The Legal 500 > Latin America > Mexico > Energy and natural resources

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow has experience in upper- mid- and downstream oil-and-gas segments, from exploration and production, through trading and supply, to storage and distribution. However, it is in the electricity sector where the practice truly stands out, handling the full range of industry matters including generation, transmission, the wholesale and retail markets, and renewables (including solar and other green energy types). Integrally involved in the implementation of the new wholesale electricity market and the restructuring of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) during the previous presidential sexenio, it has adapted well to the current administration's re-definition of the energy landscape, with clients praising its ‘extensive knowledge of the market and regulation’ and for ‘understanding the customer's needs’. The team is led by the ‘always available’, ‘first-class’ practitioner, Derek Woodhouse, whose focus is private sector participation in traditionally 'public-sector' projects; he advises across a broad range of transactional, project-related and regulatory issues. Younger partner and practice co-head alongside Woodhouse, Luis Fernández Lagunas is a power and energy regulatory specialist with particular knowledge of the wholesale market. Key associate-level support comes from seniors José Antonio Téllez, who focuses on  regulatory consultation, transactional structuring and negotiation, and project finance related to the electricity industry; and Gabriel Salinas Ruiz, whose practice centres on  international and domestic transactions related to the structuring and development of energy and infrastructure projects.

Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C.'s ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ practice regularly advises sponsors, lenders and developers on the full range of energy matters, infrastructure projects, financings and acquisitions. The department houses a deep bench of experienced partners and associates, including Federico Santacruz González handles the full range of electricity matters, from transactional and financing representation to all aspects of project structures, power auctions, clean energy certificates, contracts (PPAs, EPCs O&M, MSA etc.) and transportation. He co-leads the practice with Jorge Oria y Anaya (energy, infrastructure and power transactions), who is praised for his ‘excellent results’. The 21-strong team can also draws on Gabriel del Valle Mendiola (cross-border financial transactions, particularly project finance, structured finance and capital markets); the technically highly knowledgeable Asaf Jimenez Adorno (electricity-sector project finance and transactions); and on the oil and gas side, Octavio Olivo Villa, who demonstrates 'sensitivity to the market situation' and 'efficiency in putting together practical agreements that work for both parties'. Senior partner Thomas Mueller-Gastell also participates in the sector. Recent matters primarily involve advising clients -both borrowers such as Bluemex Power, Grupo Techint and La Bufa Wind, and lenders such as Bancomext, Natixis and Société Générale- on energy project refinancings. Solid associate support is led by seniors Alejandra Echeverría and Laura Treviño (banking and finance, energy and infrastructure); along with project-finance focused Salvador Torres (appointed senior in December 2019); Ana María Alpizar, María Fernanda Ibargüengoitia and 2019-hire Santiago Zardain, who arrived from a public-sector position at the CFE.

With healthy engagement in both the power generation and oil and gas-sies of the energy sector, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. fields a a talented and experienced team led by four experienced partners: Juan Carlos Serra (transactions, investment public bidding and mining and energy advisory), head of the corporate / M&A practice Daniel Del Rio (who has particular expertise in environmental matters),  Jesus Colunga (corporate, transactions and regulatory matters); and head of the firm's administrative practice Rodolfo Barreda (government procurement, agreements with regulatory agencies and concession of federal property, among other matters). The practice advises on the full range of energy matters, from corporate and finance aspects, and project development, through to regulatory, environmental and contentious matters. Recent mandates include advising Brazilian distributed-generation power producer, Sices, establish and develop its presence in México; assist SNAM regarding the construction of an O&G platform to be anchored opposite the new Dos Bocas refinery in Tabasco; and counsel Marubeni on establishing an ethanol supply for its Pajaritos facility. On the power side, mandates include assisting Hal Aluminum with off-take matters, and Shanghai Electric with the acquisition of a PPV power project. Associates Jorge Escobedo, who focuses on administrative procedures and regulatory compliance, and up-and-coming environmental specialist Ricardo Evangelista are also noted.

