Best known for its robust offering in the construction segment, COMAD, S.C. (Corporación Mexicana de Asesores en Derecho) advises clients on construction law - particularly mandates regarding transactions, or contentious issues (including dispute boards) - both in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America, as well as acting as project counsel. The firm advises a stellar roster of clients -to which it recently added both Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (BCIE) and Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BIID)- on construction projects across the energy and natural resources, transportation, manufacturing, health and hospitality sectors, among others. The practice is led by Roberto Hernández García, who specialises in public procurement, construction law, anti-corruption and dispute resolution. Key support comes from senior associate Juan Pablo Sandoval who is a disputes specialist who handles administrative, civil and commercial litigation, amparos, international commercial arbitration and construction law. The firm added a new associate - Zeltzin Castillo - in June 2022.

Galicia Abogados S.C. houses a leading projects and infrastructure practice which is regularly sought out by local and international banks, energy companies, investment funds and companies in the construction segment. The 31-strong group has significant experience assisting with the development, financing, construction, operation and sale of long-term infrastructure and energy projects, as well as public bidding processes, financing structures, concession titles, PPAs and PPPs. The department is jointly led by Carlos de Maria y Campos and Alejandro De La Borbolla who both specialise in energy and infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on project finance; Francisco Fernández Cueto, who advises clients on the development, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of energy projects; and Bernardo Martínez Negrete, who majors on project finance and M&A with particular emphasis on life sciences and infrastructure. Other key partner-level contacts include Antonio Borja (energy and project finance); Ernesto Partida (cross-border financings, project finance, infrastructure and energy project development); and Eduardo García-Travesi (the development, purchase, sale and financing of power projects, with a focus on renewables). Senior associate Alan Rogel is noted for his contributions on the financing of infrastructure projects.

The ‘highly sophisticated’ and ‘extremely responsive’ team at Gonzalez Calvillo is noted by one client for its ‘significant infrastructure expertise’, which encompasses a range of transactional, regulatory and dispute resolution work relating to infrastructure and project finance. The group has a strong track record assisting financial institutions, government entities, local and international development banks, multilateral entities, suppliers, contractors, and sponsors in connection with project development and financing transactions in various segments – including power, oil-and-gas, water, roads, airports, ports, railways and telecoms. The team’s six partners head up the department on an equal partnership basis: name partner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo specialises in cross-border transactions involving energy and power generation, as well as M&A, joint ventures and project finance; Jorge Cervantes Trejo majors on M&A, project finance, private equity, energy and infrastructure. Rodrigo Rojas Robleda advises on project finance, lending and power generation projects, while Oscar Moreno Silva regularly represents clients on the regulatory and contractual components required for project development. Hernando Becerra de Cima advises developers and banks on infrastructure financing transactions; and Diana Pineda Esteban handles private and public tenders, oil-and-gas and infrastructure projects, and completes the senior team. Of counsel Antonio de Lisi is noted for his participation in financings, energy and infrastructure development transactions, joint ventures and M&A. Julia González, promoted to of counsel in January 2022, is active on the development of infrastructure projects, dispute resolution and risk prevention matters. Since publication, Pineda Esteban has left the firm - effective as of April 2024.

Highlighted for their ‘attention to detail, skill at handling complex issues and speedy responses’, the lawyers that comprise Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC’s 11-strong projects practice demonstrate expertise in PPPs; the representation of lenders, strategic and financial investors, sponsors, sellers and buyers; and the handling of debt restructurings, negotiations and bidding processes. Three partners head up the team: Javier Arreola Espinosa has extensive experience advising lenders on project financing, and sponsors on projects structuring and bidding processes; Vanessa Franyutti handles project finance, PPPs, concessions, and joint ventures; and Alejandro Rojas, who also has extensive PPP expertise, has developed niche skill advising on municipal and state water and lighting projects. Rojas is also knowledgeable about the public health sector, energy, railroad projects, toll roads and port concessions. Partners Santiago Medina and Michell Nader and also noted for their contributions on PPP mandates. Associate José Manuel López Castro majors on public procurement contracts, PPPs, and project finance.

In the words of its clients, ‘professional’, ‘up-to-date’ and ‘highly specialised’ are some of the standout qualities of CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow’s 12-strong team. The group is frequently sought out by private and public sector clients for its wide-ranging projects and infrastructure experience, and assists with PPPs and financing for toll roads, railroads, highways, hospitals and hydrocarbons projects. A recent highlight saw it advise the Mexican government on a new international border crossing between Tijuana and San Diego. Founding partner Enrique Lorente Ludlow steers the practice and specialises in matters ranging from the design, structuring, financing, construction and operation of projects. A pair of younger partners provide key support: Giancarlo Schievenini handles all aspects and stages of infrastructure project development, including financing, and has significant expertise in toll roads concessions; and the ‘always attentive’ Fernando Nava Herrera, majors on project finance and PPPs and stands out for his ‘personalised service, empathy and skill’. Marcia Santome Sanchez completes the senior team. Senior associate José Antonio Ruiz P, active on project development, regulatory matters and financing, is an additional key contact.

