Jones Day > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Jones Day > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Compliance Tier 1

The team at Jones Day displays strong ‘attention to detail, availability and subject knowledge’ on the gamut of compliance matters, namely AML and anti-corruption, fraud prevention, cybersecurity and data protection, the design of compliance programmes and internal investigations. Recent work highlights include advising Oplay Digital Services, a SOFOM, on its fintech activities in Mexico, and verifying compliance with local regulations; and assisting the identity verification software operator Veriff with KYC requirements in Mexico and Latin America. Of counsel and practice head Guillermo E Larrea leads on compliance, anticorruption and AML mandates, and has particular expertise regarding digital compliance; he is also the current vice-president of the Compliance Managers Commission of the Mexico Chapter of the ICC. Associate Juan Carlos Quinzaños supports Larrea on key cases and has particular knowledge of cybercrime matters. Since publication, Larrea has been promoted to partner – effective as of Janauray 2024.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

The ‘highly skilled’ team at the Mexico office at multinational US firm Jones Day is praised for offering ‘the same high quality service as other leading firms’ with ‘an excellent professional manner to match’. The practice handles all commercial banking matters, representing both lenders and borrowers, and advises on asset-based lending and cross-border investments; its client list includes notable local and international banks. The team is co-led by Manuel Romano, who is experienced in complex leveraged financing transactions and the financing of infrastructure and real estate projects; and Alberto De La Parra, who handles project finance, syndicated loans, secured financings and refinancing transactions, and is identified as standing out for his ‘extensive knowledge of the sector’. Jose Manuel Carrillo and Diego Noriega are the names to note at associate level.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

The prized ‘experience and availability’ of Jones Day’s energy and natural resources practice is employed on acquisition and financing matters across the spectrum of projects in the Mexican market. The department is highly regarded for cross-border work in the electricity, renewables, and oil and gas sectors, and is counsel of choice to multinational stakeholders in various guises. Alberto de la Parra, ‘a sophisticated lawyer who provides sophisticated solutions’, is a leading name across infrastructure in Mexico and therefore a key figure in the energy team. He co-leads the broader department with M&A and project finance expert José Estandía; and Alejandro Fleming, who has particularly strong knowledge of the electricity market. For lending transactions in the renewable energy space, Arturo de la Parra is the name to note. At associate level, Fernando Verdín assists the partners with the full spectrum of the department’s caseload, while Andrés Barón is involved in matters for a number of international private sector companies involved in the Mexican energy sector.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 3

The practice at the Mexico office of full-service multinational giant Jones Day ‘works well as a team’ to advise Mexican issuers and underwriters on debt and equity offerings, and provide counsel on the establishment of mutual funds, pension funds, and brokerage firms in Mexico. Silvia Malagón heads up the practice and brings substantial capital markets experience to the table, having represented numerous local financial entities and the Mexican affiliates of many international financial institutions. Of counsel Carlos Sámano supports with asset-backed securities offerings and tender offers.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Jones Day’s competition and antitrust department is characterised by the high volume of merger control filings it handles in the country, as part of the firm's multi-jurisdictional antitrust work on high-profile transactions. The practice also represents major companies in a variety of sectors on investigations by COFECE concerning cartels, abuse of dominance and collusion agreements. All matters are all led by department head and of counsel, Gabriel Altamirano, who has some two decades' antitrust experience in Mexico handling both domestic and cross-border merger matters and investigations work.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

In the words of one client, the projects and infrastructure lawyers at international full-service firm Jones Day demonstrate ‘skill at negotiation, teamwork, collaboration with other firms, business skill and emotional intelligence’. The group specialises in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects –  especially those related to airports, oil-and-gas, and renewables – as well as related contracts and due diligence work. It is routinely instructed by developers, construction companies, sponsors, borrowers, and financial institutions. The team is led by a trio of partners, comprising: Alberto de la Parra, who focuses on project structuring, corporate and project finance, M&A and restructuring; José A Estandía, who specialises in project finance transactions in Mexico’s energy sector for clients working in renewables and oil-and-gas; and Manuel Romano, who advises developers, buyers, and financing parties on development projects. Associate-level names to note include Fernando Verdín (energy projects) and Mariana de Maria y Campos (project finance and infrastructure matters).

