Mr José Ignacio Leiva > Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.

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.