According to satisfied clients, Baker McKenzie S.A.S.’s corporate and M&A practice stands out for its ‘willingness to help solve client problems’ as well as its commitment to providing ‘almost immediate attention’. As a sizeable Bogotá platform in a global firm, the team is additionally distinguished by its popularity with multinational clients, who routinely engage the group to lead on the local, sometimes regional, aspects of headline-grabbing, multi-jurisdictional deals. A former Senior Vice President at Brookfield Asset Management, Andrés Crump fronts the M&A and private equity groups and is particularly noted for his experience in the infrastructure and power spheres. Among his recent transactions, the ‘cool and calm’ Crump advised Akzo Nobel on the acquisition of Grupo Orbis, which involved co-ordinating the acquisition of over 20 companies across the Latin American region. Clare Montgomery spearheads the companies, restructuring and investment unit and recently advised a multinational tobacco company on the implementation of a merger between two Colombian subsidiaries. Rounding out the senior partner group is high-profile transactional expert Jaime Trujillo, who enjoys a strong regional reputation for his M&A, finance and private equity expertise. Among its younger partners, recently promoted Natalia Ponce de León stands out for her ‘high levels of responsibility, knowledge, availability and attitude’. The group also draws on a capable second line of corporate and M&A-focused associates, including seniors Alexandra Montealegre, Isabel Torres and Adriana Combatt, as well as intermediates Karen Santamaría, Juliana Gómez and Paola Gonzalez. Associate Juliana Tobón left the firm to go on study leave in August 2022.

Few firms in the market can equal Brigard Urrutia’s track record in transformative M&A deals, with the 23-lawyer team routinely involved in many of the most high-profile transactions to hit the Colombian market. The group’s ability to lean on a host of complementary practices from across the wider full-service firm equips its lawyers with a ‘comprehensive vision in consulting’ and ensures that it is sought after for complex mandates that require extensive cross-departmental collaboration. As a case in point, senior M&A expert Sergio Michelsen Jaramillo recently teamed up with next-generation partner Tomás Holguín, as well as the capital markets and competition practices, to advise Votorantim on the sale of its 82.42% stake in Acerías Paz del Rio. In a significant first-of-a-kind investment transaction, Michelsen also paired up with Jaime Robledo to advise Canada’s CPP investments on its $334m acquisition of a 19.3% stake in D1, which notably marked its first direct investment in Colombia. Darío Laguado Giraldo, chairman of the corporate and M&A practice, led on several infrastructure-related transactions over the past year, including advising Telefónica, and its subsidiary Colombia Telecomunicaciones, on the agreements by which Colombia Telecomunicaciones and KKR will establish the country’s first independent wholesale open access digital infrastructure company. Other senior names include corporate finance veteran Carlos Fradique-Méndez; aviation and real estate-focused specialist Álvaro Cala; senior partner Carlos Urrutia; and Fernando Alfredo Castillo. The sizeable department also fields a capable bench of corporate-dedicated non-partners, including director Ángela García Páez, prolific senior associates Paola Ordoñez  and Andrea Camila Cruz, and associate Laura Ricardo Ayerbe. Since publication, Ordóñez and Mónica Gutiérrez Velasco have both been promoted to practice directors.

‘A first-rate team that is focused on seeking transactional solutions’, DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán attracts glowing reviews from sources for its lawyers’ ‘experience and knowledge in everything related to M&A’. Distinguished by its extensive global network and increasingly prominent position in infrastructure-related deals, the comprehensive practice covers the full life-cycle of corporate and M&A matters, with notable experience in cross-border work. Among the names to note, key partner Felipe Quintero had a banner year, which included advising Macquarie Asset Management on the acquisition of 50% of Odinsa’s road concession business in Colombia. In another significant infrastructure highlight, corporate and finance specialist Juan Manuel de la Rosa advised John Laing on the acquisition of two electric bus concessions in Bogotá from Somos K Fondo Ashmore Andino II – FCP, and Ashmore Andean Fund II. Outside of the infrastructure sphere, managing partner Camilo Martínez utilised his dual practice strengths in corporate and financial law to represent Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in a spin-off process of certain of its assets in Panama and Central America before the Superintendence of Finance and the Colombian Stock Exchange, as part of the reorganisation process of Banco de Bogota and Grupo Aval. At senior level, the department also includes Felipe Aristizabal, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, and restructuring and insolvency specialist Nicolás Polanía. The deep corporate bench additionally draws on directors Juan Camilo Varón and Juan Carlos Gambín (‘a young and brilliant lawyer’), as well as senior associates Daniela Duarte, Natalia Bernal and María Alejandra Cabrera.

