Energy and natural resources in Mexico

The energy practice at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow has an impressive track record, particularly as regards the electricity segment, where it demonstrated its agility and know how when the energy sector last went through major change, assisting with the implementation of the country's electricity reform following the constitutional modifications of 2014. Such accumulated experience has ensured it is well positioned to effectively accompany its clients in the face of the current administration's redefinition of the energy landscape. Highly sought after by clients, especially when it comes to regulatory work, the seven-strong practice group handles a broad array of energy mandates, including public policy design, project financing, or day-to-day project management, both in the oil-and-gas and power sectors. It is in the latter that practice-head Derek Woodhouse truly excels, regularly advising across a broad range of transactional, project-related and regulatory issues. He is backed by a well-rounded team that includes Luis Fernández Lagunas, who co-heads the team and is particularly knowledgeable as regards the electricity wholesale market; and senior associates José Antonio Téllez and Gabriel Salinas. Tellez has a focus on regulatory consultation, transactional structuring and negotiation, and project finance related to the electricity industry; while Salinas' practice is centred on international and domestic transactions related to the structuring and development of energy and infrastructure projects.

Galicia Abogados S.C. fields a stellar 20-strong practice, regarded as one of the market's top choices for energy transactional and financing matters, as well as for its expertise in mandates related to the structure and operation of the power sector (including, development, financing, acquisition and/or sale of generation facilities, transmission lines and substations), and which has also excelled of late in representing numerous clients before the regulatory authorities. Carlos De Maria y Campos, a renowned expert when it comes to project development, and Francisco Fernández Cueto, who focuses on power and natural gas transactions as well as project development, co-head the six-partner department. Other key names include Antonio Borja, Eduardo García-Travesi and Ernesto Partida, who all handle energy related infrastructure, project finance and M&A, and are frequently involved in high-value acquisitions in the sector. The group can also rely on Héctor Kuri's broad experience in the mining realm. Primary support at associate level comes from seniors Luis Manuel Rosendo who focuses on energy project development, energy regulation and also has environmental expertise; and Florent Patoret (mining and M&A).

González Calvillo, SC boasts a solid, 20-strong energy practice, heavily involved in hydrocarbons and power mandates, which also garners praise for its ‘deep understanding of the Mexican regulatory framework in the hydrocarbons sector’. The ‘multidisciplinary team’, which represents a wide spectrum of oil-and-gas clients along the length of the hydrocarbons value chain, including on upstream, midstream, and downstream matters, as well as handling significant acquisitions, comprises key practitioner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo, who focuses on cross-border transactions with an emphasis on energy, power generation, M&As, joint ventures and project finance; Diana Pineda, who handles energy, oil, gas and infrastructure project development, as well as ADR; Jorge Cervantes Trejo, a regular pick for investment funds, banks, and oil-and-gas companies; and counsel Antonio De Lisi, who undertakes cross-border finance and transactions, particularly regarding the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. Senior associates Paulina Poo Romero and Julia González Romero offer key support to the practice and provide additional strength on the environmental and regulatory fronts. Since publication, González has been raised to counsel - effective as of January 2022.

Praised for its ‘deep specialised knowledge of the energy sector’, boutique firm MCM Abogados, is highly focused on the oil-and-gas industry in Mexico, not only in the design, development and financing of the projects of its clients but also in connection with the day-to-day matters thereof, including corporate and regulatory matters, contract negotiation, bidding and procurement procedures, compliance and anticorruption, preliminary tax analysis and employment matters. Managing partner Manuel Cervantes, a ‘superstar’ with ‘a mastery of the energy sector on all fronts’, particularly in the upstream portion of the oil and gas market, heads the eight-strong ‘business oriented’ practice together with partner Mariana Hernández, who has a focus on oil, gas, power, public procurement and project finance. Senior associate Jorge Cabeza is another name to note of the team, which remains as a local referral option for firms without an energy practice in Mexico.

