Abelardo de la Espriella is a Colombian lawyer, columnist, and executive who has a net worth of $10 million as of 2024. He is the founder and director of DE LA ESPRIELLA Lawyers Enterprise, a legal firm that specializes in criminal, private, public, and international law. He has represented several prominent clients in high-profile cases, such as the Spanish group COMSA, the Colombian parapoliticians, and the former president Álvaro Uribe. He is also a prolific writer and speaker, who has published books, articles, and speeches on various topics, such as politics, justice, and peace.
Early Life and Education
Abelardo de la Espriella was born in Bogotá, Colombia, on July 31, 1978. He grew up in Montería, where his parents, Abelardo De La Espriella Juris and María Eugenia Otero, worked as a lawyer and a teacher, respectively. He attended Catholic school and showed interest in journalism and literature from an early age. He participated in a TV program called Inquietudes juveniles and worked as an assistant for the renowned journalist Juan Gossaín. He moved back to Bogotá to study law at the Sergio Arboleda University, where he graduated with honors. He also obtained a master’s degree in law from the same university, and specialized in criminal law and criminology at the Externado University of Colombia, and in administrative law at the Rosario University. He also received a Doctor Honoris Causa degree in law from the Autonomous University of the Caribbean.
Career and Net Worth
Abelardo de la Espriella started his career as a lawyer in 2002, when he founded his own legal firm, DE LA ESPRIELLA Lawyers Enterprise, which has offices in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, and Miami. He has handled more than two thousand cases, involving criminal, civil, commercial, constitutional, and international law. He has defended and advised clients from various sectors, such as business, politics, sports, entertainment, and media. Some of his most notable cases include:
- The COMSA case (2006): He represented the Spanish group COMSA in a lawsuit against the Colombian state, regarding the construction of the Bogotá Metro. He proved that his client did not commit any fraud or misappropriation of funds, and reached a historic settlement with the government.
- The parapolitics case (2007): He defended 13 politicians and public officials who were accused of having links with paramilitary groups, as part of the scandal known as parapolitics. He obtained the acquittal or the reduction of sentences for most of his clients, and argued for the change of the charge from conspiracy to sedition, based on the principle of favorability.
- The Uribe case (2020): He represented the former president of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, who was investigated and detained by the Supreme Court of Justice for alleged witness tampering and fraud. He challenged the legality and impartiality of the court’s decision, and obtained the release and the transfer of the case to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Abelardo de la Espriella is also a renowned columnist and speaker, who has written for several newspapers and magazines, such as El Tiempo, El Espectador, El Heraldo, and Semana. He has published books, such as El derecho penal en el Estado social y democrático de derecho (2005), La sedición, el delito de los políticos (2008), and La paz de los sepulcros (2016). He has given lectures and conferences on topics such as politics, justice, and peace, both in Colombia and abroad. He has also received several awards and recognitions, such as the Order of Merit Don Juan del Corral, the Order of Democracy Simón Bolívar, and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Abelardo de la Espriella has a net worth of $10 million, as of 2024. He earns his income from his legal practice, his writings, and his speeches. He lives a luxurious lifestyle, and owns several properties and vehicles. He is also a philanthropist, who supports various social and educational causes.
Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Abelardo de la Espriella is a handsome and elegant man, who stands at 5 feet 10 inches and weighs about 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He dresses in a formal and sophisticated manner, and often wears suits and ties. He takes care of his health and fitness, and follows a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about Abelardo de la Espriella that you may not know:
- He is a dual citizen of Colombia and Italy, and speaks Spanish, English, and Italian fluently.
- He is a fan of soccer and supports the Colombian national team and the Juventus club.
- He is a lover of art and culture, and enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, and watching movies.
- He is a devout Catholic, and has a close relationship with Pope Francis, whom he has met several times.
- He is married to María Fernanda Cabal, who is a senator and a leader of the Democratic Center party. They have two children, named Abelardo and María Eugenia.