Hogan Lovells > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Hogan Lovells > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Clients appreciate Hogan Lovells' ‘large presence in Mexico’, as well as its housing the ‘team of very prestigious lawyers’ that make up its prestgious competition team. The Mexican practice of the full-service giant is reputed for its experience in merger control proceedings, as well as in prosecution against horizontal (cartels) and vertical monopolistic practices. Department-heads Ricardo Pons and Omar Guerrero (an expert litigator), have a proven track record advising clients – particularly from the pharmaceutical, aviation, chemical and energy sectors – in investigations, and enjoy a strong presence in merger control process regarding transactional activity. The core group is completed by counsel Alan Ramirez, who brings additional litigation skills to the team; and senior associate Martin Michaus A, whose practice focuses on merger control proceedings, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance, and antitrust litigation. Work highlights include representing Eli Lilly Mexico in the first civil damages procedure in Mexico resulting from a cartel investigation before the judiciary from a claim filed by the Mexican Institute for Social Health (IMSS).

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

Hogan Lovells is a force to be reckoned with in dispute resolution in general in Mexico, and is widely recognised for its superb international arbitration practice. The 20-strong local practice group is deeply intertwined with the activity of teams in the New York, Miami, Houston and Madrid offices, which brings additional capabilities to handle high-profile arbitrations in a braod range of industries, with a particular focus -recently- in the energy and automotive sectors. Omar Guerrero, an impressive lawyer who excels whether practicing civil or commercial litigation, arbitration or antitrust, has a highly active arbitral practice, both as party counsel and as arbitrator. He co-heads the team together with seasoned specialist Luis Enrique Graham, a past president of both the Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje (Alarb) and the Instituto Mexicano del Arbitraje (IMA), who has been involved as party counsel and as arbitrator in both national and international disputes for approaching 40 years. Further expertise is provided by Jorge Valdés King, who specialises in arbitration, litigation and bankruptcy; Luis Ernesto Peón, a skilled litigator with a focus on the financial sector; and Juan Arturo Dueñas, who was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and who is regularly involved in cross border arbitration and cases concerning contractual disputes, and moral and material damages - primarily in the energy, automotive, insurance, and constructions sectors. All those mentioned are based in Mexico City.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 1

International full-service firm Hogan Lovells has impressive life sciences credentials and expertise in industries including pharma, health care, consumer goods, chemicals, and technology. The practice group advises on matters including M&A transactions, the restructuring of business models and operations, labelling and advertising issues, the launch of new products, product liability, antitrust, and litigation, among others. Ernesto Algaba Reyes who focuses primarily on health law and regulatory compliance matters for the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, is practice head. Specialist support is provided by counsel Cecilia Stahlhut Espinosa who has experience in regulatory drug matters, medical devices and equipment, research and development, biotechnology, compliance of new product technologies, and general health regulatory compliance. However, specialist associate Héctor Mercado moved to Cuesta Campos y Asociados S.C. in June 2022.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

International powerhouse Hogan Lovells, has an enviable record when it comes to disputes work -especially that of an international nature- boasting ample experience handling complex civil and commercial litigation proceedings before local and federal courts (including the Supreme Court), and representing clients from a variety of industries including infrastructure, construction, automotive, pharmaceutical, insurance, oil and gas, beverages, and technology. The practice comprises a group of well known names in the Mexican disputes sphere, incuding office managing partner Omar Guerrero, who excels whether practicing civil, commercial or antitrust litigation, or arbitration; Luis Enrique Graham, who is also praised for his established arbitration practice; Alejandro García González (in Monterrey), who is experienced in construction and real estate disputes; Jorge Francisco Valdés King, whose practice additionally encompasses bankruptcy litigation; skilled civil and commercial litigator Luis Ernesto Peón Barriga. Juan Arturo Dueñas, who was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and tax and administrative litigator Giovanni Sosa provide additional key support.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Hogan Lovells energy practice is highly regarded for its diverse capabilities in upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas projects, as well as in the electricity market. Recent matters have seen the team assist domestic and international clients with regulatory compliance, hydrocarbons export permits, and the negotiation of natural gas supply and transportation agreements. In the power segment it has been active on regulatory matters, EPC and O&M contracts, as well as power purchase agreements. The team is co-led by well-known figure Carlos Ramos, who specialises in infrastructure projects, M&A, and general corporate advice in the energy industry; Miguel Ángel Mateo Simón, who advises clients on sector-related corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters; and Juan Francisco Torres Landa, a project finance and foreign investment specialist who also has in depth knowledge of environmental matters. A capable second line comprises counsel Mauricio Fuchs, whose practice encompasses corporate affairs, M&A, restructuring, energy and infrastructure transactions, real estate, and structured and asset finance; and senior associates Perla Díaz T (transactional and regulatory matters concerning the oil, gas and power sectors); and Venezuelan-qualified Víctor Barrientos, whose past experience includes more than a decade as manager of the international legal department at Petroquímica de Venezuela.

