‘On a par with the best in the world’, boutique firm Fabio Humar Abogados combines its specialist compliance and criminal law focus with a strategic alliance with Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) to provide a unique white-collar crime offering. Enviably well-balanced between compliance and criminal litigation, the comprehensive practice demonstrates strong activity across the full life cycle of issues, from advising on regulatory compliance through to representing clients in disciplinary and criminal investigations and judicial cases. Founding partner Fabio Humar is held up by clients as an ‘undisputed leader in the field’ and is defending Conconcreto in proceedings launched by the Prosecutor’s Office concerning white-collar crimes allegedly committed as part of a bidding process. The team also benefits from a strong second line of associates, including senior Sandra Ramón Saavedra, who advises on the full scope of compliance and white-collar crime-related issues but is particularly noted for criminal litigation; and Juan Camilo Casas, who specialises in corporate criminal litigation, anti-money laundering issues, cybercrime law and criminal compliance.

Providing ‘top-level corporate criminal law support’, boutique firm MPA/PDA Derecho Punitivo y Riesgos Corporativos specialises in punitive law and corporate risk, litigation and criminal compliance work. From its platforms in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Medellín and Manizales, the group is well versed across all of Colombia’s key economic sectors, but it is particularly recognised for its record in the financial services sector, where -notably- it advises 87% of the country’s banks. Criminal law expert Mauricio Pava Lugo is a conjuez of both the Supreme Court’s criminal chamber and of the National Electoral Council; he is equipped to handle the full range of white-collar crime and compliance matters, from advising on the design of preventative corporate defence plans, through to complex criminal sanctions issues. The group also draws on the senior experience of Barranquilla-based Andrés Díaz Arana, who co-heads the department; and Jacobo González Cortés, who leads the punitive law and virtual financial risks units. Counsel Daniel Guio, who specialises in compliance programmes and litigation management, is also singled out by sources as a ‘practical, disciplined and a very good lawyer’.

The ‘top-notch team’ at CMS Rodríguez-Azuero stands out for its ‘flexibility, dedication and commitment’. The practice houses a predominant compliance offering which routinely advises domestic and multinational clients on the full spread of Colombian anti-corruption matters, including adherence with SAGRILAFT (System of Self-Control and Management of the Comprehensive Risk of Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism, and Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction) and the Transparency and Business Ethics Programme (PTEE). On the white-collar crime side, the team has recently advised both victims and defendants in criminal proceedings. Dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) Daniel Rodríguez is a popular choice to support national and foreign corporations on their compliance programmes, including recently advising HP Colombia on implementing its SAGRILAFT policy. Rodríguez co-heads the department together with Jacques Simhon, whose dispute resolution expertise positions him well for both compliance and contentious work. Key supporting associates include senior Santiago Calle (‘extensive experience in criminal law’); and semi-senior María José Correa. Former counsel Beatriz Molina left to go freelance in July 2023, since when the firm has hired Ligia María Vargas Mendoza (also as a counsel, as of June 2024); who will particularly strengthen the practice group's litigious capabilities.

The white-collar crime and compliance team at Diaz Reus International Law Firm is composed of ‘excellent lawyers, who have extensive knowledge’. Distinguished by its cross-border capability, the Bogotá arm of the USA-headquartered firm provides access to an international network of attorneys and other experts, including a team of former US prosecutors and government agents. The Colombia group alone contributes strong experience in representing high-profile business figures and corporations in white-collar investigations — both as defendants and victims. It also handles a significant volume of corporate governance and compliance matters. Qualified in Florida, New York and Colombia, up-and-coming specialist Javier Coronado splits his time between Bogotá and Miami; he is noted for his expertise in anti-corruption, tax evasion law, anti-money laundering and OFAC sanctions. Other key names include Bogotá office head Marcela Blanco, who is admitted in Florida, Kansas and Colombia; and associate Marcelo Buendía Vélez, who was formerly a prosecutor at the Office of the Attorney General.

Compliance and white-collar crime matters are a mainstay at Francisco Sintura Varela Abogados Asociados SA, with the firm specialising exclusively in economic and business criminal law. Equipped to handle the full spread of advisory and contentious matters, it is well versed in crimes involving the financial services, real estate, labour and environmental law spheres. Clients include both individuals and corporate entities, with banks and insurance companies comprising the bulk of engagements. Department co-head Francisco Sintura brings to bear top-level experience gained from an extensive run of former public service roles, including serving as Head of the Exterior Trade section of the Banking Superintendence; he is advising victims of Interbolsa in connection with the alleged financial malpractices committed by employees of the brokerage company. The team expanded to two partners in 2023 with the July promotion of Andrés Sintura, who is noted for his niche expertise in criminal risk prevention matters concerning oil-and-gas companies. Senior associate Fabio Ballesteros provides support.

