Environment in Mexico

Maintaining steady growth in recent years, the eight-strong environmental practice at Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. is well known for its expertise assisting on the environmental aspects of mergers and acquisitions, financings and other real estate and business transactions, as well as in energy and infrastructure projects. With environmental and real estate expert Carlos de Icaza at the helm, the team also shows good capabilities handling regulatory matters, compliance and administrative litigation. Recent work highlights include advising Grupo Celanese on the environmental law aspects of closing a manufacturing facility in Poncitlán, Jalisco. Mid-level associate Alejandro Castelló is another key member of the team.

The team of ‘deeply experienced and talented lawyers’ at González Calvillo, SC handles the full range of preventative and advisory environmental work, as well as all related litigation, with a notable track record representing clients before environmental ministry SEMARNAT, water agency CONAGUA, and the Federal Environmental Protection Prosecutor (PROFEPA). The department, which boasts particular expertise in energy, water management and hazardous waste control, is headed by seasoned partner Leopoldo Burguete-Stanek, widely regarded in the market, who draws on over 30 years of experience advising on the gamut of environmental matters, with a particular emphasis on regulatory, due diligence and project development in relation to cross-border deals. Counsels Enrique Muñoz Guízar, who has a focus on environmental law and regulatory matters, especially those related to national waters, public bids and administrative procedures; and Carlos Castilla, who handles contentious administrative environmental matters, bring in key expertise to the practice. A constitutional and regulatory specialist with particular expertise in social impact assessment matters, Julia González Romero is also noted. Since publication, González has been raised to counsel – effective as of January 2022. However, sadly, in March the firm announced the untimely loss of Burguete-Stanek; a member of the firm for over 15 years, he will be sadly missed.

The ‘excellent environmental team’ at Galicia Abogados S.C. is led by environmental law expert Mariana Herrero, who draws on over 20 years of experience and boasts notable expertise in the environmental aspects of transactional and project development, corporate and liability management, and administrative permitting. The eight-strong practice, which is also highly experienced in contamination, water, hazardous waste management and litigation issues, includes other key practitioners like Carlos Escoto, who was promoted to partner in January 2021 and shows a particular dexterity when handling regulatory issues concerning oil, gas and renewables, and environmental impact and risk assessments. Lucía Manzo is a name to note at the associate level.

Headed by founding partner Adrián del Paso, a seasoned practitioner with nearly 20 years' experience in the field, Ibarra, del Paso y Gallego's standalone environmental practice is one of the firm's core areas. Particularly strong in handling strategic advisory and transactional matters, the team has also seen an increase in its environmental litigation capabilities in recent years following the arrival of senior associate Mauricio Sandoval. Well known for its expertise in regulatory matters that deal with environmental impact and risk, the department's recent work includes environmental due diligence mandates (both internal and transaction-related), along with issues ranging from hazardous waste disposal and environmental impact assessments, statements and authorisations, to administrative litigation against PROFEPA, CONAGUA and SEMARNAT resolutions.

According to one client, Jones Day's environmental law experts are ‘total superheroes’ who are able ‘to solve the work that others can't’. The five-strong department has proven experience across the gamut of environmental and health and safety legislation, with an emphasis on compliance, environmental damage liability, climate change, and energy projects. At the helm is Mauricio Llamas, an expert in environment-related administrative and regulatory law, who garners praise for being an ‘impeccable professional’. Key associate support comes from the very active Mauricio Villegas, who has a focus on environment and health and safety. In recent work highlights, the group continues to advise construction group Elementia in relation to remediation procedures and ongoing environmental litigation.

Hector Garza, an ‘expert in environmental matters’ who has vast expertise in social impact and indigenous consultation matters, heads the six-strong multi-disciplinary environmental and social impact department at Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. Garnering praise for its ‘out of the box solutions’, the team, which includes noted senior associates Estuardo Anaya and Christian Rosales, remains busy advising on the environmental aspects of refinancings and corporate transactions, along with environmental and regulatory due diligence, impact assessment matters, and the development of energy projects. Recent work highlights saw the practice advising Itzel on the strategy to build a storage oil and gas unit, and regarding its zoning implications.

