Latin America
Practice Areas
José Luis Suárez Parra is a senior partner at Pérez-Llorca and one of Colombia’s most distinguished corporate and financial lawyers. With more than three decades of experience, he has advised leading national and international companies on mergers and acquisitions, structured financings, investment schemes, and local and international placements. He is especially recognised for his pivotal role in shareholder democratisation processes in Colombia, having led legal teams in 95% of such transactions carried out in the country.
Career
José Luis joined the firm as partner in 1992 and went on to serve as Managing Partner for a decade (2013–2023); he was previously head of its Banking, Finance & Capital Markets practice. Chambers Latin America 2025 ranks him as an Eminent Practitioner in Capital Markets and Band 2 in Banking & Finance. The Legal 500 recognises him as a Leading Partner in Banking & Finance and Projects, while IFLR1000 ranks him Highly Regarded across Capital Markets, Banking, and M&A. He was named Law Firm Leader of the Year by Latin Lawyer in 2022, and Thought Leader by LACCA 2025.
Personal
José Luis has contributed to academia as a professor at Universidad de los Andes, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses on project finance, international transactions, and commercial law. He has authored numerous legal publications and is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars. He holds law degree and a specialisation in Financial Law from Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, and an LL.M. from Harvard University. He is also an active member of the International Bar Association.
Work Highlights
José Luis has been at the centre of landmark transactions that have shaped the Colombian market. His track record includes the acquisition of Carulla Vivero by Almacenes Éxito, the privatisation of Isagen, Davivienda’s acquisition of Bancafé, the merger of UNE EPM–Millicom, and the democratisation of Ecopetrol. He has advised on the Grupo Aval bond issuance, EnfraGen’s acquisition of Zona Franca Celsia, and the structuring of Bogotá’s First Metro Line project. More recently, José Luis has served as lead counsel to the Gilinski family in the unsolicited tender offers for Grupo Nutresa, Grupo Sura, and Grupo Argos; as well as the 2023 framework agreement with IHC Capital Holding LLC enabling the share exchange between Grupo Nutresa and Grupo Sura.
