Posse Herrera Ruiz > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Posse Herrera Ruiz > The Legal 500 Rankings

City focus > Medellín Tier 1

Comprising professionals who are ‘well trained and very experienced’, Posse Herrera Ruiz’s Medellín platform has evolved into one of the firm’s key service centres. The 14-lawyer team houses strong capabilities in infrastructure, international trade, dispute resolution, tax, investment funds, and fintech, among other areas, which equips it to handle strategic matters for key locally-based clients such as UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones, Consorcio Hidroitunago, and Sura Asset Management — as well as national and international companies. Cristina Vásquez heads the office and specialises in projects, infrastructure and public law; she recently advised Odinsa on its negotiations with Macquarie Asset Management to create a platform for highway assets in Colombia and the region. At senior level, Vásquez is supported by high-profile dispute resolution expert Carolina Posada and international trade and tax partner Juan Camilo De Bedout — both split their time between Bogotá and Medellín. The group further benefits from the emerging expertise of customs and international trade director María Paula Sánchez; newly appointed (May 2023) director Julián Aguirre, who is now in charge of fintech and investment funds nationally; and dispute resolution-focused associate Natalia Tobón.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

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.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 1

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s comprehensive arbitration practice secures strong reviews from sources for its ability to lean into other teams within the wider full-service firm to ensure ‘maximum quality of service without neglecting any aspect of the case’. The sizeable group covers all modes of dispute resolution, from domestic and international arbitration through to mediation and amicable settlement, and is equipped to handle cases across all key industry sectors. In a significant coup, it was engaged to act as local counsel to global mining company South32 in a pair of arbitration cases against Colombia — comprising an investor-state dispute and a commercial dispute — regarding attempts by the Colombian authorities to retroactively claim more than $180m in royalties. Department co-head Carolina Posada is leading the South32 work and is noted for her ‘high capacity for analysis’. Dispute resolution veteran Daniel Posse co-heads the practice and is highly regarded for his experience as an arbitrator as well as acting as party counsel; he is representing new client, Inversiones Zárate Gutiérrez, in a Bogotá Chamber of Commerce arbitration regarding one of the largest real estate projects planned to be developed in Bogotá. Barranquilla-based Estefanía Ponce, who was promoted to director in July 2023, is an adept dispute resolution specialist; while senior associate María Isabel Osorio is highlighted for her ‘in-depth knowledge’. Other key senior associates include Daniela Corchuelo, Laura Vengoechea, and Alejandro Casas, while intermediate Natalia Tobón is also recommended. Since publication, Ponce has been promoted to partner and Osorio to practice director - effective as of March 2024.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 1

According to satisfied clients, Posse Herrera Ruiz stands out for the ‘experience and knowledge of its partners’, who provide ‘personalised attention and permanent availability’. The group’s other key assets, as identified by sources, include its comprehensive industry coverage and its formidably deep bench, which draws on the skill sets of four specialist dispute resolution partners. Department co-head Daniel Posse is regarded by many as a reference in the market due to his experience in representing clients in complex proceedings in all of Colombia’s courts as well as before major domestic and international arbitral venues. Posse is spearheading the team’s advice to new client, Grupo Nutresa, in contentious matters connected to Grupo Gilinski’s headline-grabbing attempted hostile takeover of Grupo Nutresa, Grupo Sura, and Grupo Argos. Fellow practice co-head Carolina Posada is highlighted as a ‘close, creative, available partner who empowers her team’ and also brings to bear broad expertise in civil and administrative litigation, as well as national and international arbitration. Among Posada’s recent cases, she is representing Eladio Bueno, a British citizen, in an exequatur proceeding before the Supreme Court of Justice. Rounding out the partners’ group are Pablo Enrique Sierra, who specialises in litigation, and Juan Pablo Bonilla, who handles a mix of judicial and arbitral proceedings. The team is assisted by a deep pool of associates, including seniors Alejandro Casas, María Isabel Osorio, Laura Vengoechea and Pedro Miguel Álvarez (who was promoted to practice director in March 2024), as well as intermediates Juan David Fiallo and Medelllín-based Natalia Tobón — all of whom provide dedicated support to the dispute resolution group.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Posse Herrera Ruiz frequently represents key industry stakeholders on the full life cycle of energy and natural resources matters, from tender applications, through to planning and financing issues and corporate transactions. With a strong track-record in both the conventional and alternative energy spheres, the practice is particularly noted for its a growing focus on projects involving renewable sources for clients such as Grenergy, among others. High-profile specialist Alvaro José Rodríguez possesses extensive experience in energy and environmental law and is particularly sought after for his expertise in the oil-and-gas arena; he recently advised Oxy (through its subsidiary Anadarko Colombia Company) in a farm-out agreement with Ecopetrol for the transfer of a 40% stake in four offshore blocks. Up-and-coming partner Mariana Sánchez’s practice spans a mix of mining, energy, and infrastructure-related work; she advised Hidrocarburos del Casanare on the structuring of a 2MW self-generation energy facility. The group also draws on deeply experienced practice director Diana Salazar, who splits her practice between insurance, and energy and natural resources; and Erika Serrano Rojas, who was promoted to director of the firm's environmental and sustainability practice in March 2023.

