Draft:Medellín Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados de Medellín)

Introduction
The Medellín Bar Association is an institution that brings together legal professionals in the city of Medellín, Colombia. Founded in August 1926, the association's mission is to promote ethics, knowledge, and excellence in legal practice, as well as to defend the rights and interests of its members and society in general, advocating for the protection of the rule of law.:

History
The Medellín Bar Association was founded on August 28, 1926 by a group of colombian jurists with the aim of strengthening the legal community in Antioquia and providing a space for professional and academic exchange. Over the years, it has been a platform for the discussion and development of legal and social issues in Medellín and Colombia.

Among its members, the Medellín Bar Association has included former ministers (Clodomiro Ramírez Botero, Jesús Echeverrí Duque), a former governor (Francisco Cardona Santa), rectors of public and private universities (Clodomiro Ramírez Botero, Rafael Botero, Libardo López Restrepo), congressmen (Francisco Eladio Tobar, Lazardo Tobón, Alfonso Uribe Misas), board members (Rodrigo Puyo Vasco, Carlos Raúl Yepes), and members of Colombia's high courts (Ricardo Uribe Escobar, Miguel Moreno Jaramillo, Jaime Alberto Arrubla Paucar, Mauricio Lenis Gómez, Javier Tamayo Jaramillo). It is the oldest active Bar Association in Colombia, though not the first founded.

Mission and Vision
According to the statutes of the Medellín Bar Association, they are

Mission: To promote ethics and excellence in the practice of law through continuous training and support for its members, contributing to the strengthening of the rule of law and justice in Colombia.

Vision: To be the reference institution in the legal field in Antioquia, focused on quality, innovation, and the defense of democratic principles and human rights.

Activities and Services
Currently, the Medellín Bar Association carries out the following activities:


 * Training and Education: Organizes courses, seminars, and conferences on current and relevant legal topics.
 * Publications: Edits and publishes journals and newsletters with articles of legal interest and relevant sector news.
 * Professional Defense: Acts in defense of the rights and prestige of its members, promoting ethical and professional practice.

Statutes and Organization
The Medellín Bar Association is governed by the statutes approved at its foundation and updated on several occasions, the last in 2012. Among the most relevant points are:


 * Name, Nature, and Nationality: The Bar Association is a non-profit corporation of Colombian nationality.
 * Domicile: Located in Medellín, it can create branches in other cities.
 * Objectives: Defense of the Social and Democratic State of Law, promotion of human rights, improvement of the administration of justice, defense of professional interests, promotion of professional training, and more.
 * Assets: Composed of current and future assets, donations, and member contributions.
 * Membership: Open to qualified and licensed lawyers, without a history of serious sanctions.
 * Rights and Obligations of Members: Participation in activities, use of services, payment of fees, compliance with ethical and legal standards.
 * Governing and Control Bodies: General Assembly, Board of Directors, President, and Vice President, among others.

Board of Directors
The current Board of Directors of the Medellín Bar Association is composed as follows:

Impact and Recognition
The Medellín Bar Association has contributed to the development of law and justice in Antioquia. It has played a role in legal reforms and has been a defender of human rights and the rule of law. It has co-authored, edited, published, and disseminated various legal works and academic events, including:

BAQUERO, M., 2006. Corporate and enterprise governance in Colombia. A tool (Contractual) or a requirement (normative). ''XXIII Commercial Law Congress. Medellín Chamber of Commerce for Antioquia, Medellín Bar Association, and Externado University of Colombia. Medellín''. S.l.: s.n.,

BEJARANO GUZMÁN, R., 1999. Of popular and group actions. ''Collective work reforms to the Commercial Legislation. Medellín Bar Association Edit. Dike'',

BERDUGO GARAVITO, J.M., 2003. General aspects of competition law. ''Competition Law. Medellín Bar Association. Medellín Chamber of Commerce for Antioquia. Legal Library Dike. Medellín'',

CASTRO, M.V., 2006. The FTA and the law of commercial distribution. S.l.: Externado University of Colombia.

DE LA TORRE, R.E.M., 1985. Colombian commercial law. S.l.: Medellín Chamber of Commerce.

MEDELLÍN, A., 1996. BOARDS OF DIRECTORS’ MEMBER. PhD Thesis. S.l.: University of London.

DE MEDELLÍN, C. de A. (ESCOBAR DE LA HOZ, Reinaldo, President), 2006. Medellín Bar Association: 80 years: commemorative book 1926-2006. 2006. S.l.: Legal Library Diké.

DE MEDELLÍN, C. de A. and DE GREIFF RESTREPO, G., 1992. Commercial contracting and other commercial aspects. 1992. S.l.: Legal Library Dike.

LARROUMET, C., 2003. The abusive exploitation of a dominant position in European law. ''Competition Law, AA. VV., Coedition of Medellín Bar Association, Medellín Chamber of Commerce, and Legal Library Dike, Medellín'',

LOPERA, L.J., 1988. A concept on the clause of early enforceability in securities. Law Faculty Journal, no. 80,

LÓPEZ, L., 1930. Comments Vol. 14 Num. 156. Law Studies, vol. 14, no. 156,

MEDELLÍN, C. de A. de, 1927. Manifesto that the Medellín Bar Association addresses to the Bar of the Republic. Law Studies, vol. 12, no. 134-8, ISSN 2145-6151. DOI 10.17533/udea.esde.335802.

SANGUINO SÁNCHEZ, J.M., 1989. Mercantile Concession Contract. ''MEDELLÍN BAR ASSOCIATION AND MEDELLÍN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Contemporary Commercial Law. Medellín: Legal Library Diké''