CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s multidisciplinary practice is sought after for its deep expertise in administrative law and public procurement, with notable experience in the structuring of public contracts across the healthcare, technology and cultural heritage fields. The group is led by Carlos Andrés Sánchez, who regularly advises public entities, multilateral organisations and private sponsors on the structuring and execution of infrastructure projects and PPP schemes. Other key figures include associate director Gigliana Rivero Ramírez and senior associate Paula Andrea Gutiérrez.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- In addition to the legal expertise and support provided by CMS, a key aspect is the helpfulness of the staff and legal advisors: They have always been kind, cooperative, available, and willing to provide the best professional service. Carlos Sánchez and his entire team are known for this.
- Their industry knowledge and business orientation make them decisive lawyers who understand that risks must be identified.
- The team stands out for the quality of its lawyers, their technical rigor, and their practical approach. These professionals understand both the regulatory framework and the operational realities of their clients, enabling them to consistently deliver value. In particular, Carlos Andrés Sánchez and Gigliana Rivero are noteworthy, boasting solid track records and exceptional execution capabilities. The value of Carlos Andrés Sánchez's presence in London is especially significant, as it allows for seamless collaboration, leveraging the time zone difference. In coordination with the local team, this translates into virtually uninterrupted service, a key differentiator compared to other firms. For her part, Gigliana Rivero is distinguished by her technical expertise, management skills, and ability to handle complex matters efficiently and clearly. Together, this is a reliable, consistent, and well-positioned team, ideally suited to handle highly complex public law matters.
- CMS's public law practice is characterized by its technical expertise, structured approach, and clear focus on practical solutions. The team has a deep understanding of the regulatory and administrative environment, enabling them to advise effectively on complex matters involving interaction with public entities. One of their key strengths is their ability to integrate legal analysis with business needs, providing clear, well-founded, and actionable recommendations. This is especially valuable for in-house counsel, as it allows them to move forward with confidence in demanding regulatory environments. Compared to other firms, CMS stands out for its international focus and its ability to coordinate teams across different jurisdictions while maintaining consistent service quality. Furthermore, their working model, supported by teams located in different time zones, allows them to offer continuous coverage, adding value to time-sensitive matters.
- They possess strong leadership and management skills. They actively participate in meetings, proposing ideas and discussing the best approach to developing and resolving problems. They excel in their extensive knowledge and thorough research, as well as their ability to quickly and effectively absorb knowledge from other sectors and apply it to the task at hand.
- The outstanding partners and associates are Carlos Sánchez and Gigliana Rivero, respectively. They actively participate in meetings, propose ideas, and discuss the best approach to developing and solving problems. They are distinguished by their extensive knowledge and detailed research, as well as their ability to quickly and appropriately absorb knowledge from other sectors and apply it to the task at hand.
Key clients
- Ministerio de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones
- Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y los Saberes
- Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de Producción de Vacunas - BOGOTÁBIO
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
- Microsoft Colombia
- Fundación Corona
- Empresa Metro de Bogotá
- Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano de Medellín
Work highlights
Advised BogotáBio, a mixed-capital entity created by the Bogotá District in partnership with Sinovac Group, on public law, public procurement, regulatory and contractual matters related to the development, research and manufacturing of vaccines in Colombia.
Advised the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) on the negotiation of a contract with Spanish biopharmaceutical company 3P for the acquisition of a cell line and cell bank to produce biosimilar monoclonal antibodies aimed at improving access to high-cost cancer treatments in Colombia.
Advised the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) on the implementation and monitoring of agreements under the 'Conectividad para Cambiar Vidas' program, a $500m ten-year initiative to expand internet access in remote regions of Colombia.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Gigliana Rivero Ramirez
Practice head
Carlos Andrés Sánchez
Other key lawyers
Gigliana Rivero Ramírez; Paula Andrea Gutiérrez