According to clients, Baker McKenzie S.A.S. houses a ‘very robust compliance practice, which has demonstrated leadership in the LATAM region’. The strength of its compliance group is evidenced by the impressive roster of leading corporates who turn to the team for support, including AT&T and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Significantly, its compliance and investigations expertise is underpinned by an increasingly prominent white-collar crime offering, which routinely handles criminal proceedings regarding white-collar crime, corruption and disloyal administration, among other issues. High-profile competition specialist Carolina Pardo is additionally a key contact for the compliance practice and co-heads the department together with Bibiana Cala, who specialises in criminal litigation. Former senior associate Luís Alberto Castell departed the firm in June 2024.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Tremendous knowledge, expertise and professionalism. Moreover, lawyers are responsive and provide understandable detailed guidance. This office has a great understanding of our local business as well as the importance of our compliance culture. We very much appreciate its partnership.’
‘Carolina Pardo has done an admirable job handling corporate and regulatory matters on behalf of our company. Carolina provides us with great confidence that the matter will be handled efficiently and effectively. Luis Alberto Castel provided great support and guidance with our AML compliance efforts.’
‘I consider the greatest value of the team, in addition to its great professionalism, is its understanding of the client and their needs. Lawyers seek to create a team by making decisions that benefit the client's needs and adapt to the changes that exist. There is absolute availability and closeness.’
‘I believe that Bibiana Cala is a lawyer who is different from others. Working and learning from her is a true pleasure, as she generates trust, tranquillity and security. and even more so when she is the one who is in charge of all cases and communications with the client.’
‘The team is very good, Bibiana Cala is an excellent professional who understands the needs of companies and her advice is clear and accurate.’
‘BM has a very robust compliance practice, which has demonstrated leadership in the LATAM region, developing some very useful packages for companies which help in the implementation of local plans.’
‘The team has in-depth knowledge of its area of practice, it is always willing to understand the client's needs, it provides practical solutions with real implementation possibilities, as well as cost-effective strategies aimed at meeting the objectives, always respecting professional ethics.’
‘The corporate criminal practice’s differentiating factor is its quality-price ratio. Compared to other firms in the market that provide corporate criminal services, the fee rates are very competitive, and it also has a flexible billing scheme according to the clients' needs.’
Key clients
- QuidelOrtho
- NCR
- AT&T
- Kuehne + Nagel
- XCB de Colombia
- Arthrex Colombia
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Diageo Colombia
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Phoenix Tower International
- Aes Chivor Y Cía
- Mondelez Colombia
- JGB
- Schlumberger Surenco
- National Oilwell Varco De Colombia
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- SAP Colombia
- MGA Entertainment
- Lego Juris
- Robert Bosch
- Laboratorio Franco Colombiano – Lafrancol
- Primax Colombia
- Biogen
- The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Work highlights
- Advised NCR on the creation and implementation of its anti-money laundering and anti-bribery and corruption prevention programme for its subsidiary in Colombia.
- Advised Kuehne + Nagel Colombia on identifying the local regulatory feasibility for receiving payments made from third parties, among other matters.
- Represented Robert Bosch in a criminal investigation launched by the Attorney General regarding an alleged smuggling issue.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carolina Pardo, Bibiana Cala