Jones Day > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Compliance Tier 1

Garnering praise for being ‘an extraordinary lawyer’, as well as a renowned AML expert, Guillermo Larrea is at the helm of Jones Day 's eight-strong compliance practice, which handles anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, fraud prevention, digital compliance (including cyber-security, privacy and data protection), compliance programs, conflicts of interest, third-party relations, business conduct with public officials, implementation, enforcement and investigations. Delivering ‘very precise’ advice which generates ‘full confidence’ in the team among clients, the practice has recently handled anti-corruption and personal data protection mandates, as well as cases involving internal investigations, personal data protection compliance, and fraud and mismanagement matters. Associate Juan Carlos Hernández Q, who focuses on cyber-security and data compliance matters, is another name to note.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

According clients, ‘the attention of Jones Day's lawyers is outstanding;' and 'they always offer a quick response, with the right advice, depth and counsel’. This local office of this global player houses a 14-strong Mexican practice led by managing partner Manuel Romano, who primarily specializes in project finance, both in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Other key members of the team include Alberto de la Parra, who has a focus on structuring infrastructure and energy generation projects in Mexico; the head of energy, José Estandía, who specializes in project finance transactions for clients focused on power, renewable energy, natural gas, and hydrocarbons infrastructure; Javier Martínez del Campo, who has a broad securities and finance practice; and of counsel Antonio Franck, who actively represents development and private banks in retail financing and restructuring financing. 'Outstanding’ senior associate Arturo de la Parra garners praise, particularly for his ‘remarkable ability to negotiate and find the best agreements to solve problems’. The practice is supported by the firm's international network, and regularly works with other offices, particularly Madrid, New York and Miami.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

Lauded for offering ‘a first-class service’, the Mexican capital markets practice at international powerhouse Jones Day comprises a seven-strong team focused on advising local issuers and underwriters on debt and equity offerings, as well as in the establishment of mutual funds, pension funds and brokerage firms. Fronting the department we find the ‘highly competent, extremely collaborative and pro-business’ Silvia Malagón, who specialises in fund-related transactions, while of counsel Antonio Franck and practice co-head Carlos Sámano focus mostly on securities offerings. Backed by the firm's international network, the team garners praise for being ‘very dedicated’ and for making matters ‘flow in an agile and appropriate manner’.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Jones Day's Mexican energy practice fields a nine-strong team that combines solid transactional know-how with outstanding expertise in the full array of infrastructure development matters, as well as regulatory and environmental law, while also offering proven experience in the oil, gas, power (and renewables) segments. With over 25 years' experience in M&A and energy project finance, partner José Estandía heads the department, closely backed by infrastructure specialist Alberto de la Parra and corporate and transactional of counsel Antonio Franck. Key associate support is provided by experienced associates Arturo de la Parra (project and infrastructure finance, with a particular focus on renewables) and Fernando Verdín, a former director of electricity regulation at the CRE (energy, administrative law and public regulation; AML). Moreover, the practice was further strengthened in January 2021 with the hire of Alejandro Fleming Kauffman, previously the General Counsel of Iberdrola, as of counsel.

Mexico > Environment Tier 2

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.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

International full-service firm, Jones Day, houses an 11-strong Mexican practice with an established track record advising on the development of energy and infrastructure projects, including those related to airports, gas pipelines, toll roads, and water treatment plants. The team, which is particularly well-known for its expertise for the financing of renewable energy projects, is comprised of noted ‘experts in the field’, including Alberto de la Parra (project structuring, corporate and project finance, corporate counselling, restructuring, and M&A); José Estandía (whose M&A and project finance practice is centred on power, renewable energy, natural gas, and oil terminals); Manuel Romano and of counsel Antonio Franck. Primary support comes from finance associate Arturo de la Parra and the team was further reinforced with the January-2021 arrival of Alejandro Fleming, who joined as of counsel from Iberdrola. However, associate Salvador Gallo subsequently left in March 2021 to move in house at Merama.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Working as an integral part of the firm's global antitrust and competition area, Jones Day 's Mexican practice is renowned for handling high-profile antitrust investigations and merger control mandates, and for its support on cross-border and domestic transactions. Three partners co-head the team: Gabriel Altamirano, an expert in merger control and investigations who also handles compliance issues; Bertha Ordaz, who boasts a notable expertise across regulated sectors – notably energy, infrastructure, aviation and telecoms; and skilled litigator Antonio González, who engages in competition-related contentious work as necessary. Recent work highlights include advising the buyers, P&G, on the acquisition of Merck’s health care business; and the acquisition of AK Steel by Cleveland-Cliffs.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Working seamlessly with the firm's other offices as necessary, full-service giant, Jones Day 's Mexican practice is a respected presence in the corporate sphere. Particularly active in the energy and infrastructure sectors, the 14-strong department is co-led by experienced partners Manuel Romano, Mauricio Castilla and Javier Martínez del Campo, who excel, especially, when handling cross-border M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances; corporate governance too, is a particular niche strength. Of counsel Antonio Franck is also a genuine corporate specialist whose loyal clientele note his ‘excellence in the provision of legal services'. Recent departmental highlights include acting for Invex Infraestructura 4 on its development of a petroleum products pipeline in Mexico (from Tuxpan to Tula).

