The Legal 500 > Latin America > Mexico > Banking and finance

One of the market's undisputed leaders in the banking and finance realm, Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. houses a 33-strong practice with a ‘unique level of specialization’, always willing to ‘go the extra mile’. With rainmaker Carlos Aiza at the helm, the well-rounded team advises an impressive mix of international and domestic lenders, borrowers and financing entities in connection with a broad array of transactions – frequently involving innovative structures – including: cross-border, local single-bank and syndicated loan facilities; acquisition, structured and maritime financings; secured and unsecured financings; and high-level restructurings, project finance and derivatives. Key practitioners include partners Giovanni Ramirez, Pedro Velasco and Emilio Aarun, who are praised by clients for being ‘very knowledgeable and thoughtful’; Rodrigo Castelazo, who has recently participated in the first four unsecured real estate revolving financings in Mexico; Mercedes Haddad; counsel Victor Gallegos; and ‘outstanding’ senior associate Alejandro Isaac.

Praised by clients for its ‘high-quality service’, Galicia Abogados S.C. fields a large, well-rounded team of lawyers with ‘great technical skills in the area’. Regular advisor for some of the leading banks present in Mexico, the team handles, among other areas, regulatory and compliance matters; corporate, sub-sovereign, structured, syndicated and bilateral financing transactions; and acquisition and asset-based finance. Arturo Perdomo, who actively represents domestic and international companies in the negotiation of financing operations, co-heads the area with the ‘very savvy’ Guillermo Pérez, considered by some as a ‘top lawyer in banking and capital markets’. Support comes from founding partner Manuel Galicia, who has wide-ranging experience in credit facilities, private and public securities, and debt offerings and co-investments, among other matters. Senior associates Lili Abascal and José Alejandro Cortés are also noted.

International full-service giant Greenberg Traurig, S.C. has a renowned Mexican banking and finance practice, co-led by José Raz Guzmán, who also co-heads the firm's Latin America practice, and Juan Manuel González, who is particularly strong handling complex project finance transactions. The sizeable team was further reinforced in October 2019 with the absorption of Orozco Waters Abogados, bringing aboard Rodrigo Orozco Waters and a team of four associates with experience in large sub-sovereign-debt restructurings and refinancings, working with both banks and states. Other key practitioners include Miguel Moisés, who advises lenders and borrowers on structured financings, bilateral and syndicated loans, and in the financing of industrial, commercial and housing real estate projects; José Antonio Butrón, who is praised by clients for his ‘good attitude’; and Carlos Garduño, who focuses on domestic and cross-border securities offerings, as well as corporate, acquisition and project finance matters in Mexico and Latin America.

Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. has a top-notch practice, with a high level of expertise in bank finance and regulatory matters; personal loans, syndicated loans and project finance transactions; complex financial and liabilities restructurings; structured finance; and corporate lending and real estate finance. It also has growing fintech expertise. The well-balanced 15-strong team includes noted members such as well-known market player Ricardo Maldonado, who has broad experience in securities regulatory matters; Manuel Echave, who is very prominent in complex financing mandates; Pilar Mata, who regularly advises both sponsors and lenders on all aspects of project, structured and corporate finance across the energy, infrastructure and other sectors; and Ignacio Armida, who focuses on cross-border and international transactions. Patricio Trad, Martín Sánchez and Francisco Ibañez are other distinguished members of the practice group. Patrick Meshoulam was promoted to partner in April 2020.

Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC is a ‘major competitor in the banking and finance sector’, and the firm of choice for an excellent roster of global banks, financial institutions and corporate clients. The large team of 31 ‘great negotiators’, which is valued for its ‘high technical capacity’, regularly advises on securitizations and structured finance deals; leveraged buyouts, leasing and corporate lending; and real estate and project financing, as well as on regulatory matters, workouts, insolvency and restructurings. The practice, which comprises 12 partners, is led by the impressive Michell Nader Schekaiban, a market reference and an expert in project financing. Support comes from very active practitioners Hans Goebel and Julián Garza, who have strong expertise in CKDs; counsel Mónica Ramos; Javier Arreola, who specializes in project finance and asset-backed financing; Eduardo Villanueva, who is very solid in real estate finance; and José Humberto Rocha, who is highly experienced in handling financial transactions for domestic credit institutions and foreign and international financial organizations. Santiago Medina was promoted to partner in January 2020.

Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C. has a sizeable and specialized banking and finance practice that is praised for its ‘excellent technical capacity’ and the ‘great quality' of its service. The team, which covers a wide range of financing transactions, is co-led by partners Jean Paul Farah, who handles financings and restructurings for numerous private and public sector entities in the energy, telecommunications, consumer and housing sectors, among others; and Pablo Perezalonso, who has noteworthy expertise in international banking and securities; derivative financial transactions; and banking regulation, as well as data protection and fintech regulatory matters. Support comes from active partners such as seasoned practitioners Luis Nicolau and Thomas Heather ; Gabriel del Valle, who specializes in structured loans, private and public offerings of debt, equity and structured securities, including capital notes, CKDs, CERPIs and Fibras-E; and Ricardo Calderón, who regularly advises rating agencies, primarily on structured finance transactions and regulatory matters. Since publication, the election of Gabriel Robles and Alejandra Echeverrí to the partnership has been announced, with effect from January 2021; futher support comes from key senior associate Santiago Carrillo. Since publication, Heather has moved to Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. as of counsel, effective as of mid-January 2021.

Clients who turn to González Calvillo, SC for legal advice find a business-oriented practice that brings specialization and innovation to the deal. The firm, which is particularly strong in project finance, has extensive experience in structured finance transactions, securities work, secured and asset financing, restructuring, and syndicated and commercial lending, as well as in regulatory matters. The 25-strong team, valued for providing ‘solid solutions’ to a blend of domestic and foreign companies, including financial and credit services companies and development banks, is co-led by four partners: seasoned practitioner José Victor Torres, who has led important transactions in the telecoms industry; managing partner and cross-border transactions expert José Ignacio Rivero; Jaime Cortés, who focuses on structured finance; and Juan Manuel Sancho Rodrigo, who is very active in all matters related to development banks. Key support comes from of counsel Antonio De Lisi, newly appointed counsel Alberto Bustamante and senioro associate Jacinto Avalos.

Jones Day's banking and finance practice in Mexico fields a ‘solid’ 14-strong team, with ‘a rapid response time and great disposition’. A regular advisor to financial groups, banks and mutual fund companies, as well as leasing, factoring and non-traditional banks, the group offers extensive experience and skills across a range of matters including: acquisition, leveraged and structured finance; real estate, project and asset finance; and distressed financing, along with derivatives and securitizations. Mexico City-office managing partner Manuel Romano heads the department. Partner Javier Martínez del Campo, who has a broad securities and finance practice with particular emphasis on advising Mexican borrowers and issuers; partner Alberto de la Parra, who has a focus on structuring infrastructure and energy generation projects in Mexico, particularly those related to the transport sector; of counsel Antonio Franck and senior associate Arturo de la Parra are all other noteworthy members of the practice.

The practice at veteran full-service firm Santamarina y Steta receives sterling praise for its ‘vast knowledge’ as well as for its ‘excellent ability to solve unexpected problems’. The 16-strong team, which has broad experience advising on the full gamut of traditional financial matters, fields some outstanding lawyers including practice head Juan Carlos Machorro, who specializes in project finance; former managing partner Alberto Saavedra; Sergio Chagoya; and Ricardo Orea, who made partner in January 2020 and has a strong focus on structured finance. Support comes from senior associate Gustavo Mendoza, who has a focus on fintech.

International full-service firm White & Case S.C. has a respected practice within the Mexican banking and finance arena. The ‘very complete’ team, which understands ‘the local and foreign needs of its clients’, has a solid track record acting on both the lender and the borrower side, as well as niche strength in all matters related to structured finance and securitizations, asset-backed financing, complex collateral structures and bank capitalization instruments. Senior partner Vicente Corta, who evidences high-level expertise on both the transactional and regulatory sides of the practice, co-heads the department, together with the ‘well-known’ Juan Antonio Martin, who specializes in bank finance transactions, including syndicated loans and asset-backed financings. Other noted practitioners include Maria Teresa Fernández-Labardini, Manuel Groenewold, Carlos Mainero and Andrés Mosqueira, who is developing an impressive practice in the fintech area. The group was further strengthened in February 2019 with the incorporation of partner Arcelia Olea Leyva, who joined from finance-sector regulator Comisión Nacional Bancaria de Valores (CNBV).

Chávez Vargas Minutti Abogados is highly recognized within the banking and finance arena for its work with states and municipalities, and evidences a great track record advising on sub-sovereign financial matters. The practice, which is comprised of respected managing partner José Antonio Chávez, co-founding partner Brian Minutti, and senior associate Alejandro Carreño, is also known for its expertise in credit lines, public finance transactions, issues associated with the new public finance law, project finance, FIBRAs and CKDs. It also works extensively with a number of rating agencies.

