Mrs María Paula Sánchez > Posse Herrera Ruiz > Medellin, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Key attributes of Posse Herrera Ruiz’s customs and international trade practice include its ‘clear work methodology that facilitates interaction’ and its ‘practical and immediate responses’, according to clients. The team advises on an array of customs law, trade remedies, free-trade agreements (FTAs) and free trade zone-related matters, but it is arguably best known for its strength in international trade taxation, where it can lean on the firm’s dominant tax offering. Recently promoted (March 2024) partner María Paula Sánchez leads the department and specialises in customs, international trade and tax law; she recently advised the Colombian National Planning Department on strategies to dismantle non-tariff barriers stifling competition in Colombia’s motor vehicle and engine-manufacturing sector. Other experienced names include veteran customs law counsel Ramiro Araujo Segovia; Juan Guillermo Ruiz, who specialises in tax law, including customs tax; and Juan Camilo De Bedout, who focuses on tax and customs litigation. Associate Ana María Vega provides dedicated practice support.

Posse Herrera Ruiz houses a thriving Medellín platform that — with 13 dedicated lawyers — stands as one the largest local offerings among the country’s national, full-service firms. With on-site lawyers providing support on a mix of corporate, projects, international trade, dispute resolution, IP, labour, and banking and finance matters, the group additionally stands out for its ability to team up with specialists from across its national offices. Key longstanding local clients include Nutresa, UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones and Consorcio CCC Ituango, while it also serves multinational clients from its Medellín hub. Infrastructure specialist Cristina Vásquez heads the Medellín practice and is acting as part of the cross-office team advising Odinsa on its negotiations with Macquarie Asset Management to create a platform for highway assets. The team also draws on dispute resolution expert Carolina Posada and international trade and tax partner Juan Camilo De Bedout — both of whom operate from Bogotá and Medellín. Other key contacts include customs and international trade director María Paula Sánchez and fintech and funds head Julián Aguirre, who was promoted to director in May 2023. Former associate Natalia Tobón left to go freelance in February 2024.