DLA Piper Martinez Beltrán > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

Lucas Arboleda, Director of the Energy & Natural Resources Practice

What do you see as the main points that differentiate DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán from your competitors?

DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán stands out in the market for embracing change, whether political or legal, helping our clients to find the best strategy and avoiding as much as possible any impact that the new circumstances may generate. The main thing is to identify the change and with great attention to detail and dedication we provide what the client is looking for and needs from a business point of view.

Clients look to the DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán team for the ability to seek and find the best path that will allow them to develop their business.

We have a team of lawyers with sufficient and outstanding experience to contribute all their knowledge to provide an efficient and quality service. Also, DLA Piper Latin America’s Team offers full-service business legal counsel to domestic and multinational companies with interests in and operations throughout the region. Our integrated approach to serving clients combines local knowledge with the resources of the DLA Piper global platform. With over 400 lawyers practicing throughout Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, our teams frequently work with our professionals throughout the LatAm region, Iberian Peninsula, and around the globe to ensure our clients receive the depth of service they require to meet their legal and business objectives.

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Despite the economic recovery we continue to have a high demand in labor, restructuring and insolvency matters, however we see that other practice areas are also in high demand. One that is worth highlighting is infrastructure, which will undoubtedly be part of the engines that will lead Colombia to recover from the ravages of the pandemic, however, all the firm’s practices will grow materially. In any event, the dispute resolution, corporate (M&A) and tax practices stand out.

Additionally, environmental law is a practice that will have a preponderant importance in the future because society is demanding it and the new government will have to continue to evolve along this path. Therefore, we started 2022 with the opening of this area in the firm and with the incorporation of María Camila del Villar as its director.

We are working on the largest projects, and we are also very active in large infrastructure projects in the country. Our client base has grown exponentially, thanks to our impeccable work and consequently the team is also growing because of the trust our clients place in us”.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The pandemic allowed us and accelerated the process of implementing changes that sought to benefit clients through alternatives and strategies that would work for the development of their businesses and avoid possible consequences.

One of the key changes that the firm has implemented is the use of technological platforms for the preparation of documents and the maintenance of document versions, allowing clients to have control of their information and of the negotiation stages involved. Additionally, we have adopted virtual meetings, whose main purpose today after the pandemic is to make meetings with clients more diligent, short, and concise, seeking maximum effectiveness in the client’s time.

The above has allowed us to develop internal policies, implement new technological tools and most importantly adapt to change for the benefit of all our clients.

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Our clients’ expectations for service and responsiveness have changed significantly as technology has gotten more integrated into daily life and as society has become more fast-paced. We can see that new technology, including artificial intelligence and case management software, may eliminate or drastically reduce the number of pointless time-consuming chores. This frees up time that can be used to better serve and support clients. But in addition to freeing up hours, technology also makes it possible to improve client interactions and the customer experience.

In that regard, DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán is structuring and carrying out activities through its innovation under the direction of DLA Piper Global and in accordance with the invention and disruptive guidelines that characterize the DLA Piper brand globally.

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

In DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán, we are constantly striving to find the best solution and strategy that allows the client to move forward and add value to their business; this will always be our goal. An example of our invaluable work is the project we are currently working on with Massy Energy Colombia S.A. for the merger of three LPG companies. The structure of this merger has never been done in Colombia, considering the specific regulatory issues that we had to tackle and the public and private entities that had to be convinced that the structure worked and complied with the applicable regulation.

To achieve this, we had to structure an innovative solution that implied a new interpretation of the applicable law which we had to demonstrate was more in line with the public policy issued by the Government. For that matter, we had to involve entities of the National Government, as well as Ecopetrol (the biggest oil and gas company in Colombia), the Regulatory Commission of Gas and Energy, and the Superintendence of Public Utilities, among others.

This case demonstrated that DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán is not only a conventional law firm but also a strategic ally for our clients, considering that our services include, among others, strategic advice and interaction with different actors of public and private nature to achieve results that go beyond mere legal advice.

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

We have experienced that our clients nowadays are looking for law firms to advise them not only on legal issues but rather for an integral counsel, which should include new business opportunities. In that sense, we believe that our law firm is already changing to provide our clients with a platform that could offer them not only legal services but also opportunities and alternatives to expand their business, which of course, should be complemented with innovative legal services.

In that sense, we believe it will be most important in the coming years to have a sophisticated technological platform where our clients can access all the potential opportunities identified by the law firm. This platform should include, for example, a project pipeline that could be attractive to our clients. Also, this tool should facilitate our clients to find opportunities not only among themselves but also with other agents for which strategic alliances could be made, for example, with investment banks and public entities.

In three years, we see DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán being the leader in the Colombian market in all practice areas, with exponential growth as we have been doing for more than two years, because we want to be not only legal advisors but also strategic allies.

Andrés González, Partner

Andres González explains how the firm has been doing in the past years and his vision for the coming ones.

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán from your competitors?

DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán distinguishes itself from the competitors through a combination of unique qualities and a client-centric approach.

Our work environment sets us apart significantly. Unlike many firms that place a heavy emphasis on billing targets and measuring lawyer productivity by billable hours, we foster a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. There is no undue pressure on our legal professionals to constantly sell services. Instead, we encourage teamwork and cross-functional interaction among our various practice areas. This collaborative belief allows us to seamlessly integrate solutions across different legal domains, ensuring that our clients receive the best and most complete advice.

