Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law
Calle 98 No. 9A-41 Office 309
Bogotá
Colombia

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

A key benchmark for competition law in the country’, Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law attracts strong praise from clients for its ability to create a ‘collaborative space between the lawyers and the client’. Arguably best known for its reputation in the behavioural field, including for major investigations and complex competition disputes, the team is also equipped to handle merger fillings, consumer protection-related matters and compliance issues. High-profile expert Gabriel Ibarra is highlighted for his ‘extensive track record in competition matters’ and is currently representing Ingenio Risaralda in litigation seeking to overturn sanctions issued by the SIC in 2010 in relation to an alleged agreement to fix the purchase price of sugar cane to produce fuel alcohol. Next-generation partner Ana Lucía Parra also has a strong contentious dimension to her practice and handles a mix of antitrust, unfair competition, consumer protection, and administrative law cases. Alejandro Ibarra, who has experience across the full range of competition law matters, and Carlos Bermúdes Pulido, who was promoted to senior associate in December 2022, are both additional contacts of note. Senior associate Felipe Martínez Sánchez left in December 2022 to join the World Intellectual Property Organization, as part of the Young Experts programme.

Practice head(s):

Gabriel Ibarra; Ana Lucía Parra; Alejandro Ibarra

Testimonials

Unlike other firms, attention and importance are given to the client’s comments, giving space to be proactive and discuss ideas, creating a collaborative space between the lawyers and the client. This allows us to delve into the relevant issues and evaluate them with the necessary detail and rigor.

The attention of this firm is personalised: it assigns a work team according to the specific topic for which the service was required.’

This firm is a key benchmark for competition law in the country. In particular, Gabriel Ibarra has an extensive track record in competition matters. He has successfully handled important cases that, for example, resulted in the imposition of the first antidumping duties in the history of Colombia.

Another outstanding lawyer who advised on our case was the associate Dylan Arias, who instructed us at each stage of the process and shared with us, along with Gabriel, the strategy to follow.’

‘We value the team for its far-seeing and accurate legal perspectives on legal disputes. Lawyers have good relationships with the authorities.

Key clients

Yara Colombia

Ingenio Risaralda

Ingenio del Cauca

CI de Azúcares y Mieles (CIAMSA)

Desarrollos Industriales y Comerciales (DICSA) – in liquidation

Central Tumaco – liquidated

Messer Colombia

Brinsa

Work highlights

  • Representing Ingenio Risaralda in a lawsuit against sanctions issued by the SIC in 2010 in relation to an alleged agreement to fix the purchase price of sugar cane to produce fuel alcohol.
  • Representing Messer (formerly Linde Colombia) in a lawsuit against the sanctioning acts imposed by the SIC in relation to an alleged agreement with other producers of medical gases to prevent third parties from accessing the market.
  • Providing ongoing competition law advice to Yara Colombia, including monitoring regulatory developments and strengthening its internal compliance policies.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 1

Lawyers at Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law are roundly praised for their ‘expert knowledge’, with sources asserting that ‘the team’s experience makes it stand out over its competitors’. The international trade and competition boutique fields an interdisciplinary practice, which is equipped to provide full-spectrum coverage of trade remedies, trade policy, customs law and related litigation. Founding partner Gabriel Ibarra Pardo has a 30-year track record in advising domestic and multinational companies, multilateral agencies, and public sector entities on trade and customs work, including sensitive WTO dispute settlement matters. Other key contacts include Ana Lucía Parra, whose practice spans customs, competition, consumer protection and administrative law; and Alejandro Ibarra, who advises corporate and public-sector clients on foreign trade, customs law, and free trade zones, among other issues. Director Natalia Torres left in May 2022 to become a senior consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Practice head(s):

Gabriel Ibarra Pardo; Ana Lucía Parra; Alejandro Ibarra

Testimonials

The firm’s main partners get involved in the work, providing the customer with the experience necessary to resolve the problem requested.

The team’s experience makes it stand out over its competitors. It staffs its  teams with experts who have handled similar cases to the one being dealt with.

Lawyers possess expert knowledge. The team’s experience and professionalism makes it unique.

We value lawyers for their experience, knowledge of the subject, and sense of responsibility.

Key clients

Federación Nacional de Biocombustibles de Colombia (Fedebiocombustibles)

Asociación de Cultivadores de Caña de Azúcar de Colombia (Asocaña)

Pfizer

Colgate-Palmolive

Thomson Reuters Practical Law

Revista Industria Legal

Lincoln Soldaduras de Colombia

Mcdermott, Will and Emery

Bioenergy

Messer

PTESA

Rheem Industria Chilena

Work highlights

  • Representing Federación Nacional de Biocombustibles de Colombia before the Consejo de Estado in a case brought by importers challenging the imposition of countervailing duties on imports of ethanol from the US.
  • Acting for Pfizer on an appeal regarding the validity of the certificates of origin in the importation process of some medicines, in order to gain access to the preferential treatment accrued from the FTA between Colombia and the US.
  • Providing ongoing advice to Colgate-Palmolive on customs law and foreign trade matters.

