Mexico

Editor’s notes

In October 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum took office as Mexico’s first female president, marking a new chapter for the ruling Movimiento de Regeneración Nacional (Morena). Her decisive win, built on continuity with the policies of previous incumbent Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), has given her political capital and raised expectations that her government would tackle long-delayed reforms while keeping investors onside.

In addition to her efforts in security, healthcare and renewable energy, judicial reform became a key focus of Claudia Sheinbaum’s early tenure. One of the most notable changes in this area was the proposal to introduce elected judges, a reform that had broad support within Morena and was seen as part of a larger push to address issues of corruption and lack of accountability in the judicial system. The idea of electing judges at various levels aimed to increase transparency and reduce the influence of political elites and powerful interest groups. Nonetheless, critics argue that it could severely politicize the judiciary and create legal instability, deterring investment due to concerns over arbitrary rulings influenced by popular sentiment.

Other key policy initiatives include Plan México, which aims to increase domestic production, energy sovereignty and strategic sector investment; and public procurement reform introduced in April 2025. The government has also restructured critical infrastructure entities such as CFE and PEMEX while maintaining state control with limited private participation. Mexico’s economy continues to benefit from the nearshoring boom, though challenges are intensifying. Geopolitical tensions, regulatory uncertainty and water and energy constraints have slowed some development projects. Growth is uneven, with productivity concentrated in export-heavy regions, while southern states lag. The country has faced a sovereign rating downgrade, reflecting economic uncertainty in the context of threatened US tariffs and broader North American instability.

Nonetheless, foreign direct investment hit record levels in 2025, fuelling demand for industrial real estate, logistics, and corporate and M&A work. Structured finance and bond market activity remain robust, while fintech, venture capital and green financing continue to expand. Compliance work has surged due to new anti-money laundering expectations and the FTO designation of cartels. For Mexico’s corporate, private-practice legal community, the overall mood is one of guarded optimism. Firms continue to see robust transactional, restructuring, compliance and disputes activity as they navigate evolving regulatory and geopolitical conditions.

Looking directly at the law landscape in the country, the market continues to be dominated by the ‘Big 5’, with full-service giants Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. and Galicia Abogados S.C. leading the pack; Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC, Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. and Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. rounding out the group. These firms continue to set the standard across high-value transactional work, complex litigation and regulatory matters, maintaining impressive client rosters across both the public and private sectors.

Alongside these dominant players, a number of highly respected firms maintain strong positions across key practice areas. Greenberg Traurig, S.C. and Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC are widely recognised for their strengths in corporate and M&A and competition and antitrust. International firms with deep local integration – such as Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C., Hogan Lovells and White & Case S.C. – remain active across cross-border transactions and regulatory matters. Domestic firms like Santamarina y Steta, Pérez Correa González and Sainz Abogados continue to perform strongly. Santamarina y Steta is particularly noted for its expertise in labour and employment matters, while Pérez Correa González and Sainz Abogados are both recognised for their strength in bankruptcy and restructuring work. Established players Holland & Knight México, S.C., Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C., Jones Day and Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa also retain a healthy market share and profile.

Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda and SAI Derecho & Economía S.C are longstanding names for international trade matters; as are Arochi & Lindner, SC, Olivares and Uhthoff, Gómez Vega & Uhthoff, SC in IP; Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, S.C. for compliance and data protection; Del Castillo y Castro Abogados or Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza (GHM) for bankruptcy and restructuring; Malpica, Iturbe, Buj y Paredes, S.C. for dispute resolution; and Turanzas, Bravo & Ambrosi and C&C Asesores for tax.

