Event information
GC Summit Colombia stands as one of the most influential gatherings for in-house counsel in the country, bringing the nation’s brightest corporate legal minds into one room. Every year in Bogotá, Legal 500 transforms the summit into a space where ideas spark, connections form, and the future of the Colombian legal market takes shape in real time. The atmosphere blends high-level expertise with the excitement of genuine collaboration, turning complex legal debates into conversations that matter for every company operating in Colombia.
During the summit, the country’s top general counsel and legal leaders take the stage to dissect the issues that define modern corporate life. Taxation, compliance, corporate governance, ethical dilemmas and fast-shifting regulations are not treated as abstract topics—they become live, practical challenges that participants unpack from every angle. Discussions on Colombia’s intricate tax landscape reveal how legal teams stay ahead of constant change, while sessions on conflicts of interest shine a light on the ethical backbone that in-house counsel must uphold in an increasingly demanding business environment.
What truly brings GC Summit Colombia to life is its mix of perspectives. In-house lawyers, private-practice experts, industry specialists and business leaders speak candidly, compare experiences, and push each other toward sharper thinking and smarter solutions. The conversations flow beyond the panels: in the hallways, over coffee, and during networking moments where new partnerships form and old ones deepen. The event becomes a snapshot of Colombia’s legal ecosystem at its most energetic—forward-looking, ambitious, and ready to redefine best practice.
As part of Legal 500’s wider Latin American programme, the summit not only showcases the country’s legal talent but also elevates the role of in-house counsel as strategic drivers of corporate success. GC Summit Colombia isn’t just a conference; it’s where the legal community comes together to set the tone, share the spotlight and shape the next chapter of legal leadership in Colombia.
Agenda
1.00pm-1.30pm Registration & light lunch
1.30pm-1.40pm Opening remarks
1.40pm-2.30pm Antitrust Compliance in Colombia: Strategies for Companies in a Dynamic Environment in association with Holland & Knight
Antitrust compliance has become a strategic priority for companies operating in Colombia, amid increased regulatory scrutiny, evolving enforcement practices, and a rapidly changing business landscape.
This panel brings together General Counsel and legal experts to discuss the key practical challenges of antitrust compliance from an in-house perspective. The discussion will explore how companies can design and adapt effective compliance programmes, manage competition risks in dynamic markets, respond to investigations and information requests from authorities, and align legal strategy with broader business objectives. It will also examine the growing role of technology, including the use of artificial intelligence by in-house legal teams, and how digital tools are reshaping compliance, risk management, and decision-making processes.
Drawing on real-world experience, panelists will share insights into best practices, emerging trends, and practical solutions for navigating antitrust compliance in Colombia today.
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- Danilo Romero Raad, partner, Holland & Knight
- Carlos Felipe Payan Rodriguez, corporate and legal counsel, Avaya Communication de Colombia
- Juan Sebastian Niño, vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel, Alianza team
2.30pm-3.20pm Navigating 2026 Without Burning Out: A Labour Law Perspective from Colombia in association with Posse Herrera Ruiz
As Colombia approaches 2026 amid economic uncertainty, regulatory change and evolving workplace expectations, employers are under increasing pressure to adapt without losing talent, productivity or compliance. This panel explores how organisations can realistically prepare for the coming year from a labour and employment perspective, balancing legal risk with operational resilience. The discussion will examine key trends shaping the Colombian labour market, including workforce restructuring, labour costs, flexibility, union relations and the growing importance of wellbeing and ESG considerations. The session will focus on practical strategies to anticipate change, respond to disruption and make informed decisions in a complex regulatory environment. Attendees will gain a grounded view of how to face 2026 with clarity, pragmatism and confidence, rather than simply surviving it.
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- Vicente Umaña Carrizosa, partner – labour & immigration, Posse Herrera Ruiz
- Margherita Birri, research editor, Legal 500
3.40pm-4.15pm Dominican Republic in the Spotlight in association with Pellerano & Herrera
The panel will examine key regulatory trends, sector-specific opportunities, and the evolving legal landscape shaping foreign and domestic investment. With insights into recent reforms, market dynamics, and practical challenges, the discussion will offer a forward-looking perspective on why the Dominican Republic continues to attract international attention—and what lies ahead for companies operating in or entering the market.
