‘Unique for its experience and specialised knowledge’, Brigard Urrutia’s energy and natural resources practice draws on lawyers from across the industry spectrum — including transactional, regulatory, and project development practitioners — to provide full-service advice to oil-and-gas, power and mining clients. The group is routinely engaged by many of the market’s largest energy and mining entities, including state-owned giant Ecopetrol, while it additionally acts for investors, lenders and construction companies. Regulatory expert Claudia Navarro is highly regarded for her expertise in the electric energy and natural gas spheres; she recently acted alongside the banking and finance team to advise Scotiabank and Export Development Canada on EPC and O&M contracts concerning a 220 kV substation and 160km of electric transmission networks. Other high-profile names include senior partner Carlos Urrutia, who is noted for energy-related transactions; managing partner Carlos Umaña, whose broad focus spans energy, infrastructure, M&A and public law; and corporate and M&A co-head Jaime Robledo. A deep bench of associates includes associate practice director Juan Carlos Padilla, who fronts the mining, oil and natural gas industry area; senior Andrés Felipe Parra, who sits in the infrastructure and public utilities group; senior Carlos Cerón, who advises on infrastructure, public utilities and renewable energy; and intermediate María Camila Osorio, who specialises in mining and oil-and-gas law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We had a big local challenge for BU and the firm presented us with a team with one or two specialists targeted in each different subject (such as public bids, tax, corporate). The team was always available and ready not only to reply to our questions but also to suggest certain actions. A very good experience.’
‘The firm offers consulting services on all the topics our company requires, offering specialists in each. It has adapted to the changes we've been experiencing within our company, offering costs and services that fit the needs of both parties.’
‘Juan Carlos Padilla is always available to offer us different alternatives to our requests and has been open to our conditions. María Camila Osorio has always closely followed up on our cases. When problems arise, all are willing to offer us practical solutions and implement them in the shortest possible time.’
‘The practice is unique for its experience and specialised knowledge, which allows it to offer innovative and effective solutions. Also for its multidisciplinary approach (the practice integrates knowledge from various areas of law) and relationships with regulatory bodies and industry players.’
‘The experience with Brigard Urrutia was satisfactory from the perspective of the lawyers' technical knowledge of renewable energy, which greatly facilitated the negotiation of the contract with the contractor.’
‘Brigard Urrutia's strengths include the lawyers' technical knowledge of renewable energy, as well as their friendliness and ongoing willingness to review, amend, and document the necessary contracts. They excel in response times and traceability of information and/or amendments.’
Key clients
- Oleoducto de Los Llanos Orientales - Oleoducto Bicentenario de Colombia
- Cordoba Minerals
- Ecopetrol
- Green Shift Commodities
- Minera Anzá/Orosur
- Oleoducto Central
- Scotiabank and Export Development Canada
- Banco de Bogotá, Davivienda, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, el Fondo de SMBC y LarrInVial e Itaú
- World Bank and Ministry of Mines and Energy.
- Termocaribe
Work highlights
Advised Cordoba Minerals on various corporate, tax, and financing matters, including on issues concerning the Alacran copper-gold-silver deposit.
Advised Termo Caribe on securing the refinancing for the construction of phase 3 of its 42MW thermal power plant.
Advised Scotiabank and Export Development Canada on several key agreements, including EPC and O&M contracts concerning a 220kV substation and 160km of electric transmission networks.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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 Carlos Padilla
Andrés Felipe Parra
Practice head
Carlos Umaña; Carlos Urrutia; Claudia Navarro; Jaime Robledo; Juan Carlos Padilla; Andrés Felipe Parra; Carlos Andrés Cerón