Best Lawyers Announces 2027 Chile and Colombia Awards, Recognizing Top 6% and 2% of Legal Markets

AUGUSTA, Ga. (November 5, 2026) — Best Lawyers®, the most established global network of vetted legal professionals, released the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and The Best Lawyers in Colombia™, recognizing a combined 2,187 lawyers across 655 law firms in the two South American countries. 

Now in their 17th editions, the awards recognize attorneys whose professional excellence has been acknowledged by their peers through Best Lawyers' peer review research methodology. 

In Chile, 1,401 lawyers earned recognition across 57 legal practice areas, representing approximately 6% of the country's legal profession. In Colombia, 786 lawyers were recognized across 51 practice areas, representing approximately 2% of the country's legal profession. 

"Legal markets across South America continue to evolve as businesses navigate increasingly complex regulatory environments and changing economic demands," said Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. "Our continued recognition of legal talent in Chile and Colombia reflects the importance of independent, peer-reviewed research in helping individuals and businesses identify trusted legal professionals." 

The 2027 editions also recognize 72 "Lawyer of the Year" recipients across the two countries, an honor awarded to individual attorneys who receive the highest overall peer feedback in their respective practice areas and metropolitan regions. 

Chile's Legal Market: Corporate Law, Litigation and Arbitration Lead Recognition 

The 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ recognizes 1,401 lawyers across 411 law firms in Santiago, including 41 "Lawyer of the Year" honorees. 

The practice areas with the highest number of recognized lawyers are: 

1. Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
2. Litigation
3. Arbitration and Mediation
4. Tax Law
5. Labor and Employment Law

These practice areas reflect key legal considerations facing businesses in Chile, including competition oversight in corporate transactions, commercial disputes, tax compliance and evolving employment regulations. 

Recent developments include increased scrutiny of corporate mergers and acquisitions, continued judicial examination of contractual obligations and the phased reduction of Chile's standard workweek to 42 hours in April 2026, with a further reduction to 40 hours scheduled for 2028. 

The top firms by number of awarded lawyers are: 

1. Carey
2. Barros & Errázuriz
3. Claro & Cia.
4. Cariola, Díez, Pérez-Cotapos
5. Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría

The fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™ also recognizes 407 emerging legal professionals across 27 practice areas in Santiago. Litigation leads this year's recognition, followed by Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Arbitration and Mediation, Labor and Employment Law and Tax Law. 

The top firms by number of Ones to Watch only lawyers are: 

1. Carey
2. Cariola, Díez, Pérez-Cotapos
3. Barros & Errázuriz
4. Claro & Cia.
5. Albagli Zaliasnik

Colombia's Legal Market: Corporate Transactions and Labor Reform Shape Leading Practice Areas 

The 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ recognizes 786 lawyers from 244 law firms in Bogotá, including 31 "Lawyer of the Year" recipients. 

The practice areas with the highest number of recognized lawyers are: 

1. Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
2. Labor and Employment Law
3. Tax Law
4. Administrative Law and Intellectual Property Law (tied)
5. Litigation

These areas of recognition coincide with significant developments in Colombia's regulatory landscape, including corporate restructuring reforms, changes to labor protections and evolving requirements for tax compliance and intellectual property registration. 

Colombia's 2025 labor reform introduced changes to nighttime work, compensation and employment protections, while regulatory measures introduced in 2026 simplified certain corporate restructuring and foreign investment procedures. 

The top firms by number of awarded lawyers are: 

1. Posse Herrera Ruiz
2. Pérez-Llorca
3. Cuatrecasas SLP
4. Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría
5. Holland & Knight LLP

Gender Representation Among Chilean and Colombian Honorees 

The 2027 results offer insight into gender representation among top lawyers. In Chile, women make up most recognized lawyers in Family Law and Immigration Law, while Labor and Employment Law shows a nearly even split among The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™ honorees.  

In Colombia, women account for the majority of recognized lawyers in Environmental Law, while Criminal Defense shows equal gender representation.  

The 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ reflect extensive research participation and historical peer feedback, reinforcing the awards' role as a resource for individuals and businesses seeking qualified legal representation.

Explore The Best Lawyers in Chile™ results by region and/or practice area.

Explore The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ results by region and/or practice area.