Lawyers at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) find favour with sources for their ‘willingness to help and find solutions for the business’. The firm’s ‘very well-structured diversity and inclusion programme’ also strikes the right note with clients, and is evidenced here by a strong female partner-led team. With involvement in many of the year’s marquee deals in Colombia, the group is a particularly dominant player in the public M&A sphere — across all market segments. Lina Uribe García heads the group and is widely recognised for her expertise in the private equity arena; she recently paired up with Natalia García Arenas to advise KKR on the acquisition of a majority stake in Alamo Holdco, the sole shareholder of Onnet Fibra Colombia. In one of the market’s most high-profile set of transactions, Juan David Quintero advised the Gilinski Family, through Nugil and JGDB Holding, on the structuring and implementation of seven consecutive unsolicited tender offers. Ana Cristina Jaramillo also put in a good recent performance and secured key roles in a string of cross-border transactions, which included acting for China’s JCHX Mining Management on its acquisition of a 50% stake in Cordoba Minerals’ Colombian subsidiaries. The group further benefits from the extensive corporate expertise of energy and natural resources head Patricia Arrázola, director María Isabel Romero de la Torre, and experienced counsel María Fernanda Restrepo. At associate level, seniors Paola Valderrama, Emanuela Guevara, Juan Pablo Caicedo and Francisco Pamplona are the names to note. In July 2022, director Daniel Fajardo left for an in-house position at Engie, while partner Felipe Mariño departed the firm in December 2022.

Ranking among Colombia’s most dominant corporate practices, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría earns plaudits for its ‘specialised lawyers committed to corporate issues’. The international-facing group combines a formidably deep domestic bench with a strong regional network that takes in offices in Chile and Peru; it also benefits from platforms in Europe through its partnership with Iberian powerhouse, Uría Menéndez. Despite being managing partner, M&A heavyweight Martín Acero remains highly sought after by sources for his ‘personalised attention’; he recently advised Ferro and Gema de Inversiones on the acquisition of a 17.64% stake of Hojalata y Laminados. Claudia Barrero is also a go-to corporate specialist and recently teamed up with the firm’s Peru and Chile offices to advise Latam company, Quelaris Internacional, on its acquisition by IMCD Group. In another multi-jurisdictional highlight, Felipe Cuberos advised Inversiones Kaufmann on the acquisition of the Mercedes Benz truck and bus division in Colombia from Daimler. Other key partners include: Juan Carlos Rocha, who blends strength in corporate and real estate matters; Hernando Padilla, who sits in the banking, capital markets and corporate practices; and up-and-coming corporate and restructuring specialist Nicolás Tirado, who recently advised Kaufmann Ventures on the seed round it led in Colombian start-up, Velocity-X. Among the group’s sizeable band of associates, principals Luz María Mercado, Juan José Castaño, David Beltrán and Juan Guillermo Nur all stand out for their broad corporate and M&A activity. Senior associates Paula Buriticá and Alejandro Medina left in May 2022 and November 2022, respectively.

