Ms Cristina Mejía > Baker McKenzie S.A.S. > BOGOTÁ, D.C, Colombia > Lawyer Profile

Forming a key part of Baker McKenzie S.A.S.’s premier Colombian dispute resolution offering, the arbitration practice maintains an impressive record in representing leading local and multinational corporations in complex cases. Striking a balance between domestic and international arbitration work, the group has been particularly active in the latter sphere of late, where it has represented a string of global clients in commercial proceedings. High-profile department head Claudia Benavides also sits as the global chair of the firm’s dispute resolution group and is particularly sought after for her high-level expertise in multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration. The team also includes up-and-coming dispute resolution partner Cristina Mejia, who brings to bear significant in-house experience as the former head of the litigation department at Coca-Cola Femsa. Mejia is representing Schlumberger in a domestic arbitration initiated by a supplier to terminate a transportation contract. The group additionally benefits from a strong second line of associates, including dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) senior Daniela Páez Cala, who is particularly well versed in international arbitration cases; and Sebastian Quintero, also a senior, who covers a range of arbitration and litigation matters. The group was reinforced the arrival of a trio of new senior associates: rising star Felipe González Arrieta joined from Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA) in June 2022; Ana Carolina Abreo arrived from Brigard Urrutia in June 2022; and Nicolas Rivera Montoya joined in January 2023 from energy company, Oleoducto Central. Former senior María Angélica Burgos left the firm in January 2023.

The ‘strong and dynamic team’ at Baker McKenzie S.A.S. impresses with its capability in multi-jurisdictional judicial and arbitral disputes, where it is distinguished by its ability to plug into its enviable global platform. The practice’s high-quality service skills are also widely praised, with one source asserting: ‘lawyers support the firm-client relationship and are always contributing with their knowledge’. Go-to litigation specialist Claudia Benavides chairs the dispute resolution group, both domestically and globally, and stands out for her track record in cross-border litigation and international arbitration. Among Benavides’ recent cases, she is representing Humax Pharmaceutical and Farmatech in a constitutional action brought by an individual plaintiff for the protection of collective rights against Humax and Farmatech. Next-generation partner Cristina Mejia maintains a rapidly developing practice, which saw her recently represent HSBC, as indenture trustee of certain senior unsecured notes, in judicial bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the Transtel group of companies. The department also fields a sizeable team of talented senior associates, including Sebastian Quintero, who handles a mix of domestic and international disputes; Daniela Páez Cala, who has a strong international arbitration dimension to her practice; and Felipe González Arrieta, who also has a focus on international arbitration. Junior Isabella Mejía Sierra, who supports on a range of dispute resolution matters, is additionally singled out by clients. The firm recently strengthened its dispute resolution offering with the hire of two new senior associates: Ana Carolina Abreo joined in June 2022 from Brigard Urrutia; while Nicolas Rivera Montoya arrived in January 2023 from Oleoducto Central (OCENSA). Junior associate Juana Martínez Quintero departed in June 2022 to become head of regulatory affairs at Trafigura; and senior María Angélica Burgos left the firm in January 2023.