Colombia’s Legal Boom

BY JOACHIM BAMRUD

Last year, Colombias economy grew by 7.0 percent - its best performance in 30 years, while foreign direct investment reached $9.0 billion or 40 percent more than in 2006. As more and more foreign companies are entering the Colombian market, they are boosting demand for legal advice.

"Holland & Knights Colombia business has grown significantly during the first half of 2008 as compared to the first semester of 2007," says Enrique Gomez-Pinzon, a Washington, D.C.-based partner with the U.S. law firm. 

FTAA Consulting, a U.S.-based legal consulting firm, has seen approximately 35 percent more Colombia legal business the past year, according to Rafael Castillo-Triana, the firms president and CEO.  The Colombia office of U.S.-based Baker & McKenzie has also seen growth the past year, according to partner Carolina Pardo.

Also local, Colombian law firms are seeing the surge. Zuleta & Partners is reporting growth and expects even more after merging with Gomez Pinzon Abogados on August 1. "The combined expertise of the two firms, the...



Keywords: AIG, Alasud, Brigard & Urrutia, Diaz Reus, Ecopetrol, Exito, Inversora Pichincha, M&A, Prieto & Carrizosa, US-Colombia FTA