For many, Pinilla González & Prieto Abogados sets the standard for real estate law in Colombia and one construction client attests that it is ‘one of the few firms in Colombia that has the required level of specific real estate knowledge’. The group enjoys close links with developers, construction companies and landowners, among other stakeholders, and provides support on the full range of related matters, from urban planning and project development, through to contentious and transactional work. Among the names to note, high-profile expert Juan Manuel González heads the urban and real estate law team; he is acting alongside planning specialist Ángela Caicedo to advise Amarilo on modifying the regulatory framework of a partial plan to allow the development of an area of urban land in Barranquilla. On the transactional side, corporate real estate partner Julián Rojas paired up with up-and-coming urban planning specialist Sandra Milena Lizcano to advise Inversiones Inmobiliarias Santa Cruz on the corporate structure scheme to finance the construction of public services infrastructure and principal roads in Ibagué. Other key contacts include corporate head Felipe Pinilla; transactional real estate partner Camilo Hermida; newly promoted (October 2023) managing associate Laura Carolina Mesa Fonseca, who specialises in administrative and real estate law; and urban-planning focused associate Susana Mowerman Ocampo. Luis Miguel González left the firm in September 2023.

The real estate group at Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) is distinguished by its robust showings in regulatory, development and corporate matters, including urban and planning law, real estate development projects and M&A. The team acts for a broad mix of real estate funds, developers, landowners and retail companies, among others; it added a raft of new clients during 2023/24, with Partners Telecom Colombia and a regional association of banana growers among the new arrivals. Department head Paula Samper Salazar leverages 35 years' experience in corporate and real estate law and recently advised Forest First Colombia on a construction agreement. María Camila Parra, who serves as director of the real estate and urban planning area, is also recommended for planning, land development and transactional matters.

Noted for its ‘ability to advise from both a legal and business perspective’, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría houses a diverse real estate practice that is active across the country in real estate and zoning law-related matters. Demonstrating experience across a broad scope of market segments —  including housing, retail, offices and mixed-used developments — the group handles the full life cycle of issues from planning and project structuring, through to construction and transactional work. A high-profile sector specialist, Juan Carlos Rocha is widely recognised as a go-to partner for major real estate projects; he is advising Carvajal Propiedades e Inversiones on various transactional and zoning matters regarding real estate development projects located in Bogotá, Yumbo and Cali. Real estate-focused principal associate Jaime Ramírez also provides ‘great support’. Former senior associate Sebastian Gallo left to study abroad in August 2023.

Posse Herrera Ruiz’s real estate team is ‘knowledgeable, devoted, practical and always available’, according to clients. The full-service practice is well versed in urban planning, development projects, transactions and real estate disputes, while it also benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s corporate, environmental, and energy units. Department co-head Andrés Montoya has an impressive record in real estate transactions, particularly on behalf of real estate funds, portfolio companies, construction companies and retail clients; he advised Phoenix Tower International on the acquisition of over 800 telecommunications antennae sites. Fellow co-head Alejandro Turbay specialises in land use, urban planning and development matters and is advising Unicentro on issues concerning the mall’s expansion. A strong second line of associates includes Héctor Otálora and Sergio Salazar — both of whom handle a mix of agribusiness and real estate work.

As a boutique firm focused on real estate law, Ramirez & Cardona Abogados is differentiated by its ‘specialisation in real estate issues and its ability to provide timely and effective solutions’, according to some. The team shines in planning, development and transactional matters, while it also leverages complementary expertise in environmental law and tax. Managing partner José Ramón Ramírez contributes extensive experience across a wide scope of real estate and urban law and he recently advised Nexus Inmobiliario Private Equity Fund on the $148m acquisition of a portfolio of assets from Banco de Bogotá. The team also includes urban law director Angie Yulieth Monsalve, who is additionally a qualified architect; and associate Yohana Romero, who specialises in transactional real estate. Corporate director Diana Rodríguez joined Atenttia Holding in March 2024.

Lawyers in the real estate group at Baker McKenzie S.A.S. are valued by sources for their ‘clarity and business sense to overcome challenges’. Arguably best known for its transactional expertise, the group also possesses extensive experience in urban planning, development and tax-related issues. Transactional energy and infrastructure specialist Alejandro Mesa oversees the department and is advising Netflix on its new offices in Bogotá, including lease arrangements. Senior associate Lucía Murgueytio specialises in real estate law and is highlighted as ‘an excellent lawyer, who always tries to provide the best service’.

Brigard Urrutia’s real estate, urban regulation, hotel and agribusiness practice ‘knows the sector and focuses on detail’. Well balanced between transactional and regulatory work, the team advises on all stages of real estate projects, with its experience ranging from project structuring and development, through to corporate and finance transactions. Francisco Uribe fronts the department and advises funds, developers, concessionaires, property owners and hotels, among others, on project development and transactions. The group also includes director Wilben Palacios, who handles urban and real estate law; director Juanita Bermúdez, who specialises in transactional real estate; and real estate-focused intermediate associate Laura Castellanos.