Colombia > Tax Tier 1

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.

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 2

Noted for its consistent involvement in cross-border transactions, Posse Herrera Ruiz advises a mix of local and international borrowers and lenders on a wide range of banking, finance and capital markets-related deals. The group also houses significant regulatory expertise, with department co-head Natalia Escobar, who is a former Deputy Superintendent of the Financial Superintendence of Colombia, particularly sought after in this space. Among Escobar’s recent mandates, she advised China Development Bank, Shenzhen Branch on a $200m financing granted to Partners Telecom Colombia and Avantel. Seasoned finance and capital markets specialist Mariana Posse has an impressive record in highly structured work and recently teamed up with newly promoted partner Jesús Albarrán and the infrastructure practice to represent Concesión La Pintada (and its sponsors Odinsa and West Valley JL Holdco), in the $278m refinancing of the Autopista Conexión Pacífico 2 toll-road concession project. At associate level, Medellín-based Julián Aguirre is focused on fintech and investment funds, while Catalina Posada has an emphasis on structured finance and project finance. Associate Mauricio Nieto departed in July 2022 for the New York office of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Associate Alejandro González left in December 2022 to join CAF.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 2

Posse Herrera Ruiz leverages its robust finance practice to secure a significant volume of debt capital markets offerings, while its top-tier corporate practice ensures it is routinely involved in advising public companies on share transactions. Go-to banking and finance expert Mariana Posse co-heads the financial law and capital markets group alongside Natalia Escobar, who has extensive expertise in regulatory matters. The group also draws on Jesús Albarrán, who was promoted to partner in February 2023, and associate Isabella Del Río, who has a focus on regulatory financial law and securities. Associate Silvana Lattanzio left in April 2022 to join SILK Banca de Inversion. Since publication, August-2023 senior associate hire, Juan José Huertas, has been promoted to practice director - effective as of March 2024.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

According to sources, Posse Herrera Ruiz’s competition group is ‘composed of lawyers who care about understanding the business of their clients’. The practice secured a strong run of merger reviews during 2022/23, which included advising German transport company Hapag-Lloyd on the Colombian merger-review aspects of its acquisition of two lines of businesses of Chile-based SM SAAM, namely SAAM Ports and SAAM Logistics. Alongside its strength in merger proceedings, the team handles a significant volume of behavioural competition matters. Competition specialist Jorge De Los Ríos steers the department and led on the Hapag-Lloyd work, with support from senior associate Jorge Lamo Blanco, who joined in July 2022 from Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos. Associates Laura Torrado and Adriana Otero are also noted for competition, data protection and consumer protection matters.

Colombia > Environment Tier 2

Posse Herrera Ruiz has a strong record in obtaining authorisations and permits for clients before environmental agencies, with a focus on companies operating in the energy and natural resources, agribusiness, retail and real estate sectors. Among its other practice strong-suits, the group is also well placed to advise on transaction-related matters, where it can team up with the firm’s energy and corporate partners. The department is led jointly by natural resources and energy specialist Alvaro José Rodríguez, who combines strength in regulatory and transactional work, and newly promoted director (July 2023) Erika Serrano, who is noted for her experience in environmental permitting and sanctioning processes. Since publication, Serrano has been raised to the partnership - effective as of March 2024.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 2

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s international trade group stands out for its ‘combination of legal and economic knowledge’. Among its other key attributes, the team’s ability to lean on other departments from across the full-service firm stands as an asset in larger matters. Director and practice head María Paula Sánchez ‘generates trust and facilitates teamwork’; she is particularly recommended for her activity in anti-dumping investigations. Other key contacts include experienced tax and foreign trade counsel Ramiro Araujo Segovia; tax — including customs tax — specialist Juan Guillermo Ruiz; and tax, customs, and transfer pricing litigator Juan Camilo De Bedout. At associate level, Ana María Vega is highly regarded for her focus on customs and international trade law; while Daniela Lozada concentrates on tax, customs, and international trade litigation. Since publication, Sánchez has been raised to the partnership - effective as of March 2024.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 2

The life sciences team at Posse Herrera Ruiz acts for clients across a broad range of industries, with strong recent showings in the medical devices and food and beverage spheres. It also records growing activity in work related to the emerging cannabis sector. The group is co-led by IP specialist Helena Camargo, whose practice focuses on patents, trade marks, copyrights and health registrations and permits. Fellow co-head and senior associate Mónica Bonnett handles a range of IP and health registration issues, with notable expertise in the developing cannabis field. Since research concluded, Bonnett has left the firm - effective as of September 2023.