Our Partners bring a wealth of diverse experiences to the table, which is another important differentiator. Many of our Partners have not only been part of other renown law firms but have also held positions in various public and private organizations. This extensive background includes serving as Deputy Ministers, Judges and GC’s.

One of the key aspects that also sets us apart is the trust we have built with our clients. Additional to the traditional legal consultation, our clients often turn to us for strategic advice that extends beyond legal issues. They trust us with their most critical business decisions, knowing that we bring a unique blend of legal expertise and real-world experience to the table.

Furthermore, we are part of one of the world’s largest full-service law firm networks, which allows us to extend our services across borders and refer clients to trusted partners in our network when they require legal assistance in other countries. Our ability to provide seamless international support is a significant advantage that sets us apart.

In essence, DLA Piper Martínez Beltrán’s distinctiveness is rooted in its collaborative culture, diverse and experienced partner base, trusted advisory role, and global reach. We prioritize client needs, ensuring that they receive comprehensive, strategic, and globally connected legal services that surpass the conventional offerings of many law firms.

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

Over the past year, we have observed significant growth in several key practice areas, and we anticipate that this trend will continue over the next 12 months. This growth is primarily driven by evolving client needs and specific factors tied to the country’s development trajectory.

The practice areas set for growth include Energy and Natural Resources, ESG, Environmental and Sustainability Law, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration, and Labour and Tax-related matters. These last two areas are influenced, in part, by Colombia’s ongoing tax reform and upcoming labour legislation changes.

Renewable energy is expected to maintain its growth trajectory, driven by global interest in sustainable energy sources and Colombia’s strategic appeal for investment in this sector. The transition to cleaner energy sources and stricter environmental regulations further stimulates this anticipated growth.

In addition, there is a rising demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advisory services. This demand is driven by several reasons, including financial implications tied to ESG criteria for corporations, as companies failing to meet these standards encounter challenges when seeking credit and higher capital costs.

The heightened awareness of environmental concerns and the impact of environmental degradation has led to increased activity within environmental law. Social demands for justice, sustainability, and ecosystems protection are propelling legal actions and policy changes, reflecting a noticeable trend towards the implementation of robust ESG criteria. Sustainable investments, green bonds, blue bonds, and biodiversity credits have gained prominence in international investment funds.

Given prevailing economic challenges, there will also be a continued need for dispute resolution and arbitration services. Businesses require assistance in negotiating differences arising from contractual relationships, addressing corporate crises, and navigating both national and international litigation and arbitration proceedings.

In summary, the projected growth of these practice areas in the upcoming year is shaped by economic, environmental, and social factors. These factors underscore the evolving landscape of business and legal priorities, with a growing emphasis on sustainability, compliance, and corporate governance.

3) What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

In response to the evolving sociopolitical and economic situation in our country over the past two years, we have proactively adapted and fortified our legal services to better serve our clients.

One of the most significant changes we have made to enhance client benefits is the strategic reinforcement of our practice areas. Specifically, we have sharpened our focus on key sectors, such as Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Oil & Gas and Tax, among others. To fortify these areas, we have incorporated outstanding lawyers with extensive industry knowledge and hands-on experience.

Our strategic hiring of experts in these practices, enables us to provide clients with tailored solutions that not only meet legal requirements but also align strategically with current market conditions. This approach empowers us to navigate regulatory landscapes effectively and address unique challenges faced by our clients in these industries.

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Certainly, technology is influencing the way we engage with our clients and the range of services we can offer them. DLA Piper, on a global scale, has made a substantial investment in acquiring the services of CoCounsel, an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI Technology, the same creators behind ChatGPT. This tool is designed to support, rather than replace, the work of lawyers in their legal advisory roles.

The use of this tool is expected to result in more efficient and comprehensive client advisement by enabling lawyers to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of the advisory, which, in turn, can enhance the quality of services and decision-making.

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

One standout case was our advisory in the complex transaction involving the IPO initiated by the Gilinski Group to acquire Grupo Nutresa. This was a landmark transaction, and our role was crucial in ensuring a successful outcome.

What makes this case particularly noteworthy is the scale and significance of the transaction. It can be considered one of the largest controversies in the country’s history within the realm of the stock exchange market. The involvement of multiple parties, complex legal intricacies, and high stakes made this an exceptionally challenging undertaking.

Through meticulous legal analysis, strategic counsel, and effective negotiation skills, we successfully guided the process to a mutually beneficial resolution. Our ability to navigate this multifaceted transaction and facilitate an agreement that satisfied both parties underscores the depth of expertise and collaborative approach our firm brings to complex legal matters.

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Clients are increasingly seeking stability and strategic direction from their law firms, extending beyond purely legal matters. We have observed a growing trend in clients turning to us for strategic advisory services, building deeper and more meaningful relationships as a result.

Our vision for the firm in the next three years centres on continued responsible growth and further alignment with our clients’ evolving needs. We are dedicated to strengthening our practice areas to better serve our clients’ requirements, ensuring that we remain a trusted partner in their strategic endeavours. In essence, our firm’s future is rooted in stability, strategic direction, and a persistent commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients.