ES

  • Barranquilla, Atlántico
  • Bogotá, D.C.

LEGAL

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Alberto Madero Rincón

Founding Partner
amadero@maderolaw.com
(+57) 323 221 1755
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Admitted to practice in Colombia and in New York, USA.
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Practices law with technical rigor, strategic vision, and a global reach to resolve complex disputes and facilitate business.

Alberto is an attorney with over 15 years of national and international experience in complex dispute resolution, legal structuring of strategic projects, and crisis management. He has led legal teams in multi-billion-dollar international arbitrations, headed legal departments in the energy sector, advised governments and multinationals in complex negotiations, and trained new generations of lawyers in academic leadership roles.

He has built his career at the heart of complex and strategic disputes. As Head of Arbitration at the Cartagena Refinery, he coordinated the litigation strategy in an international arbitration, achieving a favorable award exceeding USD 1 billion, and designed the company’s first in-house legal unit specialized in arbitration and strategic litigation, incorporating innovative practices and legal technology tools for Colombia’s state-owned business sector.

His experience includes representing States and companies in international arbitrations from leading firms such as King & Spalding (New York and Houston offices) and other leading Colombian firms; negotiating free trade agreements for Colombia; and participating in disputes before the World Trade Organization (WTO). In every setting, he has combined deep legal knowledge, commercial insight, and nuanced management of reputational, fiscal, and disciplinary risks.

He has negotiated complex settlement and conciliation agreements between state entities and contractors, as well as share purchase, EPC, equipment supply, and TSA agreements, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, and oil & gas sectors.

From an academic perspective, he served as Dean of the School of Law, Political Science and International Relations at Universidad del Norte, where he led an institutional transformation encompassing administrative and curricular redesign and promoted training in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Colombia’s Caribbean region. His multidisciplinary approach allows him to anticipate scenarios and provide legal solutions that combine academic rigor with strategic, technical, and context-sensitive insight.

Today, this breadth of experience converges in Madero Law, a firm that not only resolves conflicts but transforms legal challenges into strategic advantages.

Academic Background

Master of Laws (LL.M.), Harvard University (Cambridge, USA). Recipient of Colfuturo and Colombia-Harvard Fund scholarships.
Master’s in International Economic Law, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia).

Languages

ENGLISH (ADVANCED) | SPANISH (NATIVE)

