Lloreda Camacho & Co. > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Lloreda Camacho & Co. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 1

According to satisfied clients, Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s team ‘has a “can-do approach” and finds creative ways to make projects possible’. The practice is particularly admired for its premier patent firepower, which leverages the firm’s top-tier life sciences practice to excel in handling large patent portfolios for R&D companies as well as complex litigation. The group also has extensive expertise in trade marks and copyright matters, where it acts for a growing roster of international companies. The ‘responsive’ Alicia Lloreda steers the overarching IP department and is recommended for her work in trade marks, copyrights, patents, unfair competition, and dispute resolution. Ana Maria Castro heads the patents and life sciences unit and is held up by sources as ‘one of the most prestigious professionals in the patent area’; and Natalia Franco Onofre - who was promoted to the partnership in August 2023 - is a specialist in trade mark portfolio analysis and strategy. Key support is provided by experienced associate director María José Lamus, who joined in September 2022 from the SIC.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 1

‘A study of excellence in both life sciences and intellectual property’, Lloreda Camacho & Co. scores highly with sources for its ‘fast lawyers who are knowledgeable about the life sciences environment and industry’. The firm acts for many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi, for which it provides interdisciplinary advice on patents, regulatory matters, competition and data privacy, among other issues. Go-to sector specialist Ana María Castro possesses ‘deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology area’ and co-heads the practice together with regulatory-focused partners Enrique Álvarez (who also heads the competition, labour, and data protection teams) and Daniel Cardona.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

‘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’.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

With the ability to leverage its top-tier life sciences offering, Lloreda Camacho & Co. packs a punch in acting for pharmaceutical clients on regulatory matters, including competition and antitrust law, as well as related consumer protection work. The firm’s leading IP practice also ensures that the team is well versed in competition issues relating to the e-commerce, TMT and new technologies' spheres, among others. Life sciences specialist Enrique Álvarez co-heads the department together with Darío Cadena. Associate Diego Matiz, who joined in March 2022 from the SIC, provides support.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 3

The dispute resolution group at Lloreda Camacho & Co. is well versed in both domestic and international arbitration cases, with a focus on heavily regulated industries — in line with the firm’s signature strength. Among its recent matters, the team has kept busy advising on cases relating to the TMT, energy, and manufacturing sectors, including for multinational clients such as América Móvil’s local subsidiary, Comcel. Key contact Gustavo Tamayo specialises in TMT, dispute resolution and insolvency, and is particularly sought after for his telecoms expertise. The group also includes former associate director, Christian Pérez Rueda, who focuses on dispute resolution, insolvency and insurance work, and was promoted to partner as of August 2023.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

An ‘expert in working on matters for multinational companies’, Lloreda Camacho & Co. specialises in advising international clients — and law firms — on domestic and cross-border commercial disputes. The multidisciplinary practice demonstrates broad experience across the full range of judicial proceedings, with the ability to draw on the wider firm’s complementary expertise in IP, competition, insurance, and consumer law. Gustavo Tamayo steers both the litigation and TMT departments and is noted for his ‘strategic, energetic and communicative’ approach; he is defending US-based Bray International in a claim brought by its main distributer in Colombia (Casa De La Valvula) alleging the unfair termination of a distribution agreement. Raised to the partnership in August 2023, Christian Pérez Rueda ‘combines strategic vision and operational excellence’; he has a focus on dispute resolution, insurance, and unfair competition litigation. Senior associates Jorge Rodríguez  and Jimmy Buenaventura are also key members of the dispute resolution and insolvency team.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 3

Lawyers at Lloreda Camacho & Co. ‘provide comprehensive advice, and timely and accurate support’. Distinguished by its focus on the mining sector, the group acts for a mix of multinational and domestic clients on a range of industry matters, including regulatory issues, bid tenders, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution. Department head Ignacio Santamaria is held up by sources for his ‘instinct for solutions’; he brings to bear comprehensive expertise across the full life cycle of mining law. The group also includes next-generation partner Angela María Salazar, who combines strength in mining and environmental matters.

Colombia > Environment Tier 3

Noted for its ‘perfect knowledge of Colombian legislation’, Lloreda Camacho & Co. supports clients on a range of environmental compliance, administrative procedures and due diligence matters. The firm’s robust offerings in the mining and life sciences spheres ensures that it is particularly active in environmental law issues pertaining to those industries, but its broad sector experience also spans agribusiness, technology and forestry, among others. Mining and natural resources specialists Ignacio Santamaria and Angela María Salazar oversee a practice that also includes environmental law-focused senior associate Natalia Soto, whose ‘deliverables are perfectly executed’.

Colombia > TMT Tier 3

Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s premier IP offering is reflected in its TMT practice, as demonstrated by its recent activity in representing life sciences companies on data protection and privacy laws. The group also has a prominent record in advising telecoms entities on regulatory matters, with Claro Colombia a key client in this sphere. Litigator Gustavo Tamayo, who leads the Claro work, co-heads the department alongside senior associate Juan Manuel Ojeda, who joined in April 2022 from Claro Colombia. Associate director of the privacy and data protection practice, María Alejandra De Los Ríos, is also recommended. Tatiana Carrillo  left to become a solo practitioner in May 2022.

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 4

Demonstrating a marked focus on regulatory work, Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s banking practice is mainly active in product development, the incorporation of new financial entities, and fintech. The group also handles financing transactions for lenders, including alternative lenders, and borrowers. Department head Santiago Gutiérrez brings significant in-house experience to his role honed during a stint as director of the legal department at Regional Bogotá de Conavi. Government contracting and infrastructure partner Carlos Carvajal is also a key contact. Associate Santiago Garzón is noted for fintech-related issues.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

The labour and employment unit at Lloreda Camacho & Co. is arguably best known for its handling of non-contentious matters, including transactional support work — where it can team up with its corporate offering — and compliance issues. The group also stands out for its strong record in representing life sciences clients, in line with its firm-wide strength. Regulatory specialist Enrique Álvarez oversees the practice; he additionally heads the competition and data protection groups, and co-heads the life science department. Senior associate Rafael Abuchaibe is also a key contact and provides ‘proper and prompt solutions’.

Colombia > Public law Tier 4

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.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 4

Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s multidisciplinary real estate group has experience in the full life cycle of industry matters, from title review and permitting issues, through to project development and transactional work. Department co-head Santiago Gutiérrez has a strong transactional dimension to his practice; notably, he also directs the corporate, capital markets, and banking teams. Fellow co-head Carlos Carvajal, who additionally leads the government-contracting and infrastructure practices, brings to bear significant projects experience. Associates Natalia Soto (environmental law) and Santiago Garzón (public law) are also noted.

Colombia > Tax Tier 5

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’.