WELCOME

Your legal partner in Medellín

With 15 years serving english and spanish speaking clients, we’ve mastered translating complex Colombian law

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15 Years of Legal Excellence in Colombia

Led by David Hernández

I am a Colombian attorney specialized in Commercial Law from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (U.P.B.), class of 2010. With over 15 years of experience in the legal field, I lead DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S, a firm dedicated to providing high-level legal solutions with a personal touch.

I am fully proficient in Legal English, which allows me to bridge the gap between Colombian regulations and your international business goals. My career has been built on advising both local and international companies, giving me the expertise and the solid background needed to support you in every legal requirement—from complex corporate structures to real estate investments.

At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S., we don’t just process files; we build relationships. Whether you are incorporating a new company, drafting commercial contracts, or seeking protection for your assets, my team and I will provide you with personalized, one-on-one legal counsel.

Your peace of mind is my priority. Let my experience be your best ally in Colombia.

Your Legal Department in Medellín

When you join the DH LEGAL GROUP family, you gain access to an elite circle of professionals built over 15 years of high-stakes legal practice in Medellín. We have assembled a team that goes where others can’t: from veteran attorneys with deep roots in state entities to private investigators and the most reliable facilitators in the city. We offer a seamless, one-stop legal solution for foreigners who demand results, integrity, and total protection of their assets.

Comprehensive Legal Solutions with a Personal Touch

Immigration & Global Mobility. Your Bridge to a New Life and Business in Colombia.

Moving your capital is only half the journey; moving your life requires a trusted partner. At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S., we specialize in helping international investors navigate the complexities of the Colombian migration system with ease and precision.

Whether you are looking to obtain an Investment Visa, establish Permanent Residency, or simply regularize your status to oversee your local operations, my team and I provide personalized, end-to-step guidance. We don’t just fill out forms; we ensure your migration compliance is airtight so you can focus on what matters most: your growth in Colombia.

Our specialized services include:

Investment Visa Applications (V, M, and R Categories): Expert counsel on the best visa path based on your real estate or corporate investment.
Corporate Mobility: Assisting foreign companies in transferring key personnel and executives to Medellín.
Cédula de Extranjería (ID) Processing: Full accompaniment in obtaining your local identification card and registering with Migración Colombia.
Naturalization & Citizenship: Long-term strategic planning for those who wish to call Colombia their home forever.

Investment & Asset Protection

We provide a comprehensive legal framework that covers every stage of your investment, from the initial "due diligence" to the final handshake.

At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S, we treat your investment as our own, offering the technical backing of a firm with over 15 years of experience in the Colombian commercial sector.

Our Investment Advisory Suite:

International Fund Transfers: We guide you through the Colombian Central Bank (Banco de la República) registration process to ensure your capital enters the country legally, allowing for future repatriation of profits.
Risk Assessment & Due Diligence: We perform deep dives into the legal status of companies and properties, ensuring they are free of liens, encumbrances, or hidden liabilities.
Drafting & Negotiation of Purchase Agreements: Whether it's a share purchase agreement (SPA) or a real estate deed, we draft contracts that prioritize your protection and enforceability.
Closing & Protocolization: We manage the entire closing process, coordinating with notaries, banks, and stakeholders to finalize the transaction securely.
Shareholder Representation: We act as your local legal representative in assembly meetings and corporate governance matters

Real Estate & Property Development Secure Your Piece of Colombia with Absolute Certainty.

The Colombian real estate market offers incredible opportunities, but it requires a meticulous legal approach to avoid hidden risks. At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S., we don't just facilitate a transaction; we protect your legacy. From the initial "Title Study" to the final deed registration, we act as your local eyes and ears, ensuring your investment is 100% secure and compliant.

Our Real Estate Protection Suite:

Comprehensive Title Study: A deep dive into the property's history (at least 20 years) to ensure there are no hidden liens, encumbrances, or "falsa tradición".
Background Checks & Compliance: We verify the legal standing of sellers and developers to prevent future litigation or issues with "Extinción de Dominio".
Drafting of Specialized Contracts: Custom-made purchase agreements (Promesa de Compraventa) and lease or concession contracts tailored to protect your interests.
Guidance Through Closing: Personal accompaniment at the Notary's office to ensure the "Escritura Pública" (Public Deed) is executed correctly.
Civil Trusts (Fiducia Civil): Strategic legal structures to protect your property from future embargos and ensure a smooth succession process for your heirs.
Investment Visa Integration: If your property purchase qualifies you for a "Property Owner Visa," we handle the entire immigration link.

