As Colombia’s second-largest city by population (approximately 2.5m in 2018), and its second-greatest economic region, Medellín houses a dynamic business environment. Home to the first Colombian business cluster, the city is notable for being the top exporting region of the country; significantly, the companies comprising the “Medellín Cluster” account for 40% of total exports. The cluster’s sector sweet-spots demonstrate the diversity of the region’s economic climate as a whole and include electricity generation, textiles, tourism and fashion design (notably, the city hosts Latin America’s biggest fashion show, Colombiamoda).The city’s strategic importance to the country is reflected in its thriving legal market, which is composed of a mix of niche and full-service firms. At the mid-size regional level, Contexto Legal Abogados, Enfoque Legal S.A.S., Estudio Siete Legal Abogados, Suma Legal, Correa Merino Agudelo Abogados and UH Abogados are all significant players.The market is also mature enough to house several sector-focused industry specialists such as insurance boutiques Tamayo Jaramillo & Asociados and Londoño & Arango Abogados, dispute resolution firm Arrubla Devis Asociados and public law outfit Ariza & Marin.Additionally, micro-boutique Alvarez Zuluaga Consultores Legales is notable for the strong reputation of administrative and constitutional specialist Luis Fernando Alvarez Jaramillo.Meanwhile, at the other end of the size spectrum, national heavyweights such as Gómez-Pinzón Abogados and Posse Herrera Ruiz benefit from significant platforms in the city; the arrival of Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas -which opened a Medellín office in October 2020- only serves to reconfirm the importance of the city (and region) from a business perspective.

Micro-boutique Alvarez Zuluaga Consultores Legales leverages over four decades of specialist experience in contentious matters, with expertise in both judicial and arbitral proceedings. Arguably best known for its reputation in administrative and public law matters, the firm’s broad dispute resolution focus also spans international trade, corporate law and personal data protection. Founding partner Luis Fernando Álvarez Jaramillo is highly sought after for his public law prowess and routinely represents public and private sector companies on state contracting matters and administrative law disputes. Junior associate Alejandro Álvarez left in July 2021 to study at Cornell Tech.

Ranked nationally for litigation and arbitration, Arrubla Devis Asociados scores highly for its ‘analytical capacity in the controversies that are presented for its consideration‘. The sizeable boutique now counts 17 lawyers among its ranks, including four partners and four associate directors, following the January-2022 arrival of new Bogotá-based senior associate Carolina Boada, who was previously an independent legal consultant for public entities. Senior figure and founding partner Jaime Alberto Arrubla Paucar is based in Medellín and enjoys a strong profile in Colombia as the former President of the Supreme Court of Justice; notably, he is representing the National State Agency for Judicial Defence (ANDJE) in one of the biggest arbitrations against the Colombian State, regarding the alleged breach of a concession contract by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI). Experienced litigation director Gustavo Amaya Yepes, based in Medellín, is also highly regarded for his 30-year record in commercial and civil litigation. Other key names include Bogotá-based partner Rafael McCausland and Medellín-based associate director Sebastián Montoya, who both focus on litigation, arbitration and corporate work, and partner Jaime Esteban Arrubla Devis, who operates from Bogotá and handles contractual and litigation matters.

Medellín-based boutique B&O Abogados is distinguished by its focus on corporate and tax matters, including M&A, general business advice, tax advisory and international trade. Alongside its core offerings, the nine-lawyer strong firm also has experience in IP and entertainment law. Key names to note include firm co-founder Maria Mercedes Bermúdez, who specialises in tax with an emphasis on international taxation, tax planning and corporate reorganisation. Fellow firm co-founder Juan David Ocampo leads the corporate and commercial practices and handles a mix of transactional, contractual and arbitral matters. The group also draws upon junior partner Andrés Isaza Olarte, who advises on both tax and corporate work.

‘Very personable, detailed and patient‘, CMC Abogados strikes the right note with sources for its responsive service; one satisfied client opines, ‘I cannot sing its praises enough‘. Split between its platforms in Medellín and Bogotá, the 12-strong business law boutique is recognised for its strengths in aviation, technology, financial services, tax, labour and real estate law. It also recently launched a litigation division, which was boosted by the February-2022 arrival of senior associate Daniela Acosta Baena, who joined from Suma Legal — she brings experience in civil liability, personal data protection and consumer rights. Among the firm’s senior names in Medellín, Marcela Palacio Botero directs the corporate and tax groups and is noted for her emphasis on transactional and tax advisory work, while Mónica Arango Espinal directs the foreign exchange law and the consumer rights areas. Alfonso Plana Boden  leads the Bogotá office and is recommended for his specialist focus on financial and aviation law, where he routinely represents airlines and financial entities in financial, insurance and regulatory transactions. Other key contacts include managing partner Camilo Trujillo Millán, who handles labour, migration and aviation law, and senior associate Jairo Fierro Garzón, who advises on aeronautical, corporate and contractual matters; they are based in Medellín and Bogotá respectively.