Garrigues offers a solid and ever-growing banking and finance practice, which has considerable expertise in project and structured financing, commercial bank lending and regulatory matters as well as ongoing operational advice to banks and multilaterals. The department is led by established market player Mario Juárez, who stands out for his skills on infrastructure projects, as well as on secured and unsecured loans. Other noted names from the 15-strong team include Gabriela Pérez Sierra, who has vast expertise in energy and infrastructure finance; PPP-finance expert David Jimenez; and principal associates Daniel González and Miguel Ángel de la Fuente.

The ten-strong practice at Holland & Knight has a significant presence within the Mexican banking and finance market, particularly for its expertise in sub-sovereign, real estate and infrastructure finance, frequently showing its admirable cross-border capabilities. Practice head, the talented Alejandro Landa, focuses his practice on energy, bank and corporate finance; he and the team also have broad experience representing foreign and local companies and financial institutions in financial transactions, project finance, asset-backed and future-flow securitisations, aircraft and transportation financing, and leveraged leasing. Other key practice figures include Guillermo Uribe, an expert in Mexican FIBRAs, and senior counsels Adrián Gay and Selene Espinosa.

Best known for its robust regulatory practice, the 18-strong team at Kuri Breña, Sánchez Ugarte y Aznar has significant expertise handling both local and international transactional work, assisting with securitization and asset-backed structured finance; corporate finance; real estate, shipping and aviation financing; and debt restructuring plans, as well as in compliance issues. Noted practitioners of the team, which is praised for always seeking ‘the greatest benefit for the client’, include department heads Guillermo Garay, Daniel Kuri Breña and Bernardo Luna; Luna is particularly strong in project finance and infrastructure. Other noted practitioners are Rodrigo López, who has specific expertise in representing Mexican development banks; Luis Octavio Núñez; Álvaro Sarmiento; and Alejandro Sobarzo. Support comes from senior associates Silvia Roldán and Sandra Solís, who rejoined the firm from GE Capital in April 2019.

Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, S.C. is a popular choice among many international and local clients, and is well-known for its high specialization in compliance, banking regulatory issues and financings in Mexico. The 19-strong team, which has also developed a significant fintech practice, is led by Miguel Gallardo Guerra, a frequent advisor to big-name financial institutions on both regulatory and compliance matters. Other highlighted names of the department include partner Juan Carlos Morales, who is also prominent in handling corporate mandates; and senior associate Javier Pérez.

The banking and finance department at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow has experienced substantial growth thanks to the January 2020 hire of Raúl Zepeda (formerly managing partner at ONTIER México), who boosts the practice particularly regarding financial regulatory issues. Considered by some clients as ‘true business partners’, the team, which specializes in public-private partnerships, advises lenders and borrowers, including federal and local governments, private developers, national and international banks and other financial institutions, on obtaining all types of loans necessary to implement projects, especially in the infrastructure segment. Other noted members of the practice include partner César Lechuga, who focuses on real estate financing.

Operating from its three offices across the country (Mexico City, Guadalajara and León), Cuesta Campos y Asociados S.C.'s banking and finance practice has notable expertise advising international banks on asset-based lending transactions. Founding partner Hugo Cuesta and partner Azucena Marín co-head the team, which also provides top-notch legal counsel on corporate finance, restructuring, syndicated loans, project finance, secured credit transactions, industrial mortgages, guarantee trusts, bridge loans, letters of credit, and public and private debt securities offerings. The department was further reinforced in 2019 with the incorporation of senior associate Andrés Urquidi, formerly at White & Case S.C., who has significantly bolstered the team’s fintech expertise.

Hogan Lovells' banking and finance team is recommended for its expertise in regulatory and transactional work, with a particular emphasis on sub-sovereign finance. Backed by the firm's international network, the practice –which operates from its offices in Mexico City and Monterrey – regularly advises foreign banks; states and municipalities; and non-traditional lenders such as funds and SOFOMs, and has reinforced its presence in the fintech sector. The 14-strong department includes René Arce, who is highly reputed for his skills in sub-sovereign finance; Federico de Noriega, who focuses on cross-border financing, project finance and asset-backed loans; and Aldonza Sakar, who was promoted to counsel in January 2021.

The practice at full-service firm Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is a strong choice for regulatory matters, issues related to financial operations, credit and debt restructurings, and project finance, among other areas of expertise. A frequent advisor to debtors, lenders and guarantors, both domestic and foreign, the team is led by senior partner Luis Burgueño  and finance specialist Alberto Córdoba, who made partner in January 2020; both of them have particular experience in the energy sector. Associate Eugenio Chinchillas, whose practice includes banking and finance; corporate, structured and project finance;  and fintech (along with securities and capital markets), is also noted. However, former practice head Andrés Nieto exited to Creel Abogados, SC in May 2020.  

