According to satisfied clients, Arrieta Mantilla & Asociados’ ‘knowledge of the public law area is total’. Recognised by many as a destination practice for the full range of public law disputes, public contracts, procurement matters and regulatory work, the team counts concessionaires, government departments, banks and major corporations among its key clients. A go-to specialist in the public law field, Carlos Gustavo Arrieta contributes extensive experience in arbitral, judicial and administrative law proceedings, where he represents an array of public sector entities and domestic and multinational companies. He recently represented the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the International Court of Justice in a maritime dispute with Nicaragua. Yady Villaquirán co-heads the practice alongside Arrieta and is highly regarded for her combination of constitutional law, administrative law and infrastructure expertise; she advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (Colombia’s infrastructure-focused development bank) on the structuring of the Ranchería-San Juan del Cesar and Triángulo del Tolima irrigation districts. The team also draws on four-year associate Laura Arias, who specialises in public and administrative law. Former associate Santiago Cardona left for an in-house role at Multiriesgos de Colombia in Janaury 2023.

Valued for its ‘legal rigour and specialised knowledge in public law’, Brigard Urrutia excels in linking the public and private sectors in the context of large public projects. The full-service team is equipped to advise on the full range of matters but it is primarily recognised for its skill sets in procurement, project structuring and administrative litigation, where it acts for a mix of state and semi-state entities and commercial clients. Seasoned specialist Carlos Umaña handles a broad scope of public law matters, with an emphasis on infrastructure and public procurement; he recently advised (as part of a multi-firm group) state development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional, on the structuring of Bogota’s Second Metro Line project. Infrastructure and public utilities specialist, Claudia Navarro, is also a key contact. The department additionally draws on a strong second line of non-partners, including director Mario Forero, whose practice focuses on public procurement and administrative law; and associates Rafael Cifuentes and Mariana Maya, who both sit in the infrastructure and public utilities group. Former director Julián Parra left the firm to move in house at ZEmobility in September 2024.

In the ultimate accolade, Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados is regarded by many as a ‘reference in Colombia for public law’. In particular, the team is distinguished by its comprehensive practice expertise, with its recent work spanning public procurement, bidding processes, public-private partnerships, regulatory matters and administrative law litigation. High-profile expert, Álvaro Mauricio Durán Leal, brings to bear extensive experience in structuring and developing large-scale projects in the transport, public utilities and social infrastructure spheres, among others. He recently paired up with up-and-coming partner, Felipe Herrera, to act for China Harbour Engineering Company and Xi’An Rail Transportation Group in the bidding process for Bogotá’s Second Metro Line. Firm co-founder Jorge Gabriel Taboada leverages a formidable record in public projects and contentious work; he recently advised the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit on drafting a presidential decree aimed at enhancing governance of state-owned corporations. The deep bench additionally includes Álvaro Gasca, who is noted for his strength in PPP projects; and senior associate Sebastián Duque, whose practice spans projects, administrative law and public procurement. Former department co-head Carlos Andrés Sánchez and associate practice director Gigliana Rivero Ramirez  left the firm in July 2023.

Formed following the February 2024 merger between Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos and specialist tax firm Jiménez, Higuita, Rodríguez & Asociados, Esguerra JHR impresses with its ‘immediate availability to respond to client needs’. Public law stands as a core pillar of the firm’s offering and it is best known for its record in constitutional and administrative law disputes, where it represents both private and public-sector entities. On the non-contentious side, the team is well versed in advising on public tenders and project structuring. Among the names to note, Juan Carlos Esguerra is a go-to specialist for complex public law matters, including constitutional law cases; he recently represented UNE EPM Telecomunicaciones in two lawsuits brought against the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies and the Superintendence of Industry and commerce respectively. Felipe Piquero is highly recommended for his expertise in public contracts and related contentious work; he recently represented a construction company in a fiscal liability process initiated by the Contraloría General de la República. Other key contacts include Adriana Nieto, who handles projects, public bids and administrative law matters. In April 2024, associate María Fernanda Barraza Díaz left to join the National Agency for Legal Defence of the State.

Lawyers in Castro Leiva Rendón Abogados’s public law team are commended for providing ‘personalised and timely attention informed by their knowledge of recent precedents’. The group is particularly weighted towards representing concessionaires and construction companies, with strong recent showings in advising on public bids, infrastructure contracts, public procurement and sanctioning procedures. The transport sector remains a significant source of work, while the practice is additionally increasing its share of water and sewage projects, with department co-head José Ignacio Leiva recently advising a construction consortium on a sewage-pumping station in the City of Bogotá. The department also benefits from the experience of practice co-head Marcela Castro, who is highly regarded for projects and infrastructure work; and Natalia Uribe, who advises on public law, state contracts and alternative dispute resolution.

