CMS Rodríguez-Azuero > Bogota, Colombia > Firm Profile

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero > The Legal 500 Rankings

Colombia > Compliance and white-collar crime Tier 2

The ‘top-notch team’ at CMS Rodríguez-Azuero stands out for its ‘flexibility, dedication and commitment’. The practice houses a predominant compliance offering which routinely advises domestic and multinational clients on the full spread of Colombian anti-corruption matters, including adherence with SAGRILAFT (System of Self-Control and Management of the Comprehensive Risk of Money Laundering, Financing of Terrorism, and Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction) and the Transparency and Business Ethics Programme (PTEE). On the white-collar crime side, the team has recently advised both victims and defendants in criminal proceedings. Dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) Daniel Rodríguez is a popular choice to support national and foreign corporations on their compliance programmes, including recently advising HP Colombia on implementing its SAGRILAFT policy. Rodríguez co-heads the department together with Jacques Simhon, whose dispute resolution expertise positions him well for both compliance and contentious work. Key supporting associates include senior Santiago Calle (‘extensive experience in criminal law’); and semi-senior María José Correa. Former counsel Beatriz Molina left to go freelance in July 2023, since when the firm has hired Ligia María Vargas Mendoza (also as a counsel, as of June 2024); who will particularly strengthen the practice group's litigious capabilities.

Colombia > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Providing ‘practical and efficient solutions to the client’s specific needs’, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero stands out for its extensive expertise in structuring projects for international stakeholders looking to enter the Colombian market. Striking a balance between regulatory and commercial matters, the group provides comprehensive coverage of the hydrocarbons (both oil and gas) and power industries. Energy and climate change specialist Álvaro Josué Yáñez demonstrates ‘deep knowledge of the sector’ and recently teamed up with seasoned industry veteran Álvaro Yáñez Peñaranda to represent Drummond Energy on the structuring of a renewable energy generation project to produce green hydrogen. Other key contacts at partner level include Daniela Vergel, who leads the environmental law and sustainability practice and is noted for mining work; Leopoldo Olavarría, who handles transactions related to energy and hydrocarbons; and Daniel Rodríguez, who specialises in project finance. The department additionally draws on talented counsel Mónica Torres, who provides multidisciplinary support on energy and climate change matters.

Colombia > Life sciences Tier 2

Held up by some as a ‘strategic ally’, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s life sciences team is strongly weighted towards regulatory work, where it represents a growing roster of domestic and multinational corporations on market approvals, packaging and customs-related issues, among other compliance matters. The full-spectrum group also stands out for its ability to act in tandem with the wider firm’s IP practice to provide patent-related advice. Department head Karl Mutter is a life sciences specialist, who is recommended for his ‘practical sense and commercial and corporate instinct’. Associate director Luz Helena Vargas is an increasingly prominent name for sanitary regulations, with strong skill sets in market approvals, labelling and advertising matters.

Colombia > TMT Tier 2

In July 2023, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero boosted its TMT offering with the hire of a pair of lawyers from Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados: former TMT and projects co-head Carlos Andrés Sánchez and senior associate Gigliana Rivero Ramirez — who joined as an associate director — both bring significant telecoms, procurement and projects expertise to the team. Alongside its growing telecoms expertise, clients also commend the firm’s ability ‘to cover the entire portfolio of legal matters that affect the digital sector’, while it additionally houses a thriving media law practice. Lorenzo Villegas-Carrasquilla is widely recognised as a leader in telecoms and internet law and heads an increasingly prominent group that also includes junior associate Alejandra Vásquez, who is noted for her ‘dedication towards the client’. Senior associate María Camila Piedrahita left to go freelance in August 2023.