Colombia > Projects Tier 2

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s cross-practice projects offering is composed of ‘subject matter experts who are extremely knowledgeable’, according to some. Consistently working alongside other practice groups from across the firm, the team advises on a broad scope of work, including tender processes, project financings, and dispute resolution. Banking and finance specialist Mariana Posse jointly leads the department together with energy and natural resources expert Alvaro José Rodríguez, and infrastructure and public law partner Cristina Vásquez. Other key contacts include finance-focused Jesús Albarrán, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, and associate Catalina Posada, who also advises on finance matters.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 2

Posse Herrera Ruiz ‘demonstrates infinite patience and seeks the best way to reconcile difficulties’, according to sources. Routinely working alongside other teams from across the firm, including corporate, environmental law and energy, the real estate practice’s broad focus encompasses traditional real estate, agroindustry and forestry law, as well as energy and infrastructure projects. Department head Andrés Montoya advises domestic and multinational clients on a mix of transactional, project development, and contentious work; he recently advised Phoenix Tower International on the acquisition of 628 rooftop sites from Colombia Telecomunicaciones. Other key contacts include Alejandro Turbay, who leads the urban planning and zoning regulation team, and talented associate Héctor Otálora.

Colombia > Insurance Tier 3

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s insurance team scores highly for its ability to benefit from ‘the synergy between the different areas of law at the firm’, which sources say, ‘provides clients with a 360° vision’. In particular, the group routinely pairs up with the dispute resolution practice for additional firepower in contentious matters. The department is overseen by corporate specialist Oscar Tutasaura, who is noted for his experience in non-contentious insurance matters, and litigator Carolina Posada. The group additionally includes director Diana Salazar, who is highlighted for her ‘specialised and current knowledge’, and financial law and capital markets partner Natalia Escobar.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 3

Posse Herrera Ruiz provides ‘accurate and fast advice’, according to sources. A popular choice for international referrals, the group enjoys close relationships with firms across the globe. It also stands out for its broad experience, which encompasses patents, trade marks, slogans, copyrights and industrial designs, including portfolio management and litigation. Acclaimed as a ‘benchmark for intellectual property in Colombia’, department head Helena Camargo is recommended for her expertise in all key pillars of IP law. The team also includes senior associate Mónica Bonnett, who largely focuses on life sciences-related matters. Former fellow senior Annabelle Angarita left the firm in April 2023.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 3

Over the past year, Posse Herrera Ruiz has advised domestic and multinational clients on a wide scope of labour and employment work. On the litigation side, the team handled several contentious cases, including sensitive employee termination-related claims; while on the non-contentious front, it frequently teamed up with the wider firm’s corporate group to advise on due diligence, restructuring and other transactional support matters. Nevertheless, the practice group has undergone significant change, with the firm bringing in Vicente Umaña as department head, along with senior associate Carolina Castro, from Holland & Knight LLP, following the departure of former practice head Carolina Camacho S and senior associate Manuel Parra. Umaña is highly experienced in both individual and collective labour law issues, while Castro -also a dedicated labour practitioner- has particular strength in migratory matters.    

Colombia > Public law Tier 3

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.

Colombia > Compliance and white-collar crime Tier 4

‘Concerned with understanding the real and specific needs of the client’, Posse Herrera Ruiz fields an increasingly broad practice in this sphere. Historically better-known for its robust compliance expertise, the group continues to strengthen its white-collar crime offering. Most notably, in September 2022 it added new associate and former prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Office Camila Páez, who is singled out as ‘an expert in criminal procedure and criminal justice’. Corporate partner Oscar Tutasaura remains the key contact for compliance matters and continues to co-lead the department together with infrastructure and public law head José Alejandro Torres. Other names to note include junior associate Jordi Buitrago, who is highlighted for his ‘excellent work’. Associate Luis Miguel Russi left to join Halliburton in September 2022.

Colombia > TMT Tier 4

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s interdisciplinary TMT offering routinely acts alongside teams from across the full-service firm to advise TMT clients on a range of transactional, regulatory and contentious matters. The department is co-led by real estate head Andrés Montoya, whose infrastructure practice lends itself well to involvement in telecoms projects; together with competition partner Jorge de los Ríos, who handles data protection and regulatory matters. Other key contacts include IP and digital law partner Ernesto Cavelier, and associate Laura Torrado, who is noted for data protection.

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia