Gómez-Pinzón Abogados > Medellin, Colombia > Firm Profile

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 1

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) fields one of the deepest banking benches in the market, which is reflected in its ability to resource large-scale domestic and cross-border transactions for both lenders and borrowers. The group’s comprehensive expertise spans the full range of corporate finance, asset finance, project finance and structured finance deals, while it is also frequently engaged to handle regulatory matters. Ricardo Fandiño spearheads the banking, finance and capital markets department and brings to bear over 25 years of experience in representing financial institutions, alternative lenders and major corporations in sophisticated transactions. Among his recent highlights, Fandiño acted as local counsel to the Royal Bank of Canada on a $700m financing granted to Enerflex to support the acquisition of Exterran Corporation. Sought after for both regulatory and transactional work, José Luis Suárez’s broad practice spans administrative law, infrastructure, and banking and finance; he recently advised Citibank Colombia on an uncommitted credit line to Rappi for up to $11m. The group additionally includes Daniel Londoño, who has a strong cross-border element to his practice, and capital markets expert Adriana Moreno. The group also benefits from a strong second line of senior associates, including Jimena González, who specialises in project finance and securities-related issues; Catalina Prieto, who combines strength in finance, energy and infrastructure; and Daniel Flórez, whose focus spans a mix of regulatory and transactional matters.

Colombia > Capital markets Tier 1

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s full-spectrum capital markets practice forms a key part of its overarching banking, finance and capital markets offering. With the ability to draw on one of the deepest benches in the market, the group stands out for its comprehensive market coverage that spans debt and equity matters for an array of domestic and multinational issuers and underwriters. Ricardo Fandiño heads the department and is highly regarded for his experience in advising international banks on cross-border issuances and derivatives transactions. In one of the marquee matters of 2023, Fandiño acted as Colombian counsel to the underwriters (Citigroup Global Markets, JP Morgan Securities, Santander Investment Securities and Scotia Capital USA) on Ecopetrol’s $2bn notes issuance. The team also benefits from the experience of: Daniel Londoño, who handles a mix of transactional and regulatory capital markets work; Medellín office head Adriana Moreno; and high-profile senior partner José Luis Suárez. An additional deep pool of senior associates includes Daniel Flórez Linero, who provides support on a mix of banking and capital markets deals; Jimena González Alarcón, whose practice spans capital markets, finance and infrastructure; and Catalina Prieto Núñez, who is well versed in capital markets, corporate finance and structured finance-related issues.

City focus > Medellín Tier 1

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados’ Medellín branch may be staffed more leanly than its Bogotá headquarters but it maintains the wider firm’s multidisciplinary practice portfolio. With a ten-lawyer team on the ground locally — including one partner — the firm is well positioned to handle a wide scope of transactional, regulatory and contentious work, with a focus on the manufacturing, financial services, energy, infrastructure and real estate industries. Office head Adriana Moreno Márquez possesses a broad practice, which encompasses banking and finance, corporate transactions, infrastructure projects and compliance; she recently acted in tandem with the Bogotá office to advise Atlas Renewable and Isagen on an investment agreement. The Medellín team also draws on a capable band of associates, including senior Catalina Arango, who is a key contact for intellectual property; and junior Manuel Londoño, who supports on infrastructure and administrative law. The group can additionally leverage resources from the wider national firm for support in large-scale matters.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The corporate and M&A team at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) is composed of lawyers who ‘stand out for their closeness and attention to detail’, according to satisfied clients. The full-spectrum practice is equipped to advise on a comprehensive scope of transactional, compliance and general advisory work, while it additionally benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s complementary offerings in environment, tax and competition, among other areas. Experienced sector specialist Lina Uribe García spearheads the department and is noted for her broad transactional focus; she recently advised Mexico-headquartered JC & Holding on its acquisition of a 70% stake in Farmalogica. Natalia García Arenas led on several highlight matters during 2023/24, including advising Rhenus Group on the acquisition of Blu Logistics. Increasingly prominent next-generation partner Juan David Quintero is also a key contact; he recently paired up with administrative law and infrastructure partner Jose Luis Suárez to advise the Gilinski Family, through JGDB Holding and Nugil, on the exchange of Grupo Nutresa shares for Grupo Sura shares. Other recommended names at partner level are Ana Cristina Jaramillo, who brings to bear significant international experience; energy and natural resources head Patricia Arrázola; and the newly promoted (January 2024) María Isabel Romero de la Torre. The department also leans on a strong bench of non-partners, including experienced counsel María Fernanda Restrepo as well as senior associates Paola Valderrama, Emanuela Guevara, Juan Pablo Caicedo and Francisco Pamplona.

