Barranquilla, Colombia’s fourth most populous city with 1.3m inhabitants, stands as a significant economic centre for the Caribbean region. Hosting a more compact legal market than some other key cities, Barranquilla is particularly attractive to tax-focused firms — such as Mazars en Colombia — drawn by its prime seaport location, which generates substantial customs and tax work. The city is also home to Colombia’s largest free zone by area, Zona Franca La Cayena, which provides significant fiscal incentives to companies looking to set up within its environs.

Beyond its appeal for tax teams, Barranquilla is a focal point for environmental law practices, such as prominent boutique Álvarez Abogados Ambientales, due to the coastal city’s waterways, industrial zones, and infrastructure projects, which require robust environmental oversight.

As a growing city, and an increasingly prominent investment centre for the Caribbean region, the local legal market is also an important base for corporate and M&A teams. Notably, Sabatino Abogados is establishing itself as a national player in this field.

A leader in the Caribbean region for environmental law, Álvarez Abogados Ambientales specialises in sustainable development, climate change, environmental land-use planning, and pollution control and prevention, among other areas. The boutique firm acts for a diverse portfolio of domestic and multinational clients, with an emphasis on companies in the agribusiness, chemicals, energy and natural resources, life sciences and manufacturing segments. Founding partner Juan Carlos Álvarez specialises in environmental and public law, and is a go-to expert for regulatory compliance and contentious matters. Legal affairs co-ordinator Daniela Mendoza Puello supports on compliance, licensing processes, sanctioning procedures and disputes.

Among the raft of tax-focused practices drawn to Barranquilla for its seaport location, global tax and advisory firm Mazars en Colombia maintains a sizeable presence in the city. Benefitting from a broad, multidisciplinary team of lawyers, engineers and accountants, the team is well placed to advise on a wide range of tax planning, transactional tax and litigation matters. Andrés Cortés Hernandez, head of legal and tax for Colombia, divides his time between Barranquilla, Bogotá, and Cali.

Primarily focused on private client work, Rafael Miranda & Abogados is best known for its criminal law expertise, where it brings to bear strong capabilities in national and multi-jurisdictional litigation. The team also advises on immigration matters — with a focus on US administrative processes — and on individual economic insolvencies. Founding partner Rafael Miranda is the key contact and is recommended for contentious work.

Corporate firm Sabatino Abogados has established itself as a key partner to both regional and national companies seeking support, as well as to foreign investors looking for opportunities on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Managing partner Niella Sabatino also serves as president of the not-for-profit investment promotion agency ProBarranquilla, and maintains a strong profile in the market. She is noted for her experience in foreign investment, M&A and corporate compliance.