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Photo, Alejandro C. Mesa-Neira

Alejandro C. Mesa-Neira

Partner
Baker & McKenzie S.A.S.

Biography

Alejandro Mesa joined Baker McKenzie in 1995 and became a partner in 2008. He is a lawyer graduated from Universidad de los Andes. He has focused his practice in matters related to the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.

Alejandro is a highly regarded practitioner in project finance transactions, being recognized for his advisory and representation work for American and European companies in the Colombian market.

Due to his experience working with Colombian government entities, he has advised major clients seeking to participate in government procurement procedures or to structure distribution channels in Colombia.

Practice Focus

Alejandro has over 25 years' experience in energy and mining law, with a focus on oil and gas, power generation and transmission.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Assisted Engie with its participation in a public tender process to build, own and operate the first power storage system with batteries in Colombia, Department of Atlántico.

  • Acted for Agencia Nacional de Minería on structuring and launching tenders to offer selected strategic mining areas to potential investors worldwide.

  • Advised on a range of matters related to the client's participation in a private tender process to develop and operate the "Miel II" hydroelectric run-of-river project.

  • Advised Frontera Energy Corporation on the negotiation of a settlement agreement to resolve the disputes existing around the Oleoducto Bicentenario.

  • Advised Ecopetrol on a range of matters related to its acquisition of 51% of the shares of Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. (ISA) from the Colombian Ministry of Finance. ISA operates electricity transmission lines and toll roads throughout Latin America.

  • Advised an oil and gas multinational on issues related to the transfer of a working interest in an exploration and production block.

  • Assisted Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) in the due diligence for the acquisition of the Colombian electricity distributor Electricaribe.

  • Advised Canadian Solar on issues related to contemplated acquisitions of power generation projects in Colombia, and the power sector tender process.

  • Advised Refoenergy on a range of matters related to a hybrid (fuel-biomass) power plant project in a municipality on the border with Venezuela that is unconnected to the national grid.

  • Advised Mantos Andinos S.A.S., in evaluating the applicable environmental permits to the operations in Zona Franca Tocancipá, during the manufacture of asphalt mantle.

  • Currently advising Natura Cosméticos Ltda in a large project aimed at acquiring Colombia’s natural resources particularly Copoazu- for use in the production of cosmetics products.

Professional Honors

  • Leading Individual, Energy & Natural Resources and Projects, The Legal 500 Latin America, 2023
  • Band 3, Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers Latin America, 2022-2023
  • Band 3, Energy & Natural Resources, Chambers Global, 2022
  • Highly Regarded, Banking, M&A, IFLR1000, 2022
  • LACCA Approved, Latin Lawyer: LACCA, Energy, 2022

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Commercial Law Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados Comercialistas) - Member

Admissions

  • Colombia (2002)

Education

  • University of Los Andes (graduated with honors, Honors)

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
Alejandro is a frequent speaker in Contract Law training sessions for non-lawyer professionals, and was certified by Siemens AG to conduct this kind of training sessions for its Latin American employees.