The Legal 500 > Latin America > Mexico > Environment

Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C. has established an excellent reputation, with a 'very professional, knowledgeable' team of 'trusted advisors' led by Tijuana-based partner Federico Ruanova. The 'cost-effective, responsive and committed' group 'understands our business's needs and proposes practical solutions to our legal problems'. Recent highlights include advising Ledvance Manufacturing in securing all the required permits for a new industrial facility it purchased from Osram de Mexico. The team also represented Caterpillar in administrative litigation against the National Water Commission concerning lapsed water rights. Other major clients include Real Alloy, Gas Natural Fenosa, and Unilever. Mexico City-based senior associate Mario Facio is also highly experienced.

Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.  is praised for its 'deep knowledge of environmental policy and practice, combined with excellent commercial and political sense'. The team's expertise includes advice on major real estate, energy and infrastructure development projects, as well as corporate M&A and administrative litigation. In recent  work, the team advised Trinity Investments, Walton Street Capital and Oaktree Capital Management on the complex environmental aspects of their indirect acquisition of the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort. The firm also advises Butterfly Equity on environmental issues regarding the day-to-day operation of acquaculture farms in a natural protected area of the Pacific Coast. 'Enormously dedicated, sophisticated and thoughtful', practice head Carlos de Icaza has 'exceptional judgment and professional skill'.

Galicia Abogados S.C.'s 'diligent, responsive and very knowledgeable' team is led by the highly experienced Mariana Herrero who has over 20 years' experience. The practice handles a range of issues, from support on major corporate transactions and infrastructure projects, to more specific contamination, water, hazardous waste management and litigation issues. The team recently advised Balam Fund on environmental issues linked to the acquisition of a photovoltaic plant in San Luis Potosi from Dhamma Energy. It also advised Repsol on the environmental aspects of the company's move into the Mexican market, including the opening of 200 service stations.

The team at González Calvillo, SC is recommended for its strong strategic advice, and guiding clients through the environmental and social challenges that can arise with major acquisitions and development projects. Practice head Leopoldo Burguete-Stanek is particularly experienced in energy, water management and hazardous waste control. The team recently helped Gas y Petroquímica de Occidente obtain Federal Environmental Impact Authorization for the construction and operation of a port terminal in Sinaloa. On the contentious front, it successfully represented CSL Paradise in a case concerning a Federal Maritime Land Zone concession.

The team at Jones Day does work that is 'always very high quality'; its lawyers are 'truly experts'. Lead partner Mauricio Llamas is singled out for his 'expertise and quality of service' which is 'always great'. The practice group provides crucial support on major development and infrastructure projects across a range of sectors and industries, and is also experienced in environmental, health and safety litigation before the federal and local administrative courts. The team was heavily active in all the environmental aspects attendant to the New Mexico City Airport project, including ongoing matters now that the project has been cancelled. Lawyers also advised Grupo Lessafre, a major yeast producer, on the methodology for its greenhouse gas emission-calculations and subsequent reporting obligations for its three Mexican facilities.

SOLCARGO has long had a strong focus on environmental law, developing an impressive track record of expert counsel on project development issues, permitting and audits, and litigation. The team is co-led by partners Gustavo Carvajal, who handles both contentious and non-contentious issues, and administrative litigation expert Juan Pedro Machado. Recent matters include representing the waste-to-energy company Sistemas de Tratamiento Ambiental in a $1m lawsuit against the Ministry of Environment concerning the issuance of an onerous Unique Environmental License. On the tourism side, the team successfully advised Icarus Aviation on the contested renewal of an Environmental Impact Authorisation for scuba diving with white sharks at the Isla Guadalupe Bioshpere Reserve.

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC provides an 'excellent service' and has 'the knowledge and experience to handle complex regulatory environmental matters'. The team, which is led by the 'professional and kind' Edmond Grieger, provides contentious and non-contentious environmental support to numerous major international corporations, including BMW, BHP Biliton, Amgen and Grupo Modelo. Recently, it advised Daimler Group on its water supply and wastewater compliance, as well as representing the company in two litigious claims against the government of Mexico City concerning the disputed acquisition of 150 garbage trucks from another, non-environmentally compliant, manufacturer.

Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.'s environmental team is 'very creative, deeply knowledgeable of the law, and incredibly committed towards pro bono work'. Recently the team represented Mondelēz before the Federal Administrative Court  in a dispute with the National Water Commission regarding the extension of a water concession title. Other recent clients include Peugeot, Allnex, World Bank Group and Owens and Minor. The 'extremely responsive and attentive' senior associate Ricardo Evangelista is the main environmental expert, having previously worked in Mexico's Environmental Protection Agency. Partners Juan Carlos Serra and Daniel Del Rio are also experienced in this area.

Garrigues is recommended for its 'very professional, efficient' team, which provides its services at a 'very reasonable' price. 'Analytical and deep thinking' practice head Roberto Torres is praised for his 'accuracy and great attitude'. The practice has been very active, recently, acting for clients in the renewable energy and hospitality sectors. Highlights include advising an energy company on environmental issues linked to the acquisition of a photovoltaic generation project. The team also advised a hotel group on environmental issues linked to its acquisition of a plot for the development of a major hotel.

Hogan Lovells's environmental team is recommended for its expertise across a range of matters, including water-related litigation, soil contamination, air emissions, facilities expansion and transactional support. The practice is led by Brenda Rogel and includes recently-promoted counsel Jeanett Trad . The practice advises clients from across a broad range of industries, including retail, energy, water, and mining. It recently advised a client on the significant environmental implications of the acquisition of several alcohol distilleries. Major clients include BASF, Repsol, Ford, and Smurfit Kappa.

Ibarra del Paso y Gallego is a strong choice for environmental advice, thanks to the expertise of its practice head and name partner Adrián del Paso. He is backed by a five-lawyer team, which includes senior associate Mauricio Sandoval, who is experienced in environmental litigation. The practice recently advised DowDuPont on its legal strategy for water assurance, which is critical to its industrial operations. The group also advised Evergreen Capital on successfully obtaining key federal environmental authorizations for a real estate project in Valle de Bravo.

Ritch, Mueller, Heather y Nicolau, S.C. has a strong, multi-disciplinary environmental and social impact practice that provides good support to its energy, infrastructure, real estate and corporate teams. The team -which comprises practice head Hector Garza along with a five-strong team of experienced associates (notably seniors Estuardo Anaya and Christian Rosales)- has a particularly strong track-record advising on negotiations with indigenous communities and undertaking social impact assessments. A recent highlight was advising Zuma Energia on social impact matters linked to its development of two photovoltaic projects in Chihuahua and a wind farm in Tamaulipas.

White & Case S.C. handles a broad range of environmental matters for its clients, including major corporations, financial institutions and alternate capital providers. The 'very responsive' counsel Pedro Morales is considered 'a true specialist that understands the law and is capable of offering different solutions'.  The team recently advised Grupo Barramar on issues linked to the construction and operation of the Isla Navidad and and Punta Vela resorts, the former of which includes two hotels, a marina and golf course spread across a 500-hectare complex. Other clients include Nestlé, CFE and Sonoco.