Benavides Mejía Dispute Resolution

New dispute resolution boutique Benavides Mejía Dispute Resolution was founded in January 2025 by a breakaway team from Baker McKenzie S.A.S., which included high-profile arbitration expert Claudia Benavides, who was global chair of the dispute resolution group at her former firm. Highlighted by sources as ‘exceptional in its ability to formulate strategies tailored to the client’s objectives’, the team is fully equipped to handle high-stakes, sensitive, and transnational arbitration proceedings, where it can leverage an illustrious record in representing major multinational corporations and state entities in complex cases. The ’specialised’ group also includes dual-qualified (New York/Colombia) firm co-founder Cristina Mejía, who — similar to Benavides — represents high-profile domestic and foreign client in cross-border disputes under major arbitral rules, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) rules. A senior associate at his previous firm, Felipe González Arrieta was elevated to partner upon the firm’s January 2025 launch; he handles a diverse mix of domestic and international arbitration, with a focus on proceedings under ICC, ICDR, and Bogotá Chamber of Commerce (CCB) rules. At associate level, the department additionally draws on senior Laura Rincón, whose work includes support on cases involving the infrastructure, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors; and junior Juan Pablo Suárez, whose practice has an emphasis on energy and natural resources-related disputes.