Posse Herrera Ruiz impresses sources with its ability to ‘combine the network, resources and sophistication of a top-tier firm, with boutique-level personalised service’. The comprehensive practice covers the waterfront on corporate and M&A issues and is active across all industry sectors, with particularly strong recent performances in the energy and natural resources, life sciences, and construction and infrastructure spheres. High-profile founding partner Jaime Herrera secures praise for his ‘dedication in every part of the process’; he recently acted as Colombian counsel to Cinven on the acquisition of Bayer Environmental Science Professional. José Alejandro Torres co-heads the team alongside Herrera, and also heads the infrastructure and public law groups; he advised Unilever Colombia on the sale of a food-processing factory and business located in Cali to the local subsidiary of Upfield. Jaime Cubillos ‘constantly explores alternatives for the client’ and paired up with recently promoted partner Susana Gómez (‘a tremendously skilled attorney’) to advise Better Schools, the majority shareholder in Redcol Holding, on an investment and strategic alliance with Cognita Holdings. Gómez also paired up with Gabriel Sánchez to act as Colombian counsel to CorpGroup on the share-purchase agreement to sell its stake in Itaú CorpBanca Colombia. Other senior names include Oscar Tutasaura, whose practice spans a mix of transactional, and compliance and white-collar crime work. The department additionally draws on the growing expertise of several corporate and M&A-focused associates, including Catalina Noreña, Christian Diaz Ordoñez and Camilo Lovera; Santiago Osorio left to undertake his LLM in August 2023.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’s full-service corporate practice routinely advises domestic and multinational clients on M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. With the ability to handle transactions across all key market segments, the team has recorded a significant uptick in activity relating to the mining, real estate and technology spheres of late. Seasoned M&A specialist and department co-head Eduardo Cárdenas brings to bear an impressive CV of involvement in corporate matters, which includes a stint as Microsoft Corporation’s senior regional counsel for Latin America. Mauricio Borrero co-leads the practice and recently advised Upfield Colombia on the acquisition of certain assets in Cali. Jorge Neher spearheads the firm’s energy practice for Latin America and the Caribbean and remains a popular choice for energy and natural resources-related deals; he advised Aris Gold Corporation on a merger process with GCM Mining Corp, under which GCM acquired all the outstanding Aris Gold shares it did not already own. The team also includes managing partner Bernardo Cárdenas, who splits his practice between corporate and M&A, and banking and finance; and energy specialist Santiago González. Key associates include senior Santiago Miramón, who is noted for his growing experience in corporate reorganisations, M&A, and corporate governance issues; and real estate associate director María Paula Álvarez. Associate Felipe Molano left the firm in February 2023.

The Bogotá-based corporate team at international firm Garrigues’ scores highly with sources for its ‘ability to understand the profile and expectations of a large foreign client’. An increasingly prominent player in multi-jurisdictional transactions, the group’s recent work spans deals in the USA, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Australia and the Netherlands, among others. Department co-head Ignacio Londoño has over 25 years of experience in corporate transactions and recently paired up with the competition practice to advise Viva Latinamerica shareholders, Viva Air Investments and Pangaea Three Acquisition Holdings I, on the sale of the company to Avianca Group International, a UK-based holding of Colombia-based airline Avianca. Fellow group co-head Andrés Ordóñez has a strong cross-border element to his practice, with a focus on advising strategic investors and private equity funds; he acted in conjunction with the banking and finance team to advise Prosus and PayU on its acquisition of Tecnipagos, a Colombian payment getaway company. Principal Associate Cristina Copete  (‘careful to give precise answers’) is also recommended. In April 2023, the group received a significant boost to its restructuring and insolvency offering with the return of Guillermo León Ramírez as a counsel after five years at the Superintendencia de Sociedades’ insolvency unit. Associate Mateo Gómez Mazuera left to join Banco Itaú in March 2022.

‘A team that really stands out from the rest’,  Lloreda Camacho & Co. is commended by sources on the back its ‘creative solutions and business-friendly approach’. A popular referral choice, the group routinely links up with global, particularly USA-based, firms to advise on the local leg of major, cross-border transactions. As a case in point, the group acted as local counsel to Anglo American, through lead counsel Shearman & Sterling, on the London-based mining company’s $294m sale of its 33.3% interest in the Cerrejón joint venture to Glencore. The transaction was led by M&A co-head Andrés Hidalgo, highlighted for knowing ‘when to insist and when to loosen the rope in a negotiation’, in conjunction with the mining and natural resources team. Department co-head Santiago Gutiérrez is noted for his broad transactional practice, which draws on his activity in the corporate, finance, capital markets, and real estate spheres; he paired up with Hidalgo to advise Grupo BC on its acquisition, through its Colombia subsidiary Lexer Colombia, of 51% of the outstanding shares of Gesti. Other key contacts include Nadia Sánchez, who was raised to associate practice director in April 2023 and provides exclusive support to the corporate and M&A group; and experienced senior associate Vanesa Gonzalez, who is ‘always aware of the details’.