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- Montserrat Viñals Prestol, senior associate, Pellerano & Herrera
This fireside chat will explore the current landscape of Ecuador’s energy sector, focusing on the ongoing crisis and its implications for businesses and investors. The session will provide insights into the existing legal and regulatory framework, key risk considerations, and practical strategies for protecting investments in a challenging environment. It will also highlight emerging opportunities within the sector, offering a balanced view of how stakeholders can navigate uncertainty while identifying areas for growth.
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- Bayardo Rafael Poveda, partner, ECIJA GP
4.40pm-5.05pm Coffee break
5.05pm-5.40pm Panel 5 in association with Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co.
The panel explores a general regulatory oversight of Artificial Intelligence in Colombia, exploring bills drafter in congress as well as the public policies implemented by the national government. Furhtermore, the panel seeks to explore a variety of risks that are presented when implementing different Artificial Intelligence tools, such as the liability of the programs and its user, algorithmic transparency and even the future of law practice.
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- Juan Ignacio Gamboa, socio, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co.
- Daniel García Piñeros, managing partner, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co.
5.40pm-6.30pm The Day-to-Day Practice of an In-House Lawyer in a Company in association with Legal 500
The session will explore what the daily reality of an in-house lawyer looks like, focusing on both the legal and non-legal challenges faced within a business. Topics will include the importance of soft skills, the pros and cons of hiring in-house talent, working with and managing Gen Z, and the role of rising stars within legal teams. The discussion is designed to be interactive, welcoming questions throughout, and aims to provide an honest and practical overview of the demands, expectations and opportunities that shape the in-house role on a day-to-day basis.
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- Laura Jaramillo Franco, head of law, patents and compliance Andean, Caribbean and Central America, Bayer Colombia
- Magda Morales, legal manager Andean cluster & data protection manager, Kuehne + Nagel
- Natalia Gutierrez De Larrauri, legal director, Avianca
- Lauren Vargas, corporate legal manager, Grupo Rica
6.30pm-6.35pm Closing remarks
6.35pm-7.30pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Danilo Romero Raad, partner, Holland & Knight
Danilo Romero is a litigation attorney in Holland & Knight’s Bogotá office. Mr. Romero focuses on competition and antitrust litigation, intellectual property (IP), consumer protection law, copyright and data protection, and media and entertainment law.
As part of his practice, Mr. Romero represents several regional clients to create efficient legal strategies to protect trademarks, inventions and patents. He also provides legal support to companies in various sectors in competition matters that have resulted in favorable resolutions through litigation.
Mr. Romero also has extensive experience in the creation of data protection policies for companies operating in Colombia and in the process required by the authorities for the registration and updating of databases in compliance with local regulations.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Romero is a member of the A-List of Arbitrators of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce and Cali Chamber of Commerce, and has been part of several arbitration tribunals under the rules of these entities.
He has authored several articles in Colombia and abroad, and he also serves as a professor in IP and competition law at some of the most important universities in the country.
Before joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Romero was the solo founder of an IP boutique law firm in Bogotá, which was listed as one of the most notable law firms in the country by many legal industry publications.
Vicente Umaña Carrizosa, partner - labour & immigration, Posse Herrera Ruiz
Vicente Umaña Carrizosa is a partner with extensive legal and business experience in managing corporate labor relations both in Colombia and the Latam region, including developing and implementing labor legal strategies for corporations, overseeing and managing relationships with Colombian labor unions, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
Prior to joining Posse Herrera Ruiz, Mr. Umaña served Partner of the Labor & Employment Practice at Holland & Knight, as Area Counsel for South America at IBM and as Regional Employee Relations Vice President for Citibank, where he handled labor relations. He has an extensive understanding of how large international corporations operate and how to address and help resolve labor issues faced by corporations.
In addition, he has been member of the Colombian Official Delegation at the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Laura Jaramillo Franco, head of law, patents and compliance Andean, Caribbean and Central America, Bayer Colombia
Passionate and results-oriented legal executive with over 13 years of experience driving legal innovation across top law firms and in-house environments.
She has championed legal innovation to streamline processes, mitigate risks, and empower successful business outcomes. Her expertise spans commercial law, M&A, consumer protection, competition law, corporate law and compliance across the agricultural, pharmaceutical, retail, and healthcare sectors.
She is known for her ability to structure legal departments for efficiency and value-add, for leading and inspiring teams to deliver exceptional legal services and employing a strategic approach to problem-solving.
