Milton Fernando Montoya Joins Holland & Knight's Energy and Natural Resources Team in Colombia

BOGOTÁ (August 3, 2022) – Holland & Knight's Energy and Natural Resources Team in Colombia has been strengthened by the arrival of attorney Milton Fernando Montoya Pardo, who comes to the firm as Of Counsel and brings extensive experience in mining matters. Mr. Montoya joins the firm with a team of three associates, including Manuel José Ocampo, Ernesto Guzmán and Nathalia Vásquez.

Mr. Montoya has more than 20 years of experience and joins from his boutique law firm Estudio Jurídico Montoya y Asociados, where he focused on advisory services in the mining and energy sector. He advises clients on the transfer of mining titles, sale of mining companies, due diligence of mining contracts, preparation of mining operation subcontracts, administrative injunctions, subrogation of mining rights, integration of mining titles, mining formalization processes, and provides mining litigation and support in the formulation of the public policy and regulation of hydrogen in Colombia, among other services.

In addition to his professional practice, Mr. Montoya serves as professor and research director of the Mining and Energy Law Department of the Universidad Externado de Colombia and has extensive teaching experience in mining matters, both at Universidad Externado and at some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Mr. Montoya holds a law degree from Universidad Externado de Colombia, a diploma in electricity and gas regulation from the same university, a master's degree in energy law, a doctor of law (Ph.D.) from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and a certificate of post-doctoral studies from the University of Dundee (United Kingdom), where he is also an honorary lecturer.

"For Holland & Knight, it is essential to continue attracting professionals of Milton and his team's stature," said Enrique Gómez-Pinzón, executive partner of Holland & Knight in Colombia. "His arrival will allow us to continue growing in the market and position ourselves as a leading firm, particularly in energy and natural resources matters."

José Vicente Zapata, lead partner of the Energy and Natural Resources Team, said: "Milton's experience in mining matters allows us to complement our team and offer our clients a more comprehensive service, always with the objective of helping them meet their goals and objectives. We are very proud of the team we have built over several years and the capabilities we can offer as a firm to the industry."

"Being part of Holland & Knight is very gratifying for me and my team and we are confident that this integration will allow us to expand the practice areas we offer to our clients and, at the same time, enhance Holland & Knight's distinguished energy team in Colombia," said Milton Montoya.

In addition to Mr. Zapata and Mr. Montoya, Holland & Knight's Energy and Natural Resources Team also includes notable practitioners such as partner Inés Elvira Vesga Gaviria, senior counsel Juan Casallas Romero and a team of 15 associate lawyers, making Holland & Knight one of the most comprehensive groups in the local market advising on energy, hydrocarbons, renewables, mining and environmental matters.

With 10 years in the Colombian legal market, Holland & Knight is among the area's leading law firms with a large international presence, including approximately 1,700 lawyers in 32 offices around the world.