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s corporate and M&A practice demonstrates robust experience across all of Colombia’s key industry sectors, with particular expertise in heavily regulated industries such as financial services — including fintech — technology, life sciences and retail. The group also differentiates itself through its ability to plug into the wider firm’s extensive international network for support in multi-jurisdictional matters. Juan Camilo Rodríguez spearheads the group and recently showcased the team’s strong cross-border credentials with his advice to Elektrophoenix on the acquisition of a Colombian engineering company. The group additionally includes corporate and energy specialist Leopoldo Olavarría, who was promoted to partner in March 2023. Key names at associate level include corporate associate director Felipe Molano, who arrived from Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas in February 2023, and intermediate associate Lina Barreto. Two recent departures saw former associate practice director Camilo Caicedo become a paralegal at Foley Hoag LLP in Washington DC, while senior associate María Garrido  was appointed Head of Legal at Finkargo.

Cuatrecasas’ team is lauded by sources for its ‘in-depth knowledge and experience’ coupled with its ‘direct and personalised service’. Following the international firm’s Bogotá launch in January 2021, its corporate offering has risen to become a key contender for major deals in Colombia, particularly in the energy and infrastructure spheres. In response to its growing market presence, the team boosted its senior firepower in December 2022 with the hire of Felipe Mariño from Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA); he brings a strong record in real estate, energy, and infrastructure-related work. Juan Felipe Vera continues to lead the department and maintains a broad transactional practice that spans M&A, private equity and real estate; he recently advised Bancolombia Banca de Inversión on its joint venture with Celsia to create an investment platform to develop solar generation projects. The practice also draws on several impressive associates including seniors Carolina Trejos Robledo and Fabio Ardila, as well as intermediate Andrés Felipe Saldarriaga. Principal associate Pablo Martínez left in August 2022 to study abroad.

‘Really excellent in the corporate arena’, Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados prominent market reputation is evidenced by the independent firm’s frequent involvement in cross-border deals. In particular, it maintains longstanding relationships with a host of foreign investors, including private equity funds, and is also a popular choice for global law firm referrals. Name partner Diego Muñoz Tamayo leads the department and is widely recognised for his record in public and private M&A, and privatisation transactions. The group also includes Felipe Trías, whose practice encompasses corporate and M&A, banking and finance, and foreign exchange law-related matters. Among the team’s recent highlights, Muñoz Tamayo and Trías paired up to advise Capital International Private Equity Funds on the $344m sale of its stake in discount supermarket chain, D1. Sources also recommend senior associate Juanita Esguerra (‘ready to respond to requests at all times’), who joined in July 2022 from Sodexo. In May 2022, senior associate Alonso de Reyes left to join Baker McKenzie in London, while senior associate Amparo Montes joined the legal team of EssilorLuxottica in October 2022.

The mid-October 2023 merger of Correa Merino Agudelo Abogados and Serrano Martínez saw the emergence of Serrano Martínez CMA, which – with offices in the key Bogotá and Medellín markets – is undoubtedly at its strongest in the corporate/M&A sector. Additionally able to draw on the firm’s capabilities in competition, labour and employment, real estate and tax law (among other areas), the corporate practice impresses with it’s ‘experience‘, ‘expertise’ and ‘unique and refined strategic approach’. The former CMA team has long been sought after for its specialist knowledge in the emerging market and venture capital spheres, and expertise representing start-ups and investors, while the group from the former SM has developed a reputation for sophisticated mid-market transactions; the combined team also has extensive experience acting for mature domestic and multinational corporations in traditional M&A transactions and general corporate matters. Co-leading the practice, Camilo Merino is recommended for his ability to ‘artfully adapt to complex situations which gives him an excellent strategic edge’, while Juan Diego Martinez provides advice that is ‘clear, to the point and practical’, and is noted for a practice  that spans M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and contentious matters. At associate level, key support comes from seniors Sebastián Morales Agudelo, who joined in April 2022 from pension fund, Protección; and Alejandro Medina, a November-2022 hire who joined from Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría and has a focus on domestic and cross-border M&A. Corporate and M&A-focused intermediate, Valentina Castillo B, is also noted.

Medellín-based Contexto Legal S.A. houses a broad corporate and M&A offering, which provides ongoing advice to several leading domestic and multinational companies, including Grupo Bio Papel, Evonik, and IFF: International Flavors & Fragrances. The group also stands out for its extensive experience in designing and implementing restructuring schemes. Guillermo Villegas Ortega heads the department and is noted for his significant in-house experience gained during corporate positions at Banco de Colombia, Grupo Corona and Grupo Orbis, among others. Additional key contacts include Sara Marcela Aldana, who is the associate director of the corporate team; and Felipe Restrepo Rincon, who is the associate director of the dispute resolution practice.

Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos’ corporate practice is ‘very agile in its responses, without losing depth in the analysis’, according to some. The team benefits from its ability to lean into the wider firm’s formidable regulatory offering to specialise in advising on transactions involving heavily regulated industries, including financial services, life sciences, infrastructure and energy, among others. Led jointly by Juan Pablo González, whose practice spans corporate, capital markets and finance work, and Andrés Parias, who handles a mix of transactional and compliance matters, the department also includes corporate and finance partner Verónica Arango Lux. December 2022 saw former associate Maria Clara Londoño leave for Bancolombia, but in January 2023, the group welcomed the arrival of associate Felipe Nova Delgado from ONGC Videsh. Since publication, the firm has merged with tax specialist firm Jiménez, Higuita, Rodríguez & Asociados (Tax & customs) to become Esguerra JHR - effective as of February 2024.

The ‘multidisciplinary and diverse team’ at Gamboa, García y Cardona Abogados’ is considered unique by some for its ‘ability to understand and work from the client’s perspective’. Equipped to advise clients from all industry sectors on corporate issues, from incorporations through to M&A and MBO processes, the group is particularly well versed in matters concerning the food supply, technology, and automotive sectors. With over two decades of deal-making experience, name partner Daniel García has a focus on corporate and real estate transactions; he co-heads the practice with the ‘technically very good’ Juan Felipe Roldán, who specialises in cross-border transactions - including foreign direct investment. The team also includes corporate partner Monica Pastor and key associates Carlos Eduardo Delgado and Nicolás Mora Barrero. In July 2022, associate Mónica González Pineda joined from Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados.

‘Attentive, judicious and always willing to provide top-level advice’, Holland & Knight shored up its corporate offering in May 2023 with its absorption of former tier four-ranked firm, Cuberos Cortés Gutiérrez Abogados. Among the new additions, the department welcomed Gustavo Cuberos, a founding partner at his previous firm, Alba Malagón, who is noted for her experience in cross-border transactions, and next-generation partner Julia Velásquez. The department continues to be steered by executive office partner Enrique Gómez-Pinzón, who splits his time between Bogotá and Washington DC. The team also draws on the senior level expertise of transactional energy specialists José Vicente Zapata and Ines Elvira Vesga, while associates Natalia Cuberos, Diana Paola Serrano and Isabella Díaz provide support. Former department co-head Lucas Saffon-López  left the firm in May 2022.

Arguably best known for its firm-wide focus on aviation finance, Parra Rodríguez Abogados also provides ongoing corporate advice to its impressive raft of aircraft clients. Outside of the aviation sector, the team enjoys close relationships with domestic and international companies in the manufacturing, life sciences, and technology spheres, among others, with its membership of the Multilaw network proving particularly fruitful in relation to multi-jurisdictional matters. The corporate and M&A department is led by high-profile aviation finance veteran Bernardo Rodríguez Ossa, who also handles corporate transactions. Key support comes from corporate and tax partner Álvaro Parra and junior associate Juliana Agulo Buitrago. Former associate practice director Daniela Martínez Silva moved in house at Genfar in February 2023.

A client of Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados’ corporate and M&A group awards it the ultimate accolade with the assertion: ‘you know it will get the job done’. The firm’s signature real estate offering translates into a practice that primarily represents companies in the construction and infrastructure sectors on transactional matters. That being said, the team also demonstrates growing activity in the life sciences, energy, and technology fields. Founding partner Felipe Pinilla maintains a broad corporate practice, which combines his skill sets in the corporate, tax, and dispute resolution areas. Pinilla co-heads the department alongside Camilo Andrés Hermida and up-and-coming partner Julian Felipe Rojas, who handles a mix of corporate, estate planning and foreign investment. Associates Lina Maria Ospina and Maria Fernanda Ortiz are also recommended.

In February 2023, Solvere was formed through the combination of legacy firms Calderon Mejía Abogados, Castro Estudio Jurídico and Lauda Legalto. Tomás Calderón fronts a newly merged team that is ‘always able to come up with a resolution’, according to sources. Among its recent highlights, the group advised key client Allflex Europe (Colombia branch) on a string of matters, including on a private contracting process with the Colombian Association of Pork Farming for the supply of plastic ear tags for pig marking. The team also includes associate Diana Camila Martínez-Arbeláez, who provides support to the tax, corporate and litigation departments.