Mexico > Intellectual property Tier 2

Hogan Lovells‘ intellectual property practice in Mexico has experience advising clients on trade marks, copyright and patents, designs and utility models, the protection of trade secrets, and domain name prosecution and litigation, as well as the negotiation of contracts and transactions involving intellectual property rights. The team is led by Bernardo Herrerías who represents Mexican and foreign clients on patents and in litigation, as well as managing the maintenance of IP portfolios for clients from the pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, beauty, technology, computing, publishing, music, and food and beverage industries. Herrerías is supported by a strong line of key senior associates including: Edgar Mata (‘a pleasure to work with, and provides practical solutions’), who actively advises clients on the best strategies to secure and protect their intellectual property rights; José Armando Casillas, who has over 15 years’ experienced advising on IP, media, and technology matters, with a particular focus on patents, trade marks, and copyright prosecution and litigation; and Valentina Schmid who advises on trade mark, trade name, domain name and unfair competition issues, and has particular experience of trade mark portfolio management, especially for international clients from the consumer goods sector.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 2

Highly regarded full-service firm Hogan Lovells stands out for having ‘a solid, well-integrated team that covers all the specialties, and that can manage a simple contract with the same efficiency as a collective bargaining’ as well as having ‘total client availability – there is always someone who can take a call or visit the offices’. The practice is experienced in a broad range of labour matters including transactional labour mandates, day-to-day advice and litigation, and regularly advises clients on matters such as negotiating collective bargaining agreements, the transfer of employees, mass terminations, employment and sanitary protocols, pension and retirement plans, compliance projects and companies’ restructurings.  The practice is co-led by Luis Ricardo Ruiz Gutiérrez and Hugo Hernández-Ojeda Alvírez, both of whom focus on union negotiations, social security, labour and employment restructurings, and litigation; and Mary Carmen Fuertes whose experience encompasses corporate deals, transactional matters, investigations, compliance, transfer of employees, lay-offs and labour restructures. They trio is supported by counsel Luis Adrian Rosas, who has a strong reputation for labour litigation – especially high-risk cases; and associates Oswaldo Chávez U and María Regina Torrero, who undertake labour litigation and labour consultancy, respectively.

Mexico > TMT Tier 2

Federico Hernández Arroyo, an experienced partner with over 20 years directly involved in the telecommunications sector, including an early stage working with the former telecom regulator, helms the Mexican TMT practice at full-service firm Hogan Lovells. The group assists clients with the regulatory framework in Mexico applicable to all kind of telecommunications (fixed, satellite and mobile) and broadcasting services. It also shows prowess supporting clients across different sectors on compliance with Mexico's privacy regulation and other cybersecurity matters, and offers additional corporate, transactional, antitrust, and litigation assistance to its TMT client-roster with a sector-specific and commercial perspective. Senior associate Ana Paula Rumualdo, who heads the digital technologies practice, offers additional key expertise in emerging technologies, data protection, privacy and other data management issues.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 3

Seamlessly integrated into the office network of the international full-service giant, Hogan Lovells‘ Mexican banking and finance practice boasts a solid footprint both in Mexico City and Monterrey, where department-heads Federico De Noriega and René Arce are respectively located. De Noriega, who is closely backed by experienced counsel Aldonza Sakar, has an excellent track record advising both lenders and borrowers regarding cross-border financing, project finance and asset-backed loans; while Arce is well-reputed for his skills handling regulatory and transactional work, with a particular emphasis on sub-sovereign finance. Recent work highlights of the group include representing the US International Development Finance Corporation in relation to a $100m loan to Crédito Real.

