Adell & Merizalde

Operating from offices in Colombia, Panama and the Dominican Republic, alternative dispute resolution boutique Adell & Merizalde is distinguished by its marked focus on Latin America-related work. The team’s recent activity covers cases involving the construction, energy, telecoms, mining and life sciences industries, while it is well versed in both commercial and investor-state disputes. Bogotá-based firm co-founder Juan Felipe Merizalde has acted as counsel or arbitrator in over 90 arbitral proceedings, where he has represented sovereign clients, state-owned entities and private corporations in disputes under ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, ICDR and the Madrid International Arbitration Center (CIAM) rules, among others. Merizalde recently advised HNG Holding on initiating an international arbitration against its Colombian partner, Semillas Arroyave, following a failed joint-venture. The team also includes Panama-qualified director Andrea Santacoloma, who splits her time between Panama City and Bogotá and brings significant hands-on experience from her former role as Deputy Director for Latin America at the ICC International Court of Arbitration. Key associates include senior Nicolás Córdoba, who joined in August 2024 from Freshfields LLP in Washington DC; Guatemala-qualified intermediate Sofía Galindo; and junior María José Monroy.