The highly regarded public law team at Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados impresses sources with its ‘creativity and analytical capacity to suggest actions and solutions’. The full-service group shines in all key areas of public law, with strong skill sets in transactional work, including infrastructure projects, as well as complex disputes and regulatory issues. Widely recognised as a reference in the area, department co-head Carlos Gustavo Arrieta is routinely sought after by public entities, and domestic and multinational companies to advise on judicial and arbitral proceedings. Fellow co-head Yady Villaquirán is an ‘exceptional professional’, who specialises in constitutional law, administrative law, infrastructure projects and mining law. Associate Santiago Cardona is additionally recommended for his growing profile in public law and energy and natural resources-related work.

Brigard Urrutia has ranked ‘among the leaders in public law for many years’, according to sources. The team, which acts for the full spread of government agencies, state-owned enterprises and private companies, is often brought in at the structuring stage to help develop major projects, such as its recent appointment by Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN) to be part of the team responsible for structuring Bogotá’s second metro line project. High-profile figure Carlos Umaña ‘provides confidence and security to his clients’; he led on the FDN work. The group also draws on infrastructure and public utilities partner Claudia Navarro; public law practice director Julián Parra, who ‘constantly looks for solutions and alternatives to overcome obstacles’; and director Mario Forero, who is noted for public procurement and administrative law matters.

Satisfied clients of Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados say it stands out for its ‘extensive knowledge of public law and private law’, which equips it to ‘solve public problems and propose viable solutions’. The group is additionally distinguished by its record in representing major government agencies and state-owned enterprises at home and abroad, including ANI, Ecopetrol and the UK’s Crossrail International. Álvaro Mauricio Durán Leal is a go-to public law specialist and recently advised IDB on the development of a framework analysing the different contractual functions of the contracts for the First Line of the Bogotá Metro and the Second Line of the Lima Metro. Durán co-heads the department alongside Jorge Gabriel Taboada, who is highly regarded for infrastructure and litigation; London-based projects expert Carlos Andrés Sánchez García; and Álvaro Gasca, who is particularly active in the PPP sphere. Senior associate Felipe Herrera provides capable support.

‘An expert in Colombian public and administrative law’, Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos is particularly admired for its contentious firepower, where it frequently handles high-stakes constitutional and administrative law disputes — in both judicial and arbitral forums. The group also advises a diverse roster of local and multinational companies and public entities on bidding processes, project structuring and public contracts, among other matters. Name partner Juan Carlos Esguerra maintains a prominent disputes practice; he recently paired up with Felipe Piquero to represent Ecopetrol in two different collective rights protection suits aimed to block its $3.5bn acquisition of the government’s stake in ISA. The team also includes next-generation public law specialist Adriana Nieto, as well as public-law focused associates Jorge Andrés Gómez and María Fernanda Barraza Díaz. Associate Carlos Lasprilla left in July 2022 to study abroad. 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.

Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados is a popular choice to represent concessionaires and construction companies in public law matters. The group enjoys a prominent reputation for its activity in the transport infrastructure sector — primarily public bus systems and road projects — but it consistently advises a varied mix of clients on public bids, works contracts and contentious matters, including sanction proceedings. Co-founding partner José Ignacio Leiva maintains a broad public law focus, with notable expertise in advising concessionaires on bus transit systems. Leiva co-heads the practice together with Marcela Castro — who is highly regarded for infrastructure-related work — and projects partner Natalia Uribe. Practice director Diego Felipe Guzmán moved in house at Concesionaria Vía 40 Express in March 2023.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas finds favour for its ‘experienced and well co-ordinated team,’ which advises domestic and multinational companies on a range of bidding processes, government contracts, sanction proceedings, and related issues. The group also stands out for its ability to draw on the wider firm’s project practice for support on transactional matters. The ‘very methodical but also very practical’, Ximena Zuleta spearheads the department and advises on administrative law, government procurement and projects, including litigation. Other key contacts include public law litigator Andrés Fernández de Soto and projects head Pablo Jaramillo, while associate Nicolás Díaz supports on projects-related work. Associate Laura Streubel left to study abroad in June 2022.