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 3

Lauded for its ‘availability and creativity’, Hogan Lovells' practice offers robust expertise in both bankruptcy and financial restructuring proceedings. The group has a focus on a diverse range of industries, mainly automotive, banking, technology, food and insurance, and boasts a good combination of skilled litigators and financial lawyers, which notably enhances the firm's offering. Name partners include Omar Guerrero, whose practice centres on commercial litigation, arbitration, bankruptcy proceedings and competition law; financial expert Federico De Noriega, who handles out-of-court restructurings; and Jorge Valdés King, who has experience advising creditors and debtors in bankruptcy proceedings. Work highlights include representing Alloy Merchant Finance as lessor of power equipment to Grupo Famsa in the latter's insolvency proceeding.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

Praised for its ‘knowledge and mastery of the matter’, Hogan Lovells' compliance practice appeals to clients for its excellence when it comes to reviewing compliance policies for companies to ensure alignment with Mexican Law - including the National Anticorruption System, targeted investigations aimed at addressing specific compliance cases, and the training sessions it offer. Prominent group contacts include senior figure Juan Francisco Torres , a corporate and finance expert with considerable experience advising on compliance matters, white-collar crime and investigations; and seasoned contentious partner Luis Enrique Graham, who is sought out by clients for mandates related to investigations and anti-corruption regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and local anti-corruption regulations throughout Latin America. Experienced associate Julio Zugasti, who has built a good knowledge of compliance and government contracts, is another name to note.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

International full-service giant, Hogan Lovells, offers a ‘high–performance’ Mexican corporate and M&A practice, which earns praise for its ‘deep knowledge of the Mexican legal framework, transactional processes (M&A), and the applicable industry in the country’. The group comprises renowned market-specialists such as Juan Francisco Torres Landa, who is recommended for his skills handling cross-border work and corporate restructurings; Federico De Noriega, who boasts a strong track record in joint ventures and multi-party acquisitions; Carlos Ramos, who provides additional expertise regarding insurance and energy law in Mexico; and Monterrey-based partners Guillermo González Frankenberger and Mario Jorge Yañez, who has focused his practice on the industrial, consumer products, automobile and financial services sectors. Praised for her ‘responsiveness and negotiation skills’, counsel Andrea López De La Campa is an additional key contact at a practice that is able to seamlessly draw upon the resources of the firm’s global network; however, former senior associate Pablo Corcuera moved in-house in April 2022. Since research concluded, the firm has also hired Gina Decanini, formerly a partner at Canales Abogados, as a counsel in its Monterrey office; a former in-house counsel at Cemex, Decanini has experience across the administrative, company law, corporate, energy and real estate sectors – effective as of July 2022.

Mexico > Environment Tier 3

Hogan Lovells remains a presence in the Mexican environmental sphere, demonstrating experience regarding the analysis and implementation of business strategies to guarantee water supply for future operations; wastewater matters, site contamination issues determining potential risks, advise to clients on single-use plastics bans issued by various Mexican states (including a wide range of industries including food, beverage, electronic and e-commerce), advice on e-waste management, and climate change issues such as participation in the Pilot Program of the Emission Trading System in México, and analysis of new local regulations establishing the payment of green taxes. The practice is led by Brenda Rogel Salgado, an established environmental practitioner who is experienced in environmental risk, risk management advisory and drafting the environmental provisions of transactional documentation, as well as regulatory compliance at municipal, state and federal levels. Intermediate associate Javier Camacho has specialised in environmental matters since the outset of his career and is one-to-watch. Since publication, Rogel Salgado has left the firm – effective as of January 2023.