With a 16-year trajectory, Estudio Siete Legal Abogados is noted for its experience in labour and employment, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, insurance, tax and aviation law. Fielding seven partners, four associates and several supporting junior attorneys, the firm is perfectly placed to provide partner-led and responsive service to mainly local and national clients, including Banafrut, Organización Corona and Grupo Bios. High-profile figure Carlos Alejandro Duque Restrepo is noted for his experience in corporate transactions and conflict resolution, including arbitration, particularly within the technology, health, agriculture and real estate areas. Liliana Velásquez Escobar heads the aviation practice, where she advises Colombian and foreign airlines on finance, leasing and operational issues. Labour and employment specialist Hernán Montoya Montoya Echeverri is recognised for his record in advisory and collective bargaining matters. Additional senior names include tax and corporate partner Juan Pablo Molina Álvarez, insurance specialist Sergio Yepes Restrepo, labour and social security partner Luis Carlos Jaramillo and Maria Clara Saldarriaga Bustamante, whose practice takes in labour and corporate matters.

Established in 2008, Giraldo Angel Asociados aims to provide staunch legal support to family businesses as well as to national and foreign companies, with Alpharma, Seguridad Integral Alarmar and Tronex among its representative clients. From its two platforms in Bogotá and Medellín, the firm handles a broad range of matters, with notable offerings in tax (where it benefits from an association with accountancy company, Concepto Contable), corporate and commercial, labour and social security, IP, and administrative law, among others. Firm founder Maria Isabel Giraldo Ángel brings over 25 years of experience to her role and handles an array of corporate, litigation and arbitral matters. Other key lawyers in the six-strong team include Juliana Montoya Santa, who advises on contentious and non-contentious tax matters, Diana White, who has a focus on commercial, civil and real estate law, Carolina Villa, who specialises in labour and social security, and litigator Enrique Botero, whose practice spans civil, commercial and tax matters.

Since its establishment in 2009, boutique firm Londoño & Arango Abogados has risen to be one of the most prominent insurance practices in the country. Highly ranked nationally, the group is noted for its expertise in all key areas of insurance law and frequently advises on regulatory, commercial, transactional and contentious matters. Alongside its core insurance offering, the firm also has capability in bankruptcy, administrative law and state contracting. Key names in the seven-lawyer group include co-founding partner Daniel Arango, who specialises in liability and insurance, including arbitral matters. Co-founding partner Maximiliano Londoño also specialises in liability and insurance, as does key partner Agustín Londoño. The group is supported by insurance-focused associate Mauricio Moreno.

Positioning itself as a key partner for foreign investors, the internationally oriented Medellín Legal Partners also acts for regional and national companies, with Thermal Technologies, Serena Realty and Seva Holidays all representative names on its roster. The firm aims to support foreign clients on the full range of relevant legal services, from visa and immigration issues through to corporate and real estate transactions — it also handles IP and tax matters. Founding partner Andrés Orlando Durango has significant experience in international work, particularly China and Singapore-related matters due to close links with Shanghai-based Joint-Win Partners and an early career stint in Singapore; his broad practice spans corporate, infrastructure, tax, and international trade law. Nubia Stella Ocampo is also a senior name and specialises in tax, with a focus on tax planning. The team additionally includes legal director Dora Cristina Restrepo, who is noted for her emphasis on foreign investment matters. However, associate Antonia Vélez moved in house at Servicios Nutresa in February 2022.

Medellín-based boutique VM Legal ‘cares about knowing the client’s business and its industry sector', according to sources. The seven-lawyer practice is best known for its tax offering, which is particularly well versed in matters related to the real estate, construction and road concession spheres. Areas of activity include transactional support matters, fiduciary schemes, foreign investment and contentious work. The firm’s specialist practice and industry focus ensures that its lawyers are held up for their understanding of ‘the business and all the financial dynamics that affect taxes'. In particular, firm founders Adriana Melo and Beatriz Villegas are highlighted together for their ‘friendly treatment and clarity'. Melo fronts the tax planning side of the practice and enjoys good relationships with clients in the real estate and construction segments, while Villegas is noted for her transactional tax expertise and has a focus on the infrastructure, trade and services sectors. Key associates include Laura Sanin, who heads the M&A group, and Ana María Tobón, who has an emphasis on real estate and the reorganisation of business and family groups. Associate Sergio Duque left in September 2021 for further study, while associate Daniela Álvarez left to live abroad in 2022.