The tax department at Brigard Urrutia is held up by sources as ‘an interdisciplinary team that provides all the services associated with tax law‘. With its extensive experience spanning tax structuring, day-to-day advisory, transfer pricing and contentious matters, the group stands as a full-spectrum standalone offering that brings together lawyers, accountants and economists to provide comprehensive advice. The group was recently bolstered at top level by the January-2022 hire of all-round corporate tax specialist Adrián Rodríguez from Lewin & Wills, Abogados. Rodríguez -elected President of the Colombian Tax Law Institute in July 2022- now co-heads the practice alongside increasingly prominent tax litigator Catalina Jaramillo and tax planning partner Andrés Hernández, who demonstrates ‘excellent handling of complex issues‘. Among the group’s associates, director Daniel Duque and senior Zaira Cortés are both noted for tax consulting and planning matters. Senior associate Pablo Ángel left in June 2021 to join Ernst & Young Asesores Ltda.

Among Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)'s key differentiators, sources praise the tax group’s ‘strong knowledge of the client’s business' as well as its ‘ability to provide an overview of regulations throughout the region'. The sizeable department grew to four partners in January 2022, following Carolina Bobillier's promotion to the partnership, and the breadth-and-depth of the practice is evidenced by a broad offering spanning tax planning, transactional tax structuring, transfer pricing and tax litigation. Mauricio Piñeros continues to head the group and is recognised for his adept handling of corporate and finance-related tax matters, foreign investment and tax litigation. Other senior names include tax litigation specialist Álvaro Andrés Díaz and tax consultancy and planning partner Ignacio Vélez. The ‘professional team' also draws upon senior associates Alejandro Sanabria, who focuses on international tax law and business structuring; and Alejandro Sotello, who sits in the tax and customs practice.

‘In tune with the client’s needs', Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría's tax team impresses sources for its ability to join up with other areas of the full-service and multi-jurisdictional firm to provide ‘comprehensive tax advice that takes into account almost all of the possible implications'. Standing as one of the most dominant tax practices in the market, the group routinely advises on tax planning, transactional tax structuring and tax litigation — it also benefits from a thriving transfer pricing unit. Key figure Martín Acero is noted for his experience in corporate, transactional and private client tax and co-heads the department alongside Carolina Rozo, whose practice takes in tax consultancy, tax planning and litigation. The group additionally includes Barranquilla office head Héctor Ramírez, who was promoted to partner in January 2022 and specialises in tax and international trade. Principal associates Leonardo Cote and Verónica Barone are also recommended.

Distinguished by its ‘strong business vision', Posse Herrera Ruiz's tax group also stands out for being one of the largest teams in the market. The 32-strong group, which is spread between the firm’s Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla offices, covers the waterfront on tax matters, with highly regarded offerings in transactional tax, tax planning, contentious work and transfer pricing. High-profile tax expert Juan Guillermo Ruiz heads the practice and recently advised on one of the year’s headline mandates when he led the tax advice to the Colombian Government on the $3.6bn sale of its controlling shareholding of ISA to Ecopetrol. Other senior names in this ‘dynamic tax team' include tax litigation specialist Juan Camilo De Bedout and Jaime Gómez, who focuses on tax planning and was promoted to partner in January 2022. However, transactional tax specialist Juan David Velasco left the firm in April 2022.

‘A collaborative team that understands the nuances of the business', Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas' tax group is valued by sources for its ‘knowledge and experience in the various areas that must be handled'. On the non-contentious front, it handles tax advisory work, tax planning and transaction structuring for an impressive roster of domestic and multinational clients. The department is also well versed in transfer pricing and tax litigation. Practice head Camilo Cortés is noted for his broad experience, which spans the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Other senior names to note include partners Carmen Sanabria and Ernesto Lopez. Associate Natalia Dávila left the firm in January 2022.

DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán's tax practice is hailed by sources for its ‘knowledge of the sector' and for its ‘quick and punctual consultations'. The busy department strikes a balance between contentious and non-contentious work, with recent strong showings in transactional tax matters and complex litigation for major regional and multinational corporations. It also has significant capability in transfer pricing and wealth planning. Andrés González leads the tax and private wealth departments, while César Camilo Cermeño spearheads the tax litigation offering; together they are highlighted for their ‘extensive knowledge of tax law'. Associate practice director Maria Alejandra Buitrago is also recommended. However senior associate Camila Cuberos left to become a freelance tax consultant in June 2021.