The public law team at Garrigues secures praise for its ‘professionalism, respect, and personalised attention’. The thriving practice added six new clients during 2022/23, including Draeger Colombia and CapitalBus, and acts on a wide scope of public procurement, projects, and contentious matters. Highlighted as a ‘lawyer like no other’, department co-head Adriana Espinosa possesses extensive experience in infrastructure projects, tender processes and sanction proceedings. Fellow co-head José Miguel De La Calle is recommended for his litigation expertise and notably serves as an associate judge on the Constitutional Court. The team also includes counsel Iván Fierro; principal associate Melissa Castro; and senior associates Camilo González and Juan Ospina.

Public law is a mainstay at Palacios Lleras, with the boutique firm sought after for its record in contentious work. The group primarily acts for public contractors and private companies in judicial and arbitral disputes, with a focus on state liability and judicial review proceedings. It is also highlighted for its ‘special experience in constitutional tax issues’, particularly on behalf of energy and natural resources clients. Public law veteran Hugo Palacios Mejía co-heads the department alongside Óscar Gutiérrez, who specialises in litigation regarding infrastructure and port matters; Pedro Pacheco, who is noted for constitutional litigation and class actions; and Luis Miguel Falla, who focuses on public law disputes.

Chemás & Asociados scores highly with sources for its ‘extensive experience in conflict resolution’ with a focus on ‘highly complex lawsuits in the infrastructure sector’. The boutique firm’s signature contentious public law expertise also spans the energy and telecoms sectors, among others. Jorge Eduardo Chemás is recognised for his track record in public procurement disputes; he co-heads the group together with fellow litigators Ingrid Soraya Ortiz (‘focused, grounded and objective’) and Sergio Alejandro Chemás (‘high analytical capacity to solve complex legal problems’).

Among CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s practice sweet spots, the team is particularly well versed in public procurement, with extensive experience in advising companies — particularly IT companies such as Google — on contracts with public authorities. The group also benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s project finance and anti-corruption groups. Transactional finance specialist Daniel Rodríguez co-heads the department alongside dispute resolution partners Henry Sanabria and Felipe Andrade. Promoted to senior associate in March 2023, public procurement-focused Paula Andrea Gutiérrez is also noted. In May 2022, associate director María Lucía Amador left to join Mendoza Abogados.

The interdisciplinary group at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) demonstrates ‘strong knowledge of the management of concessions with the state’. The team, which acts for a diverse mix of private and public entities, routinely advises on bidding processes, public procurement procedures and infrastructure project development — it also has experience in administrative sanctioning proceedings. The department is co-led by infrastructure and administrative law specialist Paola Larrahondo together with José Luis Suárez, who specialises in public law and finance matters. Senior associate Juan Antonio Ucrós is also recommended public law and infrastructure work.

Holland & Knight’s May 2023 absorption of Cuberos Cortés Gutiérrez (CCG) reinforces its solid public law offering. The former firm is arguably best known for its strength in public environmental law, where it advises major energy, natural resources and infrastructure clients on regulatory and contentious matters. The arrival of the CCG team provides additional firepower in the transport sector, where the legacy firm was noted for its representation of major public transportation providers and operators. Department head José Vicente Zapata is an expert in public law issues concerning the environment, and the energy and natural resources sectors. The group also includes newly promoted (February 2023) partner Juan Casallas, who focuses on public law, and constitutional and administrative law disputes. Former CCG practice head Edwin Cortés Mejía is particularly noted for his record in the bus rapid transit (BRT) segment.

Leveraging its impressive record in state privatisations, Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados stands out for its ‘knowledge and experience in public law and arbitration’. Aside from its privatisation expertise, the group advises on a wide range of tender processes, public contacts, and administrative sanctioning proceedings, among other contentious and non-contentious matters. Founding partner Diego Muñoz Tamayo leads the department and is highlighted as an ‘excellent legal strategist’. The group also includes Felipe Trías, noted for his focus on public bidding processes, and environmental practice director Silvia Méndez.