The dust is beginning to settle on two major legal market shake-ups from summer 2024, both driven by Spanish firms expanding their footprint in Mexico. Pérez-Llorca entered the market via merger with González Calvillo, a well-established local firm with broad practice coverage. Meanwhile, Garrigues significantly boosted its presence by absorbing Sánchez Devanny, known for its strong banking, finance and tax groups. Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. closed its Mexico City office in October 2024 (following the parent firm’s decision to leave the local market), with all but one of its members recombining to form Fernandez, Garcia-Naranjo, Boker & Garibay, S.C. Further headline news saw confirmation in January 2025 that Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel had merged into Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. – radically deepening the latter’s contentious ability, particularly as regards administrative, commercial and civil litigation. On the international front, ‘distributed’ non-traditional US giant FisherBroyles, LLP made its first steps into the Latin American region with the absorption of the former Bravo Abogados in February 2025; based across offices in Monterrey and Mexico City, the eight-strong team consists of three partners and five counsel (plus eight law clerks), and is led by experienced corporate practitioner, Jair Bravo.

In other news, Hogan Lovells significantly strengthened its compliance group with the January 2025 addition of a two-lawyer team from Jones Day, comprising practice head Guillermo Larrea and senior associate Juan Carlos Quinzaños. The same month, experienced real estate partners María Teresa Paillés and María Esther Rey, former co-heads of the SMPS Legal practice, joined Pérez-Llorca. The latter firm’s litigation practice was also bolstered with the addition of two new partners, Antonio González and María Elena Huerta, who joined from Jones Day in June 2025.

Ex-Garrigues banking and finance practice head Mario Juárez left the firm for Sainz Abogados in July 2025, marking a significant addition to the firm’s senior ranks. Four months earlier, in March, corporate specialist Manuel Groenewold had also departed Jones Day, underscoring a period of notable attrition at the firm's local office.

Other notable changes have included Kavanagh Gorozpe’s June 2025 merger with Campa y Mendoza SC, shortly after the arrival of corporate specialist Alejandro Orellana from Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC in January 2025. In September 2025, LEC, Litigio Estratégico y Compliance, S.C. rebranded as Libera Iuris, a month after the departure of ex-practice co-head Daniela Ortega Sosa, who moved to Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. Finally, in the same month, veteran bankruptcy and restructuring counsel Thomas S. Heather rejoined White & Case S.C. from Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.

This year, we have added a mining section to the Mexico chapter. Other new additions include City Focus sections for Cancun, Guadalajara and Tijuana, complementing the existing Monterrey ranking; and tentatively opened a Transport: Aviation section; and a new Agrarian Law table within Real Estate.

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Critical minerals and T-MEC: Strategic implications for the mining industry in Mexico

The recent announcement of a critical minerals cooperation plan between Mexico and the United States is a particularly relevant development for the mining industry. Far from being a merely declarative instrument, this agreement reflects a structural change in the way mineral resources are conceived, not only as productive inputs, but as strategic assets linked to energy security, industrial competitiveness and the resilience of supply chains. The concept of critical minerals encompasses resources such as lithium, copper and nickel, the demand for which has intensified as a result of the energy transition, electromobility and technological progress. In this context, the United States has promoted the consolidation of more resilient and regionalized supply chains, reducing its dependence on external markets. Mexico, on its end, has significant geological potential and a privileged geographic position that positions it as a natural partner in this strategy. This plan, expressly aligned with the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), comes at a key moment, less than a year before its formal revision. Its content reveals a logic that transcends traditional trade. The possibility of implementing schemes such as minimum border prices, the coordination of trade policies and the identification of strategic minerals of common interest are evidence of a shift towards mechanisms aimed at stabilizing and strengthening regional supply chains in the face of an increasingly volatile and concentrated international market. Mexico is not a peripheral player in this framework. Its geological potential, geographic proximity and trade integration place it at the center of the U.S. strategy; however, its participation is not without its challenges. Recent mining policy has emphasized the strengthening of state control over natural resources, particularly in the case of lithium, as well as the introduction of greater restrictions on concessions. This approach, although it responds to a sovereignty logic, may generate tensions given the need to provide certainty to foreign investment and to align with increasingly demanding regional standards. For the mining industry, this scenario implies a profound transformation. It is no longer just a matter of producing and exporting minerals, but of integrating into strategic value chains ranging from exploration, processing, manufacturing and even exporting. At the same time, greater regulatory pressure is anticipated, both in terms of sustainability and compliance to international standards, as well as a possible reconfiguration of economic incentives derived from mechanisms such as minimum prices or preferential financing schemes for projects considered strategic. Therefore, the review of T-MEC in 2026 acquires a completely different dimension. Far from being a merely technical exercise, it is emerging as a space in which the rules of the game for key sectors such as mining could be redefined. Although the treaty does not expressly contemplate critical minerals, its institutional framework could be used to incorporate new instruments aimed at strengthening regional security of supply, facilitating investment in strategic projects or even establishing common regulatory parameters.  
ALN Mining Law Firm - May 21 2026
Press Releases