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

With recourse to the firm’s global office network as necessary, Jones Day’s Mexico-based transactional practice is a respected presence in the corporate sphere. Traditionally most 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 excel at handling cross-border M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances, with corporate governance too, constituting a particular niche strength. Also of counsel, Antonio Franck is a genuine corporate and transactional specialist who enjoys a loyal clientele. Recent matters saw the team advise Grupo Mexico on several unsolicited purchase offers (including a merger proposal) made in conjunction with Grupo Acosta Verde for real estate and construction company Planigrupo Latam, which culminated in a tender offer to acquire 100% of the capital stock of the company. Elsewhere, the practice has seen activity in near-shoring matters, particularly in the industrial parks niche.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

Clients of Jones Day value the ‘seniority and professionalism’ of its litigation team, which assists with domestic and cross-border civil and commercial disputes. Antonio González (‘always... at the forefront of criteria and best procedural practices’) has a very broad dispute resolution practice - his experience includes amparo trials, contractual disputes, corporate and shareholders litigation, bankruptcy, and financial matters. He co-leads the practice with of counsel José Antonio Vazquez (‘highly committed and ethical in all aspects’), who has similarly broad experience in significant civil and commercial cases. Fellow of counsel María Elena Huerta Ávila whose ‘work gives a lot of confidence’ is another key contact; while at associate level, Daniela Montaño, Rodrigo Ramírez and Gustavo Galindo are all noted.

Mexico > Environment Tier 4

Following the departure of former practice head Mauricio Llamas in April 2023, Jones Day moved swiftly, hiring Roberto Torres Velasco -formerly at Garrigues– as counsel and head of the Government Regulations (Mexico) practice the following month. Recognised as a ‘genuine specialist‘ by peers (and ‘a thoughtful and confident advisor‘ by clients), Torres’ practice nevertheless has breadth – the regulatory, environmental, health, energy and administrative sectors all being areas in which he has considerable experience. He can draw on additional, associate-level support in the form of Andrés Lieja, a tax specialist who has strong administrative litigation experience, including on environmental matters. The team has considerable experience in handling due diligence on the environmental and administrative law aspects of transactional matters (such as public and private acquisitions, and asset and stock purchase operations), the financing of projects and corporate restructurings.

Mexico > Tax Tier 5

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

Jones Day has continued to develop its geographic coverage with additional engagements in Uruguay and Bolivia, building on its already established record in key markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. It has proven capability in internal investigations, enforcement and financial controls, and is a growing force in anti-money laundering and sanctions-related matters. The team is also recognised for anti-corruption due diligence relating to M&A and other transactions, and is at the forefront of anti-corruption programmes for international clients that have assets and interests in Latin America. Cristina Pérez Soto leads the Miami litigation team and is an established figure in internal investigations, anti-money laundering, sanctions and anti-corruption due diligence for transactions; she is noted for her experience in the energy and infrastructure, financial services and fintech sectors. Of counsel Guillermo Larrea is another key figure; based in Mexico City, he is frequently engaged for investigations relating to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and fraud matters. At associate level, senior Fernando Pastore in Sao Paulo is also noted. Eric Snyder moved to McGuireWoods LLP in June 2022.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Jones Day remains busy in Latin America matters despite a series of recent senior-level departures, including Miami partners Enrique Martin and Nicholas Rodríguez, along with Marcello Hallake in Sao Paulo. The firm’s sheer size and longstanding focus on the region has ensured it remains well positioned for big-ticket transactions, particularly those involving North American corporates and private equity houses. The firm is also building its presence advising Spanish clients on their investments in Latin America. Brazil continues to be a major focus for the firm, with senior name Wade Angus splitting his time between New York and Sao Paulo. Luis Vélez is now the key corporate partner in Miami and frequently represents US-based clients on their investments in the region, including TotalEnergies, which he advised on its strategic alliance and investment agreement with Omaha Beach Investment Corp, Sunix Petroleum, and Tropigas Dominicana in the Dominican Republic. Head of the Mexico City office Manuel Romano is another senior figure in M&A, joint-ventures and strategic alliances; while Sao Paulo of counsel, Artur Badra, has extensive experience in cross-border transactions in Brazil and across South America.