Deeply experienced project development counsel Carlos De Maria y Campos heads the energy, infrastructure and project finance areas at Galicia Abogados S.C., with fellow senior practitioner Francisco Fernández Cueto, who focuses on power and natural gas transactions and project development. The full service firm is one of the market's top choices for energy transactional and financing matters; however, with the modification of the market regulatory framework that has accompanied the present administration, it has found itself increasingly active in complex structural disputes in the sector, such as its representation of Carso Gasoducto Norte in arbitration before the CFE to ensure the juridical security of natural gas transportation service agreements, and in sensitive matters concerning the structure and operation of the wholesale electricity market. Additional key members of the seven-partner team include Alejandro De La Borbolla, Antonio Borja, Eduardo García-Travesi and Ernesto Partida (who made partner in January 2020); all handle energy related infrastructure, project finance and M&A. Both Bernardo Martínez Negrete and Humberto Pérez Rocha also undertake project finance and transactions in the sector in as part of broader, respective, finance and corporate practices.

González Calvillo, SC houses a 20-strong energy practice group that -unlike many of its direct full-service competitors- is particularly heavily involved in hydrocarbons industry as well as undertaking electricity sector matters. Founding partner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo (cross-border transactions with an emphasis on energy, power generation, M&As, joint ventures and project finance), and Jorge Cervantes (M&A, private equity, projects, energy and infrastructure finance transactions) are both highly recommended; as are Oscar Moreno Silva and Rodrigo Rojas Robleda on the project-finance side. Regulatory expert Diana Pineda (energy, oil, gas and infrastructure project development; government procurement, and ADR), who made partner in 2020; and counsel Antonio De Lisi (cross-border finance and transactions, with an emphasis on the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sector), are also key practitioners of the practice. Recent work includes assisting an oil and gas major with the restructuring of its downstream operations; advising an oilfield-services provider on a refinancing; Pemex contracts; gas and petrochemicals infrastructure and storage development; LNG and offshore matters, as well as, on the power side, financing and acquisitions in the photovoltaic generation segment. At associate level, Paulina Poo Romero and 2019-hire Julia González Romero (whose practice extends into social impact and indigenous relations in relation to infrastructure projects) provide strength on the environmental and regulatory side; they and the energy-focused Jacqueline Pasquel are all noted. January 2020 associate-hire Ricardo Esquivel is a former head of legal at energy regulator CRE; however, senior associate Thomas E Heather moved in house at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets in June 2020.

Despite having been especially active in midstream matters, and also participating in the renewables segment, the sizeable 15-strong team at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. also has an ever-growing profile in major power and oil-and-gas projects and transactions. The senior team comprises practice head Juan Manuel González Bernal (project finance, energy and capital markets); Fernando Orrantia Dworak (real estate, corporate and environmental aspects of infrastructure, energy and petrochemical projects), and younger shareholder Erick Hernández Gallego (hydrocarbons and renewables, environmental law, regulation, projects and M&A); along with experienced of counsel Pedro Reséndez; he and González paired-up to lead on industry-significant disputes on behalf of IEnova and Fermaca against the CFE. Other recent mandates include purchase, supply, transportation and commercialization agreements; transactions in the wind-power segment, petrochemicals projects, financings and compliance, among other matters. Corporate, finance and transactional partner Hugo López-Coll, along with administrative litigation specialist Joselino Morales Lopez also participate in the sector as required. At senior associate level, Rodrigo Vazquez del Mercado-Rivera, who is also qualified in Texas, has a close focus on up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas, government procurement and energy M&A; Luis Jorge Akle handles environmental compliance and renewable energy projects; and Adriana Garcia Cuellar (corporate, finance, energy and infrastructure).

International full-service firm, Hogan Lovells, has an established profile in the energy sector, both the length of the oil and gas production chain, and also on the power generation side, particularly of late, regarding renewables projects and wholesale electricity market issues. At partner-level, the eight strong team includes Carlos Ramos Miranda (corporate M&A, insurance, energy and infrastructure, along with niche expertise in water matters); and Miguel Ángel Mateo Simón (oil gas, power -both renewable and conventional- and water infrastructure projects), along with managing partner Juan Francisco Torres Landa (general corporate, M&A, foreign investment and energy law). The team has been active in a range of matters, including the negotiation of PPAs and clean energy certificates (CEL) for Becquerel, Harman International Industries, and ENEL; assisting Jaguar Energy become a registered power trader in the Mexican wholesale electricity market; and on the hydrocarbons side, assisting Equinor Upstream with contractual and regulatory compliance for the start-up of its two deep-water contracts. Key support comes from Mauricio Fuchs Tarlovsky (corporate M&A, energy and infrastructure, structured finance and regulation), who was raised to counsel in January 2020; senior associates Perla Díaz Taracena (transactional and regulatory matters across the oil, gas and power segments); Venezuela-qualified Víctor Barrientos (project finance, cross border commercial transactions, EPC contracts, international financing, regulatory and compliance), formerly head of the international legal department at Petroquímica de Venezuela (PEQUIVEN); and Adriana Pavon, a contracts and administrative law specialist with a focus on the oil, gas and power sectors who formerly worked at both the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH).

