth of unsecured credit facilities provided to Banco de Occidente, Bancoldex, BBVA Colombia and Davivienda. Rounding out the key partners is corporate head Eduardo Cárdenas, who recently advised the lenders (Banco de Occidente, Banco de Bogotá and Corficolombiana) on a project financing of up to COP$550bn to infrastructure concessionaire, Concesión Sabana de Occidente. Pablo Jaramillo, who has a focus on project finance, is also noted. Senior associate Felipe Molano left the firm in February 2023. Since research concluded, the practice has been further strengthened with the hire of next generation partner Felipe Alarcón from Brigard Urrutia – effective as of September 2023.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas houses a leading debt capital markets practice, which is distinguished by its ability to plug into the wider firm’s dominant banking and structured finance groups. On the equity side, the team has extensive experience in share sales and acquisitions. Colombia managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is noted for corporate and finance transactions and has notched up a strong record in representing underwriters on debt issuances. Cárdenas co-heads the department together with high-profile corporate specialist Eduardo Cárdenas and Catalina Pinilla, who splits her practice between banking, finance and capital markets. In February 2023, senior associate Felipe Molano left to join CMS Rodríguez-Azuero.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’s full-service corporate practice routinely advises domestic and multinational clients on M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. With the ability to handle transactions across all key market segments, the team has recorded a significant uptick in activity relating to the mining, real estate and technology spheres of late. Seasoned M&A specialist and department co-head Eduardo Cárdenas brings to bear an impressive CV of involvement in corporate matters, which includes a stint as Microsoft Corporation’s senior regional counsel for Latin America. Mauricio Borrero co-leads the practice and recently advised Upfield Colombia on the acquisition of certain assets in Cali. Jorge Neher spearheads the firm’s energy practice for Latin America and the Caribbean and remains a popular choice for energy and natural resources-related deals; he advised Aris Gold Corporation on a merger process with GCM Mining Corp, under which GCM acquired all the outstanding Aris Gold shares it did not already own. The team also includes managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas, who splits his practice between corporate and M&A, and banking and finance; and energy specialist Santiago González. Key associates include senior Santiago Miramón, who is noted for his growing experience in corporate reorganisations, M&A, and corporate governance issues; and real estate associate director María Paula Álvarez. Associate Felipe Molano left the firm in February 2023.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ energy offering is primarily oriented towards energy transactions, with robust recent experience in M&A, project development and energy financings, among other deals. That being said, the group also handles a significant volume of regulatory work, where it frequently leverages its international platform to shine in advising multinational energy and natural resources companies on their local day-to-day local matters. Among the names to note, Venezuela-qualified Jorge Neher brings to bear significant multi-jurisdictional firepower; he notably leads the energy practice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Neher co-heads the department alongside transactional energy and infrastructure specialist Hernán Rodríguez, finance expert Bernardo Cárdenas, and next generation partner Santiago González. The team also draws on María Margarita Lorduy, who is the associate director of the environmental law practice.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ multidisciplinary projects practice strikes a balance between transactional and contentious matters. The group acts for a range of industry participants — including sponsors, construction companies, banks and government entities — with particular activity in the roads, rail, airports, ports and energy sectors. Up-and-coming projects partner Pablo Jaramillo spearheads the group and is recommended for his transactional focus, with experience in the structuring, finance, and development of projects. Ximena Zuleta is the key contact on administrative and public law side and specialises in bidding processes and public contracts. Banking and finance partners Bernardo Cárdenas and Catalina Pinilla are also noted. In June 2022, associate Laura Streubel left to study abroad.