Justice Linares studied law in University of Los Andes. Additionally, he undertook postgraduate studies in finance and international taxation at University of Los Andes and holds an L.L.M. from Harvard University. Also, he has a PhD in Law from University Externado of Colombia and graduated with high honors (summa cum laude).

Justice Linares has more than 30 years of professional practice in both public and private sectors and also has a wide experience in the academic field. In the private sector, he practiced law for 20 years in a law firm that specializes in international business law and international litigation. As a public servant, he was appointed head of the Private Investment Division of the National Planning Department and also he assumed leadership positions in the Executive Branch. On December 3, 2015, he was appointed to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Colombia, and since then he has held the position of Justice of this Tribunal.