Colombia 2022
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Legal and compliance manager Colombia and Central America | Linde
Legal counsel contracts | Comcel - Claro Colombia
Legal director of corporate affairs | Hoteles Decameron
Director of legal and corporate affairs | Oleoducto de los Llanos Orientales and Oleoducto Bicentenario de Colombia
Head of legal and corporate affairs, general counsel and compliance officer | Tecnoglass
Associate general counsel - Latin America | Trane Technologies
Advisor - legal vice president | Grupo Energía Bogotá
General counsel | Cenit Transporte y Logística de Hidrocarburos
Head of legal and compliance – compliance officer | Mazda
Corporate legal counsel and compliance officer, Andean and CCA-Caribbean and Central America Region | Avaya
Legal manager, corporate secretary | Distribuidora Nissan (Grupo Vardí)
Legal manager and compliance officer - LATAM | Cepsa Colombia
Legal vice president and secretary general | Arthur J. Gallagher Colombia
Chief legal and compliance officer | Teleperformance
General counsel and corporate affairs director | Grupo Empresarial Levapan
General secretary and legal director | Caracol Primera Cadena Radial Colombiana
Senior counsel Latam and third party risk, export controls team manager | Zoom Video Communications
Legal vice president - general counsel | Hoteles Decameron
General counsel | Fondo Latinoamericano de reservas - FLAR
Legal and compliance manager Colombia and Panama | Bureau Veritas Colombia
Vice president of corporate affairs and secretary general | Ecopetrol
Legal director Colombia - data privacy advisor Latam | Unilever
Principal counsel, corporate operations and rest of Latin America | The Walt Disney Company
Executive vice president, general counsel | Inter-American Coal
Director of legal, logistics and business | Biomax Biocombustibles
Vice president legal | Cámara Colombiana de la Infraestructura
Chief counsel of private sector legal division and member of the board of directors | CAF - Development Bank of Latin America & CAF - Asset Management Uruguay
It has been a privilege and an honour to conduct research for this year’s Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Colombia 2022, the first edition after the imposed hiatus caused by the pandemic. As lead researcher, I have had the opportunity to speak with the most outstanding in-house counsel in the region. Our interviews have touched upon several topics such as sustainability, technology and the impact of Covid-19 on business operations. Among other revelations, the overall picture that emerged is that Colombia-based in-house counsel have come out from the pandemic stronger than ever and ready to look ahead, working to bring added value to their organisations, harness technology to drive efficiencies, and make their operations more sustainable to promote the growth of the country.
Colombia’s position as one of the region’s most stable economies has allowed it to face the pandemic and overcome it without significant repercussions, and some statistics highlight this. Colombia’s GDP has expanded by 10.6% and is predicted to grow faster than any other country in Latin America. It continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investors, given the existence of multiple business centres and various sectoral demands. The strategic geographic position it enjoys at the centre of the continent allows for greater connection with every destination across the hemisphere.
Additionally, Colombia has been actively responding to international challenges, acting on sustainable development. It aims to reduce its greenhouse emissions by 51% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. These are just some factors that make Colombia a solid place to do business and, in turn, a fertile environment for producing high-quality in-house counsel.
This year’s GC Powerlist Colombia highlights the role of general counsel in embracing change and innovation, working towards the development of their country — “my team and I work with the purpose of being seen as supporters of these initiatives, which requires an attitude towards change backed by the legal knowledge that allows seeking for responses, said Jorge Adrián Rincón Plata, chief legal officer in Grupo Aval. Technology will continue to demand in-house lawyers to drive efficiencies and work smarter. These pages reveal that in-house lawyers in Colombia are on top of their games when it comes to adapting to new scenarios and changes. As Fernando Victoria Peña, chief legal and compliance officer at Teleperformance, suggests: “the pandemic has brought many lessons to the legal profession. Our role can adapt and transform, and we can guarantee the same legal security through new technologies. We are opening the Pandora’s box to be more efficient and productive”.
