Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría houses an interdisciplinary projects practice that draws on lawyers specialised in public procurement, public law, infrastructure and project finance, among other areas. The team is best known for its strong transactional offering, where it routinely advises local and international lenders, construction companies, sponsors, government entities and other stakeholders in project finance and development matters. However, it also highly regarded for its regulatory and contentious work, such as its recent successful representation of Grupo Aeroportuario del Caribe in its landmark arbitral dispute against ANI concerning Barranquilla Airport’s concession agreement, which represented the first judicial precedent in Colombia ordering the early termination of a transportation concession agreement due to force majeure circumstances. Pre-eminent public law and infrastructure specialist, Jorge Di Terlizzi, led on the Barranquilla Airport work and, in a further example of his impressive transport infrastructure credentials, he also advised Sociedad Aeroportuaria de la Costa on its unsolicited PPP proposal for the expansion of Rafael Núñez Cartagena Airport. The group additionally includes the ‘exceptional’ Juan Fernando Gaviria, who specialises in project and corporate financing; Carlos Padilla, who advises on the structuring and financing of projects across a broad scope of sectors, with an emphasis on major transport infrastructure; and Hernando Padilla, whose corporate and finance focus also encompasses projects. At associate level, Daniela Mejía supports on project finance-related issues. In February 2024, senior associate Camilo Forero left to join TransMilenio.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The PPU project team seeks to achieve customer satisfaction by taking into account commercial needs and different national contexts.’
‘Juan Fernando Gaviria's experience is extraordinary, he is an expert. Carlos Padilla is also a great lawyer in administrative law. ’
‘Juan Fernando Gaviria is exceptional.’
‘We highlight the team for its knowledge of the power and finance markets.’
Key clients
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Colombia
- BNP Paribas (New York branch)
- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation
- Compartimento A del Fondo de Capital Privado FCP Deuda Infraestructura II Sura - Credicorp Capital
- Concesión La Pintada
- Concesionaria Ruta al Sur
- Concesionaria Ruta del Cacao
- Enerfin Sociedad de Energía
- Fondo Blackrock Deuda Infraestructura Colombia II (Gestor Profesional Blackrock Infrastructure Management I)
- Fondo de Capital Privado Deuda Infraestructura Colombia (Gestor Profesional Blackrock Infrastructure Management I)
Work highlights
Successfully represented Grupo Aeroportuario del Caribe in its landmark arbitration dispute against ANI concerning Barranquilla Airport’s concession agreement.
Acted as local counsel to a group of local and international lenders on the long-term project financing of the construction and development of the Bogotá-Girardot 4G toll road in Colombia.
Acted as Colombian counsel to lenders BNP Paribas (New York branch), Interamerican Investment Corporation and the Interamerican Development Bank on financing the acquisition of a fleet of 401 electric buses for Usme and Fontibón to render public transportation services in Bogotá.
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.
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.
Practice head
Jorge Di Terlizzi; Juan Fernando Gaviria; Hernando Padilla; Carlos Padilla