When searching for legal representation in a foreign country, most people rely on word of mouth. We spoke directly with clients of Stanford Baker & Associates to get an unfiltered picture of what working with the firm is actually like.
For English-speaking expats and foreign nationals living in Colombia, finding reliable legal representation is one of the most consequential decisions they will make. The stakes are high, the language barrier is real, and the Colombian legal system operates in ways that are often entirely unfamiliar to those who grew up elsewhere.
Stanford Baker & Associates has built its reputation serving precisely this community, and in doing so has become the largest expat-focused law firm in the country. To get an independent picture of what working with the firm is actually like, we put out a call across several expat Facebook groups and forums in Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, asking anyone who had used their services to share their experience. The response was substantial. From the replies we received, we selected a cross-section of clients covering different nationalities, different legal matters, and different outcomes, and spoke with each of them directly. What follows are their stories, in their own words.
Note: Client names have been changed and personal details omitted to protect confidentiality.
Steven, 47, American | Family Law – Divorce
Steven came to Stanford Baker at one of the most stressful points in his life. Going through a divorce in a foreign country, in a legal system he did not understand, with an opposing party making financial demands he considered wildly unreasonable, he needed someone in his corner who knew the terrain.
“I was being asked for an amount of money that had no basis in reality. I didn’t know if that was normal here, I didn’t know what my rights were, I didn’t know anything. I just knew I needed help fast.”
Stanford Baker assigned him a lawyer in their team who specialised in Colombian family law and began working through the negotiation process on his behalf. Rather than allowing the case to escalate into prolonged litigation, the team focused on reaching a negotiated resolution that protected Steven’s financial position.
“The result was far better than I expected going in. They knew exactly how to handle it, they kept me informed the whole way through, and I came out of it in a position I could actually live with. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them.”
George, 39, Norwegian | Family Law – International Child Custody
George’s situation was one that many expat parents in Colombia quietly fear. Separated from his Colombian partner and living with their child in Bogota, he wanted the ability to take his son back to Norway during school holidays to spend time with his family. Without a formal legal arrangement in place, that was not possible.
“In Colombia, you cannot simply take a child out of the country without the other parent’s permission. Every trip would have required going back to the mother, and the relationship was not in a place where that was easy. I needed something formal and permanent.”
Stanford Baker guided George through the Colombian family court process, working to secure a legal arrangement that gave him scheduled international travel rights with his son. The process required navigating both Colombian family law and the international elements of the case.
“Now I can take my son home to see his grandparents, his cousins, his family in Norway. That means everything to me. The team at Stanford Baker understood what was at stake, not just legally but personally, and they fought for the right outcome.”
James, 52, British | Property Purchase
James had been living in Medellin for three years before deciding to purchase an apartment rather than continue renting. Having heard stories from other expats about property deals gone wrong, he was determined to have proper legal representation from the beginning.
“There are a lot of cowboys in the property market here. People who will tell you everything is fine when it isn’t, or who don’t do proper due diligence because it’s easier not to. I wanted someone I could trust to actually look at what I was buying.”
Stanford Baker conducted a full title search and legal review of the property before any money changed hands. During the process, the team identified a complication with the title that the seller had not disclosed.
“They found something that would have caused me serious problems down the line. Because of that, we were able to renegotiate the terms before I committed. I ended up with a clean title and a lower price. The fee I paid Stanford Baker was nothing compared to what that could have cost me.”
Michelle, 34, Canadian | Digital Nomad Visa
Michelle relocated to Bogota from Toronto after deciding to make Colombia her base while she continued working remotely for a Canadian company. Understanding that she needed to regularise her status properly, she approached Stanford Baker to handle her digital nomad visa application.
“I had tried to research the process myself and quickly realised I was out of my depth. The requirements kept referencing other requirements, and I wasn’t sure which documents I actually needed or in what format.”
The firm handled the entire process, from document preparation through to submission, and kept Michelle updated at each stage.
“It was completely stress free on my end. They told me what to get, I got it, they handled everything else. I had my visa approved without a single issue and I’ve recommended them to at least four other people in my network who have all had the same experience.”
Robert, 58, American | Corporate Structure – SAS Formation
Robert had operated a small import business in Colombia for several years through informal arrangements before deciding he needed a proper corporate structure in place to protect his assets and formalise his operations.
“I’d been putting it off because it seemed complicated and I didn’t know where to start. A friend who had used Stanford Baker for a property purchase told me to just call them, so I did.”
The firm advised Robert on the appropriate corporate vehicle for his situation, structured the formation of a Colombian SAS company, and handled the registration process with the relevant authorities.
“They explained everything clearly, the implications of different structures, the tax considerations, what made sense for my specific situation. I didn’t feel like I was being pushed toward anything. I felt like I was getting genuine advice. The whole thing was done efficiently and now I have something solid in place.”
What the patterns tell us
Across these accounts, a few things stand out consistently. Clients describe a firm that communicates clearly, moves efficiently, and delivers outcomes that match or exceed their expectations. Several mention recommending the firm to others in their network, which is perhaps the most honest measure of satisfaction there is. For foreign nationals navigating the Colombian legal system, that kind of reputation, built quietly through results rather than marketing, is not a small thing.
Stanford Baker & Associates is part of the Law Connection Group and provides legal services to expats and foreign nationals across Colombia, with offices in Bogota, Medellin, and around the country with 12 locations in total.