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

‘An obligatory reference in Mexico’, international powerhouse Jones Day boasts a solid track-record handling domestic and cross-border civil and commercial disputes. Antonio González, who handles civil and commercial litigation and domestic and international arbitration (including contractual disputes, corporate and shareholders litigation, bankruptcy, and financial matters); and Jose Antonio Vazquez co-head the eight-strong practice, which has recently been involved in real estate litigation, class actions, shareholder disputes, breaches of contract, damages and insurance claims. At associate level, María Elena Huerta is an active member of the practice.

Mexico > International trade and customs Tier 4

Of counsel Mauricio Llamas and counsel Javier Cortés, who boasts over 25 years’ experience in custom duties and maquila-related work, including their tax implications, along with consumer protection, litigation and life-science regulatory issues, head the five-strong international trade and customs practice at Jones Day. The department, which can draw on the resources and expertise of the firm’s global network, is a regular advisor to domestic and international clients from across the manufacturing, maquila, retail, automotive, pharmaceuticals, mining and energy sectors on a wide range of trade matters, with a special focus on the maquiladora segment, regulatory matters, FTA mandates and litigation.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 4

Partner Manuel Romano heads the five-strong real estate department at Jones Day's Mexico City office, which covers transactions ranging from simple due diligence processes for the purchase or development of land, houses, buildings, plants, hotels and factories, to more complex real estate operations with a significant financing and tax planning component, or assisting with all aspects of environmental considerations. Partner Mauricio Llamas, who has a focus on administrative and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in environmental, health and safety laws and standardisation, is another key figure in the practice, which can also draw on the resources of the firm’s global real estate team of over 100 lawyers.

Mexico > Tax Tier 4

Partner Rodrigo Gómez who, according to a client, is one of the few lawyers in México who can simultaneously ‘offer tax services in transactional, consulting and litigation matters’, heads the boutique-like department at international firm Jones Day. The practice boasts a solid skill set in both contentious and transactional matters, advising on a wide range of matters from complex transactions (particularly cross-border) and restructurings, to audits, planning and litigation. The team is particularly renowned for its long-established experience advising regulated industries -mainly oil and gas, telecoms and transportation- on tax matters.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Jones Day has an established presence in renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the region. It also stands out for its leading Mexico office, which lands many of the major engagements in the jurisdiction. The firm has advised on a range of headline projects across Latin America, from airport developments in Mexico, to toll roads in Colombia and telecoms infrastructure in Paraguay. It also represents a large number of European and Asian sponsors in Latin America renewable energy projects. Richard Puttre leads the Latin America projects practice and has an impressive record in renewable energy projects across the region; he also led the team that advised Sacyr Concesiones, as sponsor, and the concessionaire and borrower, on a $451m long-term project financing, consisting of US dollar and Colombia peso tranches to repay a bridge loan facility and fund the design, construction, operation and maintenance costs for the $525m Pamplona-Cucuta Highway. Fradyn Suárez is another experienced Latin America project finance specialist, while Alberto de la Parra has a giant reputation in Mexico for both transport infrastructure and energy projects. New York’s Robert da Silva Ashley and Sao Paulo partner Marcello Hallake are also key team members. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Since publication, however, Puttré has left the firm – effective January 2022.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Jones Day's sizeable Latin America practice, which includes a large presence in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, New York and Miami, has leveraged its extensive expertise in a growing number of refinancings and restructurings. Much of the practice has centred on real estate, energy and infrastructure, while the firm has developed its standing in ESG and sustainability-linked loans. It advised Millicom International Cellular on a $600m senior unsecured sustainability-linked revolving credit facility in 2020. It remains at the forefront of oil and gas financings, representing some of the biggest international oil majors and a number of lenders in midstream oil and gas financings. Miami partners Fradyn Suárez and Richard Puttré are key names in energy and infrastructure financings and refinancings. Mexico City's Alberto de la Parra has an outstanding reputation in infrastructure and renewable energy finance, as is fellow Mexico City partner Manuel Romano. Sao Paulo's Marcello Hallake covers both corporate and finance transactions, including numerous big-ticket deals. Miami of counsel Marie Elena Angulo is another prominent individual.