Hernando Padilla

Corporate/M&A, Banking, Finance and Capital Markets

Partner at PPU and Colombia’s Office Director with a practice that focuses on matters related Corporate, M&A and Private Equity. Mr. Padilla represents a variety of local and foreign clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestments, private equity and other corporate matters in Colombia and the United States. Among many others, he has represented Entoria Capital, Mercantil Colpatria, SCLEA, Acción, Platinum Equity Partners, Tecnoglass, Grupo Energía de Bogotá and General Atlantic. He recently represented Grupo Calleja in the acquisition of 86.84% of the ordinary shares of Almacenes Éxito S.A. through a simultaneous public tender offer (PTO) in Colombia and on the NYSE, a historic transaction in Colombia. Mr. Padilla has also participated in capital raising operations for startups, representing Softbank, GIC, Celeritas, Grupo Team, among others. Mr. Padilla is admitted to practice in Colombia and in the state of New York.

Member of the New York Bar

"The Private Equity Review", Fundraising/ Investing Chapter Colombia, 2016-2017

"Banking and Finance Rountable", Corporate Livewire 2016

"Securities Law in Colombia", Best & Soulier World Law Group

Mr. Padilla has a Law Degree from Universidad de Los Andes (1997) and a Postgraduate Degree in International Procurement from the same institution (1997). In addition, he has an LL.M. from Northwestern University School of Law (1999) and a Certificate of Management from Kellogg School of Management (1999). 

Counsel to Grupo Calleja on its acquisition of 86.84% of the ordinary shares (including ADSs and BDRs) of Almacenes Éxito S.A. through a simultaneous public tender offer (OPA) in Colombia and on the NYSE for US$1,020 million. PPU also advised Grupo Calleja on the signing of a pre-agreement with Casino Group for 47.36% of the ordinary shares of Almacenes Éxito S.A. for US$556 million.

Counsel to Grupo Bancolombia in the entering into a joint venture with Patria Investments for the management and development of a platform of alternative assets. The parties have incorporated a new company owned 51% by Patria and 49% by Grupo Bancolombia, which main purpose is the management of real estate and alternative assets and it will initiate its operation as professional manager of Fondo de Capital Privado - Inmobiliario Colombia (FIC).

Counsel to BBVA Spark in connection with a revolving credit facility of up to COP$56,000,000,000 granted to Addi, to support, among other purposes, the origination of virtual consumer loans under a buy-now, pay-later model in Colombia.

Counsel to Goldman Sachs and Fasanara Capital as lenders on the USD 227 million credit facility upsizing granted to Addi.