Pablo Onofre
ECIJA ColombiaThe competition and antitrust practice at ECIJA Colombia is ‘characterised by the technical knowledge of its partners and associates’, according to satisfied clients. A particularly strong performer in the behavioural space, the team has recently advised on administrative investigations on behalf of Bavaria and DIMAYOR (the major division of Colombian football). It also has strong experience in contentious matters and, less frequently, handles merger-review cases. Competition expert Pablo Márquez stands out for his ’extensive academic and professional career’ and co-heads the group together with Julio Castañeda, who is a force in both the antitrust and telecoms spheres. The team additionally draws on increasingly prominent counsel Pablo Onofre, who co-ordinates the competition and merger control unit, and associate Jorge Mario González.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team is exceptional! Its impeccable technical knowledge, added to its understanding of the participants and context in which the authorities make their decisions, allows the ECIJA team to provide the best advice in the market.’
- ‘The team’s comprehensive vision of the challenges and opportunities of its clients allows it to add value to its work in competition and antitrust. The decisions of the authorities are made to some extent considering the national and international context. ECIJA understands this dynamic like nobody else.’
- ‘ECIJA's competition and antitrust law practice is characterised by the technical knowledge of its partners and associates, derived from its extensive experience in the public sector and competition authority of the country.’
- ‘We recommend the team for its networking abilities and the personalised attention from the partner in charge.’
- ‘Pablo Márquez stands out from other lawyers in competition matters due to his extensive academic and professional career. He is an absolutely respected person in both the public and private sectors.’
- ‘ECIJA's practice is phenomenal, inclusive and innovative. Its work team is young and has the support of senior partners for guidance, presentation of cases, strategy analysis and work tables since they carry out their internships, they always seek to stay motivated and updated.’
- ‘The trajectory of the partners is faultless: pioneers in the work of the SIC, in academia and in private litigation. Notably, Julio Castañeda and Pablo Márquez have been visionaries in the practice area from their participation in public office, through their extensive career in academia and private professional practice.’
- ‘Julio Castañeda has a supernatural level of commitment to his clients and to his juniors and paralegals (both personally and professionally), which distinguishes him and makes him stand out from other professionals. Pablo Márquez has no comparison in his managerial skills.’
Key clients
- Bavaria (AB InBev)
- División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR)
- Organizacion Terpel
- Cementos Argos
- Westlake Chemical
- Talma
- Calidra/Calco
- OPP Graneles
- Dipresco/ UT Antioquia
Work highlights
- Advised Bavaria on the merger between SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev, as well as on the investigation by the SIC into Bavaria for potentially restricting the access of competitors to the beer market.
- Represented the División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano (DIMAYOR) in an administrative investigation opened by the SIC for alleged anti-competitive practices in the players’ transfer rights market.
- Advised Talma in the filing of the pre-evaluation application for the business integration between acquirer LASA, a subsidiary of Talma, and Servicios Aéreos Integrados (SAI), a subsidiary of the Avianca Group.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Julio Castañeda
ECIJA ColombiaPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Pablo Márquez, Julio Castañeda