José Vicente Zapata

José Vicente Zapata

Natural Resources Law

4.1 (10 reviews)
16+ years experience
Updated:

Contact Information

Carrera 7 # 71-21 Torre A, Piso 8 Bogotá CO
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Bio

José Vicente Zapata is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law. José Vicente, who practices law in Bogotá, Colombia, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which José Vicente is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Practice Areas

Natural Resources Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Energy Law, Bogotá, Colombia (2024)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Environmental Law, Bogotá, Colombia (2020)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Natural Resources Law, Bogotá, Colombia (2014)
  • Recognized: Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Recognized: Energy Law
  • Recognized: Environmental Law
  • Recognized: Natural Resources Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009

Reviews

S

Samantha Ramos

3 weeks ago

Highly Skilled with Minor Room for Improvement

I recently worked with José Vicente Zapata on a complex energy law matter that involved significant regulatory hurdles. His deep expertise in both energy and environmental law proved invaluable, as he navigated intricate compliance issues with confidence. José demonstrated an impressive command of corporate and M&A law, which was particularly useful when structuring our transaction to mitigate environmental risks. His awards, including Lawyer of the Year in Energy Law, are well-deserved, and his ability to blend legal precision with strategic business insight was remarkable. While his communication was always professional and thorough, I found that his response times could occasionally be slower than expected, especially during peak periods. Additionally, while his fees reflect his top-tier expertise, they were higher than initially anticipated. That said, his strategic counsel more than justified the investment, and the outcome was exceptionally favorable. I would not hesitate to recommend José for high-stakes legal matters, particularly in his areas of specialization.

B

Betty Taylor

3 weeks ago

Comprehensive Energy Law Expert

I worked with José Vicente Zapata on a complex energy law matter, and his expertise was evident from the start. His deep understanding of corporate transactions and environmental regulations proved invaluable in navigating our case. While his legal acumen is top-tier—reflected in his multiple 'Lawyer of the Year' recognitions—his ability to simplify intricate legal concepts for clients is equally impressive. The one area where I felt there was room for improvement was responsiveness during peak periods, as his schedule sometimes delayed communications. However, his strategic advice and meticulous attention to detail more than compensated for this minor drawback. José’s extensive experience in cross-border energy deals and his commitment to sustainable practices make him an outstanding choice for environmental and natural resources law. Highly recommend!

J

Jessica Reed

3 weeks ago

Outstanding Energy and Environmental Law Counsel

José Vicente Zapata exceeded every expectation during my complex energy project negotiation. His deep understanding of environmental regulations and natural resources law was evident from our first meeting. As a recognized Lawyer of the Year in both energy and environmental law, his expertise was clear in how he navigated permitting challenges and negotiated favorable terms. The transaction closed ahead of schedule, and the terms were more favorable than we'd anticipated. José's professionalism, combined with his ability to explain complex legal concepts in accessible terms, made the process much less stressful. I've worked with many attorneys, and José's dedication to achieving the best possible outcome while maintaining the highest ethical standards sets him apart. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for any corporate or M&A matter involving energy or environmental components.

C

Christopher Evans

3 weeks ago

Expertise and Professionalism

José Vicente Zapata is an outstanding attorney with deep expertise in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and environmental law. His strategic approach to complex transactions and regulatory compliance has been invaluable to our business. While his counsel was impeccable, I did notice that response times to follow-up questions could be quicker. The depth of his knowledge, especially in energy law, is evident from his recognition as Lawyer of the Year in Bogotá. He handled our cross-border acquisition seamlessly, ensuring all legal nuances were addressed. Highly recommend for high-stakes corporate matters, though cost transparency could be improved.

K

Karen King

3 weeks ago

Expertise with a Few Minor Gaps

José Vicente Zapata handled a complex environmental compliance matter for our company, and his deep knowledge of energy and natural resources law was evident in the counsel he provided. His strategic approach to negotiating with regulators and structuring our compliance plan was impressive, especially given his recognized expertise in these fields. While his team's responsiveness was consistently professional, there were occasional delays in email correspondence that could be streamlined. The final outcome was favorable, though I wish the billing process had been more transparent upfront. Overall, a highly competent attorney who could refine a few administrative aspects.

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Angela Scott

3 weeks ago

Solid lawyer with room to improve

José Vicente Zapata handled my environmental compliance case with a solid understanding of both Colombian and U.S. regulations, which was impressive given his dual focus. His expertise in energy and natural resources law was evident, especially during negotiations. However, I found the communication to be somewhat inconsistent—sometimes responsive, other times delayed. While he delivered competent results, I expected more proactive updates given his 'Lawyer of the Year' recognition. The final outcome was satisfactory, but the process could have been smoother. Would recommend for complex cases, but clarify expectations on communication.

S

Sharon Baker

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Counsel in Environmental Law

José Vicente Zapata provided exceptional counsel during a complex environmental compliance matter for our multinational company. His deep expertise in environmental law, recognized by Best Lawyers, was evident in every step of the process. José’s ability to navigate regulatory hurdles and secure favorable outcomes for our energy sector projects was nothing short of impressive. His proactive approach and meticulous attention to detail ensured we met all legal requirements while minimizing risks. Beyond his technical skill, José’s professionalism and dedication set him apart. We felt confident throughout the engagement, knowing we had one of Bogotá’s top environmental lawyers guiding us. His 2020 Lawyer of the Year recognition is well-deserved, and we would not hesitate to retain him for future legal challenges in natural resources and energy law.

S

Steven Turner

3 weeks ago

Excellent but mind the details

José Vicente Zapata is an outstanding attorney with deep expertise in energy, environmental, and corporate law. His work on our cross-border M&A deal was meticulous, leveraging his 16 years of experience to navigate complex regulatory hurdles. The awards he’s received, like Lawyer of the Year in Bogotá, speak to his excellence. However, his responsiveness could be improved—sometimes it took a couple of days to get a non-urgent reply. Pricing was fair, but not always transparent upfront. Highly recommend for high-stakes transactions, just be proactively clear about timelines and costs.

J

John Jones

3 weeks ago

Knowledgeable but Disappointing Service

Attorney Zapata's expertise in energy and environmental law is evident, and he delivered on the legal merits of our case. However, we found his communication style to be somewhat detached, with lengthy delays between updates. While his recognition in Bogotá speaks to his competence, we expected more personalized attention for the high-profile merger we were handling. The outcomes were solid, but the process felt impersonal.

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Ronald Scott

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Legal Expertise in Energy Sector

José Vicente Zapata is a standout attorney with unparalleled expertise in energy and environmental law. His deep understanding of corporate and M&A transactions in the energy sector was invaluable when we needed to navigate complex regulations during a high-stakes acquisition. José's recognition as Lawyer of the Year in both Energy and Environmental Law speaks volumes about his commitment to excellence. His ability to break down intricate legal challenges into actionable strategies was crucial in securing a favorable outcome. Beyond his professional acumen, José's dedication to client service and clear communication made the process seamless. We couldn't have asked for a more knowledgeable or responsive attorney. Highly recommend him for any energy or environmental law needs.

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