Valued for its ‘high-level knowledge’, Garrigues’ tax practice has a focus on international tax planning, where the Iberian firm can plug into its wider international network for supplementary support on cross-border work. The team further demonstrates strong activity in tax litigation and transactional tax issues. Department head Camilo Zarama is dual-qualified in Colombia and Spain and is primarily recommended for transactional tax, including cross-border matters; he additionally heads the tax litigation unit. Mónica Bolaños — noted for her ’ability to look for solutions’ — also has an emphasis on transactional tax, as well as tax planning and international tax. At associate level the team draws on senior Andrea Méndez. Former senior Julio César Toro left to establish his own firm in April 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is a team with high-level knowledge and strong participation from the partners in each of the matters in which they are involved.’

  • ‘We highlight the personalised attention from partner Mónica Bolaños, including her very agile response times and ability to look for solutions that do not hinder the clients' operations.’

  • ‘The team is made up of people who are always willing to support us. It is a team where the coherence and communication of the partner, together with his seniors and juniors, is clearly appreciated.’

  • ‘I have had the opportunity to meet all of the lawyers in areas other than work; their human quality and empathy with the needs of the client has generated a better relationship than we have with lawyers in other offices.’

Key clients

  • Nubank Colombia
  • Rappipay
  • Coorserpark
  • Industria Militar Indumil
  • Eiffage Genie Civil Marine
  • Compañía de Desarrollo Aeropuerto el Dorado - CODAD
  • Camara Colombiana de Infraestructura (CCI)
  • Massy Motors Colombia
  • Winner Group
  • Messer Colombia
  • Rindegastos Colombia
  • Fedeseguros y compañía
  • La Asociación Bancaria y de Entidades Financieras de Colombia- Asobancaria
  • Iobuilders Blockchain Tech & Ventures / Organización Nacional de Pueblos Indígenas de la Amazonia Colombiana (OPIAC) ​

Work highlights

  • Advising Nubank on the process of becoming a financial institution in Colombia, including tax aspects, such as the special tax obligations that apply to financial entities.
  • Advising RappiPay on GMF (Gravamen a los Movimientos Financieros) invoicing and VAT issues related to its registration as a financial institution in Colombia.
  • Advising Messer on two different disputes regarding the industry and commerce tax in Barranquilla.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Camilo Zarama