‘Unconditional focus on the client’s needs and market intelligence’ are the calling cards of Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.’s nine-strong practice, which is known for its expertise in developing and financing infrastructure projects in the oil-and-gas, renewables, telecoms, transport (including airports, railroads and toll roads), water and waste management sectors. The group is regularly instructed by international and domestic sponsors, developers, engineering and construction companies, investors and financiers, as well as Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The practice is co-led by partners Santiago Sepúlveda, who handles the structuring, development and financing of infrastructure projects, along with M&A and private equity investments; and José Ignacio Segura, who focuses on the electricity and natural gas industries from both regulatory and transactional perspectives. Counsel Vanessa Gimenez and senior associate Ana Irma Amado major on energy and infrastructure transactions, while associate Juan Carlos Luna R supports on matters relating to oil-and-gas, infrastructure, project finance and PPPs. Since publication, Luna has been promoted to counsel - effective as of January 2024.

Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C.’s practice has a track record in advising financial institutions, public entities, and private companies on infrastructure financing, PPPs and M&A – often involving renewables, oil-and-gas, airports and railroads. The 12-strong group is led by five partners: Horacio De Uriarte focuses on the legal and regulatory aspects of energy and infrastructure projects; Patricio Trad specialises in project finance, structured finance and capital markets transactions; Francisco Glennie has focused his practice on M&A, financings and general corporate matters; Carlos Jiménez advises on public, private, debt and capital offerings, as well as joint ventures, strategic partnerships and M&A; and corporate partner Francisco Ibáñez who completes the leadership team. Senior associate Anacandy Perusquía majors on M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and corporate and project finance, while associate Aisha Calderón is primarily occupied with energy and environmental matters. Ex-practice co-head Pilar Mata Fernández retired in April 2022.

The ‘efficient and coordinated’ team at Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster is well-versed in advising clients on project and infrastructure matters, covering all phases of projects, from early planning, budgeting and bidding, and public & private partnerships, to financing, execution and sale. The group is routinely instructed by developers, lenders, investors and government entities, and it has notable expertise in highways, renewable energy plants and prisons; recent highlights include assisting China Communications Construction Company with the Tren Maya bidding process. Practice co-head Guadalupe Esparza Sanchez focuses her practice on energy law, infrastructure and project finance, and has experience advising government entities and private sector companies on the design, structuring and implementation of public works projects and PPPs. Alongside her, Alejandro Ripoll Gonzalez specialises in the structuring, bidding, financing, execution, purchase and sale of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. Key senior associate Diego Alvarez Ampudia specialises in infrastructure and energy projects, and has experience advising national and international clients on the structuring, bidding and execution of  large-scale and complex operations including metro lines, port facilities, roads, railways, dams and renewable energy facilities.

The eight-strong practice at international firm White & Case S.C. is known first and foremost for its work advising sponsors and developers on matters that span the full life-cycle of projects, as well as its activity in the renewables and oil-and-gas segments. The group is comfortable handling complex cross-border transactions, as demonstrated by its recent participation in the negotiations for the construction of a new international rail bridge connecting Laredo, Texas, USA and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Electricity regulatory specialist Francisco De Rosenzweig steers the practice and advises clients on projects in the energy, transactional, infrastructure and transport sectors. January 2023 saw the promotion of both Former Braskem Idesa GC Juan Ruenes and Juan Carlos Llorens to international partner; Ruenes handles project and asset finance, infrastructure development and general corporate matters, while Llorens majors on corporate law, and energy, infrastructure and project financing. Since publication, Mariana Montemayor has left the firm, effective as of October 2023.

According to one client, Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C.’s sizable team stands out for fusing ‘strong local knowledge’ with ‘international support’. The group regularly supports sponsors, investors, developers, lenders and operators with projects and infrastructure matters, covering the planning, structuring, financing, developing and construction stages. The practice is jointly led by Gaspar Gutierrez-Centeno, who specialises in project finance and M&A); and Benjamin Torres Barrón, who focuses on project development, construction and public bids. Key partner Daniel Sánchez-Morales‘s expertise spans corporate, energy, project finance and infrastructure matters; he has experience assisting multinational public and private corporations, private equity funds, real estate developers and investors, and financial entities. Associate Carlos Maass-Porras supports the partners on energy, mining, infrastructure, projects and real estate matters. Former senior asociate Carlos Muskus Guardia left to establish his own practice in October 2022.

Praised for its ability to ‘understand the client’s needs and get fully involved in the business’, the ‘hands-on’ team at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. is active in project structuring, development, financing and refinancing, as well as PPPs and transactions involving infrastructure investment trusts such as FIBRAs-E. The group is routinely instructed by banks and institutional investors, FIBRAS, insurance companies, and Mexican states and municipalities. The practice is co-directed by a seasoned trio, comprising: Juan Manuel González Bernal, who specialises in project finance, public procurement and PPPs;  José Antonio Butrón, who handles M&A, refinancings, project finance, capital markets transactions, securitisations, and the structuring and implementation of infrastructure funds (CKDs, CERPIs and FIBRAs-E); and Gabriela Palomino, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2023 and focuses on M&A, infrastructure and project development. Associate Edgar Fernando Orozco assists with public procurement and project finance matters.