Experience in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy of a state-owned company in an ICC international arbitration against an EPC contractor for the construction of a refinery in South America. The tribunal awarded more than USD 1 billion in damages to the client. Bilingual (English/Spanish) proceedings seated in New York, governed by the laws of Colombia and the State of New York.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy in an international arbitration against an EPC contractor for breaches in the construction of a process unit in a refinery. Proceedings conducted in Spanish, seated in Bogotá, and concluded favorably for the client.
  • Legal Manager and representative of a state-owned company in settlement negotiations with domestic and international companies to resolve EPC-contract disputes in the oil & gas sector, resulting in a favorable agreement with recoveries exceeding USD 2 million.
  • Representation of a power generator in a domestic arbitration against an EPC contractor over disputes related to the construction of a thermoelectric plant. Arbitration administered by the Chamber of Commerce of Barranquilla.
  • Representation of a U.S. oil company in an ICC international arbitration against a Panamanian company over disputes arising from an asset purchase agreement and a non-compete clause. Proceedings in English, seated in New York, concluded with a favorable award.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy in an ICC international arbitration against a U.S. engineering company for breach of a PMC contract related to the construction of a refinery. Arbitration seated in Paris, France.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy in an ICC international arbitration against a U.S. supplier over disputes arising from a supply contract. Proceedings in English, seated in New York, concluded with a favorable settlement.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy in a domestic arbitration against an EPC contractor and project inspector for breaches in the construction of an industrial cafeteria. Arbitration administered by the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce (CCB) resulted in a favorable award.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the litigation strategy of a state-owned company in a domestic arbitration (CCB) against a supplier for breaches of a supply contract. The case concluded with a conciliation approved by the arbitral tribunal and Colombia’s Procuraduría General de la Nación, granting all of the client’s claims.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the defense of a state-owned company in a domestic arbitration (CCB) filed for alleged breaches of a refinery start-up contract. The tribunal found a lack of jurisdiction and awarded costs to the client.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the defense of a state-owned company in a domestic arbitration (CCB) arising from alleged breaches of a supply contract in an oil & gas industrial project. The case ended in a favorable settlement agreement.
  • Legal Manager responsible for the defense strategy of a state-owned company in a domestic arbitration (CCB) related to the alleged breach of a consulting contract for pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up of a refinery.
  • Counsel to an investor in an UNCITRAL international arbitration against a South American State concerning the impairment of a silver, indium, and gallium mining investment protected under a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
  • Counsel to an investor in an ICSID international arbitration against a South American State over measures related to the nationalization of two airlines, under a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Bilingual (English/Spanish) proceedings seated in The Hague, Netherlands.
  • Legal Manager and representative of a state-owned company in settlement negotiations arising from supply and TSA contracts with a U.S. conglomerate over defects in gas compressors for power generation, reaching a favorable agreement with recoveries exceeding COP 4 billion.
  • Counsel to a multinational infrastructure company in an amicable composition proceeding involving disputes with a state entity under a concession contract for the construction, operation, and maintenance of road infrastructure.
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Experience in International Trade & Investment
  • Legal advice to Colombia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism in the negotiation and legal review of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Israel, Costa Rica, Japan, and the Pacific Alliance, with emphasis on the design of the institutional framework and on the chapters regarding dispute settlement, investment, and cross-cutting exceptions.
  • Legal advice to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism on the legal review of the FTA with the European Union and on the implementation of the FTA with the United States, including the review of reforms to the customs code.
  • Legal advice to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism on third-party interventions in dispute settlement proceedings before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Experience in Project Legal Structuring
  • Advised a state-owned company on the legal structuring of a hydroelectric project in Colombia, including the negotiation of EPC contracts, operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts, and equipment supply agreements.
  • Advised a power generation company on the negotiation and drafting of an EPC contract for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant.
Pro Bono Experience
  • Led the design and implementation of an academic program within a legal clinic in Barranquilla to provide in-person legal assistance to vulnerable communities across several municipalities in the Atlántico province, integrating an interdisciplinary and territory-based approach.
  • Participated in forums on access to justice and pro bono work, including conferences organized by the Pro Bono Colombia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
  • Led the creation of an educational program to promote school mediation in public and private schools, focused on training students, teachers, administrative staff, and parents.

Teaching Experience

Universidad del Norte
Barranquilla – Colombia

  • Dean of the School of Law, Political Science, and International Relations (Aug. 2021 – Sept. 2025).
  • Professor in the Second Edition of the WTO Chair Program in the Caribbean, organized by the World Trade Organization, Universidad del Norte, and Universidad de los Andes (Aug. 2025).
  • Professor of the Arbitration Course in the undergraduate law program (2022 – 2025).
  • Professor in the WTO Chair Program in the Caribbean, organized by the World Trade Organization, Universidad del Norte, and Universidad de los Andes (Nov. 2024).
  • Professor of the Arbitration Course in the Specialization in Civil and Family Law (Jun. 2022).
  • Professor in the Domestic Arbitration Executive Program organized by Universidad del Norte and Tirant Lo Blanch (Nov. – Dec. 2023).
  • Professor in the Summer School on Intellectual Property, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Universidad del Norte (Aug. 2023).

Universidad Javeriana
Bogotá, D.C. – Colombia

  • Professor in the Specialization in Competition Law (Apr. 2012; Jan. – Oct. 2017; Jan. – Apr. 2018).
  • Professor of the WTO Law course (Jul. – Dec. 2012).
  • Coach of student teams in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO Law, including the teams that won the Latin American round in 2009 and the global round in 2013 (2009, 2012 – 2013).

Universidad Sergio Arboleda
Bogotá, D.C. – Colombia

  • Professor in the Master of Laws (Apr. 2017).
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Boards, Councils, and Executive Committees

Alberto actively participates in strategic decision-making fora, public policy analysis, and institutional development, strengthening his systemic vision and ability to connect law with social and economic dynamics.

  • Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Legal Committee (2024 – present).
  • MIT Harvard Club Colombia, Member of the Board of Directors (2023 – present).
  • Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal – ICDP, President of the Atlántico Chapter (Jul. 2025 – present).
  • Barranquilla Cómo Vamos, Member of the Board of Directors (2021 – 2025).
  • Citizen Security Observatory – Universidad del Norte, Member of the Board of Directors (2021 – 2025).
  • FUNDESARROLLO, Member of the Board of Directors (2017 – 2021).
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Professional Affiliations

He is listed as an arbitrator in arbitration centers and is an active member of renowned academic and professional networks, both nationally and internationally.

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Selected Publications

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Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, Opening Conference, “La autonomía y descentralización de las entidades territoriales en Colombia: Avances y retos,” Diálogos Constitucionales: Una Construcción Colectiva, Constitutional Court, Council of the Judiciary, World Congress of Constitutional Law 2026 and Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, September 1, 2025.
  • Panelist, “Energy, Infrastructure & Climate Change and Arbitration & ADR,” Interlaw America’s Regional Meeting, Cartagena, May 22, 2025.
  • Panelist, “Commercial Skills in the Practice of Arbitration,” ICC YAF and the Colombian ICC Committee, Bogotá, D.C., May 21, 2025.
  • Speaker, “La Corte Constitucional y el Lenguaje Claro: Hacía una justicia comprensible,” Semana del Idioma, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, April 24, 2025.
  • Panelist, “IA Responsable: Fundamentos y Principios,” VI Foro Norte: Teoría y Práctica del Buen Gobierno: LegalTech y Compliance, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, April 10, 2025.
  • Panelist, “Problemáticas alrededor del estatuto de conciliación,” XLV Congreso Colombiano de Derecho Procesal, Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal -ICDP, Bucaramanga, October 2, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Promoción del Trabajo Pro Bono entre Estudiantes,” Día Pro Bono: Derecho con propósito, Fundación Pro Bono Colombia, Bogotá, D.C., May 27, 2025.
  • Panelist, “I Foro de Mecanismos Alternativos de Solución de Conflicto (MASC),” Semana de Derecho, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, March 27, 2025.
  • Moderator, “Conversatorio: Reforma al Régimen Societario: Proyecto 467 de 2024,” Semana de Derecho, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, March 25, 2025.
  • Panelist, “El uso de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en procesos Judiciales,” Diálogos Constitucionales: Una Construcción Colectiva – Capítulo Cartagena, Constitutional Court and Universidad de los Andes, Cartagena, November 15, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Acuerdos y Mediación en Arbitraje Internacional a la luz del Reporte ICC,” 6ta Edición de PANARB – Conferencia de la Corte Internacional de Arbitraje de la ICC en Panamá, ICC Panamá y ICC Dispute Resolution, Panama City, Panama, May 22, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Perspectivas Regionales en el Arbitraje Comercial Internacional: Desafíos Específicos en la Región,” 6ta Edición de PANARB – Conferencia de la Corte Internacional de Arbitraje de la ICC en Panamá, ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, ICC Panama and Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Panama City, Panama, May 24, 2024.
  • Moderator, “Legaltech en Colombia: ¿En qué vamos?,” Semana de Derecho, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, March 12, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Conversatorio: La importancia de la mediación en Colombia,” Semana de Derecho, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, March 14, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Situaciones de la Justicia e Ideas Generales para su Transformación,” Seminario: Reformas a la Justicia, Universidad Libre and Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal – ICDP, Barranquilla, March 7, 2024.
  • Moderator, “Audiencia Pública sobre Regiones Autonómicas,” Presidency of the Senate of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, Barranquilla, December 18, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Universidad y Trabajo pro bono: nuevos retos para la formación de abogados,” Seminario Acceso a la Justicia: Retos y Oportunidades para el ejercicio del derecho en las regiones, Fundación Pro Bono Colombia and United States Agency for International Development – USAID, Cali, October 5, 2023.
