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Baker & McKenzie SC

TORRE EDICAMPO, P.H., AV FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA CRUCE, CON AV DEL PARQUE, URBANIZACION CAMPO ALEG, CARACAS, 1010-A, VENEZUELA
Zurich, Washington DC, Warsaw, Vienna, Valencia, Toronto and 73 more

Venezuela : Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Leveraging its global resources, Baker & McKenzie SC frequently acts for financial institutions and borrowers in Venezuela on cross-border and domestic finance transactions in sectors ranging from services to finance, and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals. The ‘highly respected and talented' team advised Toyota Financial Services in the structuring, issuance, listing and public offering of bonds denominated in VEF, marking the first issuance of bonds approved under new Venezuelan capital markets laws and regulations, and the first public bonds issuance listed with the new Venezuelan Public Stock Exchange. Clients say that it is ‘one of the best law firms in the country, housing excellent staff that have real depth of knowledge in all the fields where we have consulted them'. Alvaro Posada, José Alfredo Giral and Maritza Mészáros are recommended by clients.

Venezuela : Competition and antitrust

Within Competition and antitrust, Baker & McKenzie SC is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC offers a global geographic reach, as well as local knowledge in established and emerging antitrust jurisdictions. The practice's experience includes acting in connection with the antitrust aspects of multijurisdictional mergers, antitrust counselling and compliance, cartel investigations and defence, and civil and criminal antitrust litigation. It acted for a multinational client in relation to alleged non-competitive practices. Department head Enie Neri de Ross is ‘good to have on your side'. Luis Miguel Vicentini and María Fernanda Zajía are rated.

Venezuela : Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

‘Recommended to anyone doing business in Venezuela', global law firm Baker & McKenzie SC provides a complete transactional service covering all M&A and corporate legal issues, as well as finance, merger control, tax, employment and benefits, real estate, IP, and environmental law. ‘Due to the complexity of legal problems that arise, frequently of an international nature, very few Venezuelan law firms can offer adequate counselling to the same extent', report clients. Recent experience for the firm includes advising in the acquisition of the shares of a Venezuelan company, and acting for a multinational entity in the reorganisation of companies in Venezuela, as part of a global restructuring plan. The firm has offices in Caracas and Valencia, and a presence in Maturín and Puerto La Cruz. The department heads are ‘trustworthy and well rounded, knowledgeable attorneys' Carlos Delgado and Luis Miguel Vicentini. Maria Eugenia Reyes recently became principal/international partner. Freddy Paván retired from the firm.

Venezuela : Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC ‘finds its clients the answers they need. The level of expertise we have received for the last two decades is unrivalled. Even though the firm could be considered expensive, the value provided matches the results obtained'. The practice is recommended for its coordinating of complex, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation and arbitration, as well as its provision of strategic dispute analysis. The department, which includes ten locally qualified practitioners, acted for an insurance company in a substantial claim against a re-insurer. Department head Henry Torrealba is singled out by clients for his ‘deep experience', and José Henrique D'Apollo is also rated. Gabriel De Jesus became a local partner.

Venezuela : Energy and natural resources

Within Energy and natural resources, Baker & McKenzie SC is a second tier firm,

Offering a seamless package of both international and local law services, Baker & McKenzie SC's key sector experience lies in power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining and metals, infrastructure (including water projects) and renewable energy, along with clean-tech and carbon and climate change transactions. The firm has a ‘significant edge in terms of recruiting the best talent available, which in turns helps it to continue delivering outstanding results for its client base'. The practice acted as counsel in the assignment of drilling contracts, and advised in the financing of a crude oil project. Eugenio Hernández-Bretón is department head. Roberto Mendoza and local partners María Eugenia Salazar are highly regarded.

Venezuela : Environment

Within Environment, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Offering ‘first class specialists', Baker & McKenzie SC's ‘results are excellent'. The firm addresses the transactional needs of its industrial clients through an integrated team of Venezuela-based environmental attorneys, and assists with the post-acquisition resolution of regulatory and remediation issues, and the development of strategies for the effective management of environmental liabilities. The practice performed the environmental due diligence in relation to the acquisition of an industrial plant so as to determine whether the facility was in compliance with environmental regulations. Department head and recently promoted international partner María Eugenia Reyes is a ‘strong adviser', and Eugenio Hernández-Bretón is rated. Martha Cohén was promoted to local partner.