Backed the firm's international reach, Jones Day's Mexico office has an ‘extraordinary’ multidisciplinary team, according to clients who praise its ‘great technical knowledge'. Nine-strong, it combines transactional know-how with excellent expertise in the full range of infrastructure development matters, as well as regulatory and environmental law, and offers solid expertise in the oil, gas, power (and renewables) segments. It is led by the highly-respected José Estandía who has over 25 years' experience in sector M&A and energy project finance; well-known infrastructure specialist Alberto de la Parra and of counsel Antonio Franck. Administrative law expert and head of the environmental practice, Mauricio Llamas is another key member of the department. Recent mandates include advising on the development, financing and construction of new port and storage-terminal facilities; energy project finance; PPA and EPC contracts; and energy-sector acquisitions, among others. Key associate support comes from Arturo de la Parra and Diego Noriega, who are both banking and finance focused; Salvador Gallo (who has expertise in downstream oil and gas projects), and Fernando Verdín, who focuses on energy, administrative law, and AML (as part of a broader public-sector regulations practice).

Full-service firm Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. brings to bear its expertise in regulatory matters, M&A, project finance, litigation and environmental and tax law, to provide a broad service across the width of energy matters. Frequently involved in major oil-and-gas and renewables matters, from infrastructure developments, joint ventures and M&A, through to long-term auctions in the power sector. It recently assisted Riverstone Holdings regarding a partnership to develop and operate multiple gas power plants generating at least 1000MW. On the oil-and-gas side, the team represented Talos Energy on the establishment of a farmout agreement with Hokchi and Sierra Oil. Key figures include high profile project counsel Horacio De Uriarte, who is particularly known in the renewables segment; Pilar Mata, energy and infrastructure projects - particularly the financing, negotiation, construction, operation and sale of alternative energy); and deeply experienced transactional, corporate and finance partner, Patricio Trad. Electricity and environmental law-focused semi-senior Aisha Calderón is noted.

Energy is the trade mark practice of Thompson & Knight LLP, and the firm's Mexican operation -with offices in Monterrey and Mexico City- is no exception. The seven-strong team handles the full range of sector matters across both power (& renewables), and oil-and-gas segments, from tender processes; transactions joint ventures and strategic alliances, to project structuring, development and finance, regulatory matters and negotiations with public entities, along with associated disputes and real estate-related matters. Mexico City office managing partner, power specialist Claudio Rodriguez Galán has experience in wind, downstream, water, solar, cogeneration, combined-cycle, pipeline, LNG, nuclear, geothermal, and transmission projects; while Monterrey-office head Gabriel Ruiz, ‘who always tries to find the best solution for his client’, focuses on the corporate and operational design and development of oil, gas and energy projects, including acting as lead lawyer round 1, 2 and 3 auctions and PEMEX farm-out exploration and extraction contracts. Ongoing matters include advising BHP Billiton on the award and execution of the Trion Block deep-water license agreement with Pemex (cost, $62.4m - with an MWP commitment of $320m); and in the renewables segment, advising Kalos Desarrollos Eólicos on the $500m development of a 200MW wind farm project in Coahuila, México. Key support comes from counsel Regina Legorreta, who focuses on energy and natural resources infrastructure-project structuring and advisory on conventional and renewable energy, gas, pipeline, transmission, and water sector issues in Mexico. Former head of legal and compliance at Iberdrola Mexico, May-2019 senior counsel hire, Rodolfo Rueda Ballesteros, catches the eye of clients with his 'deep knowledge of industry regulatory matters'. Since publication, Rueda Ballesteros has been made partner -effective, Febraruary 2021- and will split his time between the firm's Mexico City and Houston offices.

