Standing out for the ‘analysis and depth with which it deals with the issues‘, Brigard Urrutia‘s team is comprised of lawyers who ‘understand the needs of clients‘. The combined litigation, arbitration and insolvency group covers the waterfront on contentious matters, with strong skill sets in civil and commercial proceedings, administrative actions, mass litigation and judicial bankruptcy cases. Department head Irma Rivera Ramírez brings to bear over 25 years of experience and routinely leads on major national and cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. Among Rivera’s recent highlights, she has represented clients in unfair competition cases, constitutional actions and contentious bankruptcy proceedings, as well as commercial litigation. The department can now calls upon the specialist expertise of two partners, following the February-2022 promotion of former associate director Felipe Mutis, who sources single out for his ‘ability to analyse and search for solutions‘. Mutis is widely recognised for his emphasis on disputes concerning the infrastructure, energy, M&A and telecoms sectors. The team also benefits from an impressive second line of senior associates, including dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) María Munevar Torrado, who handles a mix of litigation and arbitration cases; Carlos Mauricio Cerrato, who has a focus on civil and commercial matters; insolvency head Paola Guerrero Yemail; and Ana Carolina Abreo, who specialises in public procurement and administrative law matters. The group also recently welcomed new senior associate Camilo Valenzuela, who joined the firm in September 2021 from Lloreda Camacho & Co. and has experience in all core areas of dispute resolution. Intermediate associate Melissa Fonseca left the firm in February 2022.

Held up by sources as an ‘excellent interdisciplinary firm‘, DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán fields a diverse dispute resolution practice which packs a punch in all key contentious areas. Demonstrating strength in civil and commercial cases, M&A disputes, bankruptcy proceedings and insurance litigation, the comprehensive group draws upon the experience of several heavy-hitting litigators. Most notably, managing partner Camilo Martínez maintains a broad all-round disputes practice, with a strong recent record in energy and infrastructure matters; he paired up with Sergio Rojas (who was elevated to the partnership in January 2022) to advise Integral and Consorcio Generacion Ituango in a lawsuit initiated by Empresas Públicas de Medellín in relation to the damages sustained as a result of flooding due to the blocking of a tunnel. José Miguel Mendoza leads on shareholder dispute resolution, corporate crisis management and D&O litigation; he recently represented Maersk subsidiary APM Terminals on the design and execution of a corporate governance defence strategy concerning an activist shareholder campaign. Other senior names include bankruptcy and restructuring specialist Nicolás Polanía; and Julian Solorza, who was promoted to partner in January 2022 and focuses on administrative, civil, commercial and public litigation. The group is further supported by directors Ricardo Alarcón (arbitration) and Juan Pablo Amaya (corporate litigation), as well as associates Sergio Londoño and María José Figueroa (both litigation and corporate governance).

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's dispute resolution group garners praise for its ‘extensive knowledge‘, ‘strong leadership‘ and ‘good communication‘. Equally adept in both commercial and administrative litigation, the firm routinely handles large-scale disputes in all industry sectors, with its recent cases spanning the technology, construction, infrastructure and telecoms spheres. Additionally, the team continues to increase its share of cross-border cases, where it is aided by its ability to draw on teams in Chile and Peru — as well as its alliance with Uría Menéndez. Department co-head Hector Hernandez is a powerful all-round litigator who primarily handles civil and commercial disputes; he is currently representing USG Corporation in a judicial proceeding derived from a distribution agreement to sell the client’s products in Colombia. Practice co-lead Julio César González specialises in civil procedural law and arbitration; he recently advised Oxígenos de Colombia (member of the Linde Group) in a dispute derived from the allegedly wrongful termination of a contract to provide transportation to support its distribution of goods. The group also benefits from a talented pool of younger lawyers. Among its principal associates, dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) Juan Sebastián Arias stands out for ‘the speed and depth of his advice‘; he has a focus on arbitration. Other recommended principals include Santiago Cruz Mantilla (‘proposes innovative and timely procedural strategies‘), Mario Pérez, who handles commercial and constitutional litigation, and Alejandra Gómez, who has an emphasis on procedural law.

