Lauded for its ‘effective and efficient advice’, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ thriving energy and natural resources practice continues to gain market share, adding 11 new clients during 2025/26. Widely recognised as a global leader in mining law, the firm is also increasingly active in regulatory and transactional matters involving the hydrocarbons and renewable energy sectors. Jorge Neher leads the energy practice for Latin America and the Caribbean and routinely handles high-stakes disputes and transactions. Santiago González is recommended for his ’expertise and knowledge of the industry’ and advises on regulatory and transactional energy mandates; he recently acted for Strabag on its strategic investment in Vatia Fotosfera Energías Renovables. Other key contacts include mining head Hernán Rodríguez, whose clients include Anglo American and Barrick Gold; James Valdiri, who also focuses on mining matters; corporate and finance partner Bernardo Cárdenas, who is noted for project finance; and projects specialist Pablo Jaramillo, whose work spans energy-related financings and secondary market transactions. A deep bench of supporting lawyers includes environmental law director María Margarita Lorduy, who is frequently engaged by clients in the mining and hydrocarbons sectors; and junior associate Rodrigo de Vivero, who focuses on project development-related matters. In June 2025, senior associate Antonio Rojas left to study abroad.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- They have provided helpful legal insight on some complex transactional and tax matters. They work well with our local team and with counsel in our home country when required.
- We rely on Denton's to provide legal expertise regarding our projects in Colombia and to keep our subsidiaries compliant in this jurisdiction.
- Santiago González stands out for his experience, expertise and knowledge of the industry.
- The team provides effective and efficient advice on the matters we consult it on.
- Lawyers are always willing to process requests as quickly as possible, working towards objectives rather than adhering to a fixed schedule. The service they provide is high-quality and delivered on time.
- The team's strength lies in their comprehensive service. With a single point of contact, they handle all matters across various departments, and the assigned lawyer coordinates and channels input from all other teams, eliminating the need to deal with each department separately. They are also highly transparent in their billing practices.
Key clients
- Vatia
- Electryon Power
- Kimberly-Clark Colombia.
- Colgas
- Grupo Iberoamericano de Fomento
- Crossboundary Colombia
- Negratín
- Uriel Renovables
- REFICAR – Refinería de Cartagena
- ONGC Videsh Limited Sucursal Colombia
- YPF
- LNG Energy Group
Work highlights
Advised Refinería de Cartagena on regulatory and environmental law matters.
Advised YPF on regulatory and administrative proceedings before the National Hydrocarbons Agency.
Advised Drummond on a regulatory dispute concerning the coexistence of adjacent mining titles.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jorge Neher; Santiago González; Bernardo Cardenas; Hernan Rodriguez; James Valdiri