Highlighted by clients for its ‘real commitment to the environment’, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC houses a seven-strong practice, which offers contentious and non-contentious environmental law support to numerous major international corporations, including BMW, BHP and Grupo Modelo. Edmond Grieger, who is well versed in litigation and arbitration, and ‘always offers very creative solutions’, heads the practice, which boasts additional expertise in compliance issues – particularly those relating to water supply and wastewater – and environmental impact assessments. Also of note is its work relating to municipal, state and federal environmental and social permits in the context of project development, particularly in the energy sector. Ariel Garfio, who was appointed counsel in January 2021, and associate Rebeca Márquez are other key members of the practice. Since publication, Garfio has been raised to the partnership - effective December 2021.

The four-strong practice at Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. offers a good regulatory practice, although it is arguably best known for its knowledge of and track record in administrative litigation and contentious proceedings in the environmental arena. This is a major area of expertise for senior associate Ricardo Evangelista, who coordinates the department. Recent work saw the firm assisting Ermitex in obtaining the environmental licenses required to implement a project focused on the extraction of stone material. Additional partner-level experience is provided by Juan Carlos Serra and Daniel Del Rio.

Particularly active in the renewable energy and hospitality sectors, Garrigues maintains a small environmental practice and acts as advisor to renowned companies including Enel and Veolia. The department focuses on helping clients manage potential environmental liabilities and detect irregularities in projects in the abovementioned sectors. Environmental, regulatory and public law specialist Roberto Torres, who has extensive experience in licensing and environmental due diligence for energy, real estate, infrastructure, industrial and tourism projects, heads the practice, which can draw on the resources of its extensive international network, and also shows additional skills in social impact evaluations.

Hogan Lovells' environmental department is co-led by partner Brenda Rogel, who is highlighted for having ‘project management skills that make any project flow smoothly’, and counsel Jeanett Trad, and is noted for providing 'comprehensive solutions to the client'. The department boasts particular expertise in water-related litigation, soil and sub-surface contamination (and associated remediation strategies), air emissions, hazardous substances and chemicals (handling, labelling and transportation), facilities expansion and new project development. Also of note is its transactional support, and its ability to advise on issues related to Mexico's energy reform.

Ever since the arrival of partner Erick Hernández Gallego, Greenberg Traurig, S.C. has been establishing a solid presence in the Mexican environmental sphere, particularly in relation to the energy sector and associated project development. Gallego, who heads the five-strong department, has a proven track record advising on the environmental aspects of project mandates, in addition to urban development, soil contamination, emissions reductions, climate change, green project finance and the management of hazardous materials, among other areas. Senior associate Luis Jorge Akle is another active member of the practice.

Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. houses a young practice, created around counsel and department head Gabriel Calvillo and senior associate Paula Pérez. The team has a focus on transactional matters, particularly in energy-related deals, and also advises on matters ranging from environmental M&A due diligence, compliance with environmental regulations (including water exploitation, wastewater discharge and handling of waste), to environmental litigation, environmental risk evaluations, and environmental damage and liability. Its client roster includes key players from the infrastructure, renewable energy and real estate sectors.

Senior associate Juan Carlos Aguirre, who joined the practice in October 2019, coordinates the environmental department at Santamarina y Steta. The department primarily focuses on environmental and regulatory due diligence, hazardous waste management, compliance audits and the regularisation of environmental obligations. Aguirre is closely supported by seasoned partner Aarón Levet, who regularly advises domestic and international clients on the environment aspects of transactional matters, particularly in the hospitality and industrial real estate sectors; and senior associate Isaac Zatarain, who specialises in environment and natural resources, renewable and clean energy and real estate, among other matters.

International full-service firm White & Case S.C. houses a small Mexican environmental practice, which works seamlessly with the firm’s global offices, regularly participating in the environmental and regulatory aspects of significant transactional matters. Counsel Pedro Morales, who also has notable expertise handling environmental impact assessments, heads the practice, which draws additional partner support from other areas of the firm. However, since the conclusion of research, Morales has left for Grepe, Lavin & Zavaleta, SC, effective as of September 2021.