Jones Day > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Jones Day > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Compliance Tier 1

Clients value Jones Day's compliance practice for being a ‘team you can fully trust when you need timely, business savvy sound advice’. Department-head Guillermo Larrea, who is currently vice-president at the Compliance Managers Commission of the Mexico Chapter of the ICC, is held in high esteem by clients for his expert advice on compliance, anticorruption, and anti-money laundering, as well as for being committed to moving the agenda forward on digital compliance. Larrea is closely supported by associate Juan Carlos Quinzaños, who has strong knowledge of cyber-crime matters, and is dedicated to cyber-security and data compliance mandates. Recent work highlights include advising Toyota with the preparation of a regulatory compliance risk assessment and compliance program concerning anticorruption, cyber-security and data protection.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

The Mexican office of international full-service powerhouse, Jones Day, houses a 14-strong banking and finance team comprised of ‘experts in their field’, who represent an impressive list of lenders and borrowers, while also covering a range of transaction types and structures, including acquisition, real estate and aviation finance, as well as asset-based lending and cross-border investments. Manuel Romano, who operates across various industries including energy, manufacturing, automotive and apparel, and also advises financing parties in real estate development projects; and Alberto De La Parra, who has a solid track record advising on project finance, syndicated loans, secured financings and refinancing transactions, sit at the helm of the practice. Javier Martínez Del Campo, who maintains a broad securities and finance practice; José Estandía, who has over 25 years’ experience advising borrowers and lenders, particularly as regards project finance; and Carlos Sámano (debt, equity, and asset-backed securities offerings and tender offers), round out the senior team. Arturo De La Parra, who was recently promoted to of counsel and focuses on a range of cross-border and domestic financing transactions (most notably project finance); and associates Jose Manuel Carrillo and Diego Noriega are other names to note.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Jones Day has a proven track record in acquisitions and finance in the power industry, advising some of Mexico’s largest renewable energy projects across the wind, photovoltaic and solar power segments. Indeed, the team is recognised for its ‘outstanding knowledge’ across the energy and natural resources sector and has a reputation for handling complex energy and regulatory transactions in electricity, renewables and oil and gas sectors. The practice group is co-led by experienced partners José Estandía, who specialises in M&A and project finance transactions in the energy sector; and Alberto De La Parra, who focuses on cross-border and domestic infrastructure transactions. At counsel level, finance specialist Arturo De La Parra is active in project and infrastructure-related lending transactions (particularly renewables); and Alejandro Fleming – a former general counsel at Iberdrola – has particular and lengthy experience in the electricity sector. Also a key member of the practice group, senior associate Fernando Verdín was very active over the past year advising clients on development and acquisition of renewable energy projects. Of counsel Antonio Franck retired in January 2022.

Mexico > Environment Tier 2

Jones Day is an undoubted presence in Mexico's environmental legal sphere, its practice demonstrating experience and capability in all areas of environmental, health and safety laws, with specific focus on compliance, environmental damage liability, climate change, and energy projects. The team advises clients on matters involving soil pollution and remediation, greenhouse gas emissions, legislative developments regarding the banning of plastics, hazardous materials and waste management, social impact and civil environmental liability, among others. It also represents clients in litigation before local and federal administrative authorities and courts in Mexico. Practice head Mauricio Llamas is a veteran specialist with over 20 years' partner-level involvement in the sector; he primarily undertakes administrative and regulatory matters, with particular experience in environmental, health, and safety laws and standardization, and is also very active in administrative litigation against federal and local authorities. Senior associate Mauricio Villegas is well regarded for his experience advising domestic and international clients on compliance matters, M&A auditing procedures, the environmental aspects of business restructurings, the obtaining of relevant permits, crisis management, and regulatory and environmental litigation.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

International full-service firm, Jones Day, houses an 11-strong projects and infrastructure practice in its Mexico office, which has substantial experience in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, including those related to airports, gas pipelines, toll roads, and water treatment plants. The team advises developers, state-entities, construction companies, sponsors, borrowers, and financial institutions (including multilateral lending institutions, export credit agencies, investment banks and private equity funds). The team is co-led by Alberto de la Parra, who focuses on project structuring, corporate and project finance, M&A, restructuring and corporate counseling; José A Estandía, who specialises in project finance transactions in Mexico’s energy sector for clients focused on power, renewable energy, natural gas, and oil; and Manuel Romano, who advises developers, buyers, and financing parties on development projects. Primary support comes from finance of counsel Arturo De La Parra, along with January-2021 hire, Alejandro Fleming, who joined as of counsel from Iberdrola. Associate Salvador Gallo subsequently left in March 2021 to move in house at Merama, but the firm has since brought in several experienced associates, including Rainer Walz del Valle and Mariana de Maria y Campos, both of whom have experience of project finance and infrastructure matters.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 3

