Commended for ‘the concreteness of its proposed strategies’, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados combines arbitration expertise with the wider firm’s premier offerings in public law and projects to specialise in representing transport — particularly toll-road — concessionaires in contract disputes against government entities. The team is also active in the energy, mining and telecoms spheres. Department co-head Paula Andrea Ramos ’stands out for her professionalism’ and is representing Concesionaria Vial Andina (Coviandina) in a dispute against Colombia’s National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) focused on the recognition and payment of idle costs associated with delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Fellow co-head Carlos Alberto Manzano is highlighted for his ‘assertiveness in investigating background information’; he is acting for Concesionaria Ruta del Cacao in an arbitration proceeding against ANI concerning responsibility for the costs of implementing a technical solution necessitated by geological instability inherent to the concession area. The group additionally benefits from a deep pool of experienced associates, including Juan Felipe Cornejo, who routinely appears before national arbitration tribunals; and dispute resolution-focused María Paula Saldarriaga, who arrived in February 2024 from Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team stands out for its extensive preparation and experience, particularly partners Carlos Alberto Manzano and Paula Andrea Ramos, and associates María Paula Saldarriaga, and Juan Felipe Cornejo.’
‘What makes the firm unique is the expertise of the team handling the case, which facilitates, on the one hand, precision regarding the aspects required to defend the entity's interests, and on the other, knowledge of the case's perspective, based on its assessment.’
‘Compared to other firms, it is distinguished by its consistency in the execution of actions, the concreteness of its proposed strategies, and the work of defining those strategies at the time of discussion with the client, in this case, the contracting entity.’
‘Paula Andrea Ramos stands out for her professionalism in the thorough review of documents and in leading the development of the legal strategy. Her knowledge and expertise are evident in ensuring that meetings to consolidate actions are concrete, avoiding delays that would jeopardize the procedural timeline.’
‘Carlos Alberto Manzano stands out for his expertise, attentive listening, and assertiveness in investigating background information, documentation, and other supporting materials for the development of the legal strategy.’
‘Juan Felipe Cornejo stands out for his kindness and availability in carrying out proceedings, monitoring processes, and monitoring pending issues to be managed or resolved. Likewise, his knowledge is key to understanding the status of the dispute and the time budgeting of subsequent phases.’
Key clients
- Estudios y Proyectos del Sol (EPISOL)
- Concesionaria Ruta del Cacao
- Concesionaria Vial de los Andes (COVIANDES)
- Concesionaria Nueva Vía al Mar (COVIMAR)
- Constructora de Infraestructura Vial (CONINVIAL)
- Concesionaria Vial Andina (COVIANDINA)
- Concesionaria Vial del Pacífico (COVIPACÍFICO)
- Concesionaria Panamericana
- VP Ingenergía
- Proyectos de Inversión Vial del Pacífico (PROINVIPACÍFICO)
- Concesionaria Vial Del Oriente (COVIORIENTE)
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Caribe
Work highlights
Represented Concesionaria Nueva Vía al Mar (Covimar) in a precent-setting arbitration against ANI.
Represented Concesionaria Ruta del Cacao in an arbitration against ANI to delimitate activities outside the scope of the concession contract.
Acted for Concesionaria Vial de los Andes (Coviandes) in seeking compensation from ANI for differences between preliminary and final design costs.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Juan Felipe Cornejo
María Paula Saldarriaga
Practice head
Paula Andrea Ramos; Carlos Alberto Manzano