Hogan Lovells > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

International behemoth Hogan Lovells combines a large and robust litigation area with an impressive arbitration practice, which has successfully harnessed its impressive global footprint to offer clients one of the finest international arbitration practices in the country. Displaying some superb capabilities in commercial arbitration and associated litigation, damages and administrative matters; the 19-strong department is fronted by two specialists: Omar Guerrero, an ‘excellent negotiator’ who is currently representing a major north American gas-pipeline company in three LCIA arbitrations against a state-owned entity (in relation to contract termination and force majeure clauses); and Luis Enrique Graham, who is currently acting as a chairman and co-arbitrator in ICDR and ICC arbitral proceedings. Other key members of the practice include Monterrey-based Alejandro García González, Jorge Valdés King (arbitration, litigation and bankruptcy), and Luis Ernesto Peón. However, senior associate Carlos Alvarado Moreno left the firm to establish his own -eponymous- boutique in January 2021. Since publication, senior associate Juan Arturo Dueñas has been promoted to counsel – effective January 2022.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 1

Highly regarded full-service firm Hogan Lovells fields a ‘very well-integrated team with specialists in various branches of life sciences’. The department is well versed across a broad range of matters in the sector, from Official Mexican Standards (NOMs), consumer protection, product liability and sanitary registrations, to overland transport, foreign trade, contracts and patents. The five-strong practice also boasts relevant capabilities in handling sensitive compliance matters, and the planning and implementation of strategies for the restructuring of business operations. The team comprises an ‘exceptional’ duo of practice head Ernesto Algaba Reyes, who stands out for his expertise in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, and counsel Cecilia Stahlhut, who has particular knowledge of the regulation of cosmetics, food, alcohol, tobacco and consumer products.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Offering the sturdy combination of a strong local team and a large international platform, Hogan Lovells' seven-strong antitrust practice acts throughout Mexico on matters ranging from high-profile merger control proceedings to complex litigation; having become a solid presence in obtaining cartel prosecutions and abuse of dominance inquires. Heading the department are partners Ricardo Pons, who handles merger-clearance work, antitrust and abuse of dominance cases (as well as preventive consultation and training programs for clients); and Omar Guerrero, who is recommended for litigation and investigations, especially in relation to a broad swathe of regulated industries, construction and agribusiness. Recently appointed counsel Alan Ramirez, who has noteworthy litigation skills, and senior associate Martin Michaus, are other highlighted practitioners of the team.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

One of the big names when it comes to disputes, and ‘undoubtedly among the best litigators in Mexico’, Hogan Lovells fields a 20-strong practice with solid expertise handling a wide array of litigation work and routinely undertaking civil, commercial, and administrative (including constitutional) mandates. Partners Omar Guerrero (who also excels handling arbitration proceedings), Jorge Francisco Valdés King and Luis Enrique Graham, co-head the department, which earns praise for being ‘committed, dynamic and passionate about client service’. Recent mandates include partnership disputes related to compensation benefits, contentious matters involving 'amparos', real estate-related disputes; recovery actions, damages claims, product liability, and significant class actions. Luis Ernesto Peón, who made the partnership in January 2020, and senior associate Juan Arturo Dueñas are additional names to note.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Hogan Lovells offers a full-service practice with expertise throughout the oil-and-gas segments (upstream, midstream and downstream) and across the electricity industry in Mexico. It has been particularly busy, of late, handling renewables projects and wholesale electricity-market matters. Partners Carlos Ramos Miranda, who focuses his infrastructure work on energy, natural resources and water projects; and Miguel Ángel Mateo Simón, who specialises in oil-and-gas, power -both renewable and conventional- and water infrastructure projects, head the eight-strong department. Providing key support to the practice (which also boasts good capabilities handling regulatory mandates), is Mauricio Fuchs Tarlovsky , who undertakes corporate M&A, energy and infrastructure, structured finance and regulation; and senior associate Perla Díaz Taracena, who handles transactional and regulatory matters across the oil, gas and power segments.

Mexico > Intellectual property Tier 2

Boasting nearly 40 years advising clients -especially from the entertainment, consumer products, and pharmaceutical industries- on their IP strategies, Hogan Lovells enjoys hard-earned recognition for its trade mark and copyright prosecution practice, as well as for its litigation and enforcement team that handles trade mark, patent and copyright issues. At the helm is the ‘exceptional’ Bernardo Herrerías, who stands out for his anti-counterfeiting work, having recently advised Duracell on such a programme in relation to the company's importation of batteries into Mexico. Other key practitioners include senior associates José Armando Casillas, who has a particular focus on patent, trade mark and copyright prosecution and litigation; and Edgar Mata, who advises on IP-protection strategies, among other matters.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 2

Well-coordinated, fast and efficient, Hogan Lovells‘ Mexican labour practice is a 14-strong ‘team of brilliant experts’, lauded by some as being the ‘best business partners’. The department has a solid track record advising clients from a broad range of industries and undertakes corporate labour support as well as representation on individual and collective disputes before both federal and local conciliation and arbitration boards. It is led by experienced duo, Hugo Hernandez-Ojeda, who specialises in labour litigation, collective bargaining and employment restructuring; and market veteran Luis Ruiz Gutiérrez, who handles consultancy and litigation, both individual and collective, including discrimination issues. Counsels Luis Adrián Rosas Ortega and Mary Carmen Fuertes, who focus primarily on litigation and consultancy, respectively, are other names to note. Since publication, Fuertes has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2022.

Mexico > TMT Tier 2

Demonstrating impressive capabilities on regulatory telecommunications matters, as well as on the transactional front, Hogan Lovells is a secure choice for the handling of media, technology and data privacy issues. Federico Hernández Arroyo, who has a direct and longstanding engagement with the telecommunications sector (including time as head of regulatory affairs at the -then- Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones), leads the department. He is closely supported by senior associate Ana Paula Rumualdo, who provides additional expertise regarding cyberlaw, legal AI, privacy and data protection. Recent matters include day-to-day regulatory advice regarding compliance with spectrum concessions and authorisations, telecoms regulatory advice, software licensing agreements, cloud and online-services matters, and the MVNO market.

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 3

Housing a good mix of financial lawyers and litigation practitioners, the Mexican office of full-service firm Hogan Lovells advises both creditors and debtors on restructuring transactions, voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, and on judicial and out-of-court reorganisation plans and separation of assets claims. Boasting excellent cross-border capabilities thanks to the firm's extensive global network, the practice acts for domestic and international companies in a range of sectors. The department includes noted practitioners such as Federico de Noriega, and accomplished litigators Omar Guerrero and Jorge Francisco Valdés, among others.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

Hogan Lovells´ ‘dynamic’ 11-strong compliance practice has maintained a steady growth over the last couple of years, garnering solid expertise advising on matters ranging from targeted investigations to compliance implementation audits and training in relation to Mexico's anti-corruption system. The team is led by a group of well-versed corporate and finance practitioners, namely managing partner Juan Francisco Torres Landa, Carlos Ramos Miranda and Federico de Noriega Olea (who has particular expertise in data privacy issues, including data processing, data transfers and security breaches), along with contentious partner Luis Enrique Graham, who ‘generates broad trust among the stakeholders with whom he interacts’. Graham focuses on investigations and local anti-corruption regulations – as well as FCPA matters – across the wider Latin America region. The team can also call on the highly specialised support of the firm's cross-office investigations, white-collar and fraud group.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

A team of ‘highly experienced professionals with an extremely precise and accurate business vision’ comprise the Mexican corporate practice at Hogan Lovells. Boasting a solid presence in both Monterrey and Mexico City -and always able to draw resources from the firm´s global reach- the team is regularly engaged by an array of domestic and foreign clients to handle transactional operations, the establishment of joint ventures, and restructuring and corporate governance mandates. Key practitioners in Mexico City include: Juan Francisco Torres Landa, a deeply experienced figure who is well-versed in corporate restructuring and cross-border mandates; Federico de Noriega, who garners praise for his ‘business acumen and strong negotiation skills’; Carlos Ramos Miranda - M&A, particularly in relation to the energy and insurance sectors; and counsel Andrea López de la Campa, who has ‘excellent corporate and M&A know-how’. Experienced market players Guillermo González Frankenberger and Jorge Yañez handle matters from the Monterrey office.