Lawyers in Garrigues‘ tax team are ‘very experienced, knowledgeable and clear‘, according to sources. The rapidly growing practice added several new clients over the past year, including EBANX and Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía, and it also saw the arrival of new transactional tax-focused senior associate Oscar Munevar, who joined from Deloitte (Luxembourg office) in May 2021. International tax specialist Camilo Zarama continues to head the department and brings to bear strong expertise in transactional tax — especially funds-related matters — as well as tax litigation. The group also draws upon experienced of counsels Fernando Zarama and Laura Galeano. Since publication, the office has considerably strengthened its bench with the February 2023 hire of Mónica Bolaños from Deloitte Asesores y Consultores, where she was formerly lead M&A and international tax partner for Colombia and the Andean Region.

Tax is a firm-wide sweet spot for Goh and it impresses clients with its ‘combination of professional excellence and business understanding'. Well weighted between private and public sector work, the full-spectrum practice handles tax planning, transaction structuring and contentious matters for an increasingly lengthy roster of leading companies. Catalina Hoyos is sought after for her combination of transactional tax and tax litigation expertise; she recently advised Interconexión Eléctrica on the tax aspects of its $331m bond offering on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Managing partner Juan Pablo Godoy is recommended for his specialist focus on the extractive and infrastructure industries. The group also includes tax partner Mónica Inés Hernández and associate directors Luís Felipe Noreña and Catalina Amaris.

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero advises on a wide range of corporate tax issues, with transactional matters, international taxation and litigation all key areas of activity. Santiago Arbouin, who specialises in tax, customs law and international trade, now solely leads the group following the departure of former practice co-head Natalia Guerrero in December 2021 — she is now tax manager at GeoPark. However, in February 2022 the team welcomed the arrival of associate director Nicole Ríos from from Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, who also splits her time between the tax and customs law and trade departments. At associate level, juniors Natalia Recio and Laura Rodríguez are recommended.

New entry into the tax table for 2023, Holland & Knight has significantly ramped up its tax offering of late. In June 2022, new partner hire Gustavo Pardo Ardila incorporated his practice, Gustavo Pardo y Asociados, into the firm. At associate level, José Alejandro Vivas also joined from Pardo’s former boutique, while associate Juan Pablo Díaz arrived in November 2021 from Brigard Urrutia. The three-partner team also includes Juan Carlos Valencia, who is recognised for his extensive experience in tax litigation, and transactional tax specialist Rafael Lafont, who was promoted to partner in January 2022. The team is now particularly well paced to advise clients on tax litigation, tax planning and investment structuring between Colombia and the US.

In a significant market development, Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law was formed in October 2021 through the merger of legacy firm Ibarra Abogados with the newly established (2020) Bogotá office of international firm Rimon PC. The combined five-strong tax, trusts and estates group is recognised for its focus on private wealth matters, with strong experience in the handling of multi-jurisdictional reorganisation of assets and tax structures for family groups. Department head Rodrigo Castillo Cottin secures rave reviews from sources for his ‘unique ability to evaluate client issues and offer practical viable solutions'. Senior associate Ana María López Murillo provides capable support.

As firm specialising in tax, real estate and infrastructure projects, Montaña & Consultores Asociados shines in urban development-related matters. The team also advises companies on general tax compliance and contentious tax work. General director of the firm Magda Cristina Montaña has a focus on tax and urban development financing and co-heads the department alongside practice director Andrea Monsalve, who specialises in tax and administrative law.

The ‘flexible and practical' tax group at Parra Rodríguez Abogados is recognised for its experience in tax compliance, tax planning and controversy cases. Álvaro Parra is singled out by sources for his ‘extensive knowledge in tax and corporate matters' and co-heads the four-strong department alongside María Margarita Parra, whose practice spans tax, real estate and administrative law. Senior associate Marcela Cadavid and intermediate Juan José Goyeneche are also noted for tax work.

In line with its signature real estate strength, Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados routinely represents real estate and infrastructure companies on tax matters, with notable expertise in local taxes — particularly those related to real estate and construction projects. The team also handles a growing volume of financial services-related work. Practice head María Helena Padilla provides ‘timely solutions in accordance with the client’s needs‘ and is equipped to advise on tax planning, consultancy and litigation. Senior tax advisor Viviana Africano Franco provides support. Senior associate Melissa López left the firm in August 2021.

Contexto Legal S.A.'s tax team is valued by clients for its ‘immediacy in providing solutions'. The firm specialises in tax planning matters, for both families and companies, including asset protection issues, transactional tax and reorganisations. It has also seen an increase in contentious tax cases of late, with recent notable wins at municipal and national level. Key contact Federico Escobar handles tax and estate planning, with support from associate Marcela García Ciro.

The ‘courteous and very friendly‘ group at Lloreda Camacho & Co. has an emphasis on tax planning and transactional tax matters, particularly within the life sciences, telecoms, retail, and energy and natural resources sectors. Ignacio Santamaria, who is a key partner for tax, natural resources and foreign trade, co-heads the department alongside senior associate Luis Felipe Paredes, who joined in May 2021 from AB Consultores. Former senior associate Julian Andrés Peña left the firm in May 2021,