Kennedys grows presence in Latin American with key hire of new partner in Colombia

We're growing our presence in Latin America with the hire of partner, Mauricio Carvajal–Garcia, to our Colombia office.

Mauricio, who joins from Carvajal Valek Abogados, where he has been a partner since 2015 specialises in litigation and arbitration in insurance, reinsurance, marine, shipping, and transport.

He has particular experience in handling large and complex matters on marine, casualty (liability, bonds and fidelity), life, motor, shipping, aviation and inland transportation (cargo, hull & machinery, P&I, passengers, ports, terminals and marinas), working on product development, contract analysis, wording writing and analysis, claims handling, subrogation and litigation/arbitration.

Mauricio has also worked at the Colombian office of Royal and Sun Alliance as the National Claims director, a role he moved into after a stint working in London. Alongside his legal work Mauricio also lectures at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a role he has held since March 2013.

Our Colombia office, which opened in 2016, is one of seven offices in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Miami (LAC regional hub) and Peru. The Colombian office focuses on (re)insurance and corporate and commercial matters. Our multilingual Colombian team has an outstanding reputation for handling complex litigation and trials, and advising on a full range of claims.

Last year, our Miami office celebrated 10 years in Latin America, after having been the first international insurance law firm to open an office in Miami, in 2010, to serve as their regional hub for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Nick Thomas, global senior partner, Kennedys says: “Mauricio is a welcome addition to our team in Colombia and the wider Latin American region. Kennedys’ objective in Latin America has always been to assist our clients, mainly reinsurers with business in this region, in the handling of large and complex claims, together with an understanding the nuances of the unique regulatory frameworks in each of the jurisdictions.”

Alex Guillamont, Head of Kennedys’ Latin America and the Caribbean practice, Kennedys, says: “We are delighted by the growth and expansion of the Colombian office in the five years since in August 2016. Colombia is a very important market in Latin America and has been a significant contributor to the success of our team in the region. We have an expanding marine and aviation practice in the region and Mauricio fits right in.”

Monica Tocarruncho Mantilla, partner and head of the Colombia office, Kennedys says: “Mauricio is highly regarded in the LATAM region as a marine specialist and also as a law professor lecturing on insurance and transportation law. He is a regular contributor for insurance marine publications and journals and he is frequently invited to speak at industry events. He will be a great addition to our team.”

Mauricio Carvajal Garcia said of his appointment: “I am excited to be joining Kennedys, a firm with and outstanding reputation locally and globally. I have worked with Monica previously and there are many synergies in our style of work, the firm’s culture and similarity in clients.”

On 1 September 2021 we promoted seven of our lawyers across the region, including four in our Colombia office, as part of Kennedys’ commitment to the growth and development of our talent.