Silvia Malagón sits at the helm of the respected Mexican capital markets practice of full-service giant, Jones Day, which is well known for its work advising domestic issuers and underwriters on debt and equity offerings, as well as for its capabilities assisting with the establishing of mutual funds, pension funds and brokerage firms in Mexico, as well as other fund-related transactions. Work highlights include helping Sam Asset Management obtain authorisation before the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) for its merger with TOPSAM. Of counsel Carlos Sámano provides additional key expertise in securities offerings. The group can also draw resources form the firm's international network of offices.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Well known for its prowess handling high-profile antitrust investigations and merger control, and for its support on cross-border and domestic transactions, Jones Day's practice also appeals to both domestic and international clients for its deep sector expertise and knowledge of regulated industries in Mexico, such as telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. Key contacts of the practice - both of whom are praised for their ‘knowledge and availability’ - include of counsel Gabriel Altamirano, who has extensive experience advising on compliance matters, merger control filings, and cartel investigations, mainly in the energy, infrastructure, aviation, and technology sectors; and Antonio González, a who engages in competition-related litigation work as necessary. Former practice co-head, of counsel Bertha Ordaz, left the firm in June 2021.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

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 office managing partner Manuel Romano - a transactional specialist; and of counsels Mauricio Castilla (M&A and corporate governance); and Javier Martínez Del Campo (cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions); all three particularly excel at handling cross-border M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances, with corporate governance too, constituting a particular niche strength. Of counsel Antonio Franck is also a genuine corporate specialist who enjoys a loyal clientele. Recent departmental highlights include acting for Shiloh Industries on the sale of its majority ownership to MiddleGround Capital; and as co-counsel to KKR on its acquisition of the assets of Tultitlán from Unilever.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

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 focuses on civil and commercial litigation with an orientation towards contentious corporate and shareholder matters.

Mexico > Tax Tier 5

The ‘top-notch, knowledgeable and pragmatic’ practice at Jones Day earns praise for an offering which ‘covers various jurisdictions in a single invoice and in a highly coordinated manner’, making them an ideal choice for ‘transnational matters’. Rodrigo Gómez sits at the helm of the team, bringing over 20 years' experience advising on various aspects of Mexican federal and international taxation to the table - including on the tax aspects of M&A transactions, restructurings, and debt markets' activity. The group has particular industry expertise on manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, finance, retail, technology and real estate.

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

Jones Day’s substantial team, spread across multiple US offices and its Mexico City office, has an extensive record in many Latin America jurisdictions. The firm has a thriving practice in anti-corruption, money laundering, fraud and environmental crime. It is also noted for anti-corruption, anti money laundering, and fraud due diligence connected to cross-border M&A transactions. New York partner Eric Snyder is an experienced figure in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where he has represented clients in a number of FCPA violation allegations and in connection with the Lavo Jato investigation. Cristina Pérez Soto is the head of litigation in the Miami office, and is experienced in government and regulatory investigations in Latin America, along with internal investigations linked to corruption and fraud allegations. Guillermo Larrea is a key name in Mexico City; and Brian Rabbitt has joined the Washington DC office, having previously served as Acting Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ’s Criminal Division. Emmanuel Ubiñas left the firm for an in-house position in August 2021.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Jones Day has an impressive record in high-value and bulge-bracket deals in Latin America, especially in Brazil and Mexico. The Latin America team frequently represents US-based and European multinationals in Latin America transactions, through its sizeable offices in New York, Miami, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. It is also increasingly active in representing Latin American businesses in outbound acquisitions into the US and Europe. Energy, financial services and technology are amongst its primary sectors. Wade Angus has a long history in Brazil M&A and private equity transactions. Head of the Sao Paulo office and the Latin America region Luis Riesgo is also noted for cross-border deals involving US-based and European businesses. Marcello Hallake is another experienced member of the team, along with Manuel Romano in Mexico City. Of counsel Artur Badra is also rated. All named individuals are based in Sao Paulo unless stated otherwise. Experienced Miami partner Enrique Martin  left the firm in May 2022.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Jones Day has a substantial focus on Latin America through its Miami, New York, Mexico City and Sao Paulo offices, among others. The central Latin America team benefits from extensive connections to major international banks, ECAs and MLAs, and prominent Latin American borrowers. It has a breadth of practice covering corporate finance, acquisition finance and project finance, and widespread geographic coverage from Mexico, through Central America, Colombia, Brazil and the Southern Cone. The group is increasingly active in bankruptcies, restructurings and refinancing, along with ESG-linked financings. Alberto de la Parra and Manuel Romano are prominent figures in Mexico City, where they both have a reputation for energy and infrastructure finance, including renewable energy financings. Marcello Hallake provides further financing expertise from Sao Paulo. Richard Puttré and Marie Elena Angulo both left the firm in January 2022. Since research concluded, Miami partner Fradyn Suárez has also left, moving to King & Spalding LLP‘s new Miami office in July 2022.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Jones Day‘s presence on multiple bank panels, including development banks, ensures it is frequently engaged on Latin America project financings. It is also well established with international sponsors and developers, including Europe-based entities, that are active in the region. The firm has a well-established Latin America team that supports deals in the region, including senior figures in Miami, New York, Houston, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. The group is experienced in renewable energy projects and transport infrastructure engagements across the region; it advised on the first PPP road in Ecuador to be structured on a project finance basis. The Latin America team is also building its standing in telecoms and digital infrastructure. Mexico City’s Alberto de la Parra and José Estandía have outstanding reputations in infrastructure, oil and gas, and renewable energy projects in the country. In Sao Paulo, Marcello Hallake is noted for energy M&A.However, the departure of Richard Puttré in January 2022, and subsequently fellow Miami partner Fradyn Suárez in July, constitute a set back for the practice.