Mid-Market - Immigration Law Firm of the Year in Canada Karas & Associates Sergio R. Karas, B.A., J.D. Barrister and Solicitor Tel: +1 (416) 506-1800 karas@karas.ca www.karas.ca
Sergio R. Karas, B.A., J.D. is a Canadian Barrister and Solicitor and a Certified Specialist in Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Mr. Karas represents individuals and multinational corporations to achieve their immigration objectives and implement successful relocation strategies. Mr. Karas is an honors graduate in Political Science from York University and obtained his Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He speaks fluent English, French and Spanish and has a working knowledge of Italian, Portuguese and German. He is Past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Citizenship and Immigration Section, Past Chair of the International Bar Association (IBA) Immigration and Nationality Committee, and current Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Canada Committee, Section of International Law. He has been invited on numerous occasions to address other lawyers and human resources managers at major international professional gatherings, such as the annual IBA Conferences and the sessions of the Center for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria. He is listed in “Who is Who in Corporate Immigration Law” as a leading immigration legal practitioner. His articles are published in national and international journals, and he provides immigration policy insight and commentary to Canada’s national press. He is a regular guest on national and international radio and television programs. Mr. Karas is the Editor of the Global Business Immigration Handbook published by Thomson Reuters and contributing writer on immigration
issues for Canadian HR Reporter and Canadian Employment Law Today. Mr. Karas has been instrumental in effecting changes to Canadian immigration visa policies through his involvement in US-Canada relations and border security issues. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors in several non-profit organizations. Founded in 1990, Mr. Karas’ law firm, Karas & Associates, is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and one of Canada’s most prominent immigration specialist firms, dedicated to the successful settlement of qualified professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, and to assisting corporations to implement successful and cost-effective migration strategies for managerial, executive and technical personnel. The firm distinguishes itself in providing fast, accurate and responsive service to its clients, which include many Fortune 500 companies. It has special expertise in Work Permits for high level personnel, international treaties and strategy implementation for corporations in need of utilizing multinational workforce and acquiring foreign talent. Dealing with the constantly changing immigration policy landscape in Canada, the firm has built a reputation for thorough, impeccable work based on many years of expertise in the corporate immigration field, as well as a network of international partners that include some of the world’s foremost immigration experts, providing it with a distinct advantage in assisting international clients. The firm is expanding its international network to emerging markets to better serve its growing clientele.
Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year in Colombia Martinez Neira Abogados Néstor Humberto Martínez Neira Partner Tel: +57 (1) 3174720 nhmartinez@martinezneira.com www.martinezneira.com
Martinez Neira Abogados is committed to the continuous development of the Colombian legal system. The firm’s lawyers regularly participate in the academia and in the publication of legal papers. Its partners are also authors of recognised publications on arbitration, banking, and corporate law in Latin America and in Colombia. Néstor Humberto Martínez Neira, Martinez Neira Abogados leading The firm has successfully represented clients in the most complex and renowned partner, has held several positions of renowned importance in his profeslitigation and arbitration tribunals in Colombia in the past few years. Its success is sional career. He is currently the associated judge of the Council of State of due to the quality, experience, and innovation capacity of its team, as well as the the Republic of Colombia. He is also a university professor of the main law personalised and efficient service given to each client. The firm is renowned for faculties of Colombia, and currently directs the diploma in commercial law making sure that clients understand all aspects of the dispute. It always offers a prior legal opinion that includes an estimate of the length of the process, the differ- at the Javeriana University. Due to his knowledge in the several areas of law, Nestor H Martínez has ent steps, and a prior analysis of the outcome of the dispute if the client decides to been recognised by national and international publications as one of the litigate or arbitrate the dispute. best attorneys in Colombia. Recently, Chamber and Partners 2012 ranked Martinez Neira Abogados has the appropriate human resources and infrastruchim in Tier 1 in the arbitration and litigation field. ture to develop large-scale projects. In 2011, it led acquisitions for a total value of In addition, Nestor H Martinez was the founder of the Arbitration more than $3 billion, and acted as legal counsel to several clients on securities issuand Settlement Centre of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota, which is ances for more than $2 billion. recognised as the most important of its type in Latin America. He also The firm’s clients include: BAC; Banco AV Villas; Banco de Bogotá; Banco Colpromoted the creation and strengthening of several arbitration centres in patria; Banco Davivienda; Banco de Occidente; Banco Popular; Caracol Televisión; Latin America in the nineties. In 2011, he was appointed by the Colombian Goldman Sachs; Grupo Aval; Grupo Poma; Grupo Santodomingo; Hoteles Estelar; Ingenio Pichichi; Medoro Natural Resources; MF Global; Organización Ardila Lülle; President as a member of the Commission of Experts, to draft the arbitration procedure to be enacted by Congress. Pacific Rubiales; RCN Televisión; and Ventana Gold. Martinez Neira Abogados (MNA), a leading law firm in Colombia, was founded in 1996. It is recognised nationally as a leader in arbitration and litigation and has successfully represented both local and international clients in large-scale arbitration and litigation disputes.
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Legal Awards 2013