Exchange Law & Capital Formalization Ensuring the Legal Path for Your Global Capital.

At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S, we handle the critical process of channeling and registering foreign exchange (divisas) to guarantee your rights as a foreign investor, including the future repatriation of your capital and profits.

Our approach focuses on total compliance with the Central Bank (Banco de la República) and the DIAN, preventing costly fines that can reach up to 200% of the transaction value.

Our Specialized Exchange Services:

Money Legalization & Registration: We manage the mandatory registration of your investment through the Foreign Exchange Information System, ensuring all foreign currency is properly "channeled" through the exchange market.
Foreign Investment Declarations: Professional preparation and filing of the exchange statements required for capital injection or real estate purchases.
Exchange Residency Advice: Strategic counsel on your status as a "Foreign Exchange Resident" versus"Non-Resident," which is vital for tax planning and reporting obligations.
Repatriation of Funds: We provide the legal framework to ensure that when you decide to sell your assets or withdraw profits, your capital can return to its origin without legal roadblocks.
Compliance & Dispute Resolution: Representation in proceedings before exchange authorities

Corporate Law & Soft Landing Services Your Comprehensive Business Infrastructure in Colombia.

Launching a business in a foreign market requires more than just a registration; it requires a strategic "Soft Landing" At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S we specialize in transforming your business vision into a legally robust Colombian entity in as little as 2 to 3 weeks. We handle the entire bureaucratic weight so you can focus on your market strategy.

Our experience goes beyond simple incorporation; we provide ongoing maintenance, ensuring your company remains compliant with Colombian commercial and tax regulations.

Our Corporate Solutions:

SAS Formation & Incorporation: Tailor-made bylaws (Estatutos) designed to protect your interests and allow for flexible growth.
Tax ID Registration (RUT): Immediate management of your company's registration with the DIAN to enable operations.
Corporate Maintenance Compliance: We handle the mandatory "reconstruction of shareholder books," issuance of stock certificates, and drafting of assembly minutes.
Share & Asset Transfers: Expert drafting and protocolization of share cession agreements to bring in new partners or exit investments.
Representation & LegalManagement: We can act as your local legal representatives or secretaries for board meetings, ensuring all decisions are legally binding.
Investor Visa Integration: We sync your company formation with your "M" or "R" category visa application to ensure your stay is as legal as your business.

Contract Law & Risk Management Bulletproof Agreements for Your Peace of Mind.

In a foreign legal system, a poorly drafted contract is your biggest liability. Our primary goal is to shield our clients by meticulously managing the legal risks inherent in their day-to-day business activities. At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S., we don’t just "write" contracts; we engineer legal structures designed to protect your assets and ensure the enforceability of your rights in Colombia.

We bring to the table extensive experience in drafting high-stakes commercial agreements, from stock purchase agreements for emerging businesses to complex concession contracts for retail spaces.

Our Drafting & Review Expertise:

Commercial Lease & Concession Agreements: Specializing in complex retail and office space contracts, ensuring clear terms on "canons," renewals, and penalties.
Share Purchase Agreements (SPA): Drafting precise terms for the entry or exit of partners, including indemnity clauses and representations.
Service & Distribution Contracts: Protecting your operations when hiring local providers or setting up supply chains.
Promissory Sale Agreements (Real Estate): Crafting the "Promesa de Compraventa" with ironclad conditions to protect your earnest money (arras) and closing dates.
Contractual Risk Audit: We review your existing agreements to identify "hidden traps" and suggest amendments to align them with current Colombian law.
Debt Instruments & Collateral: Drafting promissory notes (Pagarés) and security interest agreements to back your financial transactions

Customs Law & International Trade Navigating the Global Flow of Goods with Precision.

Expanding your business often involves moving physical assets across borders. Whether you are importing specialized machinery, high-end vehicles, or raw materials, the Colombian customs landscape (DIAN) requires strict adherence to technical protocols. At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S. we ensure your goods move efficiently while minimizing fiscal risks and maximizing available duty benefits.

Our firm provides the legal expertise to handle complex customs documentation, ensuring that every import manifest and duty payment is perfectly aligned with local regulations.