Dispute resolution > Litigation Tier 3

During 2023/24, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero added a raft of new clients to its roster including Cemex Colombia, Credibanco and Equidad Seguros. The full-service practice handles a broad scope of commercial litigation, administrative law disputes and contentious bankruptcy proceedings, while its sector strengths include financial services, energy and telecoms. Founding partner and department co-head Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero stands out for his combination of dispute resolution, and banking and finance expertise; he is currently advising Fiduprevisora, as trustee and administrator of the Fondo Nacional de Garantías, on a $12m claim initiated by Isagen. The team is additionally co-led by Henry Sanabria and Felipe Andrade, who are highlighted together for their ‘sincere interest in clients’ concerns’. The group also includes insolvency partner Daniel Rodríguez; Jacques Simhon, who specialises in corporate crime law; and senior associate María Fernanda Bejarano, who supports on dispute resolution and insolvency. Former senior associate Jorge Ramírez left for a full-time position at Universidad Externado de Colombia in March 2023.

Colombia > Public law Tier 3

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s growing public law practice routinely advises on public procurement, administrative law and infrastructure projects, while it also provides supplementary expertise in dispute resolution and anti-corruption regulation. In July 2023, the team was significantly boosted through a double hire: new department co-head Carlos Andrés Sánchez and associate practice director Gigliana Rivero Ramirez joined from Durán & Osorio Abogados Asociados to bolster its procurement, projects and infrastructure offerings. The group additionally draws on Daniel Rodríguez, who is noted for project finance and public procurement; and dispute resolution co-heads Henry Sanabria and Felipe Andrade. Senior associate Paula Andrea Gutiérrez is also recommended for public procurement.

Colombia > Real estate Tier 3

According to sources, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s real estate lawyers stand out for their ‘availability, prompt response times and agility in processing procedures’. During 2023/24, the team handled a significant volume of real estate projects and transactions, with the wider firm’s generous international platform reflected in its strong run of cross-border matters for multinational clients such as Bet365, Jamestown and Smart Fit. The practice is co-led by Juan Camilo Rodríguez and Jacques Simhon, who focus on corporate transactions and development projects respectively. Senior associate Laura Ospina and intermediate associate Sara Vanegas provide dedicated practice support.

Colombia > Banking and finance Tier 4

During 2023/24, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s banking and finance team was particularly active on behalf of development banks on lending matters, including Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Well-weighted between transactional and regulatory mandates, the group also enjoys good relationships with fintechs and alternative lenders. Founding partner Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero is a key contact for both banking and dispute resolution and is noted for his regulatory focus. Daniel Rodríguez co-heads the department alongside Rodríguez-Azuero and specialises in transactional work. Senior associate María Paula Sandoval splits her time between several practices, including banking and finance, compliance and public procurement.

Colombia > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s Bogotá practice forms a key part of the global firm’s regional antitrust offering, with multinational clients valuing its ‘helpful and practical competition guidance to foreign entities doing business in Colombia’. The team is primarily engaged on non-contentious matters, with its recent work spanning merger reviews and day-to-day compliance matters, but it also has experience in investigations and unfair competition litigation. TMT specialist Lorenzo Villegas-Carrasquilla fronts the group, while junior associate Alejandra Vásquez provides support. Senior associate María Camila Piedrahita left to go freelance in June 2023.

Colombia > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Acting for a mix of local, regional and international clients, CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s Bogotá offering demonstrated strong recent showings in the insurance, life sciences, technology and retail sectors, among others. Notably, the wider firm’s broad international platform ensures that it is regularly involved in cross-border transactions. In a recent example, Juan Camilo Rodríguez — who fronts both the corporate and M&A and the real estate practices — advised Indigo Infra Colombia on the acquisition of a majority ownership stake in City Parking. The two-partner team also includes Leopoldo Olavarría, who is noted for his focus on the the energy and climate change areas; and associate practice director Felipe Molano. Intermediate associate Lina Barreto moved in house as legal counsel at Finkargo.