The sizeable team at White & Case S.C. was reinforced during the course of 2019 with the hire of former Pemex general counsel, Jorge Kim and the raising of Juan Ruenes, himself the former GC of petrochemicals subsidiary Braskem Idesa, to the partnership. Highlight mandates saw the team participate in the first ever reserve-based lending transaction regarding upstream oil and gas assets in Mexico, involving Egyptian subsidiary, Petrolera Cárdenas Mora. Other matters include primarily project financings, the transfer of participating interests in hydrocarbons blocks, interconnection matters, bidding process, photovoltaic plant acquisitions and a midstream petroleum products project. The practice is led by Francisco De Rosenzweig, one of the foremost power regulatory specialists in the market; other key practitioners include Roberto Rios (energy & natural resources project finance, infrastructure and public-private partnerships); and multi-faceted banking, finance and insolvency partner Vicente Corta Fernández who lead on the $55m financing of the Laguna Solar project. Associates Juan Carlos Llorens (project finance, government procurement, regulation and banking; energy project development), and Carlos Estrada Lopez (hydrocarbon and electricity matters, project finance, and corporate day-to-day operations of energy sector companies), are both noted.

Leading full-service player Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. has a notable track-record advising oil-and-gas, petrochemicals, power and renewables companies, and investment funds, on their structuring, procurement, acquisition, development, financing and operation of energy projects and energy infrastructure. Santiago Sepúlveda and José Ignacio Segura co-lead the nine-strong "Energy and Natural Resources, Project Development and Finance" practice, which is increasingly extending its reach beyond the sophisticated transactional and financing advice for which it has long been known, into regulatory matters and integrated development mandates. Sepúlveda focuses on the structuring, development and financing of large energy, telecom and transport infrastructure projects, along with M&A and private equity investments; while Segura's transactional, regulatory and project finance practice also involves PPAs and interconnection, pipeline, off taking and asset management agreements. The pair recently advised Macquarie on the acquisition of the Eólica de Arriaga and Eólica Los Altos wind-power projects, with a combined output of 93.4MW. Other matters included acting as Mexican counsel to Vista Oil & Gas on its re-IPO and listing on the NYSE. Key support comes from counsel Vanessa Gimenez (energy and infrastructure transactions); and senior associates Ana Irma Amado and Juan Carlos Luna, who both focus on energy, project development and government procurement.

Probably best known today, for its profile in the hydrocarbons sector, Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados has a dynamic practice handling both transactional and the regulatory mandates. On the financing-side, it recently advised Banco Santander and HSBC on a $400m facility agreement with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The six-strong team also works with major energy-sector corporates, such as key client, energy-infrastructure operator Duff & Phelps, which it has been assisting with the structuring of a project to increase the capacity of the national energy transmission network, among other matters. The practice is led by well-known energy-market figure David Enriquez, who has leading oil-and-gas regulatory expertise along with deep knowledge of maritime and transportation law, port regulations, public bidding processes, international commercial contracts, and competition law. On the transactional side, finance specialist Jorge Sandoval works across the energy, renewables, oil and gas segments on matters including finance, foreign investment, commercial cross-border contracts, and assets and securities purchases. Key support comes from associates María Fernanda Velasco -a former director of the National Energy, Security and Environment Agency (ASEA), who joined the firm in mid-2018; and environment and energy specialist Emmanuel Cristian Barroso.

Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC fields a ten-strong energy and natural resources team which is extremely well-versed, primarily, in major energy and natural resources investments (including complex financings for renewable energy projects), financings and transactions. The practice is co-led by Javier Arreola Espinosa (the structuring, bidding and financing of energy projects) and Vanessa Franyutti (project finance), both of whom are PPP specialists, as is Alejandro Rojas; he and Franyutti also have niche expertise in the water sector and waste-to-energy projects. Ongoing work includes advising SIMEPRODE, an agency of the Government of the State of Nuevo Leon, on the structuring and development of a $500m waste-to-energy PPP project in Mexico. Other recent matters include assisting Bancomext with a senior loan for the acquisition and development of Guajiro Solar Project by Atlas Renewable Energy. Michell Nader (oil and gas finance, project finance), and Hector Arangua Lecea (capital markets , M&A and joint venture transactions across the energy sector) are additional key partners in the practice. At associate level, Santiago Medina is active in the structuring and financing of energy (including wind and photovoltaic) and water projects, and has expertise in PPA, EPC and O&M contracts and energy regulatory matters.

