‘Impeccable in quantity, quality and timeliness’, boutique firm Alvarez, Lievano, Laserna S.A.S is revered by many as a gold standard for labour and employment law in Colombia. Acting for an impressive raft of leading domestic and multinational companies, the team advises major Colombian employers across the full suite of consulting, auditing, collective bargaining, restructuring plans and litigation — it also provides complementary support on immigration law. Firm founder and labour law head Carlos Alvarez Pereira has been at the helm for 50 years and is an invaluable resource for complex collective bargaining matters. Claudia Liévano is also widely regarded as a ’nationally recognised expert’ due to her expertise in collective labour law, benefit plans and litigation; she recently represented Electrificadora de Santander (ESSA) in its collective bargaining process. Other key partners include Felipe Alvarez Echeverry, who specialises in collective bargaining and labour consulting, with an emphasis on advising aviation clients such as LATAM Airlines and Avianca; María Lucía Laserna Angarita, who leads the labour audits and inspections area; and Carlos Arturo Barco Alzate, who focuses on litigation. The enviably deep bench further draws on numerous dedicated senior associates, including Andrea Ortega (labour due diligence and consulting) and Carolina Otálora (labour law and social security).
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The firm is unique! And my favourite in Colombia because its work is tailor-made. Lawyers pay attention to detail and advice includes scenarios where, as a client, you can choose the one that best suits each situation. Service is impeccable in quantity, quality, and timeliness. Clients feel truly supported.’
‘Claudia Liévano is absolutely impeccable and attentive to every detail. She is a nationally recognised expert, delivering the highest quality standards. She is approachable and empathetic to her clients' reality, available, and present. She is always the first person I think of and recommend in the labour law field.’
‘The firm, despite having several internal processes handled independently (for example, consulting, litigation), remains fully informed about its clients' matters. Thus, if one partner is absent, I could easily contact another, and they would be aware of the current situation and the opinions submitted.’
‘The team is constantly updated on legal and jurisprudential matters. It always has the latest court rulings at hand to support its approach. 24/7 availability and a good attitude toward client service. We highlight the depth and quality of the concepts and defence arguments it presents in court proceedings.’
‘A very solid team that knows our business very well. Its personalised attention sets it apart from other firms. We value lawyers for their thorough knowledge of the law, our business, and how we operate. Andrea Ortega and partner Felipe Alvarez Echeverri are always available when we need them.’
‘We value its client knowledge; immediate or near-immediate attention to needs; and litigation results. María Lucía Laserna Angarita stands out for her knowledge, ability to understand our needs, availability, and effectiveness in presenting proposals or alternatives to address contingencies.’
Key clients
- <p>Ecopetrol</p>
- <p>ADCO SAS Group</p>
- <p>JetSMART</p>
- <p>Cargill</p>
- <p>Diaimagen</p>
- <p>Top Brand</p>
- <p>Casa Limpia</p>
- <p>Federación Colombiana de Fútbol</p>
- <p>GeoPark</p>
- <p>Cedco</p>
- <p>CIGSA</p>
- <p>Oportunidad Empresarial</p>
Work highlights
Represented Perenco in a collective bargaining process with union Sintraperenco, achieving an agreement consolidating the long-term sustainability of the company.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Andrea Ortega
Practice head
Carlos Alvarez Pereira; Claudia Liévano; Felipe Alvarez Echeverri; María Lucía Laserna Angarita; Carlos Arturo Barco Alzate