Energy
In energy, S&R has successfully advised important companies that develop
projects, in their contractual relations with the public entity in charge of the sector
and financial entities involved in issuing loans to these development companies.
Foreign Investment
In the area of foreign investment, S&R advises its clients in the planning,
negotiation and preparation of Joint Venture Agreements with national and foreign
partners for the incorporation or the investment in companies as well as in the
identification of mechanisms that allow foreign investment compliant with what is
established by Colombian law.
Additionally, S&R has been active in counseling new companies, especially in
matters related to investment and businesses issues in their initial operation
stages; the firm carries out coordination labors to obtain the authorizations required
to increase the level of foreign investment in entities regulated in accordance to the
current legal dispositions.
Intellectual Property
S&R represents its clients before the administrative and judicial proceedings that
the Colombian legislation establishes on monopolies, using an approach that
involves applying international mechanisms and strategies in defense of their
interests. In addition, the Firm is vastly experienced in the representation of
foreign grantors of franchises and licenses, distributors and clients involved in sale
initiatives, product licenses and commercial brands.
S&R's practice in intellectual property matters covers the entire scope of services
in this field. The Firm's practice includes the preparation and follow-up of every
class of procedure for securing, usage models, brands, commercial names,
logos, slogans, industrial designs and models, copyright and reservation of
rights; the preparation, analysis and registry of every class of contract related to
copyright and intellectual property, such as assignments, licenses, franchises and
pledges, among others, as well as the renovation of records, declarations of use
or exploitation of brands, patents and other industrial property and copyrights;
payment of annuities; voluntary cancellations and limitation of registrations;
advertisement and all the aspects related to this sphere; the preparation and
follow-up of judicial lawsuits and administrative procedures of cancellation
statements, expiration, nullity, imitation, illegal use, disloyal practices, forges,
violations and confusion; as well as the presentation of every type of complaints
and claims; the presentation of protections; and, in general, the presentation of
every class of procedure before administrative authorities and the judicial power,
whether civil or penal, national or local, which are necessary for the preservation
and defense of the industrial and intellectual property rights.
S&R also offers alignment services with correspondent firms abroad in order to
actively protect the intellectual rights of clients in Colombia and abroad, from the
protection and defense of these rights, to the securing and protection of national
and foreign registries. We handle rights related to the Internet, Websites and legal
protection of software. We coordinate investigations related to piracy, forgery and
disloyal competition for the effective protection of the infringed rights, including
actions to seize and secure products through which infractions or crimes are
committed. Our practice goes from counsel and legal opinion, to the presentation
of actions intended for the effective protection of all the intellectual property rights,
regardless of the origin or legal nature.
E-Commerce
In the area of e-commerce, S&R has had an active participation, not only
in the academic front, but also by being in the forefront of the analysis and
implementation efforts intended to regulate the activity inside and outside
Colombia, and it has represented different companies in the creation, merging or
acquisition of Internet businesses.
The Firm advises clients who are interested in transnational operations, acquisition
of electronic businesses in Colombia or abroad and in efforts designed to
integrate regional and multiregional systems. We represent companies looking
for opportunities to procure public investment markets' resources to make their
Internet businesses grow.
International Commerce
The firm offers advice to national and foreign companies in matters of goods
and services, before different instances of conflict resolution mechanisms of the
World Trade Organization. Besides, S&R informs its clients on the implications of
the commitments assumed by the Colombian Government with multilateral and
regional or within bilateral schemes. The expert customs lawyers are able to advise
clients in all aspects related to the introduction of merchandise to the Colombian
territory.
Litigation
The members of the Firm have the responsibility of professionally directing a large
variety of matters, both public and private, which are discussed before the different
justice forums and tribunals, administrative or of arbitration.
S&R represents clients in civil, commercial, tax, penal, constitutional,
administrative and international trade contracts litigations. However, the main
purpose of the Firm is always to minimize the risk of the litigations.
The Firm's lawyers are well prepared and efficiently apply the latest international
trends in negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution
methods and are involved with the main entities that provide these services at
world level.
Consumer Protection
S&R has an area specialized in affairs and procedures derived from the supplierconsumer relation, which has considerably increased its importance, derived
from the current faculties and field of application of the Industry and Trade
Superintendence. We address consultations for the generation and registration
of adhesion contracts; the elaboration of complaints, denunciations and claims;
contesting administrative rulings and sanctions; conciliatory procedures;
comparative publicity and disloyal competition procedures.
Corporate Restructuring
We also advise our clients in every class of universal insolvency procedure tending
to the restructuring of liabilities in accordance to Law 550 of 1999, as well as in
settlements and in the voluntary or mandatory liquidation processes before the
competent authorities.
Telecommunications
In telecommunications, the Firm advises important national and international
companies in the execution of strategic alliances with the public operating
telecommunication entities within the existing regulatory framework and in the sale
processes of goods and services to these entities.
Tourism and Transport
S&R has played an important role in the development of the touristic activity
in Colombia by advising local and foreign companies (such as airlines, hotel
companies, real estate property development companies, time-share project
developers, fast food chain franchise owners, among others) in all aspects of
their operation in the Colombian territory and their relations with sector regulatory.
The increase in productive activities has contributed to the significant development
of the provision of legal services in matters of air, sea and land transport. The
lawyers of S&R offer the clients the necessary counsel for the correct application
of the regulations relative to the matter, as well as for the negotiation and
implementation of private contracts and even of international public agreements.
Mergers
S&R guides its clients through every type of incorporation, merger, acquisition and
privatization of companies, including IPOs, securitization and issue of transferable
securities, takeover bids, etc. The firm advises its clients in the structuring of
complex international transactions related to mergers and acquisitions, leveraged
purchases, integration of strategic partners and corporate financing in general.
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