Baker McKenzie S.A.S. > BOGOTÁ, D.C, Colombia > Firm Profile

‘The team is experienced in the area of ​​competition litigation; knows how payment methods work in Colombia; and knows the regulation and history of the development of payment methods in Colombia.’

‘We value the team for the personalised attention and involvement of partners directly with the cases and their clients.’

‘The firm has detailed knowledge of our needs and the wider business environment. Those very specific details that we required along the way were researched and provided to us in a timely manner. Lawyers understood our need to carry out the process in the shortest possible time.’

‘The people at the firm are well trained; while that would be thought to be a basic quality, this team’s quality of knowledge is noticeably on another level. Additionally, the warm and close way in which they work helps the processes flow and in times of stress, the objectives are achieved.’

‘It is a wonderful team with extensive knowledge of competition and antitrust law issues. It has supported us in queries related to the practice and provided suggestions to include a joint development matrix for application in the organisation.’

‘We highlight its lawyers attitude, willingness to answer queries, teamwork and extensive knowledge of competition and antitrust law, particularly María Carolina Pardo, Angélica Navarro and Luís Alberto Castell.’

‘Baker’s corporate and M&A team is a great team. It manages to collaborate with the client in an integral way. Its advice is complete and in line with the company’s needs. It has excellent response times and, in addition, an incredible human team.’

‘Lawyers have knowledge about our industry and manage to provide a comprehensive service.’

‘It is a very complete and quite commercial team. It identifies what are the really important issues and transmits suggestions and solutions from a practical and legal point of view.’

‘Andrés Crump is outstanding. Very practical, responsive and capable. He is a star.’

‘In the case of the advice for which I hired the firm, what makes it special is that it has relevant expertise in various areas that are important to our company. It can anticipate our future needs and look for solutions.’

‘Paola González works proactively on the work that has been entrusted to her. She alerts us when, in her opinion, a more detailed analysis is required or action is required concerning matters that are not within her competence. She knows how to establish priorities, so that urgent matters are attended to in a timely manner.’

‘On the occasions that I have worked with Clare Montgomery, she has been very collaborative and decisive.’

‘It has a robust team that acts in a co-ordinated manner, each member assumes a specific task but it is evident that the entire team knows the subject. The quality of work is superior to that of other firms working in the same practice area.’

‘Claudia Benavides demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the case, the ability to structure the line of action, lead the team and present high-quality co-ordinated work.’

‘Lawyers demonstrated commitment, dedication and knowledge of the subject. Deliverables were of very good quality both in substance and form. It was argued in a detailed and careful manner, all the counterpart’s approaches were taken into account to refute them, and creative counterarguments were presented.’

‘Strengths: service-oriented, clear, agile and attentive to detail. Team skills: a cohesive team, highly effective, knows how to handle difficult situations. New features introduced: the team’s collaboration in the preparation of witnesses was truly novel and impressive. Its people are motivated.’

‘Cristina Mejia is an absolutely clear and forceful leader. She treats her team very well and is highly effective. Sebastian Quintero is a lawyer who has very strong potential. He is excellent, knows his cases very well and maintains very effective communication with the client.’

‘BM’s arbitration team is aware that the work entrusted to it is part of a larger business context that must be understood and considered when defining dispute resolution strategy. In this, it is substantially better than other firms. It understands its knowledge limitations and makes space for client conversations.’

‘The people on the team are exceptional. Under the leadership of Claudia Benavides, practice leader and exceptional lawyer, the team of Cristina Mejia, Felipe González Arrieta and Laura Rincón complement each other in a fluid and agile manner to complete the task and achieve the objective.’

‘The BM dispute resolution team in Colombia is perfectly balanced between professionalism, expertise, knowledge and commitment to the client. I have had the opportunity to work with different firms, in different areas, and I have not found that balance in other teams.’

‘A robust team, with members handling specific tasks but with global knowledge of the entire case.’

‘The level of depth of the argument was outstanding. The careful analysis of the counterpart’s arguments to refute them was outstanding. The creativity to defend the client’s position was striking, as was the counterclaim strategy that ended with a favourable result.’

‘The team that faced the final hearing was made up exclusively of women, which reveals the firm’s willingness to attribute critical responsibilities to the women who are part of the organisation. The presentation of the writings was careful in both substance and form.’

‘Claudia Benavides assumed an important leadership position to consolidate a group of lawyers who acted as a team in a co-ordinated manner, with knowledge of the complete subject. Benavides managed to establish compelling arguments in favour of her clients and present them clearly.’

‘The team excels in its organisation, attention to detail, customer service, availability, excellent interpersonal relationships and excellent use of technological means.’

‘Cristina Mejia, Ana Carolina Abreo, Isabella Mejía Sierra and Laura Rincón stand out in their organisation, attention to detail, kindness, and clear and deep knowledge of their professional practice.’