Housing a 15-strong team with a ‘high degree of expertise’, Greenberg Traurig, S.C. 's energy practice is a constant presence in midstream mandates - having also carved out a niche for itself in the renewables segment - and is more and more involved in major power and oil-and-gas projects and transactions. The practice, which draws expertise from other areas of the firm, includes noted practitioners Fernando Orrantia Dworak, who focuses on real estate, corporate and environmental aspects of infrastructure, energy and petrochemical projects; Erick Hernández Gallego and of counsel Pedro Reséndez, both of whom are highly experienced in hydrocarbons and renewables, with Hernández also boasting expertise in regulatory and transactional matters, public tenders and financing operations. Key support comes from senior associate Rodrigo Vazquez del Mercado-Rivera (who is also qualified in Texas), and has a close-focus on up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas, government procurement and energy M&A; Luis Jorge Akle and Adriana Garcia Cuellar.

Hogan Lovells offers a full-service practice with expertise throughout the oil-and-gas segments (upstream, midstream and downstream) and across the electricity industry in Mexico. It has been particularly busy, of late, handling renewables projects and wholesale electricity-market matters. Partners Carlos Ramos Miranda, who focuses his infrastructure work on energy, natural resources and water projects; and Miguel Ángel Mateo Simón, who specialises in oil-and-gas, power -both renewable and conventional- and water infrastructure projects, head the eight-strong department. Providing key support to the practice (which also boasts good capabilities handling regulatory mandates), is Mauricio Fuchs Tarlovsky , who undertakes corporate M&A, energy and infrastructure, structured finance and regulation; and senior associate Perla Díaz Taracena, who handles transactional and regulatory matters across the oil, gas and power segments.

Following the two firms’ merger, completed in August 2021, Holland & Knight now combines the strength of its own, capable, Mexico City group with that of the former Thompson & Knight LLP, where energy was very much a hallmark practice. The resulting offering has impressive strength across the full range of oil, gas, energy and renewables’ matters. Power (particularly renewables) expert Claudio Rodriguez, and the Monterrey-based Gabriel Ruiz (who primarily focuses on oil-and-gas industry clients), advise on matters ranging from tender processes, transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, to project structuring, development and finance, and regulatory matters; while former CFE deputy general counsel, Carlos Ochoa, brings to bear his substantial expertise in the power and renewables sector, to advise investors, lenders, sponsors and public sector entities on regulatory, transactional and infrastructure issues. Other key figures include Alejandro Landa, who regularly represents Mexican and foreign companies and financial institutions on all finance-related matters, including in relation to energy projects; a former head of legal and compliance at Iberdrola Mexico Rodolfo Rueda Ballesteros (who made partner in February 2021), has a ‘broad knowledge of the regulation of the sector’ and splits his time between the firm’s Mexico City and Houston offices; and senior counsel Regina Legorreta maintains a practice centred on structuring all types of energy and natural resource-related infrastructure projects. Key support comes from senior associate Aldo González Melo and associate Alberto Esenaro. 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.

Jones Day's Mexican energy practice fields a nine-strong team that combines solid transactional know-how with outstanding expertise in the full array of infrastructure development matters, as well as regulatory and environmental law, while also offering proven experience in the oil, gas, power (and renewables) segments. With over 25 years' experience in M&A and energy project finance, partner José Estandía heads the department, closely backed by infrastructure specialist Alberto de la Parra and corporate and transactional of counsel Antonio Franck. Key associate support is provided by experienced associates Arturo de la Parra (project and infrastructure finance, with a particular focus on renewables) and Fernando Verdín, a former director of electricity regulation at the CRE (energy, administrative law and public regulation; AML). Moreover, the practice was further strengthened in January 2021 with the hire of Alejandro Fleming Kauffman, previously the General Counsel of Iberdrola, as of counsel.

Combining specialised regulatory know-how with the firepower of a leading transactional practice, 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 offer services across the breadth of energy sector. The nine-strong department regularly handles major oil-and-gas and renewables mandates, from infrastructure developments, joint ventures and M&A, through to long-term auctions in the power sector. It is co-led by partners Horacio De Uriarte, who is well versed in the renewables segment (particularly solar and wind); Pilar Mata Fernández, who advises on all aspects of projects, and structured and corporate finance across the energy and infrastructure sectors; and transactional, corporate and finance expert, Patricio Trad. Semi-senior associate Aisha Calderón is another name to note.