PROFECO Institutional Program 2026–2030: Compliance takeaways for companies operating in Mexico

The Ministry of Economy in Mexico recently published the Institutional Program 2026–2030 of the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO) in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The Program establishes the objectives and strategies that will guide PROFECO's actions over the next five years. In accordance with the Program, PROFECO will intensify its regulatory and oversight activity, directing its resources toward correcting commercial practices that it considers structurally harmful to consumers in Mexico. In practical terms, the Program anticipates a more active regulatory environment with higher compliance expectations for suppliers operating in Mexico – particularly in terms of advertising, e-commerce, adhesion contracts, labeling, product quality, and handling of consumer complaints. Strengthening PROFECO's oversight and sanctioning powers will likely involve increased scrutiny of business practices and internal compliance programs over the next few years. For companies that offer goods or services in the Mexican market, the Program is a reference point for regulatory priorities and expectations in the consumer-protection compliance environment. Companies that do not implement this new regulatory approach could face more frequent verification procedures, harsher penalties, and increased public scrutiny of their business practices. Context and assessment of the problems identified by PROFECO PROFECO identified five structural problems in consumer relations that are directly relevant to suppliers’ operations in Mexico: Misleading advertising and marketing of unsafe or poor-quality products Abusive business practices Informational inconsistencies in contracts and contracting processes Inadequate access to information for responsible consumption Low trust in public institutions Strategic objectives and implications for suppliers The Program is structured around five strategic objectives that have a direct impact on the regulatory obligations and risks of suppliers. Ensure access to clear information on goods, products, services, and consumer rights Action plans for information access include the following: Preparation of quality studies on goods and products Evaluation of goods and products through technical analysis and standardized testing methods Dissemination of information on goods, products, and services that could represent risks to the life, health, or integrity of consumers Identification of misleading advertising in mass media and digital platforms Strengthening of the "Who's Who" programs Promote fair consumer relations by suppliers of goods, services, and products The Program lists the following action steps for promoting fair consumer relations: Review compliance with Official Mexican Standards applicable to labeling and commercial information Execute verification and surveillance actions, especially during high-consumption seasons Disseminate information on the behavior of suppliers through the PROFECO Commercial Bureau Promote responsible fair-trade practices and trade information Supervise compliance with obligations related to commercial promotions Strengthen the imposition and execution of administrative sanctions through the Administrative Enforcement Procedure, in its capacity as a tax authority Strengthen mechanisms for the defense of consumer rights In the Program, PROFECO puts forward the following approaches for defending consumer rights: Strengthening digital mechanisms for dispute resolution Modernizing face-to-face and remote conciliation and arbitration systems Promoting the use of class actions and their legal representation Strengthening the processes for registering, reviewing, and approving adhesion contracts Developing additional protection mechanisms derived from the increase in electronic commerce Implementing special projects related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms in digital platforms Promote a culture of responsible and sustainable consumption Action plans for promoting responsible consumption consider: Dissemination of didactic and informative materials on goods and services through physical and digital media Holding of educational sessions on consumer rights in the Consumer Protection Offices Strengthening of institutional mechanisms for the promotion of responsible consumption, including the Consumer Advisory Council Strengthen the institutional performance of PROFECO Among the main actions planned for PROFECO are: Promoting adjustments to the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC), its regulations, and other applicable provisions – particularly in terms of electronic commerce, AI, and algorithms in commercial platforms Promoting inclusive and accessible care mechanisms for groups in vulnerable situations Strengthening the dissemination of PROFECO's functions and the quality of its advisory, conciliation, arbitration, and opinion processes Regulatory exposure and mitigation for suppliers Against this backdrop, suppliers operating in the Mexican market are encouraged to adopt a proactive compliance approach – aligned not only with applicable legislation, but also with the regulatory specifications and supervisory criteria announced by PROFECO in the Program. In the area of adhesion contracts, the Program anticipates a simplification of registration processes, accompanied by more intensive supervision of existing contracts. The review will likely focus on verifying that the content, language, and structure of such regulatory records are accessible to the average consumer. The systematic monitoring of advertising will be one of the regulatory priorities during the period of validity of the Program. Consequently, suppliers must check that all commercial messages – including those disseminated on social networks and digital platforms – are truthful, verifiable, and do not omit information that could lead to error. Likewise, the strengthening of internal compliance programs in consumer protection will be increasingly relevant, not only for the adequate handling of claims and procedures before PROFECO, but also from a reputational perspective – particularly in the face of the public information available in the Commercial Bureau of the authority. Finally, in terms of product labeling and quality, companies are encouraged to ensure that the commercial information accurately reflects the composition and characteristics of the goods and that they comply with the applicable Official Mexican Standards. How DLA Piper can help DLA Piper’s Mexico-based team has extensive experience in consumer protection; regulatory compliance before PROFECO; defense in conciliation proceedings; arbitration, verification, and infringement of the LFPC; design of trade compliance programs; and strategic advice in the face of evolving regulatory environments. We are available to our clients to analyze their specific exposure to the new Program and strategize mitigation measures adapted to each sector and business model.
DLA Piper - May 19 2026
Press Releases

