CMS Rodríguez-Azuero > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Compliance and white-collar crime Tier 2

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

The interdisciplinary practice at CMS Rodríguez-Azuero stands out for its ‘extensive and specialised experience in the energy, environmental and land sectors, among others’. The group continues to gain traction in the market following a string of recent hires, which included the absorption of specialist power boutique, Yáñez & Asociados in July 2021 and the addition of mining and environmental boutique, Vergel Riascos Abogados in September 2022. The energy and climate change department is now led jointly by four partners, namely: Álvaro Yáñez Peñaranda, who acts for an impressive roster of multinational energy and mining companies; Álvaro Josué Yáñez, whose practice spans energy and infrastructure projects; Daniel Rodríguez, who specialises in regulatory and project-related matters; and mining expert Daniela Vergel, who focuses on dispute resolution. The group also includes dedicated energy and climate change counsel, Mónica Torres.

Colombia > TMT Tier 2

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s TMT practice receives strong praise for its ‘innovative and disruptive spirit in building legal solutions in a dynamic and challenging industry’. The group has extensive expertise in regulatory and contentious matters relating to the technology, media and telecoms fields; with its reputation in the former segment particularly prominent due to its relationships with Google and several dominant e-commerce platforms. Lorenzo Villegas-Carrasquilla is a former chairman of the telecoms regulator and heads a team that includes talented senior associate María Camila Piedrahita. The group was significantly strengthened in July 2023 with the hire of former practice co-head Carlos Andrés  Sánchez and senior associate Gigliana Rivero Ramirez (both from Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados), with the latter arriving as associate director for infrastructure & projects, telecommunications and public procurement. Since research concluded, Piedrahita has left the firm - effective as of August 2023.

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 3

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

The dispute resolution team at CMS Rodríguez-Azuero is equipped to advise on a broad scope of contentious insolvency matters, commercial disputes and administrative litigation. Finance-related cases are a particular strong suit and the group has recently represented victim groups in several claims stemming from financial scandals, including proceedings involving Elite International Américas and Estrategias en Valores. Banking and finance specialist Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero co-heads the department and brings to bear unique expertise in contentious finance matters. The practice is additionally co-led by Henry Sanabria, whose practice spans civil and administrative litigation as well as arbitration, and Felipe Andrade, who also co-heads the IP practice. Other key partners include Jacques Simhon, who spearheads the corporate crime unit; and contentious insolvency expert Daniel Rodríguez. Senior associate Jorge Ramírez, who sits in the dispute resolution and banking and finance groups, provides support.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 3

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero is noted for its ‘quick reactivity in the face of continuous last-minute requests’. The group’s experience encompasses a varied mix of trade work, including trade remedies and dispute resolution, with an emphasis on customs matters such as customs compliance audits and customs tax. Key contact Santiago Arbouin heads both the tax practice and the customs law and trade department and is recommended for his customs tax planning expertise. The team was strengthened in January 2022 with the hire of Nicole Ríos, as associate practice director, from Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría. Ríos joins a team that includes associate Natalia Recio, who also splits her time between tax and trade work, is valued for her ‘extensive knowledge of customs issues’, and was promoted to practice coordinator in April 2023.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 3

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s life sciences team ‘provides legal decisions with a high degree of business sense’, according to sources. The group’s emphasis on regulatory work ensures that it is well versed across a range of intellectual property and consumer law, including marketing approval processes, as well as labelling and advertising matters. Life sciences and healthcare head Karl Mutter combines strength in regulatory and IP issues. The practice also draws on associate director Luz Helena Vargas, who is ‘attentive to queries’. In November 2022, associate María Ximena Castellanos left to join Consultoría Regulatoria.

Colombia > Public law Tier 3

Among CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s practice sweet spots, the team is particularly well versed in public procurement, with extensive experience in advising companies — particularly IT companies such as Google — on contracts with public authorities. The group also benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s project finance and anti-corruption groups. Transactional finance specialist Daniel Rodríguez co-heads the department alongside dispute resolution partners Henry Sanabria and Felipe Andrade. Promoted to senior associate in March 2023, public procurement-focused Paula Andrea Gutiérrez is also noted. In May 2022, associate director María Lucía Amador left to join Mendoza Abogados.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 3

