According to satisfied clients, Baker McKenzie S.A.S.’s corporate and M&A practice stands out for its ‘willingness to help solve client problems’ as well as its commitment to providing ’almost immediate attention’. As a sizeable Bogotá platform in a global firm, the team is additionally distinguished by its popularity with multinational clients, who routinely engage the group to lead on the local, sometimes regional, aspects of headline-grabbing, multi-jurisdictional deals. A former Senior Vice President at Brookfield Asset Management, Andrés Crump fronts the M&A and private equity groups and is particularly noted for his experience in the infrastructure and power spheres. Among his recent transactions, the ‘cool and calm’ Crump advised Akzo Nobel on the acquisition of Grupo Orbis, which involved co-ordinating the acquisition of over 20 companies across the Latin American region. Clare Montgomery spearheads the companies, restructuring and investment unit and recently advised a multinational tobacco company on the implementation of a merger between two Colombian subsidiaries. Rounding out the senior partner group is high-profile transactional expert Jaime Trujillo, who enjoys a strong regional reputation for his M&A, finance and private equity expertise. Among its younger partners, recently promoted Natalia Ponce de León stands out for her ’high levels of responsibility, knowledge, availability and attitude’. The group also draws on a capable second line of corporate and M&A-focused associates, including seniors Alexandra Montealegre, Isabel Torres and Adriana Combatt, as well as intermediates Karen Santamaría, Juliana Gómez and Paola Gonzalez. Associate Juliana Tobón left the firm to go on study leave in August 2022.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team at Baker McKenzie provides quick responses to the requests that we make on a permanent basis — and always with a very good disposition. Additionally, it knows the operation of our company, a fact that facilitates the legal advice that it offers us.’
‘The lawyers who attend us are accessible through various communication channels such as WhatsApp, email, phone, etc., a situation that allows us to receive almost immediate attention. The team always attends to our requests impeccably, particularly Clare Montgomery and associate Karen Santamaría.’
‘The team has a high level of technical knowledge in our industry (electric power) and compares favourably with teams from other law firms. Our experience has been excellent, both professionally and personally. Its treatment of clients, availability, knowledge, and recommendations and strategies are outstanding.’
‘Andrés Crump, as a partner and team leader, has been a great support in the projects we have executed. His cool and calm personality has been a welcome novelty for me. Andrés' personality has pleasantly surprised me and I have personally found it valuable in projects with difficult negotiation processes and a high load of stress.’
'On the other hand, Natalia Ponce de León stands out for her high levels of responsibility, knowledge, availability and attitude. When a quick consultation is required, she always look for availability to attend a call or a meeting.’
‘The attention of Baker McKenzie’s corporate team is very good. Its willingness to help solve client problems, its ability to look for different solutions and alternatives and its client management are all noteworthy. It has been a pleasure for me to work with Clare Montgomery and associate Paola Gonzalez.’
‘Clare Montgomery's availability to serve clients is something I would like to highlight. It is not usual for the partners of leading firms to be available to clients; without a doubt, Clare is an exception.’

Key clients

Akzo Nobel
STEAG
Abertis Infraestructuras
Jochen Kurt Horst Raute Pahde and Thomas Christian Peters Raute Grupo Empresarial Coltrans
Vela Software
B Braun Avitum
Teka Capital
APM Terminals
Snowflake Inc
British American Tobacco

Work highlights

Advised Akzo Nobel on the acquisition of Grupo Orbis.
Advised STEAG on the sale of its equity interest in Compañía Eléctrica de Sochagota to Crasodel Spain.
Advised Abertis Infraestructuras on the sale of its equity interest in Concesionaria Vial de los Andes and Constructora de Infraestructura Vial in favour of majority shareholder, Estudios Proyectos e Inversiones de los Andes.

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