The public law group at Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas scores highly for its ‘innovation, protection of client interests and strategic vision’, according to some. Striking a balance between contentious and non-contentious work, the team advises domestic and foreign companies on a wide range of bidding processes, government contracts, administrative investigations and sanctioning procedures, among other matters. Public law and dispute resolution specialist, Ximena Zuleta, spearheads the department and is highlighted for her ‘ability to be “pro-deal”, which is sometimes lacking in public law attorneys’. Other senior names include Andrés Fernández de Soto, who specialises in public procurement and administrative law; transactional projects partner Pablo Jaramillo; and associate Nicolás Díaz, who is noted for projects, public law and transport-related matters.

Garrigues’ projects offering drives a significant proportion of its public law work, with the team recently advising several public sector-entities (including FDN and Instituto de Desarrollo Urbano) on project structuring and public procurement, as well as advising concessionaires on PPP contracts. On the contentious front, the team handled a mix of sanctioning procedures, consumer law-related matters and constitutional litigation. Adriana Espinosa specialises in procurement, infrastructure projects and sanction proceedings and co-heads the practice together with José Miguel De La Calle, who is a former Superintendent of Industry and Commerce; together, they advised the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies on a 5G spectrum auction. Key non-partners include counsel Iván Fierro (public law and infrastructure), principal associate Melissa Castro (administrative law), and senior associate Juan Ospina (public law and infrastructure).

Among Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s key attributes, sources highlight the public law group’s ‘experts from different areas of law’ and also its ‘extensive technical knowledge’. Alongside its work for corporate clients on bidding processes, infrastructure projects, administrative procedures and public law disputes, the team additionally acts for numerous state and semi-state entities on public procurement, regulatory matters and commercial contracts, including FDN and Grupo Energía de Bogotá. Administrative law and infrastructure specialist, Paola Larrahondo, heads the department and advised FDN and Transcaribe on a solution guaranteeing the continuity of the public transport service currently provided by Transcaribe in Cartagena. The team also includes José Luis Suárez, whose practice intersects administrative law, infrastructure, and banking and finance; and infrastructure and administrative law-focused senior associate, Juan Antonio Ucrós, who ‘quickly understands and attends to the client’s needs’.

As a boutique focused on public law, dispute resolution and regulatory work, Palacios Lleras is geared up to handle a wide range of public law matters. The practice is oriented towards contentious work, where it is a popular choice to represent major domestic and multinational corporations in administrative, judicial and arbitral disputes, including precedent-setting constitutional actions. Widely recognised as a reference in the market, Hugo Palacios Mejía is sought after for major public law cases; he is defending Avianca in a constitutional action alleging that it violated collective rights related to the antitrust and consumer rights regime. Palacios co-heads the group together with infrastructure litigation specialist Óscar Gutiérrez; Pedro Pacheco, who possesses extensive experience in constitutional litigation and class actions; and public law litigator Luis Miguel Falla.

Chemás & Asociados is distinguished by its firm-wide focus on public law, projects, dispute resolution and regulatory matters, which positions it as an increasingly prominent contender to handle public law disputes. As a former legal adviser to the Presidency of the Republic of Colombia, department co-head Jorge Eduardo Chemás brings to bear significant government-side experience; he is recommended for public law, procurement and project-related matters. Fellow co-heads Ingrid Soraya Ortiz and Sergio Alejandro Chemás are also noted for public law disputes.

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s growing public law practice routinely advises on public procurement, administrative law and infrastructure projects, while it also provides supplementary expertise in dispute resolution and anti-corruption regulation. In July 2023, the team was significantly boosted through a double hire: new department co-head Carlos Andrés Sánchez and associate practice director Gigliana Rivero Ramirez joined from Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados to bolster its procurement, projects and infrastructure offerings. The group additionally draws on Daniel Rodríguez, who is noted for project finance and public procurement; and dispute resolution co-heads Henry Sanabria and Felipe Andrade. Senior associate Paula Andrea Gutiérrez is also recommended for public procurement.

Holland & Knight’s public law practice is well versed across a broad range of infrastructure, constitutional and administrative law matters but it is arguably best known for its focus on public environmental law and energy-related work, where department co-head and natural resources specialist, José Vicente Zapata, is a key contact. The team is additionally co-led by Juan Casallas, who is an up-and-coming partner for dispute resolution involving constitutional and administrative law issues; and Edwin Cortés Mejía, who joined in May 2023 — following the firm’s absorption of Cuberos Cortés Gutiérrez — and specialises in infrastructure projects. Associate José Rengifo provides support on energy and infrastructure litigation.