Praised for its ‘serious, reliable and experienced team’, market stalwart Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C., is a top choice for sponsors, lenders and developers when they require assistance regarding any aspect of the energy sector, infrastructure projects, financings and acquisitions. Comprised by a deep bench of experienced partners and younger associates, the 26-strong team includes standout practitioners Federico Santacruz González, who is highly specialised in the development of energy infrastructure; the ‘assertive and reliable’ Jorge Oria, who has a solid electricity practice and is ‘knowledgeable about the regulation in the sector’. The pair co-lead the department, which also draws on the expertise of partners Gabriel del Valle Mendiola (banking and finance, capital markets, energy and infrastructure); Octavio Olivo Villa (banking and finance, competition, M&A; projects, energy and infrastructure); Asaf Jimenez Adorno  (banking and finance, M&A; projects, energy and infrastructure); and seasoned practitioner Thomas Mueller-Gastell, who has a focus on the power sector.

International full-service firm White & Case S.C. houses a highly regarded 11-strong practice comprised of ‘specialised energy lawyers’, with broad expertise in a variety of sector mandates, including project financings, amparo trials, legal analysis and project structuring, as well as significant transactional mandates. Partner and regulatory specialist Francisco De Rosenzweig, heads the department, closely supported by key practitioners Roberto Rios, who handles energy & natural resources project finance, infrastructure and public-private partnerships; former Pemex general counsel, Jorge Kim, who specialises on the regulatory, transactional and litigation aspects of the oil and gas sector; and Juan Ruenes, who handles infrastructure development, project finance, asset finance and general corporate matters. Associate Juan Carlos Llorens, who has a focus on energy, infrastructure and project financing, is another name to note. Since publication, Ríos has left the firm - effective January 2022.

A market stalwart, the full-service Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. is a well-known name in the oil-and-gas sectors, and power, sectors, thanks to a 10-strong practice that advises on the full range of energy mandates, from corporate and financial aspects, through project development, to regulatory, environmental and contentious matters. The team benefits from the expertise of capable practitioner Juan Carlos Serra, who handles transactions, investment, public bidding, and mining and energy advisory; head of the corporate / M&A practice Daniel Del Rio; and Jesus Colunga, who focuses on regulatory matters. Senior associate Jorge Escobedo, who focuses on administrative procedures and regulatory compliance, is also noted.

Undoubtedly one of the Mexican market's predominant forces, Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C., fields a nine-strong energy and natural resources practice that provides both transactional and regulatory services for a wide range of oil-and-gas, petrochemicals, power and renewables companies, as well as investment funds and others, regarding their structuring, procurement, acquisition, development, financing and operation of energy projects and energy infrastructure. Santiago Sepúlveda and José Ignacio Segura co-lead the practice; Sepúlveda has broad experience handling the structuring, development and financing of large energy, telecom and transport infrastructure projects; while Segura regularly represents clients on the negotiation of power purchase agreements as part of a broader transactional, regulatory and project finance-focused practice.

A renowned presence in the hydrocarbons sector, Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados offers a dynamic practice focused on both transactional and regulatory mandates. Leading the practice is 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 asset and securities' purchases.

Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC's energy practice earns praise for presenting work-products ‘of the highest quality both from a regulatory and transactional perspective’, and is primarily well-known for its capabilities in major energy and natural resources investments (including complex financings for renewable energy projects), financings and transactions, spanning electricity, water, waste to energy, oil & gas, and to a lesser extent mining. Standout partners of the team include: Javier Arreola, who specialises in the financing, structuring and bidding of energy projects; PPP specialists Vanessa Franyutti and Alejandro Rojas, both of whom also have niche expertise in the water sector and waste-to-energy projects; and younger partner Santiago Medina, who is particularly active on the structuring and financing of energy (including wind and photovoltaic) and water projects. The practice is closely supported by other key partners of the firm such as Hans Goebel who, together with Arreola and Medina, are viewed by a client as a ‘dream team in energy-related transactions’.