Colombia > Intellectual property Tier 4

The internationally-oriented practice at CMS Rodríguez-Azuero sets out its stall as being a key partner to local and multinational clients looking for cross-border IP protection, due to its ability to leverage the wider CMS network. The team also stands out for its comprehensive coverage of IP law, with significant skill sets in trade marks, patents, plant breeder’s rights, copyright and corporate support work. The team is led jointly by Karl Mutter, who also fronts the life sciences and health practice; and Felipe Andrade, who additionally co-heads the dispute resolution group. Associate director Lola Kandelaft provides support.

Colombia > International trade and customs Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s international trade practice is weighted towards the customs area, where it specialises in regulatory work, customs compliance audits and tax-related matters. Santiago Arbouin fronts both the tax group and the customs law and trade team; he is particularly noted for his experience in customs tax, free trade zones and regulatory compliance. Also noted are Nicole Ríos, who is associate director of the tax practice as well as the customs law and trade area; and associate Natalia Recio, who serves as co-ordinator of the two aligned departments.

Colombia > Labour and employment Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s group is distinguished by its expertise in social security and pensions work, where it leans on the wider CMS network to excel in cross-border matters, including advising on multilateral social security agreements between countries. On the traditional employment front, it is additionally well versed in compliance issues, disciplinary proceedings, corporate support work and litigation, among other fields. Department head Adriana Escobar maintains a broad human resources practice, with experience in labour, social security and immigration law. Senior associate Sandra Mora is also noted for her ‘ability to provide alternative solutions to conflicts’. Associate Mariana Garcés  and associate director Juan Carlos González left the firm in August and October 2023, respectively.

Colombia > Tax Tier 4

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s tax practice is lauded for ‘proposing solutions designed for the client and not for the firm’. International tax is a significant strong suit, with the team able to lean on its global platform for support on multi-jurisidictional issues. The group also specialises in transactional tax, customs tax, tax litigation and general advisory work. Santiago Arbouin leads the customs law and trade unit as well as the overarching tax department, which equips him to advise on international tax, customs tax and double taxation treaties, among other matters. Associate director Nicole Ríos and practice co-ordinator Natalia Recio provide support.

Colombia > Projects

Colombia > Environment

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

CMS has a mix of international and local law expertise in relation to Latin America. Having maintained a Rio de Janeiro office for many years, it then linked up with a local Sao Paulo firm to establish FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023. The international firm has further offices in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The multi-office Latin America practice has close links to international commercial lenders and development banks, along with a range of regional borrowers. It has developed a notable record in financings by European lenders to Latin American borrowers. The team has a long history of headline acquisition financings, project finance, restructurings and receivables-based credit agreements. In Chile, Jorge Allende Destuet is the key names, along with Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero and Daniel Rodríguez in Colombia. Diego Peschiera and Miguel Viale are prominent banking practitioners in Peru. Mexico City partner Raul Zepeda has led a series of major financings, including large project financings in the jurisdiction. Ted Rhodes heads the Brazil desk from London. Former Santiago-based partner Fernando De Cárcer left the firm in April 2024.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

CMS has a broad geographic presence in Latin America with offices in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, along with its association in Brazil, FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS. The firm is frequently involved in significant cross-border deals involving Latin America, including both private equity and strategic M&A transactions. Technology, media and communications continue to be key sectors for the firm, along with automotive, hotels and leisure, consumer goods, insurance, financial services, construction and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences. Ramón Valdivieso and Jorge Allende Destuet are key partners in Chile, and continue to work on headline transactions for major private equity funds such as KKR. Juan Camilo Rodríguez is managing partner of the Bogota office and a specialist in cross-border M&A transactions, having spent much of his career at US and Europe-based firms. Juan Carlos Escudero is managing partner of the Lima office and has over 20 years of experience in M&A, while Giancarlo Schievenini is a key name in Mexico City. Head of the Brazil desk, Ted Rhodes, has returned to London after spending 14 years in the Rio de Janeiro office; he continues to focus on oil and gas, mining and minerals, and offshore and renewables deals.