Tax

Baker McKenzie S.A.S.

Commended by clients for its ‘excellent combination of technical knowledge and business understanding’, Baker McKenzie S.A.S. houses a dominant full-service tax offering that provides advice across the full range of tax planning, wealth management, litigation, compliance and transfer pricing cases, among other matters. Its lawyers’ ’excellent co-ordination with teams from other jurisdictions’ is a recurring theme among sources, with the Bogotá-based group distinguished by its ability to lean on the wider firm’s dominant global practice for additional firepower in cross-border tax mandates. Among the names to note, managing partner Ciro Meza is widely recognised as a leading tax specialist, who can turn his hand to the full range of tax planning, consulting and contentious work; he advises SierraCol on all of its transfer pricing and tax issues. Meza co-heads the department together with transfer pricing specialist Gustavo Sánchez, and transactional tax partner Juan David Velasco, who is highlighted for his ‘superior sensitivity to the particularities of business and its impact at the international level’. The group further draws on a strong second line of senior associates, including Laura Durán, Andrea Jimenez and Juan David López, along with new arrival Carolina Roldán, who joined from Deloitte Legal (New York) in August 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘It is a close team, with an excellent combination of technical knowledge and business understanding. Lawyers have a practical, empathetic and transparent approach, always being available to address concerns and needs.’
‘Juan David Velasco has a superior sensitivity to the particularities of business and its impact at the international level. He perfectly understands complex issues and has the ability to identify and assess national and international tax scenarios. Indeed, his handling of international tax is a distinctive capacity in him.’
‘Carolina Roldán is an associate noted for her mental clarity, quick understanding of situations and efficient execution. It is a source of peace for us to work with her.’
‘Partner Juan David Velasco participates in the entire process and makes the client always feel supported. He is always available and quickly answers questions. Excellent co-ordination with teams from other jurisdictions.’
‘Juan David Velasco stands out for his innovative ideas and solutions to problems, as well as his relationship with the client and availability.’
‘The practice is a very experienced and robust team. It has strong technical skills and extensive knowledge of the sector. We highlight that in the process of strengthening the team, it hired an accountant, an expert in tax issues in the oil sector, who has brought a pragmatic vision to Baker McKenzie's advice.’
‘Its knowledge of the business, together with its interest in becoming our ally and generating value for us, is what makes this team unique when compared to others.’
‘Under the leadership of Ciro Meza, it has formed a multidisciplinary group of lawyers and accountants, who provide us with essential answers. Quick and practical but well-founded.’

Key clients

Chevron Petroleum
Ecopetrol
SierraCol Energy
Avianca
Netflix
Vanti
Public Sector Pension Investment Board
Amazon Web Services
Google
Meta
Novator Partners – Partners Telecom
Airbnb
Mondelez
Femsa Indega
Alianza Team
Cementos Tequendama
Minka
Yellowstone Capital Partners

Work highlights

Advised SierraCol on transfer pricing and tax matters and also assisted on reorganisation strategies with the objective of gaining efficiencies.
Engaged by Vanti to review its major gas distribution structures and its business overall, in order to review the use of tax incentives, identify inefficiencies, and design and implement distribution strategies.
Advised Schlumberger on tax compliance concerning its expatriate employees.