Mexico > Insurance Tier 3

Full-service international firm, Hogan Lovells, offers extensive expertise in the formation and acquisition of insurance, surety and brokerage companies, as well as on day-to-day compliance and regulatory matters. Carlos Ramos, whose insurance expertise is complemented by his experience in corporate, M&A and energy law, heads a six-strong department that is instructed by a notable client roster comprising names such as Chubb, Liberty, Swiss Re, Zurich, Axa Seguros, and Pan-American México. Ramos is well-versed in securing regulatory approvals for setting up new insurance companies, handling the acquisition and sale of insurance companies, the development of joint ventures, and bancassurance matters. Additional partner level support on contentious mandates is provided by Omar Guerrero and Luis Ernesto Peón.

Mexico > International trade and customs Tier 3

Hogan Lovells' international trade and customs group comprises ‘specialists in the field’ who garner praise for their ‘excellent communication and customer service’. Partners Juan Francisco Torres Landa and Mario Jorge Yañez are in charge of steering the international trade practice, which boasts a solid track record advising in complex anti-dumping investigations in Mexico; while Arturo Tiburcio leads the customs practice, which covers advisory and consultation work, administrative procedures, and litigation. The department, which services clients in a wide array of industries such as food and beverage, automotive, electronics, steel, chemicals, and aviation, includes other notable practitioners, primarily senior associate Mario Lara, who is particularly skilled in tariff classification, customs compliance and regulations, and anti-dumping matters; and associate Brianda Ramirez.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 3

Hogan Lovells‘ compact-but-knowledgeable, eight-strong practice is acclaimed for ‘excellent knowledge of the subject and its field, outstanding customer service and follow-up to resolve pending issues‘, and as ‘always respectful and attentive.’ Experienced in real estate due diligence, the sale and acquisition of real estate, leasing and condominium regimes, construction, litigation, and the operation and management of real estate developments, the team is co-led by an experienced partner trio.  Juan Francisco Torres Landa advises clients on the financing and acquisition of projects, and foreign investments; while Ángel Domínguez De Pedro and Guillermo González Frankenberger are both experienced in M&A, real estate, corporate governance, and corporate and commercial matters. Counsel Fernando Medina Luna is responsible for the coordination of the practice and handles civil, commercial, corporate and real estate matters – including social land (“ejidos”) and urban development advice, as well as having experience dealing with administrative contingencies related to the real estate sector. Associate Ana Lucía Gutiérrez Fernández focuses on real estate transactions, corporate and commercial matters, leases, purchases and real estate portfolio transactions, along with administrative regulatory matters. However, former associate Luis Lauro González moved in house as transactional legal director at Finsa in February 2022.

Mexico > Tax Tier 4

Hogan Lovells' Mexico tax practice appeals to clients for its solid capabilities throughout the tax sphere, and garners praise for its ‘knowledge of the Mexican legal tax framework’. The team is jointly led by Mexico City´s Arturo Tiburcio, who has in-depth experience of tax consultation, audit procedures related to income tax, value-added tax, and international tax issues (particularly double tax treaties and transfer pricing); and Monterrey-based partner Jaime Espinosa, who relies on his vast knowledge of constitutional and administrative litigation to advise clients on state and federal tax controversies, along with international double taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and project finance. They are closely supported by counsel Francisco Palmero, who focuses on tax consulting regarding federal and local taxes, corporate restructuring, and transactional activity.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Hogan Lovells US LLP has a large Latin America team spread across multiple offices in the Americas, including in Miami, Houston, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. With particular experience in acquisitions of and investments in projects and energy assets, the firm also has a breadth of M&A experience for both corporates and financial investors. Miami office managing partner Jorge Diaz-Silveira is a notable figure in M&A transactions, especially in the projects, energy and infrastructure fields. Juan Francisco Torres Landa is a leading name in Mexico City, where he has extensive experience in cross-border deals.