Prias Cadavid Abogados’ compliance and white-collar crime team possesses a uniquely deep bench, which sees it field three partners dedicated to economic and corporate criminal law. The boutique firm splits its overarching practice into three standalone subgroups that cover risk prevention, judicial representation, and investigation and evidence collection, respectively, ensuring full-service coverage of corporate crime matters. Founding partners Paula Cadavid and Juan Carlos Prías co-steer the department together with Viviana Gómez Barbosa — all three specialise in criminal law. The team also draws on a deep pool of non-partners, including Juan Pablo Flechas Hernández, who was promoted to director of the litigation area in April 2023; and experienced associate Emilio Restrepo Villegas. Additionally, the firm hired two directors from the Attorney General’s Office during 2023: Juan Guillermo Campo joined in May, while Oscar Mauricio Amaya Vargas arrived in August.

According to clients, Baker McKenzie S.A.S. houses a ‘very robust compliance practice, which has demonstrated leadership in the LATAM region’. The strength of its compliance group is evidenced by the impressive roster of leading corporates who turn to the team for support, including AT&T and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Significantly, its compliance and investigations expertise is underpinned by an increasingly prominent white-collar crime offering, which routinely handles criminal proceedings regarding white-collar crime, corruption and disloyal administration, among other issues. High-profile competition specialist Carolina Pardo is additionally a key contact for the compliance practice and co-heads the department together with Bibiana Cala, who specialises in criminal litigation. Former senior associate Luís Alberto Castell departed the firm in June 2024.

‘An attentive and 100% accessible team’, MestreMendieta Penalistas scores highly with clients for its ability to provide personalised solutions in criminal law and compliance matters. The group has a broad practice that straddles advice to companies on criminal risk and investigation proceedings, while it also advises public entities and public servants on mitigating criminal or disciplinary risks. José Fernando Mestre has a strong record of involvement in high-profile white-collar crime cases and co-heads the department together with Nadia Carolina Mendieta, who has ‘deep experience and a unique knowledge of criminal law in Colombia’. Senior associate Erika Martinez is also recommended. Former fellow senior Nicolás Hurtado left to work abroad.

Commended for its ‘excellent experience and management of processes’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s criminal law and compliance team is well versed in crisis control, criminal litigation and related asset forfeiture and extradition proceedings. Next-generation partner Pamela Alarcón co-heads the department and her practice spans the full scope of contentious and compliance issues, with a focus on economic crime law, as well as corruption and criminal compliance issues. Fellow department co-head Juan Carlos Forero is a criminal law veteran and a former General Attorney of the Nation. Clients also recommend the services of principal associate Armando Lacouture and junior associate Paola Silva.

A popular choice for multinational clients, the internationally oriented team at Brigard Urrutia is commended for combining ‘excellent knowledge of local laws with great practicality in applying changing laws and regulations in a multinational company context’. The multidisciplinary group handles both compliance matters and criminal proceedings, with niche expertise in environmental crime prevention. Experienced associate practice director Ricardo Forero is regarded by many as a rising star in the compliance and white-collar crime area. Other key contacts include senior associate Catalina Riveros; and intermediate associate María Camila Sarria.

White-collar crime law is a key pillar of De La Espriella Lawyers Enterprise SAS’s firm-wide offering and it is active across the full range of matters, from investigations and dawn raids, through to judicial proceedings. Among the group’s key names, Daniel Peñarredonda is noted for his broad multidisciplinary expertise, which spans criminal law, administrative law and electoral law. Peñarredonda co-heads the sizeable department together with criminal litigation specialist Karen Juris; former prosecutor and administrative law partner Diana Bravo; and criminal law-focused associate Juan Sebastián Duque.

Lauded as ‘a highly qualified team providing personalised attention’, Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s practice is distinguished by its focus on risk prevention and compliance matters. Clients include both domestic and multinational corporations, who turn to the team for assistance with the design and implementation of compliance programmes, international investigations and due diligence-related matters, among others. Seasoned director Adriana Bueno Buitrago steers a team that also includes intermediate associate Anguie Castro (‘very concise and accurate’) and associate Nathaly Acero.

OlarteMoure’s practice is geared towards compliance matters, with clients highlighting the team’s ‘specialty in administrative law that compliance deserves’. The multidisciplinary practice draws on lawyers, corporate communications experts and process specialists to provide full-service coverage of compliance issues, including monitoring, auditing, risk assessments and cross-border investigations. Department head Catalina Jimenez Abadía was promoted to partner in October 2023 and ‘always looks for innovative ways to present deliverables’. Antoine Delacarte, who is associate director of the compliance practice, is also recommended.

Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados is praised for its lawyers’ ‘kind and respectful treatment of their clients, even in the most difficult times’. The wider firm’s premier real estate offering ensures that its compliance and white-collar crime team excels in matters connected to real estate and urban law, including enabling the development of projects blocked by criminal acts. Founding partner Felipe Pinilla co-heads the practice together with experienced associate César Augusto Gónzalez, who is a former naval intelligence officer. Associate Laura Pinilla De Brigard provides dedicated criminal law support.

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s group is valued for its ‘interdisciplinary knowledge and ability to work with other practice teams’. On the non-contentious side, it specialises in supporting on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering matters, as well as on compliance due diligence connected to M&A. It also advises on white-collar crime cases, including internal investigations. Associate Camila Páez focuses exclusively on compliance and white-collar crime law and is a former prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Office. The department is jointly overseen by corporate partner Oscar Tutasaura, who handles compliance matters, and public law partner José Alejandro Torres.