Energy matters have long been a key practice at international full-service firm Norton Rose Fulbright and the Mexico office is no different, steadily growing its participation in the sector over the past few years (particularly in the renewables and oil-and-gas segments), and continuing to build an international and domestic client base that benefits from the team's broad project finance, regulatory and M&A expertise. The Mexico City team, which is co-led by Hernán González Estrada, who focuses on energy, project finance, public procurement, regulatory and antitrust matters; and dual-qualified Raquel Bierzwinsky who divides her time between New York and Mexico City and regularly represents international investors expanding and developing their operations in Mexico. Moreover, the team was further reinforced in 2019 with the arrival of César Fernández G, as an international partner, and senior counsel Liliana Anzaldua, who both joined from Pemex. Fernández was vice president for busines and projects at the State entity and is also director of the AIPN's Latin America and Caribbean chapter, while Anzaldua was commercial subdirector of Pemex Logística and is the coordinator of ANADE's energy committee. At associate level, the experienced Carlos Campuzano has a thoroughly energy-focused practice, mid-level associate Angélica Álvarez, who arrived from Hogan Lovells in early 2019, is also noted.

With offices in Mexico City and Veracruz as well as its Guadalajara (Jalisco) headquarters, the 50-strong Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster has a strong -although not exclusive- focus on the projects and energy sectors. Flexible fee structures and appropriate staffing levels have aided the firm's competitiveness, as has its practice of incorporating technicians and engineers into its teams as required. The 14-strong energy and infrastructure practice focuses on infrastructure projects, electricity market operations, PPPs, power generation, pipeline and gas transportation projects, as well as dispute resolution across the energy and construction sectors, environmental matters, and mining and petrochemicals. Name partner and practice co-head Alejandro Ripoll Gonzalez has focused on the structuring, bidding, financing, execution and purchase/sale of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects since 2008; he co-leads the group with Guadalupe Esparza Sanchez, who made partner in December 2020, and whose practice focuses on energy law, infrastructure and project finance. Esparza also has experience in the structuring and implementation of PPPs and public-works projects, and particular expertise in relation to the power subsector, be it generation, transmission or distribution, as well as matters related to the wholesale electricity market. Additional key support comes from former practice head, now of counsel Enrique Uruñuela López, who in addition to his private practice experience, can draw on his time in house, including as GC of Grupo Dragon - the energy division of Grupo Salinas. Specialist associate Diego Alvarez Ampudia is also noted.

Sánchez Devanny 's 'strong' inter-office energy industry group is 'consolidated' 'and can provide full service for all related matters including regulatory, compliance, labour, litigation and corporate,' according to clients. The 12-lawyer team is co-led by transaction-specialised senior partners Jose Antonio Postigo-Uribe and Gerardo Prado-Hernandez, in Mexico City and Monterrey, respectively; both have extensive energy-sector experience, notably with regard to solar projects, wind farms and cogeneration plants. Postigo also handles oil and gas matters including E&P bid processes, transportation, commercialization, investment structuring and dispute resolution advisory. The team's recent caseload has been dominated by the preparation of PPAs, which it has negotiated on behalf of Essity, Embotelladora Niágara, Pipe México, Bendix and Bioenergía de Nuevo León, among others. Net Code regulations and compliance with the technical requirements for generators' interconnection to the national electricity system is another source of mandates. On the oil and gas side, the team is assisting Repsol Downstream Mexico with its participation in the fuel and lubricants retail market. Key associate support comes from energy focused semi-senior, Max Ernesto Hernández-Ernult.

Partners Edmond Frederic Grieger (power, oil and gas transactions and project development) and Luis Burgueño (cross-border energy related transactions and regulatory), co-head the energy 11-strong practice at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC, which is a solid choice for regulatory, transactional and projects-related energy advice, and particularly stands out for its top tier international arbitration practice. The highly active team has assisted Invenergy on the development of more than 20 renewable energy projects (with an aggregate value of $1bn-plus); currently it is advising Golar LNG on the development and operation of a floating storage and regasification unit to be located in the Mexican Gulf and secure supplies to the Yucatan; and BHP BIlliton in relation to regulatory and compliance issues connected with its involvement in the Trion deep-water block. Other key partners include Alberto Córdoba, who handles corporate M&A, energy and natural resources, and structured and project finance. Senior associate Ariel Garfio (power, oil and gas - especally PPAs, EPC agreements, and turbine, photovoltaic module and natural gas supply agreements), is also noted. However, Andrés Nieto, who was active in the mining sector, moved to Creel Abogados, SC in May 2020.

