The law firm described the four new partners as “lawyers recognized for their exceptional leadership in the legal services sector and who have built a solid track record at Brigard Urrutia”. 

“The designation of the new partners is the result of promoting the entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and innovation in our collaborators, always challenging ourselves to think differently,” the firm added. 

“Today more than ever we are proud of the strengthening of our team of leaders, and we invite our partners to leave a lasting legacy that contributes to the development of the Firm and the country, with a comprehensive vision that adds value to our clients, our people and our community.”

María Victoria Munevar is the firm’s new partner in the litigation, arbitration and insolvency team. She graduated in law from the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora del Rosario and is admitted to practice in Colombia and the state of New York. She holds a postgraduate degree in Commercial Law from the same university, and an LLM in international business regulation, litigation, and arbitration from New York University. 

As a member of the litigation, arbitration, and insolvency team, María Victoria advises local and international corporations in litigations before national judges, superintendencies, and other authorities, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations courts, in several areas of law, such as contractual civil liability and non-contractual, corporate disputes, unfair competition and consumer protection.

She also advises Colombian and international clients on the implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as conciliation proceedings, and in the negotiation and implementation of settlement agreements.

Johann Schomberger graduated in law from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and holds a postgraduate degree in tax law from the same university and graduated with honors with an LLM from Columbia University.

He has been a professor at various universities and currently works as a professor of commercial intermediation contracts in the commercial law postgraduate course at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. 

As a member of the commercial and corporate law team, Johann advises local and international companies on various matters of commercial, contractual, corporate, consumer, and transportation law. Additionally, he actively participates in the emerging companies and venture capital team of the firm known as Emprende Brigard Urrutia, in which he accompanies startups and emerging companies in their financing processes and legal needs that arise at the beginning and development of its operations.

Lucas Fajardo holds a law degree from the Universidad de los Andes and a postgraduate degree in insurance law from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and in transportation law from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, in addition to a master’s degree in the comparative and European law program at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. 

As a member of the Insurance and Reinsurance team, Lucas advises national and international companies in all fields of insurance law. Recognized for the representation of clients before the Colombian Financial Superintendency and the participation in negotiation, structuring and drafting of commercial agreements, and cooperation and distribution schemes for insurance policies. Additionally, he was the president of INSURALEX, an international network of law firms specializing in insurance and reinsurance.

Daniel Duque holds a law degree from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and holds a postgraduate degree in taxation from Universidad del Rosario. He graduated with honors with an LLM from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he received the Masin Family Gold Award in the federal income tax class. He also has an International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS diploma from the Universidad Sergio Arboleda. 

As a member of the tax team, Daniel advises local and foreign clients on issues related to local taxes, tax planning, application of treaties to avoid double taxation and compliance with formal tax obligations. He advises clients on corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and participates in the planning of legal defense strategies against controversies that arise with tax authorities.

In addition, he is a member of the compensation, benefits and pensions team, in which he advises organizations and employees on tax aspects of payroll, expatriates, permanent establishments, stock options and retirement plans.