Public law is a key pillar of Palacio, Jouve & García’s practice, with the group well equipped to advise domestic and multinational companies, as well as public sector clients, on administrative law matters and government contracting; its lawyers attract praise for their ‘broad business perspective’. Department head Oscar Hernández Morales advises on the structuring of infrastructure projects, tender processes, sanctioning procedures and administrative litigation. María Teresa Palacio also handles infrastructure and public services-related work.

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s public law practice is closely aligned to its projects offering, with the group noted for its handling of public law-related transactions, including PPP contracts and purchase agreements. The team also advises on public procurement and contentious matters. Infrastructure and projects specialist Jorge Di Terlizzi co-heads the department alongside Carlos Padilla, who specialises in infrastructure, PPP and IT projects. Key associates include Camilo Forero, who advises on infrastructure, projects and public law; and Santiago Cruz, who focuses on dispute resolution.

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s public law practice demonstrates ‘clear knowledge and understanding of the public and administrative legal environment’, according to sources. Primarily recognised for its work in the public procurement and projects spheres, the group also advises on contentious matters, including sanctions proceedings. The multidisciplinary group is co-led by infrastructure, projects and public law partner Cristina Vásquez, alongside dispute resolution expert Daniel Posse. Other senior-level contacts include litigator Carolina Posada and transactional infrastructure specialist José Alejandro Torres. Associate Juan David Fiallo, who specialises in dispute resolution, provides support.

New firm Rincón Castro Abogados, formed in early 2023 with the breakaway of key partners from the former Zuleta Abogados Asociados, utilises its firm-wide dispute resolution prowess to shine in complex disputes, regulatory work and international law matters. The group also advises a mix of multinational companies and state entities on infrastructure projects and investment transactions. The increasingly prominent department is co-led by Rafael Rincón, who specialises in international arbitration, international litigation and public international law; Miguel Castro, who has a focus on public procurement and administrative law matters; and Jorge Tirado, who joined from Colombia’s National Agency for Public Procurement in January 2023.

Ariza & Marin’s public law team is distinguished by its ‘commitment to client requirements’. The group’s orientation towards contentious work translates into a practice that is particularly active in disputes concerning government contracts, expropriation, state liability, class actions, and disciplinary and fiscal actions, among other matters. Department co-head Carolina Ariza has extensive experience in public law-related disputes, both arbitral and judicial. Fellow co-head, and senior associate, María Paz Restrepo is also recommended; she joined the team in November 2022 from the Administrative Court of Antioquia.

Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s firm-wide focus on heavily regulated industries is reflected in its public law practice, which is particularly well versed in representing clients in the infrastructure, telecoms, energy and healthcare sectors. The group handles a wide range of matters, but is primarily recognised for its work in government procurement and infrastructure. Procurement and transactional specialist Andrés Hidalgo co-heads the department together with next-generation partner Carlos Carvajal, whose practice spans government contracting, infrastructure, and real estate.

Medellín & Durán Abogados is commended for its ‘extensive experience in the public law space’. The team is distinguished by its focus on state-side defence, where it specialises in representing public-sector entities in matters ranging from risk prevention through to administrative and constitutional litigation. Department co-head Carlos Eduardo Medellín brings to bear an impressive track record in public service, which includes a stint as Director of the National Institute of Radio and Television (INRAVISION). Litigator Rodrigo Antonio Durán, also a former Director of INRAVISION, co-heads the group.

Real estate powerhouse Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados is noted for its focus on representing real estate investors and construction companies in public law litigation; both at the judicial and administrative levels. The group has also recorded growing activity in handling public procurement proceedings and advising on the pre-feasibility phases of infrastructure projects. Group head David Garzón specialises in litigation before the administrative courts related to land use and real estate law.

Pombo Caballero Abogados S.A.S. dedication to the public law and public procurement areas has seen the boutique firm establish a strong reputation for its niche expertise in supervision contracts. Other areas of activity include bidding processes, litigation and arbitration. Lawyers are held up for their ‘great knowledge of administrative law’, with particular praise reserved for name partners Rodrigo Pombo and María Paula Caballero, who both handle public law, public procurement and infrastructure matters. In March 2022, director Juliana Fajury Patarroyo arrived from Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados; director Diego Felipe Guzmán Fajardo subsequently moved in the opposite direction, joining Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados in September 2022.