Carlos Felipe Payan Rodriguez, corporate and legal counsel, Avaya Communication de Colombia
Corporate and Legal Counsel at Avaya for Mexico, the Andean Region and the Caribbean and Central America (CCA), where he also coordinates compliance unit for Colombia. He holds a law degree from the Externado University of Colombia, an LLM in French, European, and International Commercial Law from Paris-2 Panthéon Assas University, Paris, France, and an Executive LLM in Business Law from the Instituto de Empresa-IE in Madrid, Spain. He is a postgraduate professor at the Externado University of Colombia in Business Law (Compliance) and Intellectual Property.
Magda Morales, legal manager Andean cluster & data protection manager, Kuehne + Nagel
Magda is an in house lawyer with experience in data protection matters, commercial advisory, and regulatory analysis. She provides legal guidance on contracts and complex operational topics, ensuring clarity and alignment with organizational requirements. Her work is characterized by a structured, business focused approach that supports informed decision making. Magda is recognized for translating legal frameworks into practical solutions and for helping teams operate confidently in evolving business environments.
Natalia Gutierrez De Larrauri, legal director, Avianca
Natalia Gutierrez de Larrauri, actual Directora Legal de Avianca desde 2021. Abogada y Especialista de la Universidad de los Andes, con un LLM de NYU. Antes de ingresar a Avianca, se desempeñó como abogada senior en varias firmas del país, con especial énfasis en asesorías corporativas, transacciones de M&A y financiaciones. También ejerció su práctica profesional en Nueva York durante un tiempo. Actualmente, como Directora Legal de Avianca, lidera un equipo interdisciplinario de más de 30 personas.
Bayardo Rafael Poveda, partner, ECIJA GPA
Bayardo Poveda is a Partner at ECIJA GPA. He has extensive experience in the energy and hydrocarbons sectors, as well as in mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and investment transactions. His practice is distinguished by an integrated approach that combines rigorous legal analysis, economic perspective, and international experience in highly regulated industries.
He holds a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE 1999). He completed postgraduate studies in Law and Economics at the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and in Financial Law at Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (Quito). He has also undertaken specialised training in Economics, Finance, and International Arbitration.
With more than 25 years of experience in corporate, regulatory, and transactional law, Mr. Poveda has advised multinational companies and public entities on a broad range of matters, including energy and oil and gas projects, infrastructure developments, mergers and acquisitions, and project finance transactions. Prior to joining ECIJA GPA, he gained international experience working with law firms in Quito and Brussels.
His principal areas of practice include Energy and Natural Resources, Hydrocarbons, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Law, Investments, Project Finance, and Competition Law.
Mr. Poveda served as President and Director of the Franco-Ecuadorian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (2020–2026) and as Vice President of Fundación Amazonart. He is also a member of the editorial boards of jurisprudence publications at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and PUCE.
He is recognised by leading international legal directories, including Chambers Latin America, Latin Lawyer, and The Legal 500, in the areas of energy, dispute resolution, and corporate law.
Languages: Spanish, English, and French.
Montserrat Viñals Prestol, senior associate, Pellerano & Herrera
With a career spanning more than 16 years, Montserrat is a powerhouse in corporate and tax law. She has been a key advisor in major cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and strategic tax planning for global clients. Beyond her legal expertise, Montserrat holds a Doctorate in Law and two Master’s degrees in tax planning and management, and its fluent in Spanish, English, and French.
Juan Sebastian Niño, vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel, Alianza team
He is a lawyer from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with a master’s degree in international law, with an emphasis on International Business Law, from Universidad Externado de Colombia and Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas. He also holds a specialization in Corporate Law from Universidad del Rosario, and a specialization in Liability and Compensation for Damages from Universidad Externado de Colombia. He is a professor of Business Law at the School of Management of CESA.
He has more than 17 years of professional experience and currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Alianza Team, a Colombian-origin company and a leader in lipid science and technology, with operations in Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and the United States, where he has developed his career for over 12 years. At Alianza Team, he has led projects and supported business initiatives across their legal, regulatory, and sustainability dimensions in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, managing interdisciplinary teams in diverse social, political, and market contexts, and promoting ethical and transparent relationships that generate shared value.
Prior to assuming this role, he worked in the beverage industry and was a partner in the corporate law practice at Asesores Legales Asociados (ALA).
Lauren Vargas, corporate legal manager, Grupo Rica
With more than 14 years of experience, Lauren T. Vargas Sarmiento is a corporate and regulatory law professional specialising in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property. She currently serves as Corporate Legal Manager at Grupo Rica, where she leads the legal strategy across multiple business units, overseeing commercial contracts, regulatory matters, competition and consumer law, and risk mitigation. Lauren represents the Group in public tenders and serves on national standardization committees. Holds two master’s degrees and is fluent in Spanish and English, with intermediate proficiency in French.
