Commended by clients for its ‘excellent combination of technical knowledge and business understanding’, Baker McKenzie S.A.S. houses a dominant full-service tax offering that provides advice across the full range of tax planning, wealth management, litigation, compliance and transfer pricing cases, among other matters. Its lawyers’ ’excellent co-ordination with teams from other jurisdictions’ is a recurring theme among sources, with the Bogotá-based group distinguished by its ability to lean on the wider firm’s dominant global practice for additional firepower in cross-border tax mandates. Among the names to note, managing partner Ciro Meza is widely recognised as a leading tax specialist, who can turn his hand to the full range of tax planning, consulting and contentious work; he advises SierraCol on all of its transfer pricing and tax issues. Meza co-heads the department together with transfer pricing specialist Gustavo Sánchez, and transactional tax partner Juan David Velasco, who is highlighted for his ‘superior sensitivity to the particularities of business and its impact at the international level’. The group further draws on a strong second line of senior associates, including Laura Durán, Andrea Jimenez and Juan David López, along with new arrival Carolina Roldán, who joined from Deloitte Legal (New York) in August 2023.
L’éditorial du Legal 500
Témoignages
Collectés indépendamment par l'équipe de recherche du Legal 500.
‘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.’
Clients clés
- Chevron Petroleum
- Ecopetrol
- SierraCol Energy
- Avianca
- Netflix
- Vanti
- Public Sector Pension Investment Board
- Amazon Web Services
- Meta
Points forts
- Advised SierraCol on transfer pricing and tax matters and also assisted on reorganisation strategies with the objective of gaining efficiencies.
- Engaged by Vanti to review its major gas distribution structures and its business overall, in order to review the use of tax incentives, identify inefficiencies, and design and implement distribution strategies.
- Advised Schlumberger on tax compliance concerning its expatriate employees.
Avocats
Les grands avocats du marché
Avocats associés reconnus parmi les leaders du marché par leurs pairs et leurs clients, régulièrement présents dans les grands dossiers dans lesquels ils sont au premier plan.
Les grands avocats de demain
Jeunes associés disposant d’une reconnaissance montante sur le marché, jouant régulièrement un rôle clé dans des dossiers majeurs.
Meilleurs collaborateurs
Jeunes avocats collaborateurs ou counsels qui se distinguent régulièrement par leur présence dans des dossiers importants du marché, et qui sont identifiés par le marché comme de jeunes talents à suivre.
Laura Durán
Responsable de la pratique
Ciro Meza; Gustavo Sanchez; Juan David Velasco