DLA Piper advises Grupo Cox on the closing of its US$4.2 billion acquisition of Iberdrola Mexico

DLA Piper advised Grupo Cox (Cox), a leading Spanish multinational water and energy company, on the closing of its US$4.2 billion acquisition of Iberdrola’s Mexico assets and related financing – one of the energy sector’s most significant cross-border transactions of 2025. The deal closed on the terms, timeline, and structure announced to the market last July, when Cox and Iberdrola first signed the agreement. The landmark transaction incorporates a generation platform with 2,600 MW of installed operating capacity, a pipeline of approximately 12,000 MW of renewable projects at various stages of development, and the largest private power supplier in Mexico, with more than 25 percent market share, 20 TWh of commercialization, and 500-plus large corporate customers. Cox secured bank financing totaling US$2.65 billion for the acquisition, structured as a syndicated facility with seven top-tier financial institutions (Citi, Barclays, BBVA, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Scotiabank, and Santander). The tranche not covered by bank financing was supplemented by capital contributed by Cox, together with financing from institutional investors such as Allianz Global Investors, Gramercy, and GMO. The DLA Piper team, co-led by attorneys in the United States and Mexico, supported Cox across all workstreams of the transaction. This included corporate, regulatory, financing, and corporate governance matters, working in close coordination with the international lenders and investors that backed the transaction. "The closing of this acquisition is a milestone for Cox and for the energy sector across the region,” said Francisco J. Cerezo, Chair of the US-Latin America and Ibero-American practices, who co-led the deal team. “It has been a privilege for us to accompany Cox in a transaction of this complexity and scale, combining highly sophisticated regulatory, financial, and cross-border components. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the Cox team and proud of the result achieved.” “This transaction reaffirms Mexico’s strategic role as a long-term investment destination in the energy and water sectors,” said Mauricio Valdespino, US-Latin America Practice Group Regional Co-Leader – Corporate M&A and Private Equity, who co-led the M&A deal alongside Cerezo. “Supporting Cox in the integration of a platform of this magnitude – fully aligned with the country’s public policy priorities – has been an extraordinary opportunity for our team and reflects the depth of our practice across the region,” said Edgar Romo, US-Latin America Practice Group Regional Co-Leader – Finance, who co-led the financing transaction along with Rob da Silva Ashley, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources sector. In addition to Cerezo, Ashley (both Miami), Romo, and Valdespino (both Mexico City), the broader cross-border team of more than 75 attorneys included Partners Guillermo Aguayo, Roberto Ríos (both Mexico City), Joseline Rodriguez (Miami), Michael McGuinness, Amadeu Ribeiro, Jamie Knox, and Frank Mugabi (all New York). In Europe, the team was led by Yoko Takagi (Madrid) in collaboration with Richard Normington (London) and Xavier Guzman (Luxembourg). With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 15 consecutive years, according to Mergermarket, and ranked as number one in VC, PE, and M&A in combined global deal volume, according to PitchBook. DLA Piper advises on all aspects of financing across borders, sectors, and financial products. The firm’s lawyers advise issuers, underwriters, selling shareholders, sponsors, arrangers, lead managers, originators, dealers, trustees, and depositaries on a broad range of capital markets offerings, including equity, equity-linked and debt securities, structured and project financings, and securitizations. DLA Piper's Latin America team offers full-service business legal counsel to domestic and multinational companies with interests in and operations throughout the region. Our integrated approach to serving clients combines local knowledge with the resources of the DLA Piper global platform. With more than 400 lawyers practicing throughout Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, in addition to our US-based cross-border attorneys, our teams frequently work with our professionals throughout the LatAm region, the Iberian Peninsula, and around the globe. DLA Piper’s global platform of 90+ offices in more than 40 countries enables us to serve all our clients’ legal and business needs, whether they are based in Latin America or wish to do business there. For more information, visit Latin America | DLA Piper.
DLA Piper - May 19 2026

