Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile
Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados Offices
CARRERA 7 NO. 77-07, OF. 501
BOGOTÁ
Colombia
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Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings
Colombia > Projects Tier 2
Projects work is a mainstay at infrastructure and public law boutique Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados and the group enjoys close relationships with sponsors and concessionaires across all key infrastructure segments. The group’s broad experience spans the full life cycle of matters, from procurement processes, through to project development, litigation, and secondary market activity. Co-founding partner Marcela Castro co-heads the projects and the public law groups and is equipped to handle all infrastructure-related matters, with strong recent experience in financing transactions. Fellow projects and public law co-head José Ignacio Leiva specialises in litigation, administrative and finance law. Natalia Uribe is also noted for her projects focus.Practice head(s):
Marcela Castro; Jose Ignacio Leiva; Natalia Uribe
Key clients
Concesión Briceño-Tunja-Sogamoso
Convías
Concesión Ruta al Mar
Concesión San Rafael
Concesión GICA
Concesión Autopistas Urabá
Concesión Alto Magdalena
Concesión Pacifico 2
Concesión Pacifico 3
Ocensa
WSP
Odinsa
KMA Construcciones
Concesión Devimed
Fondo de Interés Colectivo – Corredores Davivienda
Mota – Engil
Colpatria
Mario Huertas
Sacyr
Concesión Alto Magdalena
SP Ingenieros
Work highlights
- Advising SP Ingenieros on the award, financing and execution of a $402m PPP project for the construction, operation and maintenance of the secure facilities of the Cali Prosecutor’s Office.
- Advising Sacyr on the construction, infrastructure concessions and service provision segments of the refinancing process of the Pamplona-Cúcuta Highway project.
- Advising concessionaires on some of the leading projects in Colombia, including Convías, Alto Magdalena and Ruta al Mar, among many others.
Colombia > Public law Tier 2
Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados is a popular choice to represent concessionaires and construction companies in public law matters. The group enjoys a prominent reputation for its activity in the transport infrastructure sector — primarily public bus systems and road projects — but it consistently advises a varied mix of clients on public bids, works contracts and contentious matters, including sanction proceedings. Co-founding partner José Ignacio Leiva maintains a broad public law focus, with notable expertise in advising concessionaires on bus transit systems. Leiva co-heads the practice together with Marcela Castro — who is highly regarded for infrastructure-related work — and projects partner Natalia Uribe. Practice director Diego Felipe Guzmán moved in house at Concesionaria Vía 40 Express in March 2023.Practice head(s):
Jose Ignacio Leiva; Marcela Castro; Natalia Uribe
Key clients
Acciona Agua
Convías
Concesionaria Vial Montes de María
OHL
Cal y Mayor Asociados
Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção
Doppelmayr Colombia
Ashmore Management Company Colombia
Grupo Metrobus
Transambiental
Concesión Alto Magdalena
Concesión Pacífico Tres
Concesión Desarrollo Vial de la Sabana
Grupo SI 18
Autopistas Urabá
Agencia Nacional de Minería
Concesión San Rafael
Consorcio Mar 2
Corredor Portuario de Cartagena
Interconexión eléctrica (ISA)
Unión Vial Río Pamplonita
WSP Ingenieros
AYESA
Consorcio Estación Elevadora de Canoas
Egis Group
KMA Construcciones
Consorcio Constructor Perimetral de Oriente Bogotá
Unimetro
Sotramac
Concesión La Pintada
Concesión Ruta al Mar
Construcciones El Condor
Work highlights
- Advising several concessions (including Concesión Unión Vial Río Pamplonita, Concesión Mar 1, and Concesión Devisab) on various ongoing matters, including financing processes, public bid procedures and dispute resolution.
- Advising Brazil-based Tembici on the bidding process for the urban bicycle system of Bogotá city.
- Advising six transport concessions on the project to renovate TransMilenio buses for phases I and II of the transportation system in Bogotá.
Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 3
Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados’ arbitration practice is noted for its focus on infrastructure-related disputes, where it stands out for its ability to lean on the wider firm’s robust public law and projects practices. The team acts for a mix of domestic and multinational companies, most frequently in cases adverse to public sector entities, including recent proceedings against ANI, the National Mining Agency and Cartagena District. Lawyers demonstrate ‘strong attention and availability’, with founding partner José Ignacio Leiva recommended for his record in contentious matters related to public contracts. The disputes group also includes Natalia Uribe, a partner since 2021; and senior associate Laura Amaya, who is director of the arbitration and litigation practice.Practice head(s):
José Ignacio Leiva
Testimonials
‘The Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados’ team differs from other law firms in terms of its strong attention and availability. The team treats all clients as important, and takes into account the client’s people and their growth.’
‘José Ignacio Leiva and Natalia Uribe stand out for their 100% collaboration; they dedicate the time required to the client and are available when needed.’
Key clients
Acciona Agua
Concesión San Rafael
Agencia Nacional de Minería (National Mining Agency)
Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção
Grupo Metrobus
KMA Construcciones
Transambiental
Consorcio Constructor Perimetral de Oriente Bogotá
Sotramac
Convías
Work highlights
- Representing Mota-Engil in bringing a $100m international arbitration proceeding against the FFIE Trust and Ministry of Education.
- Representing Acciona Agua in an arbitration initiated by Empresa Municipales de Cali alleging breach of contract in relation to the Cañaveralejo wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
- Advising Transambiental in a dispute against Transcaribe concerning a breach of the concession contract for the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) transportation concession in Cartagena.
Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3
Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados’ marked focus on the public law and infrastructure spheres pays dividends and it is consistently engaged by concessionaires to advise on disputes related to public contracts. With experience in administrative litigation through to major arbitral proceedings, the group brings to bear extensive experience in representing clients before state entities, including the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), and the Urban Development Institute (IDU), among others. Founding partner José Ignacio Leiva steers the dispute resolution group and also co-heads the public law and infrastructure departments. In a key example of his practice sweet spot, Leiva is representing Concesión Ruta al Mar on five disputes with the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), derived from the execution of concession contracts. The group additionally benefits from the senior experience of Marcela Castro, who specialises in public and administrative law. Senior associate Laura Amaya, who directs the litigation and arbitration practice, is also noted.Practice head(s):
José Ignacio Leiva
Testimonials
‘The availability of the partners and the team, when attending to the requirements and queries, with timely attention.‘
‘I would highlight partnere Jose Ignacio Leiva for his knowledge of the infrastructure sector, which facilitates the legal/procedural strategy, when resorting to the dispute resolution mechanisms provided for in 4G concession contracts.‘
Key clients
Cal y Mayor Asociados
Doppelmayr Colombia
Ashmore Management Company Colombia
Concesión Alto Magdalena
Concesión Pacífico Tres
Concesión Desarrollo Vial de la Sabana
Concesión Santa Marta Paraguachón
Grupo SI 18
Autopistas Urabá
Metro Línea 1
Electricaribe
Consorcio Canales 20
Consorcio Mar 2
PTAP Tibitoc 20
Consorcio Soacha
Corredor Portuario de Cartagena
Interconexión eléctrica (ISA)
Unión Vial Río Pamplonita
WSP Ingenieros
AYESA
Consorcio Estación Elevadora de Canoas
Egis Group
Unimetro
Concesión La Pintada
Concesión Ruta al Mar
Construcciones El Condor
Blastinaval Colombia (in reorganisation)
Work highlights
- Advising Concesión Ruta al Mar on five disputes with the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), derived from the execution of concession contracts.
- Advising Concesión Costera Cartagena Barranquilla on 15 ‘direct reparation’ processes, relating to the construction and operation of a road.
- Representing Mota-Engil in three dispute resolution boards related to the execution of the Estación Elevadora de Canoas projects.
Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados > Firm Profile
Castro Leiva Rendon was founded in 2011 by a group of highly trained and experienced lawyers. The firm has a top-tier infrastructure and project structuring practice. The firm is formed of lawyers with broad mediation experience, providing essential legal advice to its clients on day-to-day matters. Castro Leiva Rendon Abogados is also recognized for its work within corporate, and energy law, including privatizations, mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions and incorporation of companies.
Due to the successful results in structuring and executing infrastructure projects – especially roads and highways – in recent years, the firm’s clients (sponsors and concessionaries) have chosen CLR to handle the financing process too. This means the firm has accompanied its clients during the whole process, from the beginning to the end of the project.
Main areas of practice
Privatization, concessions and structuring of infrastructure projects: with the large number of new infrastructure projects initiated in Colombia by the government using public-private associations, the firm continues to position itself as one of the preferred legal advisors for both local and foreign constructors and developers. The firm has a well-deserved reputation due to its expertise in the legal structuring of infrastructure projects, privatization and structuring of private bids for concession processes. Among the infrastructure activities that the firm has participated in are those related to construction of infrastructure, transportation law, operation of transport systems, incorporation and operation of ports and airports, development of electrical power projects, and those relating to public utilities. In addition, CLR has given continuous advice throughout the execution of concession agreements and public works, and in the structuring of public-private partnerships. The firm has recently experienced significant growth in project finance.
Corporate: the firm has a highly qualified team with broad experience in corporate incorporation and transformations, foreign investment, operational and commercial contracts, as well as assisting foreign companies establishing operations in Colombia.
M&A: the firm has vast experience advising both parts of the transactions on all aspects of mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions, and the integration and restructuring of companies from the private sector.
Energy: the firm has a well-established practice in the field of energy that goes from generation to commercialization, including specialized tailor-made co-generation plant projects, and contracting.
Taxes and foreign trade: the firm provides fundamental assistance regarding tax issues, from the design of and advice on commercial transactions, preparation of tax planning models, and consultancy for the solution of tax problems at a national and international level, to litigation before the country’s tax authorities and the contentious administrative courts.
IP/entertainment: for several years, the firm has advised foreign and local companies involved in different areas of the entertainment industry.
Dispute resolution: the firm provides its clients with a close and professional service, and the key partner of the arbitration department addresses all matters directly.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Infrastructure and project structuring | Marcela Castro E: mcastro@castroleiva.com | ||
Infrastructure and project structuring | José Ignacio Leiva E: jileiva@castroleiva.com | ||
M&A | José Ignacio Leiva E: jileiva@castroleiva.com | ||
M&A | Marcela Castro E: mcastro@castroleiva.com | ||
Corporate | Juan Mario Rendón E: jrendon@castroleiva.com | ||
Privatization | Marcela Castro E: mcastro@castroleiva.com | ||
Privatization | José Ignacio Leiva E: jileiva@castroleiva.com | ||
Energy | Juan Mario Rendón E: jrendon@castroleiva.com | ||
Project finance | José Ignacio Leiva E: jileiva@castroleiva.com | ||
Banking and finance | Marcela Castro E: mcastro@castroleiva.com | ||
IP/entertainment | Juan Mario Rendón E: jrendon@castroleiva.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Marcela Castro | Founding Partner, Co-head of the Projects and Infrastructure Department and of the… | View Profile | |
Mr José Ignacio Leiva | Founding partner. Head of the Dispute Resolution Department. Co-head of the Public… | View Profile |