  • Moderator, “Arbitraje Internacional y Energía Renovable: las disputas contractuales, de tecnología y de inversión en el contexto de política pública,” VI Congreso Nacional e Internacional de Resolución de Conflictos: Un Centro para las Américas, Bogota Chamber of Commerce, Barranquilla, October 4, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Como gestionar exitosamente un litigio,” 6to Concurso Universitario de Arbitraje Nacional, Colombian Very Young Arbitration Practitioners and Medellín Chamber of Commerce for Antioquia, Webinar, September 25, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Arbitration Hotspots: Colombia y el Caribe como sedes de arbitraje internacional,” VIII Congreso Internacional de Derecho Empresarial y Arbitral: apuntando a una justicia inclusiva y sostenible en Bolívar, Cartagena Chamber of Commerce and USAID, Cartagena, September 22, 2023.
  • Panelist, “La participación del usuario en el arbitraje ICC: experiencias prácticas,” Third Colombia Arbitration Day, International Chamber of Commerce and Bogota Chamber of Commerce, Bogota, September 6, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Estrategias y Alternativas Jurídicas – Gestión Efectiva y Proactiva del Conflicto,” XLIV Congreso Colombiano de Derecho Procesal, Instituto Colombiano de Derecho Procesal -ICDP, Cartagena, August 29, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Conferencia-Taller Tres Vías para la gestión estratégica del conflicto: alta gerencia, resolución de controversias y business intelligence,” Arbitration and Conciliation Center of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, August 23, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Arbitraje en los sectores de energía e hidrocarburos,” XI Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje, Colombian Arbitration Committee, Bogota, June 8, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Nuevas tendencias en arbitraje,” Semana de Derecho, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, May 9, 2023.
  • Panelist, “El principio de mínima intervención judicial en el arbitraje,” XVII Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje, Instituto Peruano de Arbitraje – IPA, Lima, April 27, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Liderazgo: Nuestro rol en la sociedad,” Shapping the Future: MIT Harvard Colombia Summit 2023, MIT Harvard Club Colombia, Bogota, April 15, 2023.
  • Panelist, “Perspectivas de la reconstrucción de la relación binacional Colombia-Venezuela,” IX Semana de la Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, September 19, 2022.
  • Panelist, “Hacía un sistema jurídico diferenciado,” Foro Asocapitales: Hacía una verdadera Autonomía Territorial, Asociación Colombiana de Ciudades Capitales – Asocapitales and Mayor’s Office of Cucuta, Cucuta, August 5, 2022.
  • Panelist, “Conflictos de intereses en el marco de buenas prácticas del arbitraje internacional,” LIV Conferencia CIAC: Nuevas tendencias en materia de arbitraje y mediación internacional, Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission and Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce, Barranquilla, May 24, 2022.
  • Moderador, “Adiós 2020, Hello 2021: Celebremos el fin de año y demos la bienvenida a los próximos cambios de la Corte de la CCI,” ICC YAF, Webinar, December 18, 2020.
  • Conferencista, “Amicus Curiae en el Reglamento de Arbitraje de la CCI,” Arbitration and ADR Commission of the Colombian ICC Committee, Webinar, December 3, 2020.
  • Panelista, “Construction Talks: Perspectiva del Abogado In-House,” Asociación Latinoamericana de Derecho de la Construcción – ALDEC, September 3, 2020.
  • Moderador, “ICC YAF Knockout,” Webinar, August 28, 2020.
  • Panelista, “El impacto del COVID-19 en arbitrajes y negocios en la región,” Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje – ALARB and ICC YAF, Webinar, April 14, 2020.
  • Panelista, “Una visión interdisciplinar del arbitraje: usuarios del arbitraje, expertos, abogados y árbitro,” 3er Congreso de la Red Juvenil de Arbitraje, Bogota, February 14, 2020.
  • Moderador, “Amicus brief in international arbitration,” 17th ICC Miami Conference on International Arbitration/ICC YAF, Miami, November 11, 2019.
  • Moderador, “Arbitraje y entidades estatales: La tensión entre lo público y lo privado,” 16ª Reunión del Grupo Latinoamericano de Arbitraje de la ICC, ICC YAF, Medellin, September 4, 2019.
  • Panelista, “Una conversación con los abogados in-house: ¿qué mejorar, qué conservar, y qué cambiar?,” Congreso del Capítulo Español de Arbitraje, Bogota, July 16, 2019.
  • Moderador, “Conferencia ICC YAF: Rápido y Furioso: Competencia de Arbitraje Internacional,” 2nd ICC Colombia Arbitration Day,  ICC YAF, Bogota, May 15, 2019.
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Madero
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