The Colombian branch of Baker McKenzie S.A.S.’s formidable global tax group stands out for being ‘sensitive to the needs of the business’. The full-service practice demonstrates strong capability across all key pillars of tax law, with its recent experience spanning tax planning and wealth management, transactional support work, regulatory issues, dispute resolution and transfer pricing. The team is additionally recognised for its ability to plug into the wider firm’s international platform, which marks it as a popular choice to advise major multinationals on local issues, including Amazon, Chevron, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board. Among the names to note, high-profile tax expert Ciro Meza is sought after for his expertise in tax planning and consulting, and litigation. Meza co-heads the department together with transfer pricing specialist Gustavo Sánchez, and transactional tax partner Juan David Velasco, who joined from Posse Herrera Ruiz in April 2022. At associate level, Laura Durán and Andrea Jimenez are recommended. In November 2022, associate Carlos Gómez left to join Kuehne+Nagel.

Brigard Urrutia’s tax team scores highly with sources for its ‘excellent knowledge and mastery of tax legal issues’. Covering the waterfront on tax law, the practice group enjoys a particularly prominent reputation for tax structuring and transactional tax work, where it is routinely engaged by leading domestic and regional companies, including recent mandates for Valores Industriales, Transportadora de Gas Internacional and Linea 2 Metro de Bogotá. The department also houses significant contentious expertise, including on transfer pricing matters. Tax litigator Catalina Jaramillo stands out for her ‘knowledge and experience’ and regularly handles complex constitutional litigation. Sh co-heads the practice in conjunction with tax planning partner Andrés Hernández, who is noted as ‘a leader in the Colombian tax arena’; and the deeply experienced Adrián Rodríguez – a January 2022 hire from Lewin & Wills, Abogados – whose broad practice encompasses international and national corporate taxation, foreign investment ,and transactional tax. Other key contacts include Daniel Duque, who was raised to the partnership in July 2023. Senior associate Zaira Cortés left in August 2022 to study abroad.

Tax lawyers at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) are commended as ‘practical and to the point’ and as possessing ‘real industry experience’. As the Colombian member of global tax advisors network, Taxand, the team is well placed to advise on tax planning for national and cross-border matters, including transactions and foreign investment. Other practice strengths include corporate reorganisations, infrastructure projects, tax litigation and transfer pricing. Managing partner Mauricio Piñeros steers the department and brings to bear 35 years' experience in handling tax planning, transactional tax, investigations and contentious matters for domestic and multinational clients. Other highly regarded specialists include Álvaro Andrés Díaz, who specialises in tax litigation and transfer pricing, and next-generation partner Carolina Bobillier, who is noted for her niche expertise in labour-related tax and the special tax regime applicable to non-profits. The group also attracts praise for the experience of its senior associates, particularly Alejandro Sanabria (‘creative and resourceful’) and Alejandro Sotello. In September 2022, Ignacio Vélez left to become an independent lawyer.

The tax team at corporate powerhouse Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría is ‘creative and makes use of all possible resources’, according to sources. As the third-largest practice in the firm by turnover, the thriving group stands out for its activity across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters with transactional tax — where it routinely teams up with its top-tier corporate unit — standing as a sweet spot. Clients also benefit from its standalone transfer pricing practice, which specialises in advising on cases concerning Chile, Colombia and Peru. Managing partner Martín Acero is distinguished by his focus on tax law, and corporate and M&A work, which uniquely positions him to provide comprehensive advice on transactional tax. Carolina Rozo is sought after for her strength in tax planning, corporate tax structuring, and litigation. Barranquilla office head Héctor Ramírez co-heads the department alongside Acero and Rozo and is noted for his recent activity in cross-border tax matters. At associate level, principals Leonardo Cote and Verónica Barone are names to note.

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s tax group finds favour for its ‘extensive experience in planning national and international operations’. The full-service practice secures high-level work across a varied mix of contentious and non-contentious matters, with strong showings in transactional tax (including large-scale reorganisations), tax planning and litigation. Indeed, its established reputation in the tax area was recently demonstrated by its advice to the Colombian Government, via the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, on an analysis of the regulatory changes needed to increase the country’s exportation-of-services capacity. The department notably fields one of the deepest benches in the market — split between the firm’s Bogotá, Medellin and Barranquilla offices — which is led by go-to tax expert Juan Guillermo Ruiz (‘proposes innovative solutions tailored to the client’). Other senior names include tax litigator Juan Camilo De Bedout and tax planning specialist Jaime Gómez. In June 2022, associate Daniel Ortegon joined from EY Colombia. Transactional tax specialist Juan David Velasco left the firm in April 2022.

Among Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ main attributes, it stands out for its ability to draw on the wider firm’s global network for support on cross-border tax matters, which is a key advantage for multinational clients. A strong performer in transactional tax, including corporate, finance, and capital markets-related work, the team also routinely advises on tax litigation. Experienced sector specialist Camilo Cortés covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious tax law, with a focus on tax planning, advisory, and transaction structuring. Cortés co-heads the department together with Carmen Sanabria, who handles tax litigation and advisory matters; and transactional tax partner Ernesto Lopez. Senior associate Nathalie Medina provides capable support.

DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán houses a prominent tax litigation practice, which is routinely engaged to handle complex tax controversies, including transfer pricing cases and constitutional law matters. On the non-contentious front, the group possesses extensive experience in transactional tax, as well as tax planning, international trade and foreign investment incentives, and wealth planning. Key partner Andrés González handles a wide scope of matters, with an emphasis on tax planning, private wealth and transactional tax. González co-heads the department together with tax litigator César Camilo Cermeño, who is noted for his ‘sharpness when presenting litigation strategies’; and Laura Galeano, who joined in January 2023 from Garrigues. Associate practice director Maria Alejandra Buitrago left the firm in December 2022.

The ‘highly reactive and capable’ tax practice at Garrigues is well weighted between advisory, transactional, and contentious work, while it is particularly active in the financial services, energy, private security and auto distribution sectors. Camilo Zarama spearheads both the tax litigation group and the wider department; he possesses significant experience in M&A transactions and corporate tax matters. In February 2023, the group was strengthened at top-level with the hire of Mónica Bolaños from Deloitte Asesores y Consultores, where she was formerly lead M&A and international tax partner for Colombia and the Andean Region. Senior associate Andrea Méndez  is also recommended. Experienced of counsel Laura Galeano departed in January 2023. Senior associate Oscar Munevar left for KPMG in Colombia in September 2022.

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero is valued by sources for its ‘quick reactivity in the face of continuous last-minute requests’. The group handles a broad spectrum of tax planning, tax structuring and contentious matters, with particular experience in customs law and foreign exchange-related matters. Department head Santiago Arbouin additionally heads the customs and trade practice; he advises on local tax, international tax, and customs duties and related matters. Associate director Nicole Ríos ‘explains matters clearly and simply’ and provides capable support on a wide range of tax matters. Associates Natalia Recio and Laura Rodríguez are also recommended.

Holland & Knight’s tax group remains in growth mode, following the June 2022 arrivals of Gustavo Pardo Ardila and associate José Alejandro Vivas — who both joined from Pardo’s former boutique Gustavo Pardo y Asociados. The tax team was further augmented in May 2023 with the firm’s absorption of Cuberos Cortés Gutiérrez (CCG). Among the new additions is senior counsel Juan Camilo Riveira, who was director of the tax practice at his former firm. The department continues to make inroads into the market, due to its broad experience in transactional tax, tax planning, and tax litigation, with an orientation towards investment structuring between Colombia and the US. Pardo co-heads the department together with tax litigator Juan Carlos Valencia and transactional tax partner Rafael Lafont.

The private wealth-focused practice at Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law is held up by sources as ‘always top of mind for estate-planning structures with a complex tax component’. The group specialises in advising multi-jurisdictional enterprises, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals and families on estate planning, and demonstrates expertise in tax amnesties, exchange of tax information and reorganisation of assets, among other matters. The department is led by private wealth expert Rodrigo Castillo Cottin, who has a ‘practical approach to problem solving’. Senior associate Ana María López Murillo and intermediate associate Alejandra Becerra are also noted.

The tax team at Montaña & Consultores Asociados is highlighted for its ‘extensive knowledge of accounting-tax regulations’. As a specialist in urban tax law at municipal and territorial level, the team also stands out for its high volume of public sector clients, including the Mayoralties of Barranquilla, Bucaramanga and Soacha. General director of the firm Magda Cristina Montaña brings to bear extensive experience in tax and urban financing systems and co-heads the group together with practice director Andrea Monsalve, who handles a range of tax, finance, and administrative law matters.

Parra Rodríguez Abogados’ signature aviation industry expertise is reflected in its tax practice, which routinely advises major airlines on local tax issues, including United Airlines and Cargolux. That being said, the group’s experience extends beyond the aviation sector and it has recently advised companies in the financial services, infrastructure, oilfield services, and technology spheres on contentious and non-contentious tax matters. Tax specialist Álvaro Parra co-heads the group together with María Margarita Parra, who has a focus on tax and real estate. Associate Juan José Goyeneche provides support. Senior associate Marcela Cadavid left to join SanintRivas in November 2022.

Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados leverages its premier real estate offering to specialise in local taxes, especially in relation to real estate and construction projects. It also has experience in tax planning, tax litigation, and transactional tax matters. In August 2022, department head María Helena Padilla left to join Deloitte Asesores y Consultores. The practice is now co-led by Viviana Africano Franco, who was promoted to associate director in March 2023, together with founding partner Felipe Pinilla, who also steers the corporate and dispute resolution groups.

Contexto Legal S.A. secures praise from sources for its ‘concrete and practical answers’. The Medellín-based firm is best known for its work in the tax planning field, for both families and enterprises. It also has experience in litigation against national and municipal tax authorities, as well as transactional tax. Department head Federico Escobar maintains a broad practice focus that spans tax, estate planning, customs and foreign trade. Associate Marcela García Ciro is also active in tax matters.

Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s tax group operates both as a standalone practice and as a support to deal teams across the firm. With experience in tax planning, transactional tax structuring, and contentious matters, the department is particularly active on behalf of companies in the life sciences, retail, TMT, and energy and natural resources sectors. Mining, tax and foreign trade head Ignacio Santamaria co-leads the department alongside senior associate Luis Felipe Paredes. Associate Juan Fernando Díaz is highlighted for his ‘proper acumen’.