Critical minerals and T-MEC: Strategic implications for the mining industry in Mexico.

By: Daniela Vargas Mendoza The recent announcement of a critical minerals cooperation plan between Mexico and the United States is a particularly relevant development for the mining industry. Far from being a merely declarative instrument, this agreement reflects a structural change in the way mineral resources are conceived, not only as productive inputs, but as strategic assets linked to energy security, industrial competitiveness and the resilience of supply chains. The concept of critical minerals encompasses resources such as lithium, copper and nickel, the demand for which has intensified as a result of the energy transition, electromobility and technological progress. In this context, the United States has promoted the consolidation of more resilient and regionalized supply chains, reducing its dependence on external markets. Mexico, on its end, has significant geological potential and a privileged geographic position that positions it as a natural partner in this strategy. This plan, expressly aligned with the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), comes at a key moment, less than a year before its formal revision. Its content reveals a logic that transcends traditional trade. The possibility of implementing schemes such as minimum border prices, the coordination of trade policies and the identification of strategic minerals of common interest are evidence of a shift towards mechanisms aimed at stabilizing and strengthening regional supply chains in the face of an increasingly volatile and concentrated international market. Mexico is not a peripheral player in this framework. Its geological potential, geographic proximity and trade integration place it at the center of the U.S. strategy; however, its participation is not without its challenges. Recent mining policy has emphasized the strengthening of state control over natural resources, particularly in the case of lithium, as well as the introduction of greater restrictions on concessions. This approach, although it responds to a sovereignty logic, may generate tensions given the need to provide certainty to foreign investment and to align with increasingly demanding regional standards. For the mining industry, this scenario implies a profound transformation. It is no longer just a matter of producing and exporting minerals, but of integrating into strategic value chains ranging from exploration, processing, manufacturing and even exporting. At the same time, greater regulatory pressure is anticipated, both in terms of sustainability and compliance to international standards, as well as a possible reconfiguration of economic incentives derived from mechanisms such as minimum prices or preferential financing schemes for projects considered strategic. Therefore, the review of T-MEC in 2026 acquires a completely different dimension. Far from being a merely technical exercise, it is emerging as a space in which the rules of the game for key sectors such as mining could be redefined. Although the treaty does not expressly contemplate critical minerals, its institutional framework could be used to incorporate new instruments aimed at strengthening regional security of supply, facilitating investment in strategic projects or even establishing common regulatory parameters.  
ALN Mining Law Firm - April 23 2026
L500 | Mexico | Law firm and lawyer rankings from Legal 500 guide | Editor’s notes