Baker & McKenzie, S.C.‘s dispute resolution group is experienced in high-profile local and international disputes, ranging from civil and commercial litigation to commercial and international investment arbitration. The team benefits from being a part of a global network, which allows it to handle cross-border matters efficiently, with María Eugenia Salazar-Furiati leading cross-border teams from the Paris and New York offices in international investment arbitrations taking place in Venezuela. The strong compliance practice includes Jesús Dávila and senior associates Jesús Villegas and Adriana Gonçalves, whose expertise includes compliance investigations, as well as regulatory and compliance defence strategies for several industries. Senior associate Héctor Martínez is experienced in investment arbitration, having represented clients before ICSID and UNCITRAL tribunals, while Eugenio Hernández-Bretón and Gabriel De Jesús are other key individuals from the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Baker McKenzie is distinguished by its excellent capacity and fast responses to all requests, as well as its follow up on each case. Additionally, they have cutting-edge technology for both the provision of services and billing.'

  • ‘We consider that Baker differentiates itself through its good handling of cases, which also includes a good relationship with the key people involved in the dispute resolution sphere. Héctor Martínez and María Eugenia Salazar have provided us with a direct and excellent quality service, combining good response times and accurate responses, supporting us to resolve all the controversies that we have handled with them.'

  • ‘Gabriel de Jesús has shown impressive resilience. He is capable of regrouping and defining strategy with great speed. His adaptation skills are magnificent.'

  • ‘The communication skills of Gabriel de Jesús are a bonus. He stands out from competitors for being at the forefront of cases.'

  • ‘The lawyers provide us with an exceptional, direct and cordial service.'

  • 'Exceptional local experience - they are our boots on the ground where we can't have our own team present. I can trust them as if they were my co-workers.'

  • 'They stand out for their speed of responses and accuracy in addressing my queries. They listen and pre-read/research before even getting into a preliminary discussion.'

Key clients

  • Longreef
  • Sucesión Heemsen
  • Agroinsumos Ibero-Americanos
  • Ingersoll Rand Company
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Hyundai Motor Company
  • AstraZeneca
  • Colgate Palmolive
  • TCA Services
  • Telefónica Venezuela (Movistar)
  • Industria Láctea Venezolana
  • Delivery Hero Panamá, Sucursal Venezuela

Work highlights

  • Represented Agroinsumos Ibero-Americanos, along with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Washington DC, in its $300m investment arbitration before ICSID regarding the expropriation of the Agroisleña Group by Venezuela in 2010.
  • Representing AstraZeneca in a lawsuit for moral damages filed by a local distributor who claims the client caused damage to his reputation by accusing him of falsifying a pharmaceutical product.
  • Representing Procter & Gamble in a lawsuit filed by a Venezuelan subcontracted company that is claiming damages because of an alleged breach of contract, caused by the merger of P&G and Gillette.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Eugenio Hernández-Bretón, Gabriel De Jesús, María Eugenia Salazar-Furiati, Jesús Dávila