Colombia > Environment Tier 1

Lawyers in Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s environmental law team ‘provide solutions with a practical and agile approach’, according to clients. A destination practice for companies across the energy, natural resources, agribusiness, waste management and infrastructure sectors, among others, the team is equipped to advise on the full range of advisory and contentious matters, from due diligence and compliance, through to punitive administrative proceedings. Corporate and M&A head Lina Uribe additionally co-leads the environmental law section and contributes experience in compliance and environmental law litigation. Fellow co-head, director Lina Correa, stands out for her ‘agility in response’ and recently paired up with Uribe to advise Pluspetrol on environmental compliance in relation to hydrocarbons exploration in Meta Department. The team also draws on energy and natural resources lead Patricia Arrázola, who specialises in advising energy and mining clients on environmental law issues, and intermediate associate Juan Pablo Perdomo, who supports on energy and natural resources and environmental law matters.

Colombia > Tax Tier 1

The full-spectrum tax practice at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) is lauded by clients for its ‘strong knowledge of the current applicable regulations’, which ensures it provides a ‘diligent and robust defence in administrative and judicial processes’. Alongside its formidable tax litigation capability, the group houses equally robust offerings in tax planning, transactional tax, transfer pricing and also in specialist areas, such as labour-related tax. Firm managing partner Mauricio Piñeros fronts the tax department and is equipped to advise on transactional tax, tax audits and litigation, among other matters; he recently advised Isagen and Atlas Renewable Energy Colombia on the tax structuring of its $1.2bn joint venture to develop 1GW of renewable energy in Colombia. Tax litigator Álvaro Andrés Díaz is a key contact for contentious work and specialises in representing national and international clients in tax disputes. The four-partner team additionally draws on the senior experience of Carolina Bobillier, who contributes niche expertise in labour-related tax and the special tax regime appliable to non-profits; and Alejandro Sanabria, who was promoted to partner in January 2024 and is noted for international tax and corporate finance tax. A deep pool of dedicated practice associates includes seniors Alejandro Sotello, Javier Orozco and Carlos Lemos.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Commended for its ability to provide ‘personalised solutions and strategies’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s competition and antitrust team brings to bear significant hands-on regulatory expertise, with a third of its lawyers having previously worked at the SIC. The group handles the full spectrum of related matters, from compliance issues through to administrative investigations and merger reviews, with clients particularly highlighting ‘its strong focus on litigation care and prevention’. Department head Mauricio Jaramillo is a key contact for competition, IP and TMT work; he recently advised Bayport Colombia on international antitrust litigation strategy to overcome unfair competition acts committed by new competitors in Colombia. The practice also draws on a deep pool of associates, including seniors Biviana Helo and Valentina Manrique Gómez and intermediate Paula de la Calle — all of whom focus on competition and IP law.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration Tier 2

Lawyers at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) are ‘highly professional, committed to the cause and analyse all aspects of a case’, according to clients. Demonstrating a strong record in domestic arbitrations, as well as international arbitrations under CCB rules, the team is routinely called upon by Colombian and multinational corporations across all industry segments, with particular activity in the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and financial services spheres. As a trained engineer, department co-head David Ricardo Araque is praised for his ‘strong technical knowledge’; he represented Termobarranquilla in a local arbitration against Transelca concerning the breach of an asset-representation agreement. Veteran of counsel William Araque co-heads the practice and is recommended for his experience across the full scope of contentious work, including arbitration cases before the Chambers of Commerce of Bogotá, Medellín and Pereira. At associate level, the team includes seniors Carlos Alberto León, who has held multiple positions in Colombia’s judicial branch; Samuel Hernández Lizarazu, who handles a broad scope of litigation and arbitration cases; and Juan Guillermo Otero, who also maintains a broad dispute resolution practice. In June 2023, intermediate associate María Valentina Díaz left to study abroad. In July 2024, the firm welcomed the return of former managing partner Alejandro Linares, who rejoined following an eight-year stint as Justice of the Colombian Constitutional Court.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 2

