Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) houses a comprehensive environmental law practice, which advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters from licensing and permitting, through to environmental liability, remediation processes and environmental punitive proceedings. While the practice sits as part of the firm’s wider energy and natural resources department, it supports clients from all industry sectors and is also involved in the environmental due diligence aspects of corporate transactions. Environmental law expert Lina Uribe is well versed across the full range of regulatory and judicial procedures, including the management and disposal of waste and hazardous substances and due diligence investigations. Uribe co-heads the practice together with energy and natural resources specialist Patricia Arrázola. Talented senior associate Lina Correa provides focused environmental law support.

‘Great connoisseurs of environmental legislation‘, Holland & Knight‘s environmental law practice attracts strong reviews from sources due to its ‘highly specialised and trained team‘. Mainly —but not exclusively— focused on the energy and natural resources sectors, the team routinely supports clients from the extractive industries on compliance matters, regulatory litigation and project development. Additionally, the team handles a steady stream of transactional due diligence matters. High-profile department head Jose Vicente Zapata is highlighted for his ‘timely design of strategies aimed at safeguarding the company’s interests‘; he counts an impressive roster of electric, oil and gas, mining, agrochemical and industrial companies among his key clients. Additionally, senior counsel Juan Casallas supports on contentious work, while associate Margarita Solorza assists with regulatory and compliance matters. Senior associate Camila Del Villar departed the firm in February 2022. Since publicaton, Casallas has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2023.

Among Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's key assets, sources highlight its ‘technical knowledge regarding regulation' as well as its ‘constant availability and very good response times'. The firm excels in all key pillars of environmental law, from permitting and compliance issues, through to litigation and sanctioning processes. The group’s development of a new sanitary law sub-practice is also worthy of note; it is adjusting to new public health regulations created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Department head Luis Fernando Macías is widely hailed an expert in his field, particularly in regard to contentious matters. The practice also houses an impressive group of associates, with principals Ivan Paez and Alexander Acosta noted for litigation and advisory work respectively. Additionally, senior associate María Alejandra Gómez garners rave reviews from clients for her ‘deep knowledge of environmental law'.

The environmental law team at Brigard Urrutia ‘covers many areas' and is ‘able to intertwine relationships between them in a very efficient way', according to sources. The firm’s interdisciplinary approach sees the practice bring together specialists from across its energy, projects and corporate departments, who advise a broad mix of industry clients on regulatory, contentious and transactional matters. Senior associate Guillermo Tejeiro spearheads the environmental and sustainable business development group and brings to bear 15 years' experience representing domestic and multinational clients on environmental regulation, tax issues and litigation. Corporate partner Jaime Robledo is also a key contact and provides support on commercial, administrative and strategic matters.

Satisfied clients of Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados‘ environmental law group highlight the ‘proximity of the senior lawyers', who ‘make clients feel like they are a priority'. The firm possesses a full-service practice, which is particularly recognised for its track record in environmental emergencies. Other strong suits include regulatory and compliance matters and environmental sanctions procedures. Associate director and group head Silvia María Méndez Parodi is a former environmental advisor at the International Affairs Office of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; she advises an array of energy and natural resources, construction and consumer goods companies on their environmental law requirements

Posse Herrera Ruiz scores highly with clients for its ability to provide ‘24/7 service on critical issues'. The team covers a wide range of environmental law matters, with strong showings in permitting, sanctioning, project development and transactions. Notably, the environmental group is closely aligned with the firm’s energy department, which translates into a marked focus on energy and natural resources clients. That being said, it also has strong experience in the agriculture, construction and manufacturing spheres. Natural resources head Alvaro José Rodríguez oversees the practice and handles a balance of regulatory and contentious work. Key support is provided by senior associate Erika Serrano Rojas, who advises on energy and environmental law. Associate Julián Manrique left for an in-house role at Prime Energía in September 2021.

International trade firm Araújo Ibarra Consultores Internacionales houses a compact environmental law practice, which focuses on assisting clients with compliance and regulatory matters. Key contact Gerardo Viña Vizcaino specialises in the design, formulation and evaluation of environmental strategies, with particular attention to the mining, energy, infrastructure and agriculture industries. The practice also draws on the expertise of environmental specialist Javier Eduardo Trillos, who advises on environmental regulation and investment-related issues.

‘A high-level legal team in environmental issues', Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' group strikes the right note with its ‘in-depth and up-to-date knowledge'. The practice handles a comprehensive range of matters, from environmental evaluations and compliance audits, through to due diligence and contentious proceedings. In terms of industry sweet spots, the firm’s robust energy practice ensures it is particularly active in the energy and natural resources sphere, but it also represents clients operating in the infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and transport sectors. Associate practice director María Margarita Lorduy heads the team and is roundly praised for ‘deep knowledge and mental acuity'. Energy and natural resources specialist Hernán Rodríguez is also noted.

New entrant to the ranking, Lloreda Camacho & Co.  attracts praise from clients for its ‘remarkable level of service and knowledge of environmental issues‘. The group leverages the wider firm’s strengths in life sciences and mining to focus on environmental matters in relation to those industries, and it counts Johnson & Johnson de Colombia, Anglo American Services and Mineros among its key clients. The group is co-led by energy and natural resources specialists Ignacio Santamaria   and Angela María Salazar , together with up-and-coming senior associate Natalia Soto  .