Cuatrecasas > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Cuatrecasas > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

The Mexican office of Spanish full-service firm Cuatrecasas has developed a sturdy track record in the Mexican corporate and M&A arena since it first set foot in the market back in 2016. Santiago Ferrer, who also heads-up the competition department, advises both domestic and international companies on commercial transactions, M&A, joint investments and financing. The group’s areas of expertise encompass the consumer, infrastructure, healthcare, real estate, energy and renewables, and gaming sectors. Recent work highlights include advising Fibra Orion regarding the acquisition of Desarrollos Carreteros del Estado de Durango. Additionally, the office has notably broadened its capacity to deal with key elements of transactional matters -particularly tax structuring- with the July-2022 hire of tax specialist Juan David Mina from KPMG in Mexico. The team can also draw resources not only from the firm’s Spanish headquarters but also from it’s increasingly relevant offices in Bogotá, Lima and Santiago de Chile. Since publication, the firm's Mexican office has absorbed the former Rico, Robles, Libenson, S.Cl, incorporating a 12-strong team (including four partners) that counts transactional matters and disputes work among its primary strengths - effective as of January 2023.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 4

The Mexican office of Spanish full-service player Cuatrecasas is increasingly recognised among market onlookers for its activity in the arbitration segment in Mexico thanks to a small, but sturdy international arbitration practice that is backed by the firm’s wider presence in the region. The group led by René Irra is especially active in arbitrations related to the energy and infrastructure sectors, representing both domestic and international clients. Senior associate Miguel Ángel Ortiz, whose arbitration experience has been nurtured by his previous positions as director general for contentious matters at the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH), and at PEMEX, where he was head of legal for arbitral matters, is also noted. Since publication, Ortiz has been raised to the partnership - effective as of April 2023.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 5

León López, co-managing partner of the office, is in charge of steering the Mexican banking and finance practice at Spanish powerhouse Cuatrecasas. The group, which works seamlessly and uses the synergies between offices both in Latin America and/or Europe, boasts extensive experience handling a wide array of financing transactions - project, real estate, infrastructure, corporate and acquisition financing, refinancings and debt restructuring - mainly advising banks, funds, or insurance companies, both domestic and international. Recent work highlights include acting for CaixaBank regarding the financing granted to RLH Properties to build and develop the Rosewood Mandarina Hotel on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit; and the debt refinancing of the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico. López is closely supported by José Higinio Núñez, who is particularly experienced in the finance, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

The Cuatrecasas Latin America international arbitration practice has benefitted from the Iberian firm’s investment in its Latin America network, with new office openings in Colombia and Chile in 2020 adding to the firm’s existing presence in Mexico and Peru. The practice handles commercial and investment arbitrations and has focused primarily on disputes in the infrastructure and energy sectors, which account for the bulk of the the portfolio. Peru has been a particularly busy jurisdiction, with the team advising on various Peruvian construction and transport disputes. Santiago-based Cristián Conejero, a specialist in international arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, co-leads the practice with Madrid-based Alfonso Iglesia, a 25-year veteran of both local and international arbitration. Fellow specialist Alberto Fortún (also in Madrid), and Mexican law expert René Irra in Mexico City are additional key names. Lima-based partner Domingo Rivarola, who specialises in commercial dispute resolution; and Madrid-based Manuel Franco, who was raised to the partnership in April 2021, round out the senior team, which was further strengthened with the hire of partner Alberto Zuleta from Holland & Knight in November 2021.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Cuatrecasas has a long history in Latin America and is building its presence there with offices in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile. The firm has a varied practice with a strong record in energy and infrastructure M&A, along with project development and project finance. It has impressive connections to energy corporates, lenders, project sponsors and developers and in one recent headline mandate, advised Spanish power company Naturgy on the sale of Chilean power distributor Compañía General de Electricidad (CGE) to China’s State Grid International Development. Bogota partner Manuel Quinche is experienced in project financings in the infrastructure and power sectors, and advised on the financing of Bogata’s first metro line. Lima’s Aldo Reggiardo is noted for project finance in the renewables, infrastructure and mining segments; Mexico City partner León López is another key figure for project matters.