Baker McKenzie > Buenos Aires, Argentina > Firm Profile

Baker McKenzie > The Legal 500 Rankings

Argentina > Compliance Tier 1

Baker McKenzie provides a comprehensive compliance offering that includes coverage of internal investigations and associated criminal proceedings, risk assessments around clients’ exposure to fraud and corruption charges under criminal and administrative law, corporate compliance programme design and implementation, and compliance training. Cross-border matters are a particularly active area of work for the practice, which can draw on the expertise of the global network of its parent firm to cover international regulations, such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act, for Argentine clients. The practice is led by well-known life sciences lawyer Maria Vanina Caniza, who also has a strong record in compliance and investigations work; and criminal law veteran Fernando Goldaracena, an expert in anti-corruption and compliance matters, as well as financial and cybersecurity crime. Nicolas Servente, who focuses on litigation and internal investigations, is the main contact at the associate level.

Argentina > Fintech Tier 1

Baker McKenzie leverages the global reach of its parent firm to advise global private equity firms and technology companies on fintech M&A and financing rounds in the Argentine market. In addition to its transactional work, the practice also handles complex legal, regulatory and market entry matters. The team works with a broad mix of alternative financing platforms, e-commerce providers, payment companies and crowdfunders, and is particularly well-known for its experience in the areas of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, where it assists with the development of cryptocurrency exchanges and DeFi technology. The team is headed by experienced financial services partner Gabriel Gomez-Giglio, who advises corporate clients on payments law, including digital wallets and e-commerce, and also acts for fintech businesses on regulatory and transactional matters. Dynamic banking and finance partner Francisco Fernández-Rostello provides additional senior expertise, with NFTs and cryptocurrencies a key focus for his practice.

Argentina > Labour and employment Tier 1

Baker McKenzie is known for its expertise in handling complex terminations and employment-related litigation. The practice is also sought out to assist on the labour aspects of M&A deals, internal investigations and compliance matters, and staff compensation and migration. Labour relations, trade union matters and pension law are covered too. The well-reviewed Alberto González Torres leads the practice and has significant experience across the areas of employment contracts, litigation, compensation, social security and pensions. He is supported by a strong roster of partners that includes Daniel Orlansky (who has expertise in employment contracts, transactional labour matters and contentious issues), Diego Bongiovanni (who advises on individual and collective employment law), and Matías Herrero  (who assists with mass terminations and employee benefits).

Argentina > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 1

Baker McKenzie offers multi-disciplinary advice to local and international life sciences clients, providing comprehensive coverage of regulatory, consumer safety, competition, IP, data protection, compliance and contractual matters. Clients turn to the team for support on licence requirements for product manufacturing, sales, distribution and advertising under local law, as well as advice related to the acquisition of product approvals, data exclusivity issues, pricing, delisting, adverse event reporting, and product liability and recall matters. Antitrust and competition law in the life sciences and medical devices industries is another focus area, with the firm also sought out for support on healthcare-related trademark enforcement and trademark and patent prosecution work. The team is also active in healthcare M&A, frequently representing multinational clients. Commercial and contractual matters and liability disputes (including product safety and regulatory non-compliance issues) are also handled. Practice head Vanina Caniza is a life sciences specialist and first port of call for multinational life sciences groups seeking support on corporate compliance, commercial agreements, M&A and regulatory advice. Caniza also serves as the global chair of the firm’s healthcare and life sciences industry group, and has developed deep technical knowledge after completing post-graduate studies in biotechnology. Senior associate Rocío Rojas Iglesias focuses on regulatory and commercial law matters, with the practice also able to draw on the experience of litigation and arbitration lawyer Santiago Maqueda when required.

Argentina > TMT Tier 1

Benefitting from the international insight and resources provided by the global office network of its parent firm, Baker McKenzie provides advisory services and regulatory assistance to prominent global and local technology and telecom companies. Active areas for the practice include telecoms licensing and regulatory matters, as well as issues concerning digitalisation, e-commerce, data privacy, cloud computing and user-generated content. Particularly well-known for its experience in media rights collections, publishing contracts and advertising compliance matters, the team has also established itself as a key port of call for clients seeking advice on the data protection, liability, and cybersecurity aspects of artificial intelligence, machine learning and connected devices. Guillermo Cervio, who boasts over three decades' experience in the TMT sector, is an authority on telecoms and technology law. He co-leads the practice alongside senior corporate and M&A practitioner Roberto Grané, a go-to name for TMT transactional work, and Martin Roth, who focuses on TMT, digital sales and privacy matters. Valentina Biondi leads at the associate level and handles issues in the areas of social networks, data protection, content regulation, e-commerce, over-the-top media services and net neutrality. Former associate Valentina Salas is no longer at the firm.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Baker McKenzie provides companies planning to invest in Argentina’s steadily-growing mining sector with a comprehensive, full-service offering that includes coverage of sector-specific regulatory issues, as well as tax, labour, environmental and corporate matters. Transactional work is another priority area, particularly for international investors, which the firm can support through its global parent firm’s international network. Natural resources veteran Adolfo Durañona, who has logged more than 30 years of experience, co-leads the team with Ezequiel Artola, whose practice takes in oil-and-gas, energy, renewables and infrastructure, in addition to mining. At associate level mining-focused senior Tomás Trusso; and Delfina Ferrario, whose practice takes in electricity, mining and banking matters, are the key names.

