María Claudia Martínez > DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán > Bogota, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

The ‘highly trained multidisciplinary team‘ at DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán is recognised for its emphasis on investigations and competition litigation. Among its recent highlights, the practice secured key roles in several cases that intersect antitrust and consumer law matters. For example, department head María Claudia Martínez teamed up with antitrust and consumer law partner Julian Solorza to represent Carvajal Educación in two class actions brought by notebook consumers relating to an alleged cartel. Other key names include senior associate Natalia Fernández, who advises on competition, consumer protection and data privacy law.

‘A practical firm‘, DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán ‘delivers its suggestions to clients in a very responsible way‘, according to sources. Best known for its work in the IT and media sectors, the group routinely advises on transactions, regulatory matters and dispute resolution. Department co-head María Claudia Martínez is a regulatory specialist, with a focus on antitrust, consumer protection and data protection. Managing partner Camilo Martínez co-heads the team and is noted for sensitive and contentious TMT-related matters. Associate Natalia Fernández is recommended for data protection.

‘Focused on achieving the client’s objectives‘, DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán is commended for its team of collaborative and business-oriented lawyers, who ‘become part of the client’s internal processes‘. The group’s ability to plug into the wider firm’s international network combines with its senior partners’ robust domestic experience to mark this team as a leading contender for multi-jurisdictional mandates. The practice can turn its hand to transactions in any market segment but is particularly recognised for its experience in the private equity, financial services, healthcare, energy and infrastructure spheres. Among the names to note, private equity specialist Felipe Quintero is widely considered a market leader; he recently led the corporate aspects of the firm’s advice to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V in the acquisition of 50% of Odinsa’s road concession business in Colombia. Juan Manuel de la Rosa is also highly regarded for private equity transactions and acted in conjunction with María Claudia Martínez to advise TM – Grupo Transmerquim (a portfolio company of Advent International), on Advent’s acquisition of Caldic from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Quintero and de la Rosa co-lead the department together with managing partner Camilo Martínez and corporate and litigation partner José Miguel Mendoza. Nicolás Polanía is also recommended for his focus on contentious and transactional corporate matters, including insolvency. Additionally, the group can call upon a sizeable second line of younger lawyers, including director Felipe Aristizabal, who is establishing a strong record in private equity-related deals. Other recommended names include director Juan Camilo Varón (commercial, corporate and energy) as well as associates Juan Carlos Gambín (M&A, regulatory, foreign investment), Daniela Duarte (M&A, corporate, finance), and Natalia Bernal (corporate, M&A, foreign investment). Senior associate María Alejandra Cabrera joined from Holland & Knight in August 2021. Since publication, Aristizabal has been raised to the partnership – effective as of January 2023.