Put simply, dispute resolution powerhouse Posse Herrera Ruiz fields ‘a dream team' in the litigation area, with lawyers receiving rave reviews for being ‘soft in their treatment but implacable on the battlefield‘. The group’s commercial awareness and swift responsive times are notably recurring themes among sources, with one asserting: ‘They do not miss a deadline, or a delivery’. Covering the full gamut of contentious matters, the firm has notched up an impressive record of appearances throughout all of the lower civil and administrative courts, as well as the Supreme Court of Justice, the Council of State and the Constitutional Court. The deep bench counts four partners among its ranks, with widely revered department co-head Daniel Posse highlighted for his ‘commitment, responsibility and initiative in generating solutions'; he is representing Granitos y Mármoles in a consumer protection proceeding brought by Edificio Peñas Blancas alleging defects to the façade of the building. Fellow group co-lead Carolina Posada ‘knows when to fight and when to reconcile'; she is advising Alianza Fiduciaria on a $5.5m contractual dispute proceeding. Pablo Enrique Sierra, who is focused on litigation, and Juan Pablo Bonilla, who has a broad litigation and arbitration practice, are also recommended at partner level. Associate support is provided by senior María Isabel Osorio (‘always there to meet the needs of clients') and intermediate associates Natalia Tobón (‘stands out for her professionalism, kindness and knowledge of the client'), Laura Vengoechea (‘very detailed and studious') and Pedro Miguel Alvarez, who has an emphasis on arbitration and corporate disputes.

‘A strong team that provides clear advice', Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados' dispute resolution group is valued for its ‘sector-specific experience‘ — particularly in the infrastructure and public law spheres, in line with the wider firm’s sweet spots. The group is particularly active on behalf of concessionaires seeking support on contentious construction matters, but it also enjoys close relationships with energy, mining, telecoms and technology companies. Senior partner Carlos Gustavo Arrieta — a 40-year veteran in dispute resolution — has represented both corporate and public-sector clients in large-scale cases. In a highlight example of his litigation prowess, Arrieta is acting in conjunction with impressive trial lawyer Paula Andrea Ramos to represent Cerrejón Zona Norte in a $1bn constitutional action concerning its open-pit coal mine. Álvaro Mantilla shines in projects-related work, particularly on the arbitration front, where he is considered among the market leaders; he is also highly active in concession-related litigation. Carlos Alberto Manzano, who is ‘characterised by his pragmatism and his knowledge', rounds out the partner group; his practice is heavily weighted towards contentious work, with an emphasis on projects-related issues. Associate Rodrigo Sánchez Pineda, who specialises in infrastructure litigation, provides support.

Boutique firm Chemás & Asociados is recognised for its dominant reputation in litigation connected to infrastructure projects. A popular choice to advise domestic and multinational clients in the transport, energy and telecoms fields, the team routinely presents claims against the Colombian National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), the National Roads Institute (INVIAS) and other public entities. Among the names to note, founding partner Jorge Eduardo Chemás  is highly sought after for his formidable record in public procurement disputes, while Ingrid Soraya Ortiz  handles a wide range of commercial, civil, competition and consumer law matters; together they co-led the firm’s representation of Consorcio INGETEC-SEDIC before a local administrative tribunal in a contractual dispute initiated by Empresas Públicas de Medellín related to the construction of a hydroelectric project. Junior partner Sergio Alejandro Chemás  brings six years’ of experience to his role and has an emphasis on administrative law and concession-related litigation. Key support is provided by associates Manuela Sossa , who has a focus on public procurement and infrastructure-related disputes, and Nicolas España , who is noted for consumer law and liability issues.

Satisfied clients of CMS Rodríguez-Azuero‘s litigation team assert it ‘is definitely a winner!’ The department is widely lauded for its thriving white-collar crime practice, but it also shines in commercial and civil litigation, administrative law issues and judicial bankruptcy proceedings. A strong performer in both domestic and cross-border cases, the firm enjoys close relationships with a diverse range of Colombian and multinational clients, with notable expertise in the financial services, telecoms and energy sectors. Founding partner Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero's robust regulatory experience in the banking and finance sphere equips him to advise on complex financial disputes; he is notably representing Fiduprevisora, as Trustee and administrator of the Fondo Nacional de Garantías, in a $12m claim initiated by Isagen in relation to the credits made when it was a public entity. Other senior names include Daniel Rodríguez, who is a prominent name for insolvency issues; Jacques Simhon, who spearheads the the corporate criminal law team; and TMT and competition specialist Lorenzo Villegas Carrasquilla. Additionally, the firm’s merger with boutique firm Sanabria & Andrade in July 2021 saw the arrival of Felipe Andrade, who is particularly experienced in IP, infrastructure and state liability disputes, and Henry Sanabria, who is an expert in civil procedural law.

