Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ banking and finance practice is well weighted between borrower and lender-side mandates, with notable experience in representing multilateral development banks as well as non-traditional lenders such as private debt funds. Managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas is a key figure in both the banking and finance, and corporate and M&A groups; he recently represented Inter-American Investment Corporation in a financing granted to On Vacation. Eduardo Cárdenas sits in the corporate, banking and finance, and private client teams; he recently supported Accial Capital Management on several lending transactions. The department is additionally co-led by Felipe Alarcón, whose strong regulatory credentials are evidenced by his former role as Deputy Head of Financial Regulation at the Superintendence of Finance; and Daniela Mejia Mariño, who re-joined the firm as a partner in September 2024, following a nearly three-year stint at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría — she specialises in finance and corporate work. At senior associate level, Alejandro Parra provides dedicated support to the banking and finance team, with a focus on corporate lending, acquisition finance, and structured finance.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'This team stands out for its deep industry knowledge, client-first mindset, and strategic approach. Clients value their responsiveness, tailored solutions, and consistent results. Compared to other firms, their use of technology and flexible service models adds real value.'
- 'They stand out for their strategic approach and ability to generate sustainable value. Their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is evident in every interaction and delivered outcome.'
- 'The team has a long trajectory and its members also, which provides confidence to the clients. They are reachable, and they found easy and effective solutions.'
- 'Daniela Mejia and Alejandro Parra are a really good team, they are respectful and easygoing and they are reachable just by texting them.'
- 'Dentons stands out in the legal market for its unmatched global platform, combined with deep specialisation in financial services that are highly relevant to fintechs and emerging healthtech lenders like Welli. What distinguishes their practice is their ability to operate not just as legal advisors, but as strategic partners who understand the operational and regulatory nuances of cross-border credit structures in highly regulated sectors like healthcare.'
- 'What distinguishes the Dentons team, and especially Daniela Mejía, is their ability to bridge technical legal expertise with a pragmatic, client-oriented mindset — a combination that is rare in highly structured financing projects. Daniela in particular brings a unique blend of experience that is directly relevant to our business model at Welli, which operates at the intersection of financial technology, and inclusive credit products. Her prior work advising on multi-jurisdictional debt structures, healthcare sector credit programs, and early-stage fintech financing, meant that she was able to anticipate risks and opportunities before we did. This foresight significantly accelerated our fundraising and deployment.'
Key clients
- Accial Capital Management
- Inter-American Investment Corporation
- International Finance Corporation
- FCP Sura – Deuda Privada – Compartimento Deuda Privada Corporativa
- Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden
- EMF Microfinance Fund
- Gran Tierra Energy Colombia, and Gran Tierra Colombia
- Frontera ODL Holding
- Frontera Bahía Holding
- Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía
- Pipeline Investment Limited
- Sun Valley Investments
- BBVA Securities
- Merrill Lynch
- LCI Fundación Tecnológica
- Escuela Internacional de Diseño y Comercio LaSalle College
- Grupo Energía de Bogotá
Work highlights
Advised Accial Capital Management on a loan to emerging fintech, Avista.
Acted for Accial Capital Management on a loan granted to FinMaq.
Represented Inter-American Investment Corporation in a financing granted to On Vacation.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Felipe Alarcón
Daniela Mejia Mariño
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Bernardo Cárdenas; Eduardo Cárdenas; Felipe Alarcón; Daniela Mejía