Characterised as an ‘interdisciplinary team with experience and creativity’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s full-service practice covers all the bases in tax law. Leveraging its dominant corporate platform to excel in domestic and cross-border transactional tax structuring, the group also shines in tax consultancy, litigation and transfer pricing. A go-to specialist for transactional and international tax, Martín Acero is a ’brilliant lawyer who suggests solutions that no one else has thought of’; he is advising the Uniban business group on its local and international reorganisation, spanning Colombia, the US, Belgium and Spain. Carolina Rozo maintains a broad practice that encompasses tax consultancy, planning and litigation; she recently advised Lindcorp on structuring its multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Prosalon. Next-generation partner Héctor Ramírez co-heads the department alongside Acero and Rozo and stands out for his ‘knowledge of the issues’; as the director of the firm’s Barranquilla office, he is well placed to advise on matters straddling tax and international trade. A deep bench of associates includes principal Leonardo Cote, who has an emphasis on tax structuring and tax consulting; senior Natalia Guerrero, who is noted for consultancy, restructuring and litigation; and senior Santiago Fernández, who ’shows mastery of the subject matter’. Principal associate Verónica Barone left in April 2024 to establish her own firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The tax advice provided by Martín Acero and his team is exceptional. Martin is a brilliant lawyer who quickly understands complex issues and provides practical solutions. His team is outstanding, from junior to senior attorneys, highly capable, providing spectacular service with rapid responses.’

  • ‘Martín Acero is a very well-rounded lawyer with in-depth tax, corporate, and financial knowledge. I don't think there is a more well-rounded lawyer in Colombia. He is a brilliant lawyer who suggests solutions that no one else has thought of. He is precise, creative, sharp, integrative, flexible, and practical.’

  • ‘Senior associate Santiago Fernández, is an excellent tax lawyer who can handle highly complex meetings on difficult tax issues alone and shows mastery of the subject matter. As a client, you feel supported and confident when Santiago is involved.’

  • ‘In my opinion, PPU stands out for having a trained and knowledgeable team that provides us with clear criteria for decision-making. Likewise, its agile response is another key quality.’

  • ‘The team's kindness and closeness to clients allow for the creation of opportunities for analysis of the situations being evaluated. Working with Héctor Ramírez has been a satisfactory experience due to his understanding and discernment, his knowledge of the issues, and his outstanding service.’

  • ‘It is an interdisciplinary team with experience and creativity. At the same time, it understands the risks faced by multinational companies, which makes interaction very easy. Lawyers have a lot of experience and are very competent.’

Key clients

  • C I Unión de Bananeros de Urabá (UNIBAN)
  • Lindcorp
  • Cartones América
  • Skeelo Editora Produtos e Serviços Digitais Ltda.
  • S. Aristizábal
  • Urbaser Soacha
  • STEAG Renewables & Services Colombia
  • Cinco Puntos
  • Trendier Latam and Trendier Colombia
  • Grupo Industrial Anghiari

Work highlights

Advised the Uniban business group on its local and international reorganisation.
Advised Lindcorp on structuring its acquisition of Prosalon, considering asset protection, tax planning and wealth management regulations both in Colombia and Peru.
Advised Cartones América on an internal reorganisation process aimed at optimising the company's tax structure.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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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.

Héctor Ramírez

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

Martín Acero; Carolina Rozo; Héctor Ramírez