The group at Holland & Knight LLP is well-equipped to handle a broad range of project and infrastructure matters, including project financing, joint ventures, environmental permits, bidding processes, the structuring of equity and debt capital, and risk mitigation. The team is regularly sought out by clients seeking assistance with electricity, natural gas, urban infrastructure, waste water and hospitality projects. Practice head Alejandro Landa, lauded as ‘very dedicated and proactive’, specialises in project finance, capital markets and M&A with particular focus on infrastructure, energy and real estate matters. The department’s key partners include Carlos Ochoa, who focuses on energy, infrastructure and real estate transactions; and Rodolfo Rueda, who splits his time between Mexico City and Houston, where he is a certified foreign practitioner. Rueda majors on cross-border natural resources and energy transactions. Aldo Gonzalez Melo, a senior counsel as of April 2023, has focused his practice on corporate and project finance transactions relating to renewables, infrastructure and technology, while associate Adrián Ortiz de Elguea is active on renewables and hydrocarbons projects.

In the words of one client, the projects and infrastructure lawyers at international full-service firm Jones Day demonstrate ‘skill at negotiation, teamwork, collaboration with other firms, business skill and emotional intelligence’. The group specialises in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects –  especially those related to airports, oil-and-gas, and renewables – as well as related contracts and due diligence work. It is routinely instructed by developers, construction companies, sponsors, borrowers, and financial institutions. The team is led by a trio of partners, comprising: Alberto de la Parra, who focuses on project structuring, corporate and project finance, M&A and restructuring; José A Estandía, who specialises in project finance transactions in Mexico’s energy sector for clients working in renewables and oil-and-gas; and Manuel Romano, who advises developers, buyers, and financing parties on development projects. Associate-level names to note include Fernando Verdín (energy projects) and Mariana de Maria y Campos (project finance and infrastructure matters).

The team at Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. assists clients with all aspects of the development, financing and acquisition of infrastructure projects. The group is frequently instructed by local and international banks (acting as lenders or sponsors), as well as by corporate clients in the energy and hydrocarbons segments. The practice is co-directed by an experienced duo: Federico Santacruz González has a notable track record participating in public auction processes for the acquisition of energy certificates, and also handles projects-related M&A and financing; and Jorge Oria Anaya represents sponsors and lenders in energy, infrastructure and power transactions. Gabriel Del Valle deals with cross-border financial transactions, particularly project finance, structured finance and capital markets; while Asaf Jimenez Adorno specialises in the electricity sector, M&A and finance. Alejandra Echeverría González also covers finance and the acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets. Senior associate Marco Portillo handles energy, hydrocarbons, ESG and compliance. Since publication, Portillo has left the firm - effective as of October 2023.

The ‘highly knowledgeable’ group at Chávez Vargas Minutti Abogados is qualified to assist with PPPs, the preparation of legal documents for bid procedures, and the implementation, financing and development of its clients’ respective projects, including matters related to toll roads, water and drainage, transport, and social infrastructure such as hospitals. Senior associate Cynthia Ibarra majors on project finance, PPPs, and bid procedures. She is flanked by founding partner Jose Antonio Chavez Vargas, who has significant experience in the implementation and design of PPP structures for the development of infrastructure; and fellow partner Alejandro Carreño, who focuses on project finance.

The projects and infrastructure offering at the local office of Spanish firm Garrigues includes counsel on financing, public tenders and construction contracts, primarily for notable industry players in the energy, transportation, tourism and healthcare sectors. The practice is led by David Jiménez Romero, who specialises in public works, concessions, PPPs and project development. Key support is provided by senior associate Gabriela Cosio Patino, who assists with energy, healthcare and tourism projects; in September 2022 she was appointed to the ICC’s Global Arbitration Commission for a period of two years. Ex-practice co-head Roberto Torres left the firm in May 2023.

The ‘extraordinarily skilled’ practice at Santamarina y Steta is regularly instructed by local and international banks and developers, and energy, construction and telecoms companies for its assistance with the planning, development, execution, and financing of urban infrastructure projects. The group is directed by a trio of partners, comprising: Juan Carlos Machorro, who focuses on the development and implementation of investment and manufacturing projects in Mexico; Sergio Chagoya  (described by one client as ‘the lawyer you want in your legal team … the go-to person for closing difficult negotiations’), who advises lenders, sponsors and borrowers on infrastructure projects, public offerings and securitisations; and Ricardo Orea, who focuses on financing for energy, transport and social infrastructure projects, as well as asset-backed financing transactions. Diego Ostos is an additional key partner-level contact, and specialises in banking and finance, capital markets, project finance, infrastructure, M&A, PPPs and government procurement. Senior associate Margarita Casarin (corporate and financial law, including syndicated, structured and project finance) is also noted.