Insight

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ for 2024, which honors Colombia's most esteemed lawyers and law firms.

Cityscape of Colombia with blue cloudy sky above

Written by Best Lawyers

Published: November 8, 2023

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ Awards

Best Lawyers, in partnership with Diario Financiero SUD, is proud to announce the 14^th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™. The 2024 edition of these esteemed awards include 563 individual honorees in 45 distinct practice areas.

Black text with gold symbols for 2024 Colombia Inline Statistics

Of the unique practice areas in which lawyers were awarded in Colombia, these are the top ten with the most honorees: Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Labor and Employment Law, Tax Law, Intellectual Property Law, Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation Law, Banking and Finance Law, Administrative Law, Competition/Antitrust Law and Project Finance/Development Practice.

Individuals seeking legal guidance and services in Colombia turned to www.bestlawyers.com to find and source lawyers in several practice areas. The top ten most searched practice areas were: Litigation, Competition/Antitrust Law, Immigration Law, Tax Law, Labor and Employment Law, Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Intellectual Property Law, Banking and Finance Law, Administrative Law and Arbitration and Mediation Law.

A Brief History of Best Lawyers

For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has utilized our Purely Pure Review™ methodology to award the top legal talent in several countries. We are proud to now be in 22 markets worldwide. As we usher in 2024, Best Lawyers is excited to publish this year’s awards for The Best Lawyers in Colombia.

“Lawyer of the Year” Awards

For 2024, Colombia also celebrates “Lawyer of the Year” awards. We are proud to highlight 27 “Lawyer of the Year” recipients at 21 law firms in Bogotá. The "Lawyer of the Year" honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.

Araújo Ibarra & Asociados
Martín Gustavo Ibarra Pardo – Trade Law

Arrieta, Mantilla y Asociados
Carlos Gustavo Arrieta Padilla – Administrative Law

Baker McKenzie
María Carolina Pardo Cuéllar - Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice

Brigard Castro
Juan Pablo Cadena Sarmiento – Intellectual Property Law

Brigard Urrutia
Camilo Mutis Téllez - Immigration Law
Carlos Fradique-Méndez – Banking and Finance Law
Sergio Michelsen Jaramillo – Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Buitrago Asociados
Oscar Buitrago – Customs and Excise Law

Cavelier Abogados
Andrés Rincón – Life Sciences Practice
Eduardo Varela – Media Law

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero
Lorenzo Villegas-Carrasquilla – Communications Law

Cuatrecasas
Felipe Mariño Dueñas – Real Estate Law
Manuel Fernando Quinche – Project Finance and Development Practice

Dentons Cárdenas & Cárdenas
James Valdiri – Mining Law
Juanita Acosta – Information Technology Law

Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos
Alfonso Miranda Londoño – Competition / Antitrust Law
Juan Carlos Esguerra Portocarrero – Litigation

Gamboa & Chalela Abogados
Nicolás Gamboa Morales – Arbitration and Mediation
Gómez-Pinzón
Andrés Fernández De Castro Muñoz - Technology Law

Herrera Laboralistas
José Roberto Herrera Vergara – Labor and Employment Law

Holland & Knight
José Vicente Zapata – Energy Law

Lewin & Wills
Alfredo Lewin – Tax Law

Márquez-Robledo Abogados
Santiago Márquez – Advertising Law

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría
Sandra Manrique Loaiza - Natural Resources Law

Salazar, Pardo & Jaramillo Abogados
Gabriel Pardo-Otero – Insurance Law

Suescún AbogadosJorge Suescún Melo – International Arbitration
Torrado Angarita & Pinzón Abogados
Jorge Torrado Angarita – Capital Markets Law

Showcasing Your Best Lawyers Award

Best Lawyers offers several solutions to showcase your awards through impactful marketing efforts.

Please contact sales@bestlawyers.com to learn more about how you can highlight individual lawyer and firm awards through your website, social media channels, Best Lawyers Profile Suite packages and commemorative items.