‘A firm that stands out from others in the market‘, Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos‘ dispute resolution practice is staffed by an ‘expert team of the highest professional and personal qualities‘, according to sources. The wider firm’s top-tier offerings in public law and competition ensures that it is particularly well-equipped to handle disputes in those spheres. That said, the team advises on the full scope of contentious matters, including corporate and financial disputes, oil and gas-related matters and environmental litigation. Name partner Juan Carlos Esguerra ‘has a great gift for dealing with people‘ and is a go-to name for administrative law disputes; he is is representing TIGO (Colombia Móvil) in bringing a case against the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce contesting sanctions imposed by it. Felipe Piquero, another specialist in public law, ‘consistently exceeds the client’s expectations‘; he is advising Caja Colombiana de Subsidio Familiar on judicial proceedings brought against it in relation to several housing developments. Competition and antitrust expert Andrés Jaramillo is noted for his expertise in competition-related litigation. Capable support is provided by associates Carlos Lasprilla (public law and dispute resolution), Adriana Nieto (infrastructure and public law) and Andrés Felipe Cadena (dispute resolution). Additionally, Jorge Andrés Gómez joined as an associate from Solarte Asesores Jurídicos in July 2021. Paola Patarroyo  left in November 2021 to become legal officer at the United Nations.

‘An exceptional firm‘, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)‘s dispute resolution group is distinguished by its ‘specialised knowledge‘, ‘clarity of information‘ and willingness to ‘take reasonable risks‘. The team’s diversity is another recurring theme, with several sources highlighting the firm’s focus on hiring outside of traditional universities as a key differentiator. Department co-head William Araque is a seasoned counsel with a strong record in complex and cutting-edge litigation; he is gradually passing on the mantle of the practice to his fellow co-head, David Ricardo Araque. Partner and engineer, David Ricardo is praised by clients for his expertise in ‘litigation related to construction and infrastructure‘; he also packs a punch in distribution-related disputes, contentious insurance issues, shareholder litigation and energy matters — he recently acted for OHL Colombia against Géminis Consultores Ambientales on a cassation appeal before the Supreme Court of Justice. Below partner level, the team brings to bear a deep bench of associates. Most notably, ‘creative‘ senior associate Loredana De Trizio is singled out as a ‘rising star‘; while fellow senior Samuel Hernández Lizarazu demonstrates ‘excellent skills in procedural law‘.  Fellow senior Carlos Alberto León, who handles civil and commercial litigation, along with procedural law, is also noted.

As a top-tier projects boutique, Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados shines in infrastructure and public law-related disputes, particularly cases stemming from concession or construction contracts. The firm houses a strong all-round contentious practice, which routinely advises concessionaires and sponsors in litigation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Co-founding partner José Ignacio Leiva is the key name and is widely recognised for his specialist skill sets in public law and projects disputes. Transport-related litigation is a particular strong suit for Leiva, which was recently evidenced by his representation both Transambiental and Sotramac in disputes against Transcaribe relating to a breach of the concession contract for the BRT transportation concession in Cartagena. Marcela Castro, who co-leads the department together with Leiva, is a projects expert and is also highly sought after for infrastructure-related litigation. The team further benefits from the experience of senior associate Laura Amaya, who heads the litigation and arbitration practice and provides capable support on complex disputes.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas fields a full-service dispute resolution practice, which is equipped to advise on the full spread of contentious matters, from pre-litigation advice through to major litigation and arbitration proceedings. The firm’s extensive global network marks it as a key partner for multinational companies, with Ford, Samsung and Donaldson Company among its representative clients — it also enjoys close relationships with leading domestic and regional corporations. Andrés Fernández de Soto co-heads the department and brings nearly four decades of experience to his role; he recently paired up with public law and competition specialist Ximena Zuleta to represent Aecom Technical Services in landmark state-private company litigation, in which a governmental entity is claiming breach of contract for the supervision of a major Colombian resettlement project. Senior associate Paula Vejarano co-leads the practice and combines strength in litigation and arbitration matters. Other key associates include Carlos Miranda, who is noted for commercial and administrative litigation, and Daniel Jimenez Pastor, who has a focus on dispute resolution connected to corporate transactions.