Daniel García Piñeros, managing partner, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co.
Daniel García Piñeros is the Managing Partner of the Firm and brings over 20 years of experience advising both local and international clients. He leads the Firm’s Corporate Law practice, guiding clients through complex mergers and acquisitions, real estate projects and developments, and corporate governance matters, including the formation, organization, and liquidation of companies. His expertise also spans telecommunications, intellectual property, and the structuring and sale of energy projects in Colombia. Additionally, Daniel advises Colombian families on estate planning and succession strategies.
Daniel is a founding partner of Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co. Abogados, DG&C Abogados, and De La Rosa & García Abogados. His career includes serving as General Counsel at Telmex Colombia S.A., senior associate at Posse, Herrera & Ruiz S.A., associate at Ernst & Young Asesores Ltda., and senior and junior associate at Baker & McKenzie. He also worked as Assistant Manager at Agrupación Internacional de Servicios Energéticos – A.I.S.E., and began his career as a paralegal at Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co., Chalela, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co. & Useche.
Daniel earned his Law degree from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia), where he also specialized in Financial Legislation. He holds an LL.M. from Northwestern University (Chicago, USA) and completed advanced legal studies at Cambridge University (Sidney Sussex College, UK) and George Washington University (Washington, D.C., USA).
Juan Ignacio Gamboa, socio, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co.
Juan Ignacio Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co. brings 25 years of experience advising domestic and international clients on civil, commercial, administrative law and dispute resolution. His civil and commercial practice includes complex commercial contracts, negotiable instruments, insolvency, consumer protection, and competition law, as well as wealth planning and advisory on family and succession matters. He also counsels clients on administrative law, public procurement, and bidding processes with government entities.
Juan Ignacio has extensive experience in civil and administrative liability and represents clients in conciliation proceedings, judicial litigation in commercial and administrative courts, and arbitration panels—both domestic and international.
He earned his Law degree from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia) and completed a specialization at Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II (Paris, France), obtaining the Diplôme Supérieur de l’Université in Civil and Financial Law. He also pursued studies at Culver Military Academy (Indiana, USA).
Margherita Birri, research editor, The Legal 500
In association with
Posse Herrera Ruiz is a specialist law firm that, with a multidisciplinary and systematic approach, finds comprehensive, creative, prudent and value-added solutions that optimize the return on investment and minimize the risks of its clients.
We have extensive experience advising national and international transactions in the most relevant and complex transactions in Colombia in the past years, due to our commitment to our clients, our team and the service we provide.
We believe that business goes hand in hand with trust. We prefer long lasting relationships based on quality work, transparency, dedication and commitment. Our greatest achievement is not just a completed task but the satisfaction of our clients and the establishment of long-term relationships.
Holland & Knight has one of the largest and most diverse Latin American practices among U.S. law firms. The Latin America Practice Group includes more than 200 attorneys with in-depth experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and financing transactions, and business disputes in and involving Latin America in commercial centers throughout the world.
ECIJA has established itself as one of Ecuador’s leading multidisciplinary and independent legal service providers, with over 25 years of market experience. The firm operates with a team of more than 120 highly specialized attorneys distributed across offices in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, and Cuenca, complemented by a highly specialized financial support unit.
ECIJA’s approach combines deep local expertise with international standards, enabling the firm to advise both national and foreign clients on complex matters, strategic transactions, and significant disputes across all key sectors of the Ecuadorian economy. The firm has earned particular recognition for its outstanding capabilities in the energy sector, as well as in Corporate M&A, Tax, Labor, Public and Regulatory Law, and Competition Law.
As part of ECIJA’s global network—the Spanish firm with the strongest presence in Latin America—ECIJA’s Ecuador office delivers integrated legal solutions that address the challenges of today’s business environment. The global ECIJA network spans 34 offices across 17 countries throughout Iberia, Latin America, and extends globally through strategic alliances.
The firm is able to provide cutting-edge advice that anticipates market developments and regulatory changes, ensuring clients receive forward-thinking counsel aligned with their strategic objectives.
ECIJA’s office in Ecuador is consistently recognized by the most prestigious international legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Leaders League, and Who’s Who Legal, confirming its position as a trusted advisor to the country’s most sophisticated clients.