Interested in seeing Best Lawyers honorees in Colombia? Use our Find a Lawyer in Colombia tool to search by location and specialty. You can also explore our Find a Lawyer page to search for lawyers in other countries and practice areas.

Access the full report of Best Lawyers international releases, updated continuously.

Headline Image: iStock/Hispanolistic

Learn More About:

Resources For Clients

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Todd Long

Eastman & Smith LTD

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized since 2026 by

Todd Long

Part of the White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group, Mr. Long has represented businesses, business professionals, public officials, medical professionals and educators in matters involving fraud, embezzlement, tax controversies, public corruption, regulatory enforcement matters and business litigation. He manages matters in both federal and state courts as well as before government regulatory entities. His experience includes dealing with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fed...

Todd Long

View Profile 614.564.1445

Frederick A. Sewards

Arnold Todaro Welch & Foliano

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants

Recognized since 2026 by

Frederick A. Sewards

Frederick A. Sewards is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Frederick A. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Frederick A. Sewards since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Frederick A. Sewards is held by other lawyers.

Frederick A. Sewards

View Profile 614.485.1800

James J. Chester

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Corporate Law

Real Estate Law

Specific Focus

Automobile Dealerships

Recognized since 2008 by

James J. Chester

James J. Chester is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James J. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized James J. Chester since 2008. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James J. Chester is held by other lawyers.

 
James J. Chester
  Website    Email    Address

View Profile 614.221.2838

Mary Barley-McBride

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Recognized since 2007 by

Mary Barley-McBride

Mary Barley-McBride is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Mary practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Mary Barley-McBride since 2007. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mary Barley-McBride is held by other lawyers.

Mary Barley-McBride

View Profile 614.258.6000

David H. Thomas

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized since 2011 by

David H. Thomas

Dave Thomas is a partner in Taft’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice. He advises and represents companies, executives, public officials, health care providers, and other professionals who are the subject of state and federal investigations and prosecutions involving the United States Department of Justice and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, as well as county prosecutors throughout the state. He has defended clients in complex matters involving feder...

 
David H. Thomas
  Website    Email    Address

View Profile 614.221.2838

Sarah M. Benoit

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Recognized since 2024 by

Sarah M. Benoit

Sarah M. Benoit is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Sarah M. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Sarah M. Benoit since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sarah M. Benoit is held by other lawyers.

Sarah M. Benoit

View Profile 614.221.2838

Karl H. Schneider

Eastman & Smith LTD

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized since 2022 by

Karl H. Schneider

Mr. Schneider has defended individuals, businesses and public officials in a myriad of criminal matters that include public corruption and matters involving tax, health care, securities and mortgage fraud. In addition, he has defended individuals and businesses before licensing boards, regulators and in professional liability litigation. He has: defended against federal and state prosecutions involving charges of bribery, public corruption, money laundering and fraud. defended business profes...

Karl H. Schneider

View Profile 614.564.1445

Paul-Michael La Fayette

Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Municipal Law

Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Recognized since 2021 by

Paul-Michael La Fayette

Paul-Michael La Fayette is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Municipal Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Paul-Michael practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Paul-Michael La Fayette since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Paul-Michael La Fayette is held by other lawyers.

Paul-Michael La Fayette

View Profile 614.699.2425

Jonathan R. Secrest

Dickinson Wright PLLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Recognized since 2021 by

Jonathan R. Secrest

Mr. Secrest has extensive experience representing clients in civil litigation matters involving non-compete issues, product liability, business disputes, real estate, and employment law matters, among others. His experience includes representing clients at trial, before appellate courts, and before state and federal agencies. He regularly represents food manufacturers in defense of food product liability claims and counsels clients in the food industry related to state and federal regulations...

 
Jonathan R. Secrest
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.744.2572

Brent D. Rosenthal

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Real Estate Law

Specific Focus

Commercial

Recognized since 2020 by

Brent D. Rosenthal

Brent Rosenthal joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in July 2007. Brent focuses on representing closely-held businesses and their owners in a broad scope of their legal needs including – business formation and structuring, finance, transactions (including acquisitions and contract preparation and analysis), employment and general business and legal counseling. Brent’s commercial real estate practice includes representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers in th...

