Get to know Sonia
With a deep understanding of business restructuring and insolvency law, SONIA COLÓN helps companies and creditors navigate complex financial challenges. She is a Capital Member of Ferraiuoli and Chair of its Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. She also leads the firm’s Florida office, advising business clients on corporate law, real estate, and regulatory matters. With over 22 years of experience, Sonia is a seasoned bankruptcy attorney and transactional lawyer, representing institutional lenders, investors, equity holders, and insurers in insolvency-related matters, including workouts, debt restructuring, and complex commercial litigation.
Sonia has extensive experience handling bankruptcy cases, including out-of-court restructurings, complex bankruptcy litigation, and insolvency-related transactions helping companies and creditors protect their interests. She regularly advises clients on restructuring financial transactions, tracing funds, and securing financing agreements in bankruptcy proceedings. Notably, she has played a key role in Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis, including representation under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA).
Beyond her legal practice, Sonia is a recognized thought leader and author on Puerto Rico’s fiscal and economic challenges. A sought-after speaker and lecturer, she frequently presents on bankruptcy law, speaking at industry-leading national and international organizations such as the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors. She has also shared her expertise as a speaker at universities such as Puerto Rico, Boston, Duke, Stetson, and Texas.
Before joining Ferraiuoli, Sonia clerked for the Honorable Enrique S. Lamoutte, Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Puerto Rico, and was a partner at another major San Juan law firm
Why do your clients come to you?
Clients trust me with their most complex cases involving business restructuring and creditors’ rights, particularly as Puerto Rico’s evolving economic landscape continues to impact businesses. My experience representing creditors allows me to craft practical, results-driven solutions that maximize recoveries efficiently.
At Ferraiuoli, I work closely with a highly skilled team of attorneys, combining our expertise to deliver strategic and effective outcomes. My strong courtroom reputation, extensive business network, and deep bankruptcy knowledge help ensure that clients receive the best possible representation.
What is your primary focus?
My focus is always on providing exceptional client service and achieving results that align with my clients’ goals. Bankruptcy and insolvency cases are complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. I collaborate with specialists across litigation, intellectual property, employment, and corporate law to develop cost-conscious and effective legal strategies.
With over two decades of experience, I have played a key role in some of Puerto Rico’s most significant restructurings and commercial cases, helping clients navigate financial distress and emerge stronger from legal challenges.
What do you find most rewarding?
Helping clients overcome challenging or complex financial situations is the most rewarding part of my work. Guiding them through critical moments, equipping them with the knowledge and strategies they need, and seeing them regain stability is what drives my practice. Whether guiding businesses through restructuring or protecting creditor rights, I can bring the experience and strategic insight needed to achieve results. To discuss how I can assist with your legal needs, feel free to connect.
- Sonia regularly represents Stewart Title Guaranty Company, LSREF2 Island Holdings, Ltd., Bautista Cayman Asset Company, Capital Crossing, and Condado 4, LLC, Condado 2, LLC and in bankruptcy and commercial litigation.
- Sonia has represented Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in major construction bankruptcy and related litigation.
- Sonia represented Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the indenture trustee and successful plan proponent in In re El Comandante Management Corp.
Sonia has widely published and lectured on a variety of restructuring and workout related matters. Since 2001, she has chaired and conducted numerous seminars and speeches in the fields of creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and business reorganizations including:
- Speaker in Ana G. Mendez University System for Despliega to Activo, How to Incorporate in the State of Florida, Orlando, Florida, October 2018
- Panelist, 35th Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy Conference, Restructuring Public Finances – Chapter 9 and Alternatives, Texas, November 2016
- Guest in Telemundo’s program “Orlando Avanza”, Orlando, Florida, October 2016
- Panelist, II Congreso del Caribe Sobre Derecho de Quiebra, El estado actual del derecho concursal en torno al individuo, Universidad Interamericana, San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 2016
- Panelist, 1rst PROMESA Conference, A Walk Through P.R.O.M.E.S.A. and the Detroit Experience, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 2016.
- Panelist, AIRA’s 32nd Annual Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, Puerto Rico, Where is it Going?, San Diego, California, June 2016.
- Panelist, 2nd Hispanic Business Conference & Expo 2016, Puerto Rico: De la crisis a la oportunidad, Orlando, Florida, June 2016.
- Panelist, Puerto Rican Summit VII, Puerto Rico Fiscal Crisis, Orlando, Florida, May 2016.
- Panelist, 40th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar, Special Challenges of Individual Chapter 11, Clearwater, Florida, March 2016.
- Panelist, University of Puerto Rico Business Law Journal Symposium, “Public Debt and the Future of Puerto Rico” (La Deuda Pública y el Porvenir de Puerto Rico), San Juan, Puerto Rico, February 2016.