Venezuela : Intellectual property

Within Intellectual property , Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC manages Unilever's entire trade mark portfolio in Venezuela, including searches, registrations and licenses, as well as general legal advice on trade mark matters. The practice recently made progress in relation to cases that have been paralysed, largely due to errors on the part of the administration. Practice leader Diego Bustillos is ‘a great lawyer'.

Venezuela : Labour and employment

Within Labour and employment , Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC provides a ‘very high standard of service, excellent response times and knowledgeable lawyers'. The practice is ‘deeply experienced' in navigating the legal and regulatory issues that arise under Venezuelan labour law, ranging from recruitment to employment termination. Recent matters include the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement. Manuel Díaz Mujica is praised by peers, and Carlos Felce is an ‘extremely prompt and knowledgeable practitioner'.

Venezuela : Public law

Within Public law , Baker & McKenzie SC is a second tier firm,

Offering strong expropriations and nationalisation expertise in Venezuela, Baker & McKenzie SC has advised on complex and significant forced acquisition measures, and its knowledge of Venezuelan public law is applied for the benefit of its clients' businesses so as to meet all regulatory requirements. It also focuses on helping companies execute the most appropriate strategy in order to improve relations with the government, clears administrative questions with the proper authorities and, where necessary, challenges the bidding process. The practice assisted a client in connection with the new law on fair costs and prices. María Fernanda Zajía is department head. Eugenio Hernández-Bretón, Juan Carlos Balzán Pérez and María Eugenia Salazar are key contacts. Martha Cohen was promoted to local partner.

Venezuela : Real estate

Within Real estate, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC handles demanding real estate transactions within tight timeframes, whether facilitated by way of corporate or asset agreements. It stands out for its close interaction with the firm's tax practice group, through which the fiscal impact of transactions is reduced. The practice acts in the acquisitions, disposals and development of single real estate assets and portfolios; commercial and portfolio leasing; corporate real estate; the structuring of property ownership together with real estate management agreements and co-ownership agreements; mixed use and industrial developments; and hotel management agreements. Department head Alejandro Lares is rated.

Venezuela : Tax

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie SC is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie SC works closely with the firm's M&A colleagues to ensure a strategic approach towards the tax issues associated with corporate transactions. The department also handles tax controversies at audit, appeal and trial court levels. The practice's ‘level of service is top of the line. The attorneys are resourceful, creative and innovative, and are up-to-date with current legal issues. Recent experience includes advising on the Venezuelan tax consequences of transactions related to the purchase of public debt bonds. Co-team heads Ronald Evans and Emilio Roche 'show strong knowledge in their field. We have always received the best advice from them, and in a timely manner'. Trade and commerce practice group head, Manuel Marín Palavicini, is singled out as ‘quite possibly the most dedicated and client-focused lawyer I have known in over 20 years of professional activity'.

Further information on Baker & McKenzie

Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Baker & McKenzie in other jurisdictions.

United Arab Emirates

Offices in Abu Dhabi

Argentina

Offices in Buenos Aires

Australia

Offices in Sydney and Melbourne

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Azerbaijan

Offices in Baku

Belgium

Offices in Brussels, Antwerp, and Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

Brazil

Offices in Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Chile

Offices in Santiago and Santiago

Colombia

Offices in Bogota and Bogota

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich

Egypt

Offices in Cairo

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Hungary

Offices in Budapest

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Rome, Milan, and Bologna

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kazakhstan

Offices in Almaty

London

Offices in London EC4V and London EC4V

Luxembourg

Offices in Luxembourg

Mexico

Offices in Juarez, Cancun, Tijuana, Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara

Malaysia

Offices in Kuala Lumpur

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Philippines

Offices in Makati

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Offices in Doha

Russia

Offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

South Africa

Offices in Johannesburg

Sweden

Offices in Stockholm

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Switzerland

Offices in Zurich and Geneva

Taiwan

Offices in Taipei

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Turkey

Offices in Istanbul and Istanbul

Ukraine

Offices in Kiev

United States

Offices in Washington DC, Palo Alto, New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston

Venezuela

Offices in Valencia and Caracas

Vietnam

Offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
Baker & McKenzie

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Legal Developments worldwide

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  • Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

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  • FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

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  • National public order. Adoption of the Draft

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  • China Customs New Interpretation

    For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.
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