‘A committed team that always anticipates issues and prepares cases carefully’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s full-spectrum litigation practice handles a broad scope of commercial, civil and administrative law disputes. The group is particularly active in cases involving construction, insurance, energy and commercial distribution matters, but its experience encompasses the full range of contentious work. Key partner David Araque possesses a strong record in disputes concerning investment projects; he is advising Transportadora de Gas Internacional in a commercial dispute brought by Ismocol concerning an alleged breach of a contract related to the construction of a gas pipeline in Colombia. Araque co-heads the department alongside experienced of counsel William Araque. The group additionally draws on a deep bench of associates, including senior Carlos Alberto León, who specialises in civil and commercial litigation; senior Samuel Hernández Lizarazu, who has supported on both judicial and arbitral proceedings; senior Juan Guillermo Otero, who has a significant public law dimension to his practice; and intermediate Daniela Velásquez. Additionally, senior Jorge Rodríguez and intermediate Mario Alejandro Carrillo joined from Lloreda Camacho & Co. and Medellín & Durán Abogados in June and September 2023, respectively; the former replacing senior Loredana De Trizio who moved in house at Grupo Energía Bogotá. In an additional boost in July 2024, the firm welcomed the return of former managing partner Alejandro Linares, who rejoined following an eight-year stint as Justice of the Colombian Constitutional Court.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Lawyers at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) ‘always try to get to the crux of what the client really needs’, according to sources. During 2023/24 the energy and natural resources practice handled a relatively even split of renewable power and oil-and-gas matters, with its experience encompassing regulatory issues, project development and transactions. Department head Patricia Arrázola maintains a broad sector focus, with an emphasis on regulatory and transactional work in the electricity and hydrocarbons spheres; she recently advised EDP Renováveis on regulatory issues concerning its two wind energy projects in La Guajira. Next-generation partner José Luís Palacios also handles transactional and regulatory matters and advised EDF Renewables Colombia on the design of legal strategy for the development of renewable energy projects in Colombia. The team additionally includes Germán Villamil, who combines strength in oil and gas, foreign exchange law and international investment matters; and Lina Correa, who was promoted to associate director of the environmental law practice in March 2023.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 2

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s IP practice ‘always looks for ways to contribute to the achievement of the client’s objectives’, according to satisfied clients. With a focus on the financial services, life sciences, TMT, education, and food-and-beverage sectors, the group handles an array of patent and trade mark prosecution, IP portfolio management matters, copyright-related issues and IP litigation. Department co-head Juanita Pérez is a ‘great leader’ with a focus on the international management and administration of IP portfolios; she recently represented Grupo Éxito in obtaining a trade mark for its “SURTIMAX” brand. Fellow co-head Mauricio Jaramillo additionally leads the competition practice; he recently advised TIS Productions Colombia and Walt Disney on IP matters. The team further benefits from a sizable band of senior associates, including Catalina Arango, who supports on advisory and litigation work; Valentina Manrique Gómez, whose practice spans IP, competition and consumer protection; and Juan Pablo Chaparro Torres, who sits in both the competition and IP teams.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 2

Valued by some for its ‘collaboration and regulatory knowledge’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s life sciences offering straddles its intellectual property and its regulatory affairs practices. In particular, the group specialises in representing clients from the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and food and drink industries on regulatory filings with authorities, health legislation and drug pricing strategy, while it also handles patent-related matters. As a former in-house legal adviser for Laboratorios Biogen de Colombia, department co-head and senior associate Andrea Pieschacón brings significant hands-on experience to her role. All-round regulatory partner Mauricio Jaramillo co-heads the team; his broad practice focus encompasses IP, competition, TMT, and data protection law.

Colombia > Projects Tier 2

The projects group at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) impresses sources with its ‘commitment to excellence in client service’. Well versed across the full life cycle of project matters, from tenders through to operational issues, the team counts public-sector entities, banks, investment funds and construction companies among its key clients. Department head Paola Larrahondo is an increasingly prominent name for infrastructure and administrative law; she recently advised Empresa Metro de Bogotá on the construction and operation of Bogotá’s metro lines. Seasoned projects specialist, José Luis Suárez, contributes experience across the full range of infrastructure, public law and project finance; he advised VGMobility on the financing of a project for the provision of an electric bus fleet. Senior associates Juan Antonio Ucrós (infrastructure and administrative law) and Catalina Prieto (banking and finance and infrastructure) provide additional support.