 
Brent D. Rosenthal
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.628.0772

What Does Peer-Reviewed Mean When Choosing a Lawyer?

by Bryan Driscoll

Where peer-reviewed recognition comes from, what it can tell you about a lawyer and what you still have to check for yourself.

Glowing silhouette connected by arrows to speech bubbles with user avatars

What Is a Tariff? How Tariffs Work and Who Pays Them

by Jamilla Tabbara

A clear guide to what tariffs are, why governments use them, who pays them and how they can affect businesses and consumers.

Dictionary definition page showing the word tariff and its phonetics

What Is the Downside of Filing for Bankruptcy?

by Bryan Driscoll

A balanced look at the credit, financial and emotional costs of bankruptcy and when filing still makes sense.

A close-up photograph of a weathered, empty red leather wallet lying abandoned.

Legal Search Still Needs Human Judgment

by Bryan Driscoll

A system can organize legal information quickly. Deciding which lawyers and sources are credible is still work that people have to do.

The Credibility Problem in AI Legal Search

by Bryan Driscoll

A fluent answer can make a lawyer recommendation look settled. Credibility depends on what supports it, not on how well it reads.

How to Find a Lawyer in 2026 Without Getting Overwhelmed

by Bryan Driscoll

There is no single right way to start, so begin from where your search already is and run every name you find through the same short list.

Magnifying glass focusing on a single yellow human figure among gray human cutouts.

What to Look for When AI Recommends a Lawyer

by Bryan Driscoll

How to fact-check AI recommendations, verify credentials and find the right fit.

Computer monitor displaying "AI" sits in the center of a blue surface, surrounded by small human fig

Turn Client Questions Into Content That AI Search Can Find

by Bryan Driscoll and Manny Candal

Client questions are becoming search inputs. Your firm’s content should answer them clearly.

Pile of question marks with a single bright yellow question mark in the center, representing search.

When to Hire a Real Estate Attorney

by Bryan Driscoll

Not every deal requires one but in the right situations, a real estate attorney can be the difference between a smooth closing and a costly mistake.

A pink graphic showing a silhouette pushing a house, beside a torn newspaper clipping with the headl

How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit

by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding the legal requirements, costs and process of filing a class action.

A group of miniature figurines standing united behind a bold "Class Action" placard.

What Is a Quitclaim Deed? Uses, Risks and When to Get Help

by Bryan Driscoll

A quitclaim deed can be one of the fastest ways to transfer property but knowing when it's the right tool and when it isn't, can save you from serious legal and financial headaches down the road.

One hand holding a wooden house model and another holding house keys.

What Happens if You Don't File Taxes

by Bryan Driscoll

The penalties are real, but so are your options. Here's what the IRS can do and what you can do about it.

A torn dollar bill revealing a watchful eye, surrounded by flying documents

What Disqualifies You From Filing Bankruptcies

by Bryan Driscoll

A guide to navigating eligibility, the means test and the legal hurdles of declaring bankruptcy.

A silhouette of a large hand pushing over a row of falling dominos toward a small figure standing be

How to Create a Will: Steps and Common Mistakes

by Best Lawyers

Learn how to create a will, the legal requirements and the mistakes to avoid when planning your estate.

Older couple reviewing document with young woman

Can You Go to Jail at an Arraignment?

by Bryan Driscoll

Understanding What Happens at Your First Court Appearance.

A heavy chain lying on the ground in the foreground with a blurred figure standing in the background

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

by Bryan Driscoll

A clear, cooperative path to divorce if both spouses agree on the terms

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ Awards

A Brief History of Best Lawyers

“Lawyer of the Year” Awards

Showcasing Your Best Lawyers Award

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Related Articles

Trending Articles

Welcome to Smithy AI the Best Lawyers Assistant