‘The Baker McKenzie team is solid and stable. Lawyers are very professional and always up to date with new labour regulations.’

‘The team stands out for its strong client knowledge and ability to provide immediate responses.’

‘We highlight the team’s client service, speed of response and unconditional support.’

‘The positive characteristics of Baker McKenzie’s labour law practice are that it is a team that stays close to its clients and it has a sense of immediacy in addressing requirements and solving legal incidents that may arise.’

‘We value the assertiveness and confidence of the advice provided, particularly in relation to Daniela Liévano and Evelyn Romero.’

‘It is a close team, with an excellent combination of technical knowledge and business understanding. Lawyers have a practical, empathetic and transparent approach, always being available to address concerns and needs.’

‘Juan David Velasco has a superior sensitivity to the particularities of business and its impact at the international level. He perfectly understands complex issues and has the ability to identify and assess national and international tax scenarios. Indeed, his handling of international tax is a distinctive capacity in him.’

‘Carolina Roldán is an associate noted for her mental clarity, quick understanding of situations and efficient execution. It is a source of peace for us to work with her.’

‘Partner Juan David Velasco participates in the entire process and makes the client always feel supported. He is always available and quickly answers questions. Excellent co-ordination with teams from other jurisdictions.’

‘Juan David Velasco stands out for his innovative ideas and solutions to problems, as well as his relationship with the client and availability.’

‘The practice is a very experienced and robust team. It has strong technical skills and extensive knowledge of the sector. We highlight that in the process of strengthening the team, it hired an accountant, an expert in tax issues in the oil sector, who has brought a pragmatic vision to Baker McKenzie’s advice.’

‘Its knowledge of the business, together with its interest in becoming our ally and generating value for us, is what makes this team unique when compared to others.’

‘Under the leadership of Ciro Meza, it has formed a multidisciplinary group of lawyers and accountants, who provide us with essential answers. Quick and practical but well-founded.’

‘The B&M team not only has local experience, but its network around the world makes it attractive due to the value it can add in terms of knowledge in the development of renewables in other geographies.’

‘The team excels at something that is increasingly rare: the partner in charge is actively participating in the project or issue under consideration. Response times are excellent as is its rigorous practical approach to the topics. Also, the firm has recently implemented initiatives to promote gender equality.’

‘The team supports us on environmental issues and natural resources, where the experience and knowledge of the team is essential. Camila Jimenez has extensive knowledge on these issues and working with her makes a difference, due to her willingness and availability to deal with issues.’

‘A strong team, with good interrelation between the different areas and knowledgeability about regulatory issues, especially public issues. The availability of the team to respond quickly and concretely, providing a solution to what was requested, is very notable.’

‘Alejandro Mesa (partner) is an expert in several topics, but above all he has a great ability to understand the business and our needs.’

‘Our company is engaged in a regulated economic activity. Baker has lawyers who are experts in the regulation of natural gas transportation. Beyond legal technique, Baker knows and understands the realities of the business.

‘BM provides high-quality products, takes into account the urgency of our needs, ensures that clients understand the advice being delivered and is always open our needs. We have worked on some things packaged with a closed value and with that we obtain greater benefits as clients.’

‘Andres Ramon Rodriguez Gomez is an excellent colleague, who helps to identify our pain points when we are still not clear. I really like the trust and the team we have established.’

‘Yuliana Salamanca is rigorous, dynamic, agile and proactive in the face of every challenge that the client poses. She is excellent.’

‘Yuliana Salamanca knows how to combine her knowledge of new technologies with her expertise in IP and her business vision, which is very valuable for any legal team, and exceptional among lawyers.’

‘Baker’s lawyers are always willing to find solutions and alternatives to the complex problems that in-house lawyers face. Their specialised knowledge and relationship skills make them exceptional.’

‘Something that stands out in BM’s team as a strong point is its effectiveness and its rapid generation of results.’

‘Yuliana Salamanca and Bibiana Cala are always ready to assist the client and help to resolve concerns — they also directly handle matters.’

‘Julián David Ruiz Rondan is very good at explaining the implications of any decision that is going to be made. He has very good speed and attention.’

‘I love the calm, serene, uncomplicated but rigorous and sincere treatment BM’s lawyers provide to clients.’

‘With Baker McKenzie we work on regulatory health issues related to life sciences. The team has been very assertive in identifying risks and mitigation options. Lawyers particularly stand out for fully understanding the problems presented and the needs of the business.’

‘The team differs from its competitors through its prompt understanding of the client’s concerns and in its ability to propose practical solutions from a business perspective.’

‘The team is agile in deliveries and very committed to moving the business forward. Furthermore, the team is willing to provide additional knowledge and is not limited to strictly fulfilling its original function. It compares favourably with its peers.’