The ‘dedicated and outstanding' group at Garrigues is comprised of lawyers, who are ‘thorough and demonstrate good judgement'. The Spain-headquartered firm's Bogotá office fields a broad disputes practice that is particularly well versed in litigation pertaining to heavily regulated sectors, including construction, energy, real estate and healthcare. The team also possesses niche strength in insurance disputes and contentious bankruptcy matters. Department head Alberto Acevedo is dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) and blends dispute resolution and corporate expertise. Among his recent matters, Acevedo represented Frontera Energy in a class action filed by a group of minority shareholders claiming that it failed to inform the stock market of its restructuring plans in 2016. Acevedo leans on a select group of associates that includes senior Ángela María Rueda, who focuses on domestic litigation and arbitration; and associate Daniel Quintero, who is noted for contractual liability, tort cases, corporate disputes and medical malpractice litigation.

Dispute resolution is a key pillar of Lloreda Camacho & Co.'s firm-wide offering, which is evidenced by its diverse practice scope. The group frequently advises domestic and multinational clients across a wide range of commercial litigation, class actions, administrative law matters, competition cases and judicial insolvencies — it also leverages the firm’s signature strength in IP and life sciences to pack a punch in litigation concerning those spheres. Department co-head Gustavo Tamayo is widely recognised for his prowess in the TMT and contracts areas; he is notably representing Bray International in a claim brought by their main distributer in Colombia (Casa De La Valvula) alleging the unfair termination of a distribution agreement. Associate director Christian Pérez Rueda co-steers the group and has an emphasis on litigation, insolvency and insurance-related matters. Core support is provided by senior associates Jorge Rodríguez and Jimmy Buenaventura — both specialise in commercial and corporate disputes. Senior associate Camilo Valenzuela left the firm in September 2021.

‘Strategic and rigorous‘, Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados‘ litigation team scores highly for its ability to ‘propose viable settlement alternatives in accordance with the client’s needs‘. The firm’s top-tier real estate offering ensures it is widely recognised for its ‘particular experience in the resolution of conflicts related to real estate‘, including civil and commercial litigation, tort law disputes, consumer law matters and contentious insurance issues. Sources also roundly praise its litigators as ‘creative when it comes to proposing solutions‘, with managing partner Felipe Pinilla especially recommended for his broad expertise across civil, commercial and criminal cases. Pinilla recently paired up with private law specialist Óscar Martínez to represent Escalar Gerencia Inmobiliaria in a consumer protection-related proceeding before the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce. Associate César Augusto Gónzalez, who has a focus on compliance and criminal law matters, co-heads the department alongside Pinilla and Martínez. The team also includes senior associate Margarita María Hurtado, who focuses exclusively on litigation.

A ‘group of very well-prepared professionals‘, Tamayo Jaramillo & Asociados‘ litigation team strikes the right note with sources for its ‘very holistic management of litigation issues‘. As an insurance-driven boutique, the group has a focus on civil liability disputes and satisfied clients say that its specialist knowledge in this field marks it ‘as one of the best firms in this area in the country‘, with contractual non-compliance, environmental contamination, product liability and constructor liability all among its strong suits. Javier Tamayo Jaramillo is commended for his ‘in-depth understanding of complex aspects of Colombian law‘ and is widely considered a leading authority on civil and medical liability. Other key partners include contract and civil law specialist Laura Castaño Echeverri — who co-heads the department alongside Tamayo Jaramillo; the ‘practical and commercial‘ Daniel Ossa Gómez, risk analysis partner Carlos Andrés González and Luis Miguel Gómez, who is well versed in both litigation and arbitration proceedings. At associate level, Daniel Bedoya and Luis David Pérez are well-primed to provide support in civil liability cases.

Ustáriz & Abogados Estudio Jurídico is ‘perfectly balanced between institutional robustness and personalised advice', according to sources. In particular, the group draws rave reviews for its financial litigation expertise, with lawyers commended for demonstrating ‘great knowledge and mastery of the topics and issues related to financial law'. The firm routinely represents banks, funds and other fiduciary entities in the full range of contentious matters, including administrative proceedings and collective actions. Co-founding partner Luís Humberto Ustáriz is distinguished by his ‘commitment, knowledge and maintenance of high standards' and is widely hailed as a leader in financial law; he is representing Fiduciaria Bogotá, as the manager of Transatlántico Trust, in a collective action concerning contracts related to a trust that the plaintiff esteems detrimental to the local government in Meta. The team also draws on the experience of director of the litigation practice Angela Restrepo, whose broad litigation experience encompasses administrative, civil and commercial matters. Additionally, co-founding partner and financial regulation expert Jose Federico Ustáriz is well versed in financial defence cases.