Argentina > International trade and customs Tier 2

Baker McKenzie provides a multinational client base with advice on preferential trade arrangements, duty relief programmes and customs compliance. The firm also represents clients before the Argentinean customs authorities, tax regulators and courts to obtain licences and permits; submit customs ruling requests; defend or appeal administrative procedures and provisional seizures; and help protect business interests during audits. The practice prides itself on working closely with other departments within the firm, most notably in the areas of public law, criminal law, and forex regulations, where there is significant overlap with international trade matters. The practice is led by Esteban Rópolo, who has been practicing international trade and customs law for more than 20 years, including a spell with the Foreign Trade Commission, where he led on dumping and anti-subsidy duties investigations. Associate Victoria Acevedo Freixas focuses on import and export matters, restrictions, licences and certifications, customs valuations, and dumping matters.

Argentina > Public law Tier 2

Baker McKenzie advises clients on contentious public law matters and regulatory risk mitigation strategies, with the team particularly noted for its work in the areas of public procurement and state expropriation. Other niche lines of expertise include pharmaceuticals, where the group represents clients in administrative and judicial procedures related to orphan drugs and clinical research regulation; and social network liability and regulation issues. The team also assists with permitting, environmental and compliance matters. Practice lead Luis Dates is a respected public and administrative law expert and works closely with dispute resolution partner Santiago Maqueda, who covers regulatory assessments, complex litigation and arbitration. Following the September 2024 departure of Agostina Spizzo (commercial and investment arbitrations), Juan José Catalán (transactional matters) is the main associate contact.

Argentina > Real estate Tier 2

Baker McKenzie advises local and international real estate clients, including brokers, construction companies, and developers, on a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters. The team represents landlords and tenants in all types of residential, commercial and leasing activities, and assists with the structuring and negotiation of lease transactions. Residential and commercial real estate financings, M&A deals, title audits, and registration filings are covered too. The financing and construction of data centre and hotel developments are particularly busy areas, with the firm also known for its expertise in the ESG aspects of construction and real estate development. The practice is led by experienced real estate lawyer Alejandra Bugna, who also chairs the firm’s Latam real estate practice group and sits on the global real estate steering committee. Corporate and M&A partner Martín Roth is another key senior name and handles a wide range of construction, development, and real estate work.

Argentina > Tax Tier 2

Baker McKenzie advises multinational clients on tax planning and tax litigation matters, and is also called on for its expertise in transfer pricing and complex tax issues related to imports and exports. The tax aspects of Argentine subsidiary reorganisations is another busy area. Martín Barreiro, a versatile tax lawyer who is well versed in tax planning, transfer pricing and M&A work, co-leads the practice with Juan Pablo Menna, who covers customs, cross-border tax and transactions. Esteban Rópolo provides further partner-level support and focuses on international trade, customs and antitrust tax matters.

Argentina > Banking and finance Tier 3

Baker McKenzie is sought out for its expertise in cross-border banking and finance work, with lenders and borrowers turning to the firm for support on public offerings and private placement of securities, as well as on the drafting and negotiation of different types of loan agreements, security packages and international payments. The practice is particularly prominent when it comes to advising private equity funds and commercial and development banks on financing deals and is also distinguished by its expertise in specialist areas such as stock option plans, broker agent regulation and fintech investments. Leveraging the strength of its global parent, the team is also well-placed to advise on the enforceability of cross-border financing agreements and payment structures to cancel outstanding debt abroad, under the scope of applicable foreign exchange and corporate regulations. The practice is co-led by Gabriel Gomez Giglio, an experienced finance lawyer who is also currently serving as chair of the firm’s Latin America Banking & Finance Practice. Francisco Fernández Rostello provides valuable partner-level support and focuses his practice on high profile transactional work and restructurings. The team has strengthened its second line with the hire of former Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen associate Jerónimo Juan Argonz.