‘The lawyers are friendly people, who put kindness and personal relationships first as well as demonstrating great knowledge on the topics. We particularly highlight associates Victoria Luque and Mónica Cubillos Iregui.’

‘Baker possesses a team that stands out for its closeness and understanding of business.’

‘We value lawyers for their closeness and understanding of business. In particular, Ricardo Trejos Robledo and Mónica Cubillos Iregui are excellent advisors and are always proactive.’

‘Tremendous knowledge, expertise and professionalism. Moreover, lawyers are responsive and provide understandable detailed guidance. This office has a great understanding of our local business as well as the importance of our compliance culture. We very much appreciate its partnership.’

‘Carolina Pardo has done an admirable job handling corporate and regulatory matters on behalf of our company. Carolina provides us with great confidence that the matter will be handled efficiently and effectively. Luis Alberto Castel provided great support and guidance with our AML compliance efforts.’

‘I consider the greatest value of the team, in addition to its great professionalism, is its understanding of the client and their needs. Lawyers seek to create a team by making decisions that benefit the client’s needs and adapt to the changes that exist. There is absolute availability and closeness.’

‘I believe that Bibiana Cala is a lawyer who is different from others. Working and learning from her is a true pleasure, as she generates trust, tranquillity and security. and even more so when she is the one who is in charge of all cases and communications with the client.’

‘The team is very good, Bibiana Cala is an excellent professional who understands the needs of companies and her advice is clear and accurate.’

‘BM has a very robust compliance practice, which has demonstrated leadership in the LATAM region, developing some very useful packages for companies which help in the implementation of local plans.’

‘The team has in-depth knowledge of its area of ​​practice, it is always willing to understand the client’s needs, it provides practical solutions with real implementation possibilities, as well as cost-effective strategies aimed at meeting the objectives, always respecting professional ethics.’

‘The corporate criminal practice’s differentiating factor is its quality-price ratio. Compared to other firms in the market that provide corporate criminal services, the fee rates are very competitive, and it also has a flexible billing scheme according to the clients’ needs.’

‘Camila Jiménez is very specialised, is always up-to-date, is very precise and serious.’

‘They have a young team, which is building experience.’

‘Alejandro Mesa (partner) is a practical lawyer who understands our company’s needs very well. Camila Jiménez (associate) has great responsiveness and is always attentive to the client’s needs.’

‘B&M lives up to its “global” firm characteristic and it has access to resources that other law firms can’t manage to incorporate. We highly recommend B&M.’

‘Ricardo Trejos is formidable because he really gets involved in projects and helps us to look for creative and innovative solutions to problems. We have found this to be a great quality in the transactions in which we have participated in under his leadership.’

‘B&M has a strong team, with good knowledge of public law and the sector, which is not so common in full-service firms.’

‘Alejandro Mesa is a lawyer with very good knowledge of public law, who always has a practical and functional answer to what is asked.’

‘The team stands out for its knowledge of the regulations applicable to the client’s company.’

‘We highlight the team for its understanding of business and economic activity.’

‘Since we’re not Spanish-speaking, having a team whose English language skillset is good certainly helps. The fact that the Baker McKenzie team are experts in local landlord/tenant law is a given.’

‘The members of the Baker McKenzie team are knowledgeable, reliable and responsive. Lucía Murgueytio is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Its service adjusts to the needs of each client. Lawyers are proactive and try to be available for their clients’ requests. They make a great effort to meet tight schedules without affecting the quality of service.’

‘Lucía Murgueytio is an excellent lawyer, who always tries to provide the best service. She is proactive and seeks to adjust to the needs of each client.’

‘BM’s real estate team is one of the strongest in the market. It has knowledge and demonstrable experience in different sectors and its service is direct and very fast, which ensures responses in excellent time. It has flexibility in billing and understands that international companies can have complex and delayed protocols.’

‘Alejandro Mesa is an exceptional lawyer, I highlight his integrity and ethics in conducting business, he is an example of the type of lawyer that Colombia needs. His knowledge of law is extensive, he is open to reviewing different possibilities and he is extremely respectful.’

‘We highlight the team for its technical and market knowledge; client support; quality of deliverables; and clarity and business sense to overcome challenges.’

‘Lawyers stand out for their personalised attention; ability; and knowledge — particularly partner Alejandro Mesa and associate Lucía Murgueytio.’

‘The firm’s strengths in TMT are its level of technical knowledge and experience in regulatory and telecoms issues for which we request its advice — Colombian regulation has particular characteristics and a correct interpretation of the regulations is required to avoid possible sanctions.’

‘Lawyers stand out for their speed of response and also for the professionalism shown throughout the consultation process, right from the formulation of our requirements.’