Lawyers in Gamboa Abogados‘ litigation group are valued for the ‘passion and dedication that they put into each case‘. The firm covers a broad range of contentious matters, with a focus on commercial, civil, administrative and sports-related disputes. Ernesto Gamboa handles a mix of litigation and arbitral proceedings and is widely recognised for his reputation in sports-related cases; he is notably the only Colombian arbitrator included in the general and the football lists of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Eduardo Gamboa is also a key member of the team and is recommended for his emphasis on civil, commercial and procedural law matters. In September 2021, the group was bolstered at junior level by the arrival of intermediate associate Miguel Bedoya from DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán.

Goh‘s litigation group is particularly active in litigation regarding the infrastructure, energy and construction industries — it is also equipped to handle contentious bankruptcy, competition and insolvency proceedings. Founding partner and tax law head Catalina Hoyos is particularly recommended for her robust tax litigation expertise. She is supported by a solid group of younger lawyers, including associate David Leonardo López, who is noted for his experience in road infrastructure, energy and healthcare disputes, and Daniela Fernanda Rincón, who is a dispute resolution-focused junior associate. Since publication the firm has integrated all its dispute resolution capabilities in a single practice under the direction of Hoyos, and March 2023 hires Claudia Patricia Barrantes (associate director of the administrative law and infrastructure practice), and senior partner Antonio Núñez, who focuses on corporate, finance and business law.

Holland & Knight‘s litigation offering is now spearheaded by energy specialist Jose Vicente Zapata — who also handles environmental liability and judicial proceedings — following the departure of Alberto Zuleta-Londoño in March 2022. The team additionally draws upon the senior expertise of executive partner Enrique Gómez Pinzón, who splits his time between Bogotá and Washington DC and is active in arbitral disputes, as well as senior counsel Juan Casallas, who routinely advises on commercial, constitutional and administrative law cases. Key associate Estefanny Pardo has an emphasis on environmental litigation but is well versed across a wide scope of energy and natural resources-related matters. Since publication, Casallas has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

Over the past year, Parra Rodríguez Abogados‘ litigation practice has been particularly active on behalf of local and multinational energy, real estate, mining and aviation clients. Covering all key pillars of civil, commercial and administrative law, the group is well-primed to support clients in a broad array of preventative strategy matters, litigation and arbitral proceedings. Among the group’s key contacts is name partner and experienced aviation expert Bernardo Rodríguez, who is also routinely involved in disputes concerning the infrastructure and financial services sectors. Fellow name partner, tax specialist Álvaro Parra, and administrative litigation specialist Augusto Figueroa, are also senior names to note. At associate level, Andrés Sarmiento Vargas, Daniela Pérez Mahecha and Diego Sastoque all have a focus on contentious work.

Medellín-based Ariza & Marin leverages its footholds in the projects and public law spheres to specialise in advising on infrastructure-related litigation. Other sectoral strengths include real estate and energy. Sources highlight its lawyers’ ‘high level of response, in terms of timeliness and depth‘, with Carolina Ariza  best known for her expertise in public law and civil liability, while Camilo Marin   is recommended for his track record in arbitral matters. In July 2021, the team was boosted by the arrival of senior associate and litigation co-ordinator Tomás Cuartas Orrego , who joined from Villegas & Villegas Abogados.

According to satisfied clients, BBGS Abogados provides ‘peace of mind that everything will be managed properly'. Despite its compact size, the dispute resolution team acts for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients, with notable experience in contentious insolvency proceedings, IP litigation and consumer protection cases. IP specialist Felipe Rubio oversees the practice and is noted for his track record in IP litigation, competition disputes and consumer protection-related matters. Associate director Lorenzo Pizarro receives fulsome praise from sources for his focus on maintaining ‘direct, sincere and friendly contact with the client'; he has a broad dispute resolution practice that spans judicial and arbitral procedures. Associate Pablo Arboleda left in April 2022 to join IP firm OlarteMoure.

ECIJA Colombia has ‘unparalleled experience in regulatory and competition matters for the ICT sector‘, according to sources. Naturally, this formidable offering ensures a steady stream of competition-related litigation, but the group has also recently acted on litigation arising from consumer protection, directors’ liability and contractual disputes. Pablo Márquez  is an antitrust expert with a robust record in contentious competition matters; in a notable mandate, he is acting alongside antitrust, litigation and telecoms partner Julio Castañeda  to represent Conalvías Construcciones in one of the largest unfair competition lawsuits ever filed in Colombia, worth approximately $65m. Other key names include Camilo Ramírez Zuluaga  , who has a focus on private law litigation and arbitration, and supporting associate Nasser Obando .