Praised for its ‘comprehensive management of corporate issues’, BBGS Abogados houses a full-service corporate practice. Equally adept in transactional and compliance issues, the group acts for a wide scope of domestic, regional and multinational clients and demonstrates strength in the retail, TMT, and consumer goods and services sectors. Among the key names, Monica Serrano ‘stands out for her knowledge of the law and the industry’. Serrano co-heads the department together with Luis Felipe Barrios, who specialises in corporate, entertainment and private client work. Senior associate Natalia Manrique is also recommended.

Brick Abogados’ maintains a keen focus on transactional work, with the corporate department representing the largest group in the seven-partner firm. Demonstrating robust expertise across all key areas of practice, from incorporations, through to M&A and spin-off processes, the team is particularly active on behalf of clients in the life sciences, financial services, energy and technology sectors. Senior partner Juan Diego Rodríguez possesses extensive experience in corporate and commercial work, including foreign exchange regulations. Rodríguez co-heads the group together with fellow senior corporate specialist Jorge Castaño, and Santiago Arias, who has an emphasis on the health and technology industries. Senior associate Carlos Kure provides support.

Energy-related matters are a mainstay of Chalela | Abogados’ corporate and M&A practice, in line with the boutique firm’s specialist industry focus. That being said, the team has recorded a growing share of deals involving the real estate, technology and financial services sectors of late. With strong expertise in the heavily regulated industries, founding partner Federico Chalela can turn his hand to the full range of corporate matters, including M&A, restructurings, and corporate litigation. Associate practice director Julián Fernandez, who has a focus on corporate and commercial issues, is also recommended. In October 2022, associate Andrea Gutierrez left to become legal director at Renting Tuio.

Deloitte Asesores y Consultores’ practice advises on a wide scope of corporate transactions, commercial issues, compliance matters, intellectual property law and foreign exchange regulations, with its activity in the latter sphere particularly noteworthy. The firm’s comprehensive national platform, which includes offices in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cali and Medellín, as well as its extensive global network is reflected in its diverse client roster, which includes leading domestic and multinational companies. Experienced corporate and commercial partner Juan Germán Osorio heads the team, with support from legal manager Esteban Jimenez and senior associates Santiago Castellanos and Juan Felipe Vivas.

Attracting strong reviews from sources, DG&A-Abogados secures acclaim for its ability to provide ‘solution-driven brainstorming focused on in-country realities’. The team additionally stands out for its niche strength in the retail sector, including in complementary areas such as franchising, which sees it provide ongoing corporate and commercial advice to major domestic and multinational brands such as D1, American Apparel Colombia and Tugo. Managing partner and department head María Del Rosario Gómez impresses with her ‘extensive experience in the retail business’, while former associate practice co-ordinator Maria Isabel Molinares - who provides ‘detailed and thoughtful analysis’ - was raised to the partnership in January 2023. Associate Juan Carlos Fresen, who supports the corporate and administrative law teams, is also noted. Associate Santiago Adarve left for Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas in June 2022.

Goh’s corporate and M&A group is now under the leadership of tax, energy and foreign trade specialist  Juan Pablo Godoy, following the departure of former department head Jaime Moya in February 2023. The firm subsequently hired new senior partner Antonio Núñez in March 2023, who joins from the Attorney General’s Office and brings experience in corporate, finance and business law. With robust recent activity in the energy, technology, financial services and infrastructure spheres, the team is well positioned to advise on the full scope of corporate law work, including compliance issues, M&A and complex restructurings. The practice has aslo seen change at the associate level with the departure of former director Álvaro Sabbagh in August 2023 following that of associate Steffany Serebrenik in March.

Lawyers at Nieto Abogados provide ‘personalised attention at the highest level’, according to sources. With a focus on domestic clients and heavily regulated industries, the group is well positioned to advise companies in the energy, telecoms, media, and food and drink industries on M&A, joint ventures, public bidding procedures and other corporate and commercial issues. Firm founder Luis Eduardo Nieto co-heads the practice together with Paula Duarte; together they are highlighted as ‘extremely rigorous, methodical and organised’. Senior associate Manuela Chávarro provides key support. Former fellow senior Juan Sebastian Gaviria left to undertake his LLM in August 2022.