Our Customs & Trade Services:

Import & Export Consulting: We guide you through the entire process of bringing goods into or out of Colombia, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Customs Duty Management: Professional assistance in the calculation, payment, and collection of customs duties, ensuring accuracy in every transaction.
Duty Refund Procedures: We manage the administrative processes to obtain refunds on overpaid or exempt customs duties, optimizing your operational capital.
Technical Documentation Review: We verify manifestos, commercial invoices, and certificates of origin to prevent delays or seizures at ports of entry.
Customs Litigation & Defense: Representation in administrative proceedings before the DIAN regarding tariff classification, valuation disputes, or alleged customs violations.

Criminal Defense & Legal Representation Protecting Your Rights and Freedom with Absolute Discretion.

Navigating the criminal justice system in a foreign country can be one of the most stressful experiences an individual or business owner can face. At DH LEGAL GROUP S.A.S., we understand that your reputation, freedom, and assets are on the line. Our approach combines rigorous technical defense with a deep commitment to the fundamental rights of our clients.

Whether you are facing complex corporate allegations or require immediate defense in personal matters, we provide strategic representation throughout every stage of the Colombian criminal process.

Our Criminal Law Services:

White-Collar & Corporate Defense: Protecting business owners and executives against allegations of fraud, money laundering, or corporate mismanagement.
Immediate Legal Representation: Accompaniment from the moment of an arrest or initial summons, ensuring that your right to due process is never compromised.
Strategic Litigation: We build solid defense theories based on technical evidence and expert testimony to achieve the best possible outcomes in court.
Asset Forfeiture Defense: Legal support in "Extinción de Dominio" proceedings to protect your property and investments from being unjustly seized.
Legal Risk Audits (Compliance): Preventive counseling to ensure your business operations in Colombia do not inadvertently violate local criminal statutes.

Employment Law & Asset Shielding Strategic Human Capital Management for Business Owners.

We specialize in defending the interests of company owners and investors, providing the technical "blindaje" (shielding) necessary to navigate the local labor landscape with confidence.

Our Employer-Focused Labor Services:

Ironclad Employment Contracts: We draft customized agreements—Fixed-Term, Indefinite, or Task-Based—with specific clauses to protect intellectual property, confidentiality, and non-compete interests.
Independent Contractor Management: We guide you on the correct use of "Prestación de Servicios" to avoid the dreaded "hidden employment relationship" (Primacía de la Realidad), which is the leading cause of lawsuits against foreign employers.
Disciplinary Procedures & Terminations: We manage the entire "Due Process" for terminations with just cause, ensuring that every step—from the "Diligencia de Descargos" to the final settlement—is legally airtight to prevent future claims.
Payroll & Social Security Compliance: Verification of proper contributions to health, pension, and "Parafiscales" to avoid astronomical fines from the UGPP (the Colombian labor tax authority).
Collective Bargaining & Union Risk Mitigation: Strategic advice for larger operations to maintain healthy industrial relations while protecting the company's operational flexibility.
Labor Litigation Defense: If a claim arises, we provide an aggressive defense in labor courts, utilizing technical evidence to protect your assets and your company’s reputation.

International Footprint

A Global Legacy, A Strategic Partnership

Since 2016, DH Legal Group S.A.S. has maintained a premier operational alliance with the distinguished law firm Quijano & Associates in Panama. Established in 1959, Quijano & Associates is a globally recognized pillar of legal excellence, consistently top-ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for its expertise in Banking, Finance, and Offshore services.

This elite collaboration allows us to transcend national borders, providing our clients with a robust operational infrastructure in over 50 countries across the globe. By integrating our specialized local knowledge with Quijano & Associates' world-class international network, we offer a seamless gateway to global markets.

What this means for you:

Global Jurisdictional Power: Direct legal and corporate capacity in major financial hubs and over 50 jurisdictions.
Institutional Backing: Your business is supported by over six decades of international legal heritage and sophisticated "QA Hub" technology.
Seamless Cross-Border Operations: Whether managing international wealth, capital formalization, or multi-jurisdictional litigation, our alliance ensures agility, integrity, and world-class results.

At DH Legal Group, we don’t just represent you in Colombia; we protect your interests wherever your business takes you.

WELCOME

Your legal partner in Medellín