Environment in Colombia

The full-service offering at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) boasts a particularly strong reputation for handling all aspects of environmental law matters, including environmental due diligence, preparation of legal environmental matrixes and compliance with national and international regulations. The firm regularly assists clients in obtaining environmental licenses, permits, authorisations and registrations, reviewing agreements and indemnification clauses related to the assumption of environmental liability, as well as providing advice on remediation processes and the handling of hazardous waste. Head of energy and natural resources, Patricia Arrázola Bustillo, and head of the environmental practice, Lina Uribe García, co-lead the 10-strong team, displaying extensive experience across the environmental spectrum. Key support is provided by senior associate Lina Correa, who focuses on environmental compliance matters for clients in various economic sectors.

The ‘excellent’ multidisciplinary team at Holland & Knight has in-depth knowledge of all issues related to land use and environmental law, covering the full spectrum of matters but with a particular focus on climate change, compliance auditing and corporate governance, energy efficiency, environmental health and safety, green building, natural resources and sustainability issues. The team acts for a number of high-profile companies in the oil-and-gas industry and has seen recent growth in its client roster in to the  food and beverage and chemicals segmments, among others. Leading the 16-strong team is José Vicente Zapata, a well-known prasence in th eenvironmental sector and natural resources' expert with over 20 years' experience – he currently focuses on corporate and commercial matters which include an emphasis on the environment, energy and natural resources. Other names to note are: Ines Elvira Vesga (who was promoted to partner in August 2021), senior counsel Juan Israel Casallas, senior associate Camila Del Villar and associate Margarita Solorza.

Head of the environment team at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, and widely recognised by peers and clients as a leading practitioner in the field, Luis Fernando Macías advises both national and multinational companies on complex environmental matters. The practice regularly undertakes work covering the full spectrum of environmental-related services with a focus on the corporate aspect. In addition, it is currently developing a new sub-practice regarding sanitary law – a growing area of focus following new regulations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key support at associate level comes from principals Alexander Acosta, who focuses on sustainability and renewable energies; and Ivan Paez , who shows ‘exceptional knowledge of litigation issues’. Senior associate María Alejandra Gómez is an ‘excellent professional, with extensive knowledge and versatility’.

The interdisciplinary practice at Brigard Urrutia draws experience from lawyers across its natural resources, infrastructure and public utilities departments to offer a comprehensive portfolio of services in matters such as obtaining environmental authorisations and permits, due diligence and environmental audits. The firm regularly represents clients in environmental claims and investigations before governmental agencies, as well as before the courts, combining the expertise of its litigators and environmental experts. Senior associate Guillermo Tejeiro is head of the environmental and sustainable business development team, and advises national and international clients on matters related to the sustainability of projects and activities, including the representation of clients in environmental litigation, advising on environmental tax benefits, ESG matters, and structuring projects and green business. Partner Jaime Robledo is best known for corporate work, but also advises on environment-related cases for companies from the finance, aeronautics, and oil-and-gas sectors.

Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados' broad service offering revolves primarily around advice within the mining, oil and gas, energy and infrastructure sectors – often on matters involving hazardous waste management, compliance and regulatory issues. The three-strong area is sought after by both local and multinational companies for its weight in strategic matters, especially audits, administrative defence and environmental litigation. The department is now under the leadership of associate director Silvia María Méndez Parodi, whose past experience includes as an environmental advisor at the International Affairs Office of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Méndez Parodi was promoted to head of practice after reputed specialist Juan Manuel Sabogal passed away in 2020.

Posse Herrera Ruiz‘s environmental practice group is a full-service offering, acting particularly on matters across the entire energy sector, and perhaps best known for its advice on oil and gas, renewable energy and  associated disputes, as well as in environmental regulation. The practice is led at partner level by Alvaro José Rodríguez (head of the natural resources department), a renowned professional in energy and environmental matters, whoe spent four years at the Ministry of Environment prior to entering private practice. Senior associate Erika Serrano who has wide experience in environmental permitting and sanctioning processes, as well as in the legal management of controlled chemical substances is an additional key member of the team and co-heads the practice in conjunction with Rodríguez. However, former associate Julián Manrique moved in house at Prime Energía in September 2021.

Joining the rankings for 2021, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' demonstrates expertise in environmental and social regulatory matters, primarily in relation to the mining industry. In this area, the firm has been in consultation with government authorities to discuss a large number of the recent mining, environmental and social regulations in Colombia. The environment practice is perhaps best known in relation to M&A in the mining sector, including complex cross-border transactions, multidisciplinary due diligence and securities-related elements such as Canadian plans of arrangements and the IPOs of listed companies. Associate director María Margarita Lorduy heads the environment team, advising on environmental matters for well known mining, hydrocarbon, and infrastructure companies.

Palacios Lleras is perhaps best known for its public law capabilities, especially in relation to the energy sector and mining activities, but also demonstrates successful experience in complex environmental litigation, where it represents an array of companies at all court levels. Particularly strong in regulatory advisory work, the practice is led by enormously experienced founding partner, Hugo Palacios Mejía; and senior partner Óscar Gutiérrez, who is an expert in litigation regarding infrastructure and port matters. Both leaders are highly respected in the environmental industry, acting for public and private entities on environmental, and social and governance matters in relation to complex projects.