Colombia > Tax Tier 4

The private wealth-focused practice at Ibarra Abogados Rimon Law is held up by sources as ‘always top of mind for estate-planning structures with a complex tax component’. The group specialises in advising multi-jurisdictional enterprises, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals and families on estate planning, and demonstrates expertise in tax amnesties, exchange of tax information and reorganisation of assets, among other matters. The department is led by private wealth expert Rodrigo Castillo Cottin, who has a ‘practical approach to problem solving’. Senior associate Ana María López Murillo and intermediate associate Alejandra Becerra are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Rodrigo Castillo Cottin

Testimonials

The team is headed by Rodrigo Castillo Cottin. Rodrigo brings a unique skill set to his legal practice: substantial knowledge of international tax concepts impacting Colombian clients along with a practical approach to problem solving.

Rodrigo Castillo and associate Alejandra Becerra are very client and service oriented. Always looking for and finding the best solutions for their clients. Superior knowledge and expertise of not only Colombian tax issues but also US tax issues for those clients that have business interests in the US.

The team is very competent, very experienced and provides a responsive service with a welcoming style. I find this a unique package. The diverse experience and the in-depth knowledge of structuring tax-effective and workable solutions makes working with the firm a positive experience.

Rodrigo Castillo makes us trust the firm 100%. Very knowledgeable about US and Colombian practices. Rodrigo Castillo explains everything to the core. Its easy to work with him.

This team is always top of mind for estate-planning structures with a complex tax component. It differs from other firms in that it always has an international perspective for its clients; not only focused on Colombian tax regulations, which it handles excellently despite being very complex.

Rodrigo Castillo and associate Ana María López Murillo are very professional and attend to their clients in a personalised manner and with great dedication. They are very precise and clients feel very satisfied with their advice.

A  practice with in-depth experience in managing family and family structures, involving not only passive investments but also operating companies. The team is professional and efficient. Availability is 24/7. I have not experienced another practice with a similar value offer and a solid and synchronised team.

It is a very attentive and careful team down to the last detail. Rodrigo Castillo is meticulous and accurate.

The firm: For more than twenty years, Ibarra Rimon has established itself as one of the most prestigious Colombian firms in the areas of competition law, international trade, and customs law, advising and representing national and international companies.

Founded on August 23, 1993 by Gabriel Ibarra, the firm was one of the first in the country to file complaints regarding anticompetitive practices. Also, its founding partner filed some of the first antidumping applications and, recently, Ibarra Abogados, represented the Colombian bioethanol industry and presented the first countervailing duty petition in the history of Colombia.

Concerning competition matters, Ibarra Rimon specializes in antitrust investigations, merger control, and unfair competition litigation. Regarding international trade, the firm’s practice focuses on trade remedy proceedings, economic integration agreements, and customs litigation before administrative courts. With the aim of providing high standard services, the team is composed of lawyers specialized in these practice areas, prepared to advise public and private entities on national and international issues.

Moreover, due to the joint work that the international trade practice performs with the competition area, the firm has an interdisciplinary perspective of issues, which includes macroeconomic and public policy arguments. In addition, its lawyers work jointly with economists, bankers, engineers, and auditors so as to provide a comprehensive and skilled service.

Clients recognize the innovative and creative solutions Ibarra Rimon offers in a timely manner and value that their matters are managed directly by partners with widely recognized experience. In this sense, the firm and especially Mr Ibarra are known for their accessibility and the personalized attention provided to each one of the clients.

Department Name Email Telephone
Competition/antitrust Gabriel Ibarra gibarra@ibarrarimon.com
Competition/antitrust Ana Lucía Parra aparra@ibarrarimon.com
Competition/antitrust Alejandro Ibarra aibarra@ibarrarimon.com
International Trade/WTO Gabriel Ibarra gibarra@ibarrarimon.com
Customs Gabriel Ibarra gibarra@ibarrarimon.com
Competition/antitrust Natalia Martínez nmartinez@ibarrarimon.com
Competition/antitrust Carlos Bermúdes cbermudes@ibarrarimon.com
International Trade/WTO Dylan Arias darias@ibarrarimon.com
Intellectual Property Gina Ávila gavila@ibarrarimon.com
Photo Name Position Profile
Alejandro Ibarra photo Mr Alejandro Ibarra Alejandro Ibarra focuses on competition law, foreign trade law, consumer protection, data…
Gabriel Ibarra photo Dr Gabriel Ibarra
Number of partners : 3
Number of other fee-earners : 5
Total staff : 7
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Founding partner : Gabriel Ibarra
Non-equity partner : Ana Lucía Parra
Equity partner : Alejandro Ibarra