‘Reliable, easy to work with and knowledgeable’, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s practice is well weighted between real estate transactions, development projects and regulatory matters. Over the past year, it has been particularly active on behalf of real estate developer Promotora ACR, which it is advising on several projects including the Makani Luxury Beach Club development. Corporate and M&A specialist Juan Camilo Rodríguez jointly leads the department alongside Jacques Simhon, who also co-heads the compliance and dispute resolution practices. Senior associate Laura Ospina provides dedicated practice support. Experienced former counsel Carolina Lozano left the firm in March 2023.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero is distinguished by its ability to link up with its extensive global network to advise on the local aspects of multi-jurisdictional merger reviews. It is also well versed in advising on matters at the intersection of antitrust and ICT regulation. Department head Lorenzo Villegas-Carrasquilla is noted for his combination of TMT, competition, and dispute resolution experience. Senior associate María Camila Piedrahita provides support to the TMT and competition teams.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 4

As part of the global CMS network, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero impresses with its cross-border capability, which was recently evidenced by its work for new client,  ITV Studios Netherlands, on protecting “THE VOICE” trade mark in Latin America. The group handles the full spread of IP matters, with plant breeders' rights standing as a notable sweet spot. Life sciences and healthcare specialist Karl Mutter co-heads the department alongside Felipe Andrade, who focuses on plant breeders' rights. Associate director Lola Kandelaft is also noted for her broad coverage of IP issues.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

A destination practice for complex pensions and social security matters, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero leverages its extensive international network to excel in cross-border matters, including the application of multilateral pensions agreements between countries. The team also handles traditional labour and employment work, including disciplinary proceedings, redundancies, and litigation. Practice head Adriana Escobar specialises in pensions and labour law and steers a team that includes associate director Juan Carlos González, who ‘strategically manages risks’. Senior associate Sandra Mora, who is ‘very clear and straightforward’, and associate Mariana Garcés are also recommended.

Colombia > Tax Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero is valued by sources for its ‘quick reactivity in the face of continuous last-minute requests’. The group handles a broad spectrum of tax planning, tax structuring and contentious matters, with particular experience in customs law and foreign exchange-related matters. Department head Santiago Arbouin additionally heads the customs and trade practice; he advises on local tax, international tax, and customs duties and related matters. Associate director Nicole Ríos ‘explains matters clearly and simply’ and provides capable support on a wide range of tax matters. Associates Natalia Recio and Laura Rodríguez are also recommended.

Colombia > Projects

Colombia > Environment

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

CMS has become a considerable force in Latin America banking and finance with its integrated offices in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. It has further enhanced this offering through a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023.The established team has a fine record in financings and restructurings, and represents some of the biggest international and regional lenders – including multilateral development banks – that operate in the market. It is also noted for its links to private equity sponsors, corporates and government entities. The various offices have landed key roles in a series of headline acquisition financings, project financings and restructurings, including advising BBVA Colombia on a $200m loan facility to Akzo Nobel Coatings and its Colombian SPV for the acquisition of Grupo Orbis, a major Colombian chemicals and paint conglomerate. Fernando De Cárcer and Jorge Allende Destuet are the key figures in Santiago, along with Sergio Rodriguez-Azuero and Daniel Rodríguez in Bogota. Miguel Viale and Diego Peschiera are the practitioners of note in Lima.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

CMS  has a large Latin America-based team (across its offices in offices in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru) which undertake local law and English law engagements. The firm enhanced this offering through a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023. It has a strong record in energy (including oil and gas, electricity and renewables). In the renewables sector, it has made an impression in solar, wind and green hydrogen. It has also worked on headline infrastructure projects in Mexico, Peru and other jurisdictions; a Mexico City-based team advised Grupo Typsa in connection with the design, construction, and maintenance of  ‘El Tren Maya’, a railway that will traverse the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Rio de Janeiro managing partner Ted Rhodes is an experienced figure in oil and gas, and offshore projects and transactions; he has a growing presence in renewables. Daniel Rodríguez is a notable name in Bogota, along with Derek Woodhouse and Enrique Lorente Ludlow in Mexico City, and Carlos Hamann in Lima.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

CMS has a deep commitment to Latin America through its multiple offices in the region; it has local offices in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru, along with an office of international lawyers in Brazil. It augmented this with a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023. The Latin America team continues to make an impression in private equity investments and exits, along with energy and infrastructure transactions; oil and gas, renewables and the digital environment are key fortes for the team. The group frequently works alongside some of the top law firms on Wall Street and across the US. Jorge Allende Destuet and Ramón Valdivieso are co-heads of the corporate and M&A team in Chile, and are noted for private equity and M&A transactions. Juan Camilo Rodríguez leads the group in Colombia, and Peru office managing partner Juan Carlos Escudero is also an experienced transactional practitioner. Ted Rhodes is a key figure in Rio de Janeiro and is noted for his expertise in energy transactions.