- Panelist, Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, When Healthcare Goes in Life Support, San Juan, Puerto Rico, February 2016.
- Panelist, Business Law Society’s Symposium on Modern Municipal Restructurings, Puerto Rico and Beyond, Duke Law School, Durham, North Carolina, November 2015.
- Panelist, IWIRC 22nd Annual Fall International Conference, From Detroit to Puerto Rico: Chapter 9’s Role in Changing Government, Miami, Florida, September 2015.
- Panelist, Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, Wait — You Can Reorganize Under State Law Now, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, February 2015.
- World Bank Group – Doing Business 2021 – Resolving Insolvency – Puerto Rico, April 2020
- Chambers Global Practice Guide, Insolvency, 2019 Second Edition Guide, December, 2019
- Chambers & Partners Insolvency Practice Guides, 2018 Latin America Edition of Chambers & Partners, November, 2017.
- “Los Escabrosos Caminos para Frenar la Crisis”, El Nuevo Día, December 2016.
- Chambers & Partners Insolvency Practice Guides, 2017 Latin America Edition of Chambers & Partners, August, 2016.
- Chambers Global Practice Guides, Chambers Global Practice Guide on Insolvency 2016, August, 2016.
- Named, The Case of Independent Oversight in Municipal Restructurings by Brian F. Gleason and Martha E. M. Kopacz, ABI Journal, August 2016.
- Named, “Former Gov. Fortuño Slams Puerto Rico’s Reticence”, Newsmax – Independent American, July 4, 2016.
- ABI Exclusive: The Ins and Outs of the House-Passed PROMESA Bill, ABI Journal, July, 2016.
- Puerto Rico Debt-Restructuring Law Voided by U.S. Supreme Court, Microjuris.com, June 16, 2016.
- Named, “P.R. Government’s Ratio of Debt Service to Revenue of 35% is Deceptive, Critics Say”, Caribbean Business, May 12, 2016.
- Author with Jorge San Miguel, Esq., “Legislative Update: Proposed Puerto Rico Recovery Law – PROMESA”, American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), May 2016.
- Author with Jorge San Miguel, Esq., “Puerto Rico Debt: Credibility is The Crisis”, American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), May 2016.
- Coauthor, “Puerto Rico’s Extraordinary Case”, the Best of ABI 2014: The Year in Business Bankruptcy.
- “El Inmenso Desafío de Renegociar”, El Nuevo Día, February 2015.
- “Puerto Rico en Quiebra”, El Nuevo Día, February 2015.
- “Puerto Rico: In the Spotlight”, ABI Journal, April 2015.
- “Puerto Rico: Still in the Spotlight,” ABI Journal, June 2015.
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Recovery & Insolvency 2014 (Puerto Rico), 8th Edition, published by Global Legal Group Ltd., London.
- Puerto Rico: on the Verge of Default, IWIRC 2015 Convention.
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Recovery & Insolvency 2015 (Puerto Rico), 9th Edition, published by Global Legal Group Ltd., London.
- Restructuring and insolvency in Puerto Rico: overview, Practical Law – Global Guide 2015/16 – Restructuring and Insolvency.
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Recovery & Insolvency 2016 (Puerto Rico), 10th Edition, published by Global Legal Group Ltd., London.
Education
- University of Puerto Rico School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1997
- Georgetown University, B.S. in Foreign Service, cum laude, 1994
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) Program, 1989
Bar Admissions
- State of Florida
- Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
- U.S. and Puerto Rico Supreme Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
- U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle and Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Puerto Rico
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- United States District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia
Affiliations
- Florida Bar Association, Business Law Section
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Advisory Board of Caribbean Insolvency Symposium
- Puerto Rico Bar Association
- Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association
- International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, Chair PR Chapter
- Turnaround Managers Association
- Orange County (Florida) Bar Association
- Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Member, Planning Committee of the Business Law Section Diversity Programming-Orlando Trial Skills Seminar
- Hispanic National Bar Association, Chair of Task Force on Puerto Rico
Professional Recognition
- Certified in Business Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification since 2007.
- Sonia has been recognized in the 2017, 2019 and 2020 Latin America Edition of Chambers & Partners as a Leading Individual in Bankruptcy Law.
- Inclusion in the Seventh Edition of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico for the work in Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
- Certified by The Fund as Policy Issuing Agent of Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.
- She has been featured In the Orlando Style Magazine’s “Orlando’s Top Women in Law”, June 2020 issue, featuring Central Florida’s most respected attorneys of distinction. (https://orlandostylemagazine.com/sonia-e-colon/)
- Certificate of Appreciation by The World Bank Group in appreciation of contribution to Doing Business 2021.
- Certificate of Appreciation by The World Bank Group in appreciation of contribution to The Global Indicators Group 2021.