According to sources, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s real estate lawyers stand out for their ‘availability, prompt response times and agility in processing procedures’. During 2023/24, the team handled a significant volume of real estate projects and transactions, with the wider firm’s generous international platform reflected in its strong run of cross-border matters for multinational clients such as Bet365, Jamestown and Smart Fit. The practice is co-led by Juan Camilo Rodríguez and Jacques Simhon, who focus on corporate transactions and development projects respectively. Senior associate Laura Ospina and intermediate associate Sara Vanegas provide dedicated practice support.

Real estate is a mainstay at UH Abogados, with the Medellín-based firm highlighted for its ‘specific specialisation in the real estate field’. The practice provides comprehensive coverage of the sector but it is arguably best known for its close relationships with leading local construction and retail companies — including CrearCimientos Propiedad Raíz and Almacenes Flamingo — which it advises on an array of corporate and development matters. Transactional real estate specialists Carolina Uribe and Carlos Fernando Henao co-head the group. The team also includes ten-year associate María Adelaida Zapata, whose ‘precision and clarity stand out when advising on a process’.

‘A very proactive team that always anticipates client needs’, Brick Abogados is particularly active in real estate transactions, including funds-related matters and due diligence. The group also possesses significant experience in development matters, where it counts hotels and restaurant chains among its clients. Real estate specialist Ana Lucía Rodríguez is commended for her ‘great ability to handle complex situations in a commercial manner'; she heads a practice that also includes junior partner Santiago Arias, who is noted for real estate transactions.

Valued for its ‘ability to move businesses forward’, CMM Abogados Colombia’s real estate group is composed of lawyers who ‘seek to reach agreements in difficult situations’. Well weighted between real estate and urban planning law, the group is primarily recognised for its experience in advising Colombian and international funds on investment and project development matters. The department is co-led by Patricia Acosta (‘the ideal lawyer for a real estate fund’) and Natalia Gaviria Parra (‘puts the best interest of the client first’), while associate Ana Lucía Gutiérrez provides support.

Cuatrecasas’ real estate offering continues to gain traction in the market, following its establishment in 2021, and it added ten new clients during 2023/24, including CCLA Group and LatAm Logistic Properties. In another strong sign of growth, department head and practice director Camilo Cardona was promoted to partner in April 2024. Cardona’s promotion doubles the number of partners in the group to two, with corporate and M&A specialist Felipe Mariño also dedicating a significant portion of his practice to real estate transactions. Intermediate associate Laura Pinzón is additionally noted for her ‘extensive knowledge in real estate’.

Commended by multinational clients for its ‘deep local knowledge’, Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ real estate team stands out for its ability to link up with its wider global platform to provide seamless cross-border advice. The group is particularly noted for its record in real estate transactions but it is also geared-up to advise on regulatory and project development matters. Corporate and finance specialist Eduardo Cárdenas steers a multidisciplinary practice that additionally draws on tax head Camilo Cortés, along with increasingly prominent directors María Paula Álvarez (real estate) and Julián Cardona (land use and urban development).

Noted for its ‘deep knowledge of the urban planning regulations’, Garrigues’ real estate practice is sought after by domestic and multinational companies and funds for its robust administrative law expertise. The group is primarily focused on regulatory matters — including planning and zoning issues — as well as land acquisition and management, while it also houses a thriving contentious offering. Principal associate Melissa Castro fronts the group and brings experience in urban and real estate law, administrative law and dispute resolution. Senior associate Carolina Pérez Forero is also well versed in real estate and administrative law matters.

Drawing on members of its infrastructure, public law and environmental law groups, Lloreda Camacho & Co.’s interdisciplinary real estate practice advises on both urban and rural real estate assets. The team is equipped to undertake a wide range of regulatory, project development and transactional matters and is particularly active on behalf of clients in the agribusiness, energy, consumer, financial services and industrial sectors. Department head Carlos Carvajal combines experience in public procurement, infrastructure and real estate law; he leads a practice group that further benefits from the support of associates Santiago Garzón (public law) and Natalia Soto (environmental law).

Serrano Martínez CMA — formed through the October 2023 merger between Bogotá-based Serrano Martínez and Medellin-based Correa Merino Agudelo Abogados — houses an increasingly national-facing real estate practice that handles a mix of transactions, development projects and day-to-day operational matters. The ‘fast, precise and practical’ team is led by up-and-coming real estate specialist Juan Esteban Agudelo, who is recommended for his experience in urban planning regulations and project development. The group additionally draws on newly promoted (February 2024) associate director María Camila Maya and intermediate associate Alejandro Molina. Former senior associate Catalina Posada left the firm in October 2023.