Long-established boutique firm Paniagua & Tovar Abogados S.A. continues to cement its mid-market footprint, recently winning first-time engagements from clients such as Netherlands-based shipbuilder, Damen Naval, and Spain-headquartered solar company, Energy Silva. The team covers the full life cycle of corporate work, with particular experience in company incorporations, M&A, joint ventures, and restructurings — it also handles contentious and compliance matters. Corporate specialist Michael Moreno fronts the team and is noted for his broad industry experience. Junior associate Daniela Ruiz Londoño provides dedicated practice support. Former associate Luis Felipe Orozco left to join Brigard Urrutia in June 2022.

From its bases in Barranquilla, Bogotá and Cali, Scola Abogados’s corporate and international business law unit takes in a range of transactional, corporate compliance, intellectual property, tax planning, and contentious matters. The group routinely handles work across all of Colombia’s key industry sectors, with a particularly strong recent showing in the life sciences field, where it counts Laboratorios Bussié, Sesderma Colombia, and Annar Diagnostica Import as clients. The full-service team is led jointly by Carolina Solano, who brings to bear extensive international experience; Carolina Munar, who is recognised for her record in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sectors; and litigator Pedro Munar. Corporate associate Angie Paola Monroy is also noted.

A firm fixture in the growing Medellín market, UH Abogados recorded a significant uptick in technology and venture capital-related work over the past year, in line with the city’s increasing attractiveness to VC funds. The team, which is praised for providing ‘clear and informed opinions’, also stands out for its experience in the health and infrastructure spheres. Carlos Henao spearheads the department; his practice focuses on corporate, M&A, real estate and commercial law. The group also draws on the experience of transactional real estate and retail specialist Carolina Uribe and corporate and commercial associate Daniela Vélez.

Advocat’s team maintains its focus on the retail, energy and technology sectors, where it handles corporate and M&A work for key clients such as Suramerica Comercial (Dollarcity), National Oilwell Varco and Yuno. María Isabel Rodríguez is noted for her growing experience in cross-border matters, including co-ordinating regional advice to global companies. Rodríguez co-heads the group together with María Claudia Armenta, who is recognised for her record in the real and real estate spheres; and Francisco Cabal, who specialises in energy and natural resources. At associate level, intermediate Alejandra Ortiz is the key contact.

Miami-headquartered Diaz Reus International Law Firm & Alliance is distinguished by its focus on corporate compliance matters. In particular, its international platform and team of dual US and Colombia-qualified lawyers ensures it is a popular choice to advise domestic and regional companies on US compliance and anti-corruption regulations. Bogotá office head Marcela Blanco maintains a broad practice that spans commercial, corporate, compliance, and white-collar crime work. The team also includes associate Marcelo Buendía Vélez, who specialises in compliance and white-collar crime issues, including investigations, litigation, tax crime and anti-money laundering matters.

Ten-lawyer strong boutique Gallego Abogados has a emphasis on advising mid-market European and Colombian companies on corporate and M&A matters. In particular, the team is differentiated by its niche focus on representing German-speaking clients on local business law issues. Founding partner Helmuth Gallego fronts the group and is recognised for his activity in corporate, commercial and arbitration work. The group also includes firm deputy director Mónica Gutiérrez, whose practice spans corporate, tax and foreign investment; and senior lawyer Martha Neme, who has extensive experience in securities law.

KPMG Colombia fields a full-service corporate and M&A practice, which sources highlight for its ‘in-depth knowledge’. The group’s comprehensive global platform ensures it is frequently engaged by multinational clients to advise on cross-border issues, including local incorporations, M&A deals, spin-off transactions, corporate due diligence, and company dissolutions. Director Martín Escobar Hoyos leads the practice and is noted for his broad international experience. The team also draws on the expertise of infrastructure and public law partner César Barrero Berardinelli and corporate-focused senior associate Felipe López Ramírez.

Sanclemente Fernández Abogados S.A. secures praise for its ‘cross-practice and cohesive support’, which sources assert ensures holistic advice. The firm’s premier energy and natural resources offering is reflected in its corporate client roster, which is mainly comprised of companies operating in the oil-and-gas, logistics and infrastructure sectors. That being said, the life sciences industry continues to be a growing focus for the group. Group head Diana Sanclemente is a transactional energy specialist with a broad corporate and commercial practice. Other key contacts include Ignacio Giraldo and José Gabriel Fernández, both of whom bring strong energy industry experience, and associate Marcela Mosquera.