An interesting roster of international and domestic clients benefit from Norton Rose Fulbright‘s broad expertise in project finance and energy-related regulatory matters and M&A, which is steadily turning the team into a solid player in Mexico’s energy sector, particularly in the renewables and oil-and-gas segments. Regularly representing international investors expanding and developing their operations in Mexico, dual-qualified partner (New York and Mexico City) Raquel Bierzwinsky co-heads the practice together with Hernán González, who focuses on energy, project finance, public procurement, and regulatory and antitrust matters. The team has gained both strength and profile in recent years, notably with the arrival of César Fernández, a former vice president for projects and business for Pemex, as an international partner; he was closely involved in many of the ‘firsts’ -such as upstream alliances- following the country’s 2014 energy reforms.

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC receives praise from clients for its ‘good knowledge of the O&G sector’, and is a solid choice for regulatory, transactional and projects-related energy advice, as well as standing out for its top tier (international) arbitral practice in relation to energy disputes. The nine-strong team is co-led by partners Edmond Grieger, who has a focus on power, oil and gas transactions, along with project development; Luis Burgueño, who handles cross-border, energy-related transactions and regulatory matters; and Alberto Córdoba, whose practice encompasses corporate M&A, energy and natural resources, together with structured and project finance. Also noted are: counsel Ariel Garfio, who specialises in power, oil and gas (particularly PPAs, EPC agreements, and turbine, photovoltaic module and natural gas supply agreements), and associate Roberto Flores, who earns the trust of clients thanks to his ‘extraordinary willingness’. Since publication, Garfio has been raised to the partnership - effective December 2021.

EC Rubio stands out in the natural resources space for being ‘one of the few law firms in Mexico that provides truly specialised services in mining’. Department head Pablo Méndez ‘has mastered mining law in Mexico’; he leads the team from the firm’s Chihuahua office (where he also acts as managing partner), and is closely supported by senior associate Alejandro Guerra, who handles mining, agrarian, environmental and administrative law, along with civil and commercial litigation). Recent highlight mandates include advising GoGold on the expansion of the Los Ricos mining project with the acquisition of 14 mining concessions. Since publication, Alejandro Valles, whose practice -similar to that of Guerra- focuses on civil, commercial, agrarian and mining litigation, has been raised to the partnership - effective December 2021.

The ‘young and dynamic’ energy practice at Garrigues is co-led by partners David Jiménez Romero, who has over 25 years' experience in project development and finance for the infrastructure and energy sectors; and Roberto Torres, a regulatory expert with specialised knowledge of the power sector and environmental law. Together with senior associate Gabriela Cosío, who specialises in contractual law for energy and infrastructure projects and international commercial arbitration, they are regarded as an ‘exceptional team’. In addition, Garrigues' international platform can provide the group with additional support, as well as the possibility of advising an attractive client roster.

Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. is a more than relevant name in the Mexican energy sector at both the ‘national and international level’, and is lauded by clients for its ‘high level of knowledge of the hydrocarbons sector’. As a member of both the banking and finance practice and the firm's global energy group, Ariel Ramos has deep and extensive experience handling financing and the development of energy projects. Department co-head, Francisco Mendez, who divides his time between Houston and Mexico City, brings his notable up-, mid- and downstream expertise to a team that remains particularly active in the upstream oil-and-gas segment, as well as in farm-out agreements related to E&P contracts. Dual-qualified (New York/Mexico) finance associate Julio Martínez Rivas, whose experience includes project finance deals for renewable and conventional power projects, is also noted.

Ontier México maintains a steady growth in the Mexican energy market, garnering praise for its ‘deep knowledge of the wholesale electricity market, particularly from a regulatory and legal point of view’. Office managing partner Lorenzo Hernandez has a ‘unique knowledge and strategic vision’, according to clients, and also has a role at the Energy Commission of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, which ‘gives him a plus that no one else in the sector has’. Recent mandates include energy-sector transactional mandates, along with advisory on project development, due diligence, PPAs, project finance, and all aspects of green energy projects. Senior associates Regina Noriega; the finance-oriented Alejandro Stamoglou, and Mariana Reyes provide key support.

Sánchez Devanny's energy team is praised for its lawyers ‘non-aggressive’ practices and for always putting the ‘company's objectives first’. The practice, comprised of lawyers from various departments is co-led by senior partners Jose Antonio Postigo-Uribe in Mexico City and Gerardo Prado-Hernandez in Monterrey, both of whom have proven expertise in energy-sector, particularly regarding solar projects, wind farms and cogeneration plants. In addition, Postigo also handles oil-and-gas matters, including E&P bid processes, transportation, commercialisation, investment structuring and dispute-resolution advisory. Semi-senior associate Max Ernesto Hernández-Ernult provides in key support.

Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, S.C. fields ‘some of the best professionals in the industry’, with a ‘deep understanding of the contractual and regulatory aspects in energy’. With a strong corporate background, Juan Carlos Morales heads the department, which regularly assists with all types of sector-related licences and permitting (particularly regarding mid- and downstream oil and gas), along with compliance matters for an interesting client roster which includes the likes of Total and Puma. Senior associate Rodolfo Reyes Ibañez, ‘an extraordinary professional with extensive knowledge of energy law’, is an additional name to note.

Hailed as ‘an expert and a reference in the field’, partner Marcelo Paramo – former General Director of Legal Affairs at the Energy Regulatory Commission), heads the energy practice at DLA Piper Mexico, which is active across the oil-and-gas and renewables segments, for both local and international clients, primarily regarding regulatory matters and acquisitions. Project finance and corporate partner Edgar Romo offers key support to the practice, which also represents clients in administrative proceedings and contractual disputes with regulated entities, as well as before regulators and authorities. Since publication, the practice has been further strengthened with the January-2022 hire of Roberto Ríos from White & Case S.C.; his ample practice covers project finance, infrastructure, public-private partnerships and energy.

Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. boasts a solid, eight-strong energy practice which regularly advises an array of Mexican and non-Mexican clients on natural gas transportation, distribution and storage projects; power generation projects (including IPPs, co-generation, BLTs, EPCs, bulk sales of power and other generation systems), and in up-, mid- and downstream oil-and-gas matters. The team is led by three partners: Fernando Alonso-de-Florida, Alberto Balderas and mining-sector specialist Citlali Perez, whose practice includes the application and renewal of mining concessions and permits, the negotiation and conclusion of supply, and financing contracts for mining projects. Senior associate Alejandro Creel Ysita is also noted.

A spin-off from Ontier México in mid-2018, boutique start-up LHO focuses on providing legal advice to companies, mainly in the energy and infrastructure sector. Currently, the four-person team primarily acts for renewable energy companies, particularly in the wind and photovoltaic segments, but also includes a number of oil-and-gas sector participants on its client roster. Practice-head Luis Miguel Ramírez Ruggeberg (also co-managing partner of the firm), garners praise for providing ‘exceptional service and expertise regardless of the size of the client’. Intermediate associate Omar Plomares, who focuses on the development of clean energy projects, provides key support.

With partner Francisco J Valdés López at the helm, Sainz Abogados advises on all stages of the oil and gas and power sector chains, including on project development, contracting, regulatory compliance, permitting and licensing, and client’s participation in bid processes. Valdés, who is considered by clients as ‘one of the best lawyers in the field’, is a former executive Secretary of Mexico’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), and specialises in mandates related to natural gas, LNG, LPG, storage, oil, electricity and petrochemicals. Key support comes from associate Ricardo Pinto Villazón.

Corporate and finance specialist, Juan Carlos Machorro steers the solid energy practice at Santamarina y Steta, which attracts praise for its ‘thorough knowledge of the energy regulatory framework’, and has a proven track record representing international investors in energy and financial projects and agreements across Mexico. Mid-level associate Ramses Franco provides key support to a team that houses broad experience in negotiating with Pemex, the federal electricity commission (CFE) and local regulators, regarding oil, gas and power projects and infrastructure transactions - including renewable energy matters, where the team is frequently active on the structuring aspects, project implementation and related transactions.

SMPS Legal boasts an international energy practice, which operates from the firm's offices in Mexico, USA, Canada, and Colombia, regularly advising oil, gas and power clients on both regulatory and transactional matters arising in the sector. The department is led by founding partner Eduardo Pizarro, who has a focus on energy and natural resources, corporate finance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and investments for domestic and international transactions; and includes notable practitioners Carlos Solórzano and Jorge Miranda (both based in Calgary, Canada), and Mexico City-based of counsel Severo López Mestre, who offers key regulatory-side input.