Medium-sized full-service firm Cervantes Sainz, S.C. handles the full range of energy matters, from the development of natural gas and power plants and the creation of investment vehicles, to regulatory matters with CRE, CENAGAS, CENACE and energy ministry SENER, as well as Pemex and CFE contracting matters. The small practice is led by Francisco J Valdés López, a former executive Secretary of Mexico's Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), who advises on mandates involving natural gas, LPG, LNG, storage, oil, electricity and petrochemicals. The practice, which advises Cemex on power sector matters (particularly regulation), works in close conjunction with the firm's corporate, real estate and labour teams, and can call on January 2020 partner appointee, Santiago Alessio regarding mining matters. Associates Antonio Barrera and Ricardo Pinto Villazón are also noted.

DLA Piper Gallastegui y Lozano's energy department regularly works with federal and local administrations, sponsors, and lenders across a range of issues related to the power industry. The four-strong team led by Marcelo Paramo (who previously served as General Director of Legal Affairs at the Regulatory Energy Commission), Edgar Romo and Eduardo Gallastegui, has a focus on regulatory and corporate advisory, as well as financings, contract negotiations, joint ventures and the obtaining of upstream exploration licenses; more recently the team has also been involved in energy-sector arbitration.

EC Legal Rubio Villegas fields a small but solid mining practice, a rare capability in a market segment where most work is undertaken in house or by sole practitioners. Practice director Pablo Méndez operates from the firm's Chihuahua office and is distinguished by his extensive knowledge of mining businesses and the precision of his advice'. The team -which also includes experienced senior associate Alejandro Guerra- has acted as Mexican counsel to Alamos Gold for almost five years, most recently regarding a credit agreement amendment with Bank of Nova Scotia, on the acquisition of water rights, and of a 1000-acre land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of its wholly-owned Mulatos mine. Méndez arrived at the firm in March 2019 from his own firm, and can also draw on extensive in-house experience in the industry. Other matters include due diligence, administrative nullity actions and the defence of mining concessions.

The energy practice at the Mexican office of international Spanish giant Garrigues is co-led by senior partners David Jimenez, who has over 25 years' project development and finance experience in the infrastructure and energy sector; and Roberto Torres, a regulatory specialist with 17 years' experience of the power sector and environmental law. The team handles transactional, financing and regulatory matters for both sponsors and lenders. Recent matters include the acquisition of photovoltaic projects, the development and delivery of a geothermal power plant, co-generation plant project development, EPC contracts and wind-power project divestitures. Other key practitioners include Gabriela Pérez Sierra, who has extensive projects experience including roads, energy, telecoms, mining and healthcare. Senior associate Daniel González handles finance, transactional and regulatory matters; and energy and infrastructure-focused associate Paulina Beck -an August-2019 hire from leading energy firm MCM Abogados- undertakes M&A and project finance as well as administrative, regulatory and constitutional litigation.

According to a client, Holland & Knight's energy practice ‘stands out for their complete understanding and knowledge of the industry’, which they reflect in each matter they are instructed on. The practice is led by the ‘outstanding’ Carlos Ochoa, a former CFE deputy general counsel well-known in the power and renewables sector for advising investors, lenders, sponsors and public sector entities on regulatory, transactional and infrastructure issues. Fellow partner Alejandro Landa leans into the practice, especially regarding renewables and environmental matters; and associates Alberto Esenaro and Aldo Gonzalez Melo are also noted However, former head of the energy practice José Antonio Prado left the firm in May 2020 to establish his own energy, infrastructure and litigation boutique, EnerSaPra; and Héctor Velasco Perroni, former head of the office's administrative and regulatory practice departed the following month to open specialist boutique Perroni & Associates.

Mid-2018 legal start-up LHO houses a small, four-strong energy team that nevertheless punches above its numerical weight, 'understands the market and the regulatory framework in Mexico and the USA, and despite their youth they have a solid background in Mexico, the USA and Spain’. The practice is led by co-managing partner Luis Miguel Ramírez Ruggeberg -formerly at ONTIER México- who provides ‘fresh and comprehensive solutions’; and energy-specialised associate Omar Plomares; it has a particular focus on renewables where it works extensively with key client PRODIEL, recently advising the company on the development of photovoltaic, wind-farm and solar projects in Mexico. Other matters include advising Longi on the commercial structure for the implementation of a distributed generation project advising Reden Solar on the pre-operational development stages of a 30MW photovoltaic park in Zacatecas; and Goldebeck Solar on the acquisition of a 175MW solar project.