Full-service firm Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. takes pride in its 'home-grown' banking and finance team, led by seasoned expert Miguel Angel Peralta, who is frequently sought out by clients for his experience assisting on lease financing, syndicated loans and project finance. Support comes from partner Pedro Said, who focuses on national and international transactions, including structuring and reorganization financings, guarantees and securities, stock exchange securities, bonds, and other corporate and banking transactions.

Head of legal for the LatAm region and global head of corporate Ramón Bravo heads the respected banking and finance practice at Deloitte Legal Mexico, which acts on both the lender and borrower side. The team, including senior manager Héctor Cuevas; and March 2019 arrival senior associate Martín Cortina (formerly at Galicia Abogados S.C.), covers the full range of  financing matters. Notably, corporate, acquisition and structured finance; restructuring procedures and leveraged buyouts; and regulatory work and project finance across an array of sectors including energy, renewables, mining, and oil and gas.

Bolstered by the firm's large international network, the team at DLA Piper Gallastegui y Lozano acts for lenders, underwriters, issuers and investors on inbound, outbound and domestic matters, including syndicated lending facilities and Rule 144A/Reg S bond offerings, complex structured financing and securitization transactions, as well as for companies, creditors and financial advisors in debt restructuring and liability management transactions. Partners Edgar Romo, Diego Martinez and Jorge Benejam and managing partner Eduardo Gallastegui stand out as active members of the practice.

In just over a year, boutique firm FLAG (Finance Law Advisory Group) has managed to carve out a name for itself in the banking and finance market. Led by respected structured finance expert Boris Otto, formerly at Holland & Knight, the practice also has deep experience in all types of sub-sovereign financing representing both financial institutions and arrangers as well as the states and municipalities themselves. Adrián Cabrero is another noted partner on the team, which advises a growing list of clients ranging from more traditional banks to younger and more innovative companies.

The five-strong practice at Haynes and Boone, SC handles all types of transactional and regulatory matters, including finance transactions, commercial lending, and syndication and guarantee structures. In recent work, a team led by counsel Eduardo Corzo advised Bancomext on a MX$250m loan to a Mexican consortium as part of a build, own and operate project finance for the new aquarium of Mazatlán, Sinaloa. This was a government project, which included public funding and a PPP arrangement.

The banking and finance practice at Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C., led by Alberto Balderas and Fernando Alonso-de-Florida, keeps growing on the fintech front, assisting companies like PayU Latam with all its regulatory matters regarding payment networks. Clients can also benefit from the ten-strong team's expertise in securitizations; secured and project finance; real estate finance; leasing and structurally enhanced products, along with corporate lending, distressed financial assets, derivatives and trading.

Pablo Gómez Sáinz and Luis Gerardo Ramírez head the small but solid banking and finance practice at Müggenburg, Gorches y Peñalosa, S.C. (MGPS). The group uses its broad expertise to advise on all aspects of financing, particularly corporate finance (including acquisition and leveraged finance), asset and project finance, and regulatory matters. The department also handles cross-border financing and advises clients requiring financings and the implementation of associated security packages in Mexico.

Three partners lead the practice at Sánchez Devanny; Monterrey-based Ernesto Silvas-Medina, who focuses on mergers and acquisition financing and restructuring; Francisco Andres Gamez-Garza, who primarily handles commercial lending for the industrial sector; and real estate financing expert Diego Gómez-Haro Katznelson, who operates from Mexico City. Key support comes from senior associates Jaime Moreno-Treviño and Debby McKey, both from the Monterrey office. The eight-strong team, which also acts for private equity clients on debt financing acquisitions, remains a popular choice for banks, borrowers and investors due to its experience in cross-border loans, securities, syndicated multi-jurisdictional loans, bonds issues and fund formation.

Based in Guadalajara, from where it has developed a substantial client roster particularly in western Mexico, Vázquez Aldana, Hernández Gómez & Asociados has considerable expertise in financial and banking matters. Seasoned partners Felipe Vazquez Aldana and Fernando Hernandez co-head the 12-strong practice, which advises clients on a range of loan and financial transactions, including securitised credits involving mortgages and trust securities, with a particular profile in the construction, real estate, industrial, automotive and commercial sectors. Key support comes from senior associate Guadalupe Llamas López, who is noted for her capabilities in loan transactions and the incorporation of collateral securities with different financial institutions.