I want to extend the most profound gratitude to every in-house lawyer who participated in this edition of the GC Powerlist. This issue of our worldwide publication acknowledges the most outstanding and impressive in-house lawyers who have tackled new challenges and have used their expertise and versatility to adapt to new scenarios and master the use of technology advancements to promote the success of their corporations. I am incredibly proud to be able to introduce this list of Colombia’s most outstanding, agile and acclaimed in-house lawyers.
Sara Maggi | Research analyst | GC Powerlist Series
GC Summit Colombia 2026 brought together senior in-house counsel, private practice lawyers and legal industry professionals for an afternoon of discussion focused on the regulatory, commercial and practical challenges shaping the legal landscape across Latin America. Beginning with registration and a light lunch, the programme set a collaborative tone, allowing attendees to connect ahead of a series of substantive panel sessions.
Following opening remarks, the first panel, sponsored by Holland & Knight, examined antitrust compliance in Colombia and its growing importance for companies operating in an increasingly scrutinised and fast-moving environment. The discussion highlighted how competition law has evolved into a strategic business concern rather than a purely legal one. Panellists shared in-house perspectives on designing and updating effective compliance programmes, managing competition risks in dynamic markets, and responding to investigations and information requests from authorities. Particular attention was given to aligning legal strategy with business objectives and to the expanding role of technology, including artificial intelligence, in supporting compliance, risk management and decision-making. Drawing on practical experience, the session offered grounded insights into emerging trends and best practices for navigating antitrust compliance today.
The second panel, sponsored by Posse Herrera Ruiz, shifted the focus to labour and employment law and how organisations can prepare for 2026 without burnout. Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, regulatory change and shifting workforce expectations, speakers explored how employers can balance legal risk with operational resilience. The discussion covered workforce restructuring, labour costs, flexibility, union relations and the increasing relevance of wellbeing and ESG considerations. Rather than abstract forecasts, the panel concentrated on realistic strategies to anticipate disruption, respond to change and make informed decisions, providing attendees with a pragmatic framework for facing the coming years with clarity and confidence.
After a short coffee break, attention turned to regional investment trends with a session sponsored by Pellerano & Herrera on the Dominican Republic. The discussion examined the regulatory developments, sector-specific opportunities, and legal considerations influencing both foreign and domestic investment. Speakers reflected on recent reforms and market dynamics, as well as the practical challenges faced by companies operating in or entering the jurisdiction. The panel offered a forward-looking view on why the Dominican Republic continues to attract international interest and what businesses should be mindful of as the legal landscape evolves.
This was followed by a fireside chat sponsored by ECIJA GPA focusing on Ecuador’s energy sector. The conversation addressed the ongoing crisis and its implications for investors and businesses, providing insight into the current legal and regulatory framework and the key risks involved. Alongside these challenges, the session also explored emerging opportunities within the sector, offering a balanced perspective on how stakeholders can protect investments while identifying areas for potential growth in a difficult environment.
The Congress continued with a panel sponsored by Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co. on artificial intelligence in Colombia. The discussion explored the developing regulatory oversight of AI, including draft legislation in Congress and public policies introduced by the national government. Speakers examined the legal and practical risks associated with implementing AI tools, such as questions of liability, algorithmic transparency and accountability, as well as the broader implications for the future of legal practice. The session underscored the need for legal teams to stay engaged with technological change while maintaining robust governance frameworks.
The day concluded with an interactive session sponsored by Legal 500 on the day-to-day practice of an in-house lawyer. This final panel offered an honest look at the realities of working within a business, addressing both legal and non-legal challenges. Topics included the importance of soft skills, managing and developing talent, working with Gen Z, and the role of rising stars within legal teams. With questions encouraged throughout, the discussion resonated strongly with attendees, closing the event on a practical and reflective note that captured the evolving nature of the in-house role.
The event provided a comprehensive and regionally informed overview of the issues currently shaping legal practice, combining strategic insight with practical guidance across competition, labour, investment, energy, technology and in-house management.
It concluded with an excellent selection of canapés and drinks, enjoyed in a lively room filled with engaged and enthusiastic attendees.