Widely recognised as a leader for state-side defence work, Medellín & Durán Abogados’ public law group specialises in advising government departments, state-owned companies and other public sector-entities on risk mitigation, disciplinary proceedings and administrative and constitutional litigation. Significantly, the already thriving practice continues to increase its market share and it added eight new clients during 2023/24, including the Ministry of Housing, the Superintendence of Transport and the National Mining Agency. Department co-head Carlos Eduardo Medellín is a former Legal Director of the Presidency of Colombia and brings over 30 years' experience of working in the public sector to the table. Rodrigo Antonio Durán, who is also a former Legal Director of the Presidency of Colombia, co-heads the group.

Muñoz Tamayo & Asociados’ public law group continues to build on the firm’s longstanding experience in privatisation processes to shine in public-private partnerships and concession-related matters. Alongside its projects work, the team is also equipped to advise on public environmental law, administrative sanctioning procedures and related litigation. Founding partner Diego Muñoz Tamayo heads the department and he maintains a broad practice that spans projects, corporate and M&A, and dispute resolution, among other areas. Additional key contacts include Felipe Trías, who handles public bidding processes, and Silvia Méndez, who serves as director of the environmental law unit.

Noted for its ‘experience and commitment’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s public law practice handles a broad mix of transactional, regulatory and contentious matters. The team is particularly recognised for its activity in infrastructure related work, including disputes, with an emphasis on the airport, ports and roads spheres. Jorge Di Terlizzi specialises in projects and public law, and heads a team that also includes infrastructure and projects partner Carlos Padilla, who is ‘attentive, available and up-to-date’. Dispute resolution-focused principal associate, Santiago Cruz, provides support. Former associate Camilo Forero left for TransMilenio in February 2024.

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s interdisciplinary public law group strikes a balance between contentious and non-contentious work, with strong showings in projects, public procurement, regulatory compliance and administrative sanction proceedings. The department is led jointly by  Cristina Vásquez, who specialises in infrastructure, projects and public law; and Daniel Posse, who also heads the dispute resolution practice. Additional names with experience in this space include high-profile litigator Carolina Posada; transactional infrastructure partner José Alejandro Torres; and dispute resolution-focused associates Juan David Fiallo and Daniela Corchuelo.

Public law is a mainstay at Rincón Castro Abogados and it ‘finds unique solutions to complex legal problems’, according to clients. The boutique firm’s exclusive focus on infrastructure, projects, public law and dispute resolution is reflected in its highly specialised practice, which concentrates on matters relating to constitutional law, administrative law and public procurement. As a former General Director of the National Public Procurement Agency, department co-head Jorge Tirado brings significant hands-on experience to his role. The team is additionally co-led by Miguel Castro, who is noted for PPPs and project-related disputes; and dispute resolution specialist Rafael Rincón.

Ariza & Marin’s public law practice is primarily recognised for its record in contentious work. The team is chiefly focused on representing concessionaires and corporate clients in nullity claims, state liability proceedings, fiscal liability cases and administrative sanctioning proceedings, while it also advises on state contacts and regulatory matters. The department is led jointly by firm co-founder Carolina Ariza, who specialises in public law, projects and dispute resolution; and intermediate associate María Paz Restrepo, who specialises in administrative law.

Cuatrecasas’ public law practice continues to gain traction in the market, following the arrival of department head and infrastructure specialist Ana María Sánchez, who joined in February 2022 from Peru’s Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Casas. The team is mainly oriented towards advising concessionaires and construction companies on bidding processes and project development, but it also has a growing presence in contentious work, including sanctioning proceedings and constitutional litigation. The group further includes senior associates Diana Rueda and Manuel Gómez Fajardo, both of whom specialise in infrastructure and public law.

Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s public law work is mainly concentrated on bid tenders, concession contracts and administrative proceedings. The group’s industry experience covers all key industry segments, with strong recent activity in the infrastructure, telecoms, energy and healthcare sectors. Practice co-head Andrés Hidalgo is noted for his record in government procurement. Fellow co-head and next-generation partner, Carlos Carvajal, is recommended for government contracts and infrastructure-related matters.

Leveraging its real estate prowess, Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados has a niche focus on representing construction companies in public law matters and sources highlight the ‘recognition and respect it has earned in the construction sector’. Demonstrating a significant emphasis on administrative litigation, the team also acts for clients in public procurement matters, tender processes and constitutional law actions. The department is led by litigator David Garzón, who routinely advises construction companies and landowners on public law disputes.

The ‘very well informed’ public law team at Pombo Caballero Abogados S.A.S. is distinguished by its track record in supervision contracts, particularly public works contracts and road and port concessions. Among the boutique firm’s other practice strong suits, it additionally handles a significant volume of public tenders and dispute resolution cases. Name partners Rodrigo Pombo and María Paula Caballero oversee the department and stand out for their extensive experience in supervision contracts and administrative law matters. Practice director Juliana Fajury Patarroyo is noted for state contract-related advice.