Mexico > Environment Tier 3

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.

Mexico > Insurance Tier 3

Hogan Lovells has successfully established its footprint in the Mexican insurance market, showing prowess in both the transactional and regulatory aspects of the sector, and putting to good use its expertise in the formation and acquisition of insurance, reinsurance, surety, and brokerage companies and agents. The team is also skilled in handling day-to-day compliance and regulatory issues, including the development of insurance products, policies and contracts. Names to note include regulatory expert Carlos Ramos, Omar Guerrero and Luis Ernesto Peón.

Mexico > International trade and customs Tier 3

International full-service giant, Hogan Lovells' Mexican IT&C department is divided into two primary sub-practices: international trade/WTO procedures and customs matters. Managing partner Juan Francisco Torres and the talented Jorge Yañez (who is notably skilled on trade compliance and anti-dumping), focus on the international trade (dumping and subsidies) side, while fellow practice co-head Arturo Tiburcio sits at the helm of customs matters (closely supported by Yañez). A regular advisor to clients across a wide range of industries -including food and beverage, automotive, electronics and aviation- the practice also houses a number of other noteworthy members, including senior associate Mario Lara, who handles consultancy, litigation and administrative procedures, more specifically focusing on anti-dumping matters, tariff classification, customs compliance and regulations; and intermediate associate Brianda Ramirez.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 3

Operating from Monterrey and Mexico City (and backed by the firm’s global network), international full-service firm Hogan Lovells fields a nine-strong Mexican real estate practice, which is lauded for going ‘above and beyond to help its clients’. The team, which has vast experience in complex real estate transactions – including those related to public offerings, financing matters, collateral and co-investments for real estate projects – is co-led by Mexico City-based partners Ángel Domínguez de Pedro and Juan Francisco Torres Landa1, in conjunction with Guillermo González Frankenberger in Monterrey. All three are civil, corporate and commercial experts with a focus on real estate, project finance, M&A and shareholders disputes. Counsel Fernando Medina Luna, who goes ‘above and beyond to assist‘ with work ‘under tight deadlines’, and senior associate Luis Lauro González, are additional key figures in the practice group.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 4

Operating from its offices in Mexico City and Monterrey, Hogan Lovells´s Mexican banking and finance practice, is renowned for advising both lenders and borrowers on regulatory and transactional work, with a particular emphasis on sub-sovereign finance, mainly thanks to the reputed expertise held by Monterrey-based partner René Arce in these sort of mandates. Fellow partner Federico de Noriega, specializes on cross-border financing, project finance and asset-backed loans, supported closely by counsel Aldonza Sakar, who is also skilled in senior secured credit transactions. Backed by the firm´s large international network, they department regularly advises foreign banks; states and municipalities; non-traditional lenders such as funds and SOFOMs; and fintech companies.

Mexico > Tax Tier 4

Hogan Lovells boasts a 12-strong Mexican tax department, best-known for its capabilities assisting clients with cross-border transactions, as well representing them before the tax authority regarding tax audit procedures and tax reimbursements. Mexico City-based partners Arturo Tiburcio, and Jaime Espinosa (who also operates from the Monterrey office), constitute an impressive combination with significant expertise in income tax and double tax conventions (transactional and cross border operations), VAT in the exportation of services, and indirect taxes, as well as disputes, social security and wealth management. Francisco Palmero, who was promoted to counsel in January 2021, provides key support in a team that has proved a popular choice among clients from the transportation, food and service sectors.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Hogan Lovells US LLP is best known for its work in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador and Venezuela. The firm has a sizeable team in Mexico and large Miami office that has deep connections to the region. The firm is well known for energy transactions. Juan Francisco Torres Landa leads the Latin America practice group from Mexico City. Jorge Diaz-Silveira is another key figure in Miami.