Colombia > Public law Tier 2

Among Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s key attributes, sources highlight the public law group’s ‘experts from different areas of law’ and also its ‘extensive technical knowledge’. Alongside its work for corporate clients on bidding processes, infrastructure projects, administrative procedures and public law disputes, the team additionally acts for numerous state and semi-state entities on public procurement, regulatory matters and commercial contracts, including FDN and Grupo Energía de Bogotá. Administrative law and infrastructure specialist, Paola Larrahondo, heads the department and advised FDN and Transcaribe on a solution guaranteeing the continuity of the public transport service currently provided by Transcaribe in Cartagena. The team also includes José Luis Suárez, whose practice intersects administrative law, infrastructure, and banking and finance; and infrastructure and administrative law-focused senior associate, Juan Antonio Ucrós, who ‘quickly understands and attends to the client’s needs’.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 2

The real estate group at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) is distinguished by its robust showings in regulatory, development and corporate matters, including urban and planning law, real estate development projects and M&A. The team acts for a broad mix of real estate funds, developers, landowners and retail companies, among others; it added a raft of new clients during 2023/24, with Partners Telecom Colombia and a regional association of banana growers among the new arrivals. Department head Paula Samper Salazar leverages 35 years' experience in corporate and real estate law and recently advised Forest First Colombia on a construction agreement. María Camila Parra, who serves as director of the real estate and urban planning area, is also recommended for planning, land development and transactional matters.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 3

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s international trade group stands out for the strength of its customs offering, where it excels in advising on complex customs disputes, free trade zones and general compliance matters. The growing practice acts for a diverse mix of domestic and multinational companies and added 11 new clients during 2023/24, including Grupo Energía Bogotá, Reckitt Benckiser Colombia and Zona Franca de Rionegro. Up-and-coming partner Nicolás Potdevin Stein heads the department and specialises in customs law. The team also includes of counsel Andrea Mora Ramírez, whose practice encompasses tax, customs, and free trade zones.

Colombia > TMT Tier 3

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s TMT practice provides ‘agile and timely responses’. The interdisciplinary group draws on a diverse band of regulatory lawyers and combines skill sets in data protection and privacy, telecoms regulation, and media, internet and technology law. Alongside its regulatory prowess, the group also benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s corporate offering for support on TMT-related transactions. Key partner Mauricio Jaramillo Campuzano splits his practice between IP, competition and TMT. The group also includes experienced director Andrés Fernández De Castro, who specialises in telecoms regulation, data protection and technology. In September 2024, intermediate associate Andrés Meza left to study abroad.

Colombia > Compliance and white-collar crime Tier 4

Lauded as ‘a highly qualified team providing personalised attention’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s practice is distinguished by its focus on risk prevention and compliance matters. Clients include both domestic and multinational corporations, who turn to the team for assistance with the design and implementation of compliance programmes, international investigations and due diligence-related matters, among others. Seasoned director Adriana Bueno Buitrago steers a team that also includes intermediate associate Anguie Castro (‘very concise and accurate’) and associate Nathaly Acero.

Colombia > Insurance Tier 4

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados’ insurance practice continues to make inroads into the market, following the arrival of director and department head Consuelo González Barreto in September 2022. González Barreto brings to bear strong in-house experience garnered during roles at La Previsora, MetLife and HSBC (among others), and is particularly noted for her strong skill sets in corporate and regulatory insurance matters. Clients also highlight intermediate associate Carolina de La Torre, who joined from Tamayo Jaramillo & Asociados in December 2023; she also brings significant in-house experience from an earlier career stint at Beehive Insurance.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

Lauded by some for its ‘dedication, efficiency and quality of work’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) is equipped to provide a broad range of labour and employment advice, with a focus on corporate support matters, compensation schemes, regulatory compliance issues and contentious work. The six-strong team is led by director Mauricio Montealegre, who brings over 15 years of advisory and litigation experience to his role. Associate support is provided by senior Natalia Suárez Caicedo, who specialises in individual labour matters and social security law; and intermediate Lina Tapiero, who has a focus on individual labour issues, social security and litigation. Since publication, Montealegre has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2025.