Edgar Romo > DLA Piper Mexico > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

The energy practice at DLA Piper Mexico acts for international clients on power generation project development and is also a strong choice for corporate matters relating to the oil and gas industry. The latter is a noted area of strength for the team and it has assisted clients with crude oil and extra-heavy oil projects; incorporating new joint ventures; upstream onshore and offshore natural gas licensing; and the financing of significant oil projects. Renewable energy is also an area in which the team has been active recently, assisting various multinationals with investments therein. Roberto Ríos is one of three department heads and has been involved in a number of energy project financings recently. He leads the team alongside Marcelo Páramo, a dedicated oil, gas and electricity lawyer who started his career in-house at Pemex; and Edgar Romo, whose focus is on project financing and the corporate elements of energy sector matters.

The Mexico City-based banking and finance practice at global firm DLA Piper Mexico is known for its handling of local and cross-border finance transactions including bilateral and syndicate financings, leveraged buyouts, refinancing and capitalisations, and asset-based loans. Domestic and international banks and SOFOMES feature heavily on its client roster. Practice co-head Diego Martinez, who is experienced in banking and securities financings, is hailed as ‘an expert in his field’; the ‘extraordinary’ Edgar Romo also co-leads, and focuses on transactional finance matters, namely those involving the energy and hospitality sectors. Roberto Ríos adds expertise in project financing and public works, and associates Melissa Martínez and Javier Pichardini provide additional support. Since publication, the practice has been notably strengthened with the January 2024 hire of Álvaro Sarmiento – formerly of Kuri Breña, Sánchez Ugarte y Aznar.

DLA Piper LLP (US)’s sizeable Latin America team in the US alongside practitioners in the region itself, provides a solid platform for a growing banking and finance practice. The firm has built an enviable client base, particularly Latin American borrowers, and is widely recognised for its geographic spread of engagements in project finance and large restructurings. The team was further strengthened by the hire of Latin America banking and finance specialist Robert da Silva Ashley from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in April 2023; splitting his time between New York and Miami, he brings wide-ranging experience in project finance and corporate lending, including wind and solar projects. Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja is co-regional head of Latin America banking and finance, and is another experienced figure in project finance and general corporate lending. Mexico City partner Edgar Romo and Lima’s Sergio Barboza, are also co-regional heads of the group, and are key figures within the team, along with José Sosa-Lloréns in Puerto Rico. Raul Farias, who splits his time between San Diego and New York has made a big impression in cross-border financings and refinancings, and has also led on a series of large-scale restructuring engagements; he was the lead partner in advising Mexico-based Crédito Real on its $2.9bn global debt restructuring encompassing six different jurisdictions and more than 45 different creditors.