Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.‘s close relationship with a number of the major banks operating in Mexico facilitates a strong client base of high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and family estates that look to the firm for counsel on private wealth law matters. The well-rounded offering covers a comprehensive range of wealth and estate planning advice that is complemented by the firm’s strong tax practice, cross-border expertise, and experience in contentious family law matters. The department’s capabilities include handling the transfer of domestic and international assets, cross-border succession design, due diligence regarding trust formation, and the drafting of Mexican trusts and wills. Practice head Víctor Barajas is one of the standout advisors in the market and takes the lead on all of the firm’s major matters in this area. Fellow practice co-head Alejandro Barrera‘s broad tax expertise is a further boon for clients. Family law expert José Massas and corporate and M&A partner Jesús Colunga are additional key senior names. At associate level, Monica Patricia Pérez and Manuel Zárate are contacts of note.
Wealth management in Mexico
Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa
Individual residents of Mexico and other jurisdictions look to the private client department at Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa for comprehensive counsel across tax obligations, as well as for the development and implementation of investment and legal structures both in Mexico and abroad. Alfredo Sánchez's team is the choice for a host of international banks and financial institutions when referring their clients for Mexican law advice. Sánchez himself is a veteran of the practice area, having assisted with estate and succession planning for more than 30 years; he heads a department that also includes Ana Sofía Ríos, who - despite her relative youth - has already established herself as one of the go-to names in Mexico’s private wealth arena. Ricardo Paullada adds tax expertise, along with tax consultant Jose Carlos Silva; while Eduardo Valenzuela supports on private client matters in Mexico from the firm’s New York office. Samy Lazarov is also a partner to note, while at the firm’s Monterrey office, Jose Alberto Mesta and Marco Antonio de la Fuente are the key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Alfredo Sánchez Torrado
Key clients
JP Morgan
Citibank
UBS
Credit Suisse
Julius Ber
Bank Safra
BNP
Santander
Morgan Stanley
Merrill Lynch
Galicia Abogados S.C.
Considered 'absolutely first rate in wealth management, trusts and private client practice', Galicia Abogados S.C. advises on the full range of estate and succession planning, from tax and corporate governance, to wills, trusts, and litigation risk management. The growing practice is jointly coordinated by Gabriela Pellón, a seasoned counsel to HNWIs and family offices; and transactional specialist Christian Lippert, who has a strong private wealth component to his practice. When required, Eugenio Sepúlveda and Arturo Perdomo provide additional partner-level expertise on restructuring and fintech, respectively. Senior associate Cecilia Díaz de Rivera has a broad corporate and financing practice and is often involved in teams advising on wealth management matters; while associates Fabiola Jiménez and Ana Elena Dominguez are further names to note. Since publication, Jiménez and Díaz de la Rivera have been promoted to counsel, with the latter also appointed practice director - effective as of January 2025.
Practice head(s):
Christian Lippert; Gabriela Pellón; Eugenio Sepúlveda; Arturo Perdomo
Testimonials
‘They are very competent and responsible, and follow up on matters very satisfactorily. A number of the lawyes have a strong leadership ethic and the treatment of clients is excellent.‘
‘As its name indicates, estate planning aims to help clients achieve their financial goals, through investment planning, insurance analysis, retirement planning and in general the financial planning of a person or group of people or families in many cases. It is extremely important that the lawyers of the offices work together with the clients (investors) in order to create structures that help them achieve their short, medium and long term goals. In the case of Galicia Abogados, they have developed this area exponentially, since the team in charge of this area has extensive experience in Civil, Succession, Real Estate, Financial matters and above all, demonstrate empathy with their clients and their needs, taking their financial situation into account and understanding where they want to direct it.‘
‘Cecilia Díaz de Rivera Laris has been in charge of developing the Wealth Management area in the firm for some years now, with a high level of professionalism and empathy with the needs and financial situation of her clients, always seeking an effective and efficient way to generate the highest return with the lowest possible risk.‘
‘Galicia is absolutely first rate in wealth management, trusts and private client practice, with deep experience and expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional planning.‘
‘Of particular note is the senior partner with whom we have worked for many years, Christian Lippert. Christian is not only one of the leading corporate and transactional lawyers in Mexico, specialising in international corporate work, but he is also a stellar expert in complex trust and estate planning matters. For example, we have worked closely together on the creation of Mexican Fideicomisos to hold hundreds of millions of dollars of assets that meet applicable Mexican requirements while at the same time satisfying complicated U.S. tax requirements. Christian is keenly intelligent, has excellent judgment built on deep experience, and a practical approach to difficult problems. He is particularly knowledgeable in cross-border matters, and can juggle the complexities of various legal systems masterfully. Finally, and very importantly Christian is a delightful person with whom to work.‘
Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C.
Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C. leverages the wider firm’s international network and its relationship with major banks, through which it assists with the spectrum of cross-border tax compliance issues, thus facilitating that families and HNWIs receive comprehensive advice on wealth planning and pre-migration planning. The practice has further strength in advising insurers on regulatory compliance for operating in Mexico. Jorge Narváez-Hasfura is the main contact and an expert on transfer pricing and the range of contentious tax matters. Over his 30 year career, Narváez has had gained extensive experience in wealth management, a sub-specialty where he is supported by fellow partner and tax expert Javier Ordoñez-Namihira. Senior associate Lizette Téllez de la Vega assists on the full range of work and has particular strength in identifying tax planning opportunities. Since publication, Téllez de la Vega has been raised to the partnership - effective as of Janaury 2025.
Practice head(s):
Jorge Narváez-Hasfura
Testimonials
‘Very coordinated in terms of updates and trends. Very clear and consistent communication between team members.‘
‘Attention to detail, human quality, empathy, understanding and a global vision of family matters.‘
‘They are strong and have expertise in all areas and jurisdictions. it is an excellent global law firm.‘
‘Exceptional expertise and availability.‘
‘The Baker McKenzie team stands out for its dedication to service and its speed of response. The lawyers are proactive in the face of new challenges and business opportunities for their clients.‘
‘The main difference with their competitors is the availability of people, mainly their Tax Partner, Javier Ordóñez. In a dynamic city like Mexico City and a multinational firm like Baker McKenzie, one imagines delays or difficulties in accessing senior people, but with them it was the opposite.‘
‘Baker has always been characterised by having a first-class team. The Mexico team is undoubtedly one of the best Baker teams in Latin America. The human quality of its partners is first class.‘
‘Javier Ordoñez is one of the best tax experts in Mexico. His knowledge and his way of transmitting it in a very practical way to his clients makes him an exceptional lawyer. He is a very analytical person and aware of the needs of his clients.‘
Key clients
Utmost PanEurope
UBS AG
Work highlights
- Assisting Utmost PanEurope with regulatory, tax and wealth management advice in connection with life insurance offered to Mexican clients.
- Advising UBS on regulatory, tax and wealth management advice to enable them to legally and validly offer its financial advisory services to Mexico-resident clients.
Sánchez Devanny
The wealth management team at Sánchez Devanny is adept at advising HNWIs and families on tax and legal planning regarding the transfer of domestic and international assets. In Monterrey, experienced tax lawyer Ricardo León Santacruz regularly advises wealthy families on their tax affairs; while Ernesto Silvas Medina has relevant associated corporate and financing experience. Abel Mejía , in Querétaro, is the practice group’s third co-heads and is well-versed in advice to HNWIs, including pre-migration tax planning to other countries, international patrimonial structures incorporating corporate-family governance protocols, and inheritance transmission. Notably, the firm is currently in discussions regarding a merger into Garrigues' Mexico office. Since publication, said merger has been confirmed - effective as of February 2025.
Practice head(s):
Abel Mejía-Cosenza; Ricardo León-Santacruz; Ernesto Silvas-Medina
Work highlights
- Advised Sama Capital on the restructuring of a family fund to segregate individual realities.