Argentina > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Clients turn to Baker McKenzie for transaction approval support, with the firm well-known for coordinating timely and successful applications across multiple jurisdictions. The team also handles civil and criminal antitrust litigation; cartel investigations and defence; and assists clients with antitrust compliance and training. The practice is led by well-known antitrust and international trade practitioner Esteban Rópolo, with banking and finance partner Francisco Fernández Rostello called in for support when required.

Argentina > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Baker McKenzie leverages its global network to support multinational clients on complex, cross-border deals and is regularly called on to coordinate regulatory compliance, local documentation preparation, due diligence assistance, and the delivery of critical legal opinions across multiple jurisdictions. The firm’s expertise spans a wide range of sectors, with lithium mining and tech emerging as two areas of particular strategic focus in recent months. Respected M&A lawyer and long-time practice lead Gustavo Boruchowicz continues to support the team. Leadership of the team has passed to experienced transactional attorney Roberto Grané, who covers M&A deals, spin-offs and joint ventures in Argentina and regionally, and Francisco Fernández Rostello, whose practice also extends to banking and finance matters. Ezequiel Artola, who has acted on several high-profile mining deals, and transactional specialist Martin Roth, provide additional partner-level support.

Argentina > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Baker McKenzie focuses on commercial dispute resolution and white-collar crime defence and represents clients in civil, commercial, environmental and public law disputes before the Argentine federal, national and local courts. The practice handles a wide range of complex litigation matters, including distributor and service provider claims, consumer and environmental class actions and public law litigation. The practice is also called on for support in domestic and international arbitrations and insolvency and bankruptcy cases, with preventive and post-litigation review services another area of expertise. On the white-collar crime front, the team advises defendants in complex, high-stakes cases and internal investigations. Practice head Luis Dates is well-reviewed by clients and handles a mix of multidisciplinary litigation and arbitration work. Partner Santiago Maqueda focuses on regulatory assessments, complex litigation and arbitrations, while Fernando Goldaracena leads the firm’s white-collar crime offering. Franco Masuchi and Nicolas Servente are the key contacts at the associate level, focusing on civil, commercial and administrative law and white-collar crime respectively.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity Tier 3

Baker McKenzie advises clients involved on a wide range of energy projects, including coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, renewables and oil-and-gas-fired power generation. The team handles power purchase agreements (PPAs), transactional work, complex EPC contractual negotiations, tax and environmental law; as well as regulatory, public procurement and government contract matters. The practice is jointly led by experienced natural resources and energy expert Adolfo Durañona, who is called on for support on transactional and project development matters; and Ezequiel Artola, an accomplished M&A lawyer who has extensive experience in the mining, oil-and-gas, energy, renewables and infrastructure sectors.

Energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 3

Baker McKenzie supports upstream and downstream oil-and-gas clients with transactional and regulatory advice, and is comfortable working along the length of the supply chain, including exploration and production, services, distribution and trading. The team is particularly active in the offshore drilling segement, handling a mix of work including permitting, bid submissions and seismic surveys. It also supports international oil-and-gas services operators on contractual and reorganisation matters, leveraging the global network of its parent to provide detailed advice and industry insight. The practice is co-led by Adolfo Durañona, who focuses on commercial deals, transactions and new projects in the upstream segment; and accomplished M&A partner Roberto Grané. Mining, energy, and infrastructure partner Ezequiel Artola is active in the energy transition space, with Delfina Ferrario the main contact at associate level.

Argentina > Environment Tier 3

Baker McKenzie‘s environmental law practice draws on expertise from the firm’s public law, M&A, dispute resolution and natural resources teams to provide comprehensive coverage of complex environmental class action lawsuits, environmental compliance matters, environmental liability issues related to industrial sites and proceedings before environmental authorities and regulators. The environmental aspects of international deals are another area of focus, with the firm leveraging its international network to provide guidance on global environmental regulation, including global warming and carbon credits. The practice is led by established dispute resolution lawyer Santiago Maqueda and experienced energy, mining and infrastructure lawyer Ezequiel Artola.

Argentina > Intellectual property Tier 3

Baker McKenzie provides a full-service IP offering that covers trade marks, patents, utility models, industrial models and designs, copyrights, collecting societies, and domain names. The team serves a global roster of clients operating across a range of sectors and is particularly noted for the strength of its trade mark practice. The firm is well versed in handling trade mark enforcement, as well as anti-counterfeiting work, and patent and copyright matters. Practice head Bernard Malone is a respected and well-known IP practitioner and draws on support from compliance specialist Fernando Goldaracena. Associate Ana Paula Gallardo leads the team’s second line.