The energy team at Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. is led by established market figure, Ariel Ramos, a member of both the banking and finance practice and the firm's global energy group. The team works closely with the firm's Houston office where it can draw on the expertise of specialists Francisco Mendez (who splits his time with the Mexico office), Jose Valera and Pablo Ferrante. It has been active in the upstream oil and gas segment, in farm-out agreements related to E&P contracts, and also on the financing of projects in the renewables and cogeneration space. Moreover, the office has developed a very solid second, line, comprising counsels, Lilia Alonzo, Betyna Almeida Covarrubias and associates Julio Martínez Rivas and Pablo Solórzano, all of whom are noted.

Experienced corporate and finance partner Juan Carlos Machorro leads the practice at Santamarina y Steta, which has a solid track-record representing several international investors in energy and financial projects and agreements across the Mexican territory. The team has broad experience in negotiating with Pemex, electricity commission CFE and local regulators regarding oil, gas and power projects and infrastructure transactions, including energy-related matters with diverse renewable energies (biogas, wind, biodiesel, photovoltaic, advanced ethanol), where the team is frequently active on structuring aspects, project implementation and transactions. Experienced mid-level associate Ramses Franco is noted; however, Iliana Aranda departed to undertake her LLM and Jacobo Wertman left the firm in May 2020.

SMPS Legal is gradually developing an energy practice that has caught the attention of the market during the past year. Co-led by partners Eduardo Pizarro and Carlos Solórzano (who splits his time between Calgary and Mexico City offices), the department advises oil, gas and power clients on both regulatory and transactional matters arising in the sector. The team's recent caseload has been dominated by assisting clients -including Renaissance Oil, Tonai Energía, Jaguar Exploración y Extracción, GS Oil & Gas, IHSA Iberoamericana de Hidrocarburos, and Murphy Oil, among others- on regulatory compliance with the contractual obligations deriving from their CNH granted E&P licenses. In other matters it has primarily been involved in project development in the solar and distributed-generation segments. Key regulatory-side input comes from experienced of counsel, Severo López Mestre.

Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, S.C. is increasingly leveraging its sophistication in regulatory matters into broader involvement in energy-related matters, including integrated power-project development mandates. More generally, however, it assists with all types of sector related licences and permitting (particularly regarding mid- and downstream oil and gas), along with compliance matters for a client roster including Puma, Total and Iberdrola. The small team is co-led by 25-year corporate and energy veteran Juan Carlos Morales, and senior associate Rodolfo Reyes Ibañez, who since his 2018 arrival has been appointed head of energy and infrastructure. The team also has expertise in bidding procedures before private and public entities.

The eight-strong energy practice at Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. is co-led by Fernando Alonso-de-Florida Rivero, Alberto Balderas and mining-sector specialist Citlali Perez Renteria. The department has experience advising clients on natural gas transportation, distribution and storage projects; power generation projects (including IPP’s cogeneration, BLT’s, EPC’s, bulk sales of power and other generation systems), and in up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas matters.

The eight-strong energy practice at Müggenburg, Gorches y Peñalosa, S.C. (MGPS) regularly advises clients on regulatory matters arising from the energy sector, particularly in oil, gas and mining, including regulatory components of M&A and other transactional work, administrative regulatory work related to the licenses and permitting, and compliance and enforcement with regulatory bodies. Partners Esteban C Gorches Guerrero and Luis Gerardo Ramírez co-head the department.

Ontier México has ‘a wide global vision of the energy industry and has successfully adapted its multijurisdictional experience to Mexico's Energy Reform’. The 'decentralised' Spanish firm arrived in Mexico in 2012, and clients regard it as ‘responsive and creative’ despite ‘the recent challenges in the country against the energy sector’. The practice is headed by country Office managing partner, Lorenzo Hernandez is also energy practice head: his ‘knowledge of the electricity sector, as well as his network of contacts in the industry', 'is a differentiating factor'; while 'his professionalism ensures quality and timely work'. Recent matters include primarily photovoltaic and solar power project development. At senior associate level, the corporate-focused Regina Noriega, finance-oriented senior Alejandro Stamoglou, and Mariana Reyes (the latter pair arriving from Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC and the Monterrey-based Canales Dávila, respectively, in late 2019), all handle energy matters as part of their broader practices.