Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 3

Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C.’s Mexican banking & finance practice continues to represent renowned financial institutions lending in the region, and has also augmented its notable track record regarding acquisition and project financing, refinancing and restructurings. The group, which is praised for its ability to ‘innovate at all times’, has also established itself as a solid option in the fintech segment, especially for structured finance transactions. Raúl Fernández-Briseño, who has a focus on structured finance and is recommended for being able to ‘think through issues when deals get stuck and come up with simple, logical fixes’; energy specialist Ariel Ramos; Francisco García-Naranjo, who reinforced the team with his arrival from White & Case S.C. in July 2021; senior counsel Jan Boker; and ‘detail-oriented’ associate Pablo Solórzano, are the key contacts of the team. Moreover, the practice works seamlessly with the firm's international network of offices, which gives it a significant punch when it comes to handling cross-border work. Former associates Aldo Jáuregui and Julio Martínez left in June and September 2021, respectively.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Lauded as ‘an excellent firm’, and recognised for its global reach and notable presence in the corporate space in Mexico, Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C.'s practice continues to enhance its reputation in M&A related to the financial sector, and stands out as one of the most active firms in transactions in the spirits industry. Toll-roads, chemicals, renewable energy, automotive, maritime and logistics are also among the group's areas of sectoral expertise. The August-2021 hire of former White & Case S.C. corporate practice co-head Francisco García-Naranjo was a statement of intent to reinforce its presence in this domain. His experience in regulatory matters and financial and foreign investment transactions will combine well with that of Raúl Fernández-Briseño's, who is particularly adept at handling infrastructure, M&A, finance and restructuring transactions. Associate Sebastián Fernández Alonso is another name to note.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 4

The multidisciplinary team at Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. has substantial expertise in the financing, development and regulatory aspects of large energy projects, as well as extensive experience in deep-water blocks and the upstream oil-and-gas segment in general, along with farm-out agreements related to E&P contracts. The team’s lawyers are regarded as being ‘highly knowledgeable of company’s businesses, which allows them to be efficient and time wisely resolving issues‘. The practice is co-led by Francisco Mendez who represents major international oil and gas companies on a broad range of matters, including up- mid- and downstream matters and notably including farm-ins/farm-outs in Mexico and throughout Latin America; moreover, he ‘invariably demonstrates great professionalism and practicality combined with an excellent understanding of the energy business helping to obtain efficient solutions‘. Fellow co-head Ariel Ramos is an energy and infrastructure veteran who primarily focuses on transactions related to the power, oil and gas, and energy-related infrastructure sectors, along with finance matters. The pair co-lead the international firm’s local practice in conjunction with Pablo Ferrante and José Valera in Houston. However, senior associate Julio Martínez Rivas left for Latham & Watkins LLP in New York in September 2021.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 4

Mayer Brown Mexico, S.C. can bring to bear the considerable weight of its global presence and know how to assist advising clients on all types of infrastructure transactions—from project development and finance to the purchase and sale of infrastructure assets and infrastructure companies, with experience in energy, communications, and social and recreational infrastructure, among other areas. Dividing his time between Mexico City and Houston, the team is led by Ariel Ramos who focuses on transactions related to power, oil and gas; project and energy finance; energy-related infrastructure and EPC matters.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Mayer Brown‘s deep finance credentials and its extensive commitment to Latin America continues to pay dividends. It has broad capabilities across products, structures and geographies, and is particularly noted for specific niches such as future-flow securitisations and other structured finance transactions. The firm is also at the forefront of energy and infrastructure financings, along with additional growth in emerging segments such as fintech and private credit. It further benefits from an established team in Mexico City and its association with Tauil & Chequer Advogados in Brazil. Significantly, its impressive client base features an array of big-name international banks and DFIs. Chicago-based Douglas Doetsch heads the Latin America team and has an extensive record in infrastructure financings, structured credit and securitisations. New York partner David Duffee is co-head of the global lending group and has a fine record in Latin America acquisition financings and syndicated lending; this includes facilities for deals involving Latin American entities acquiring assets and businesses in the US and elsewhere. Washington DC’s Gabriela Sakamoto was born in Argentina and specialises in Latin America-related acquisition, project and structured finance. Chicago partner Juan Pablo Moreno is another pillar of the practice and has strong links to key banks. Mexico City’s Raúl Fernández-Briseño is also highly regarded. Francisco García-Naranjo González joined the Mexico City office from White & Case LLP in July 2021.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Mayer Brown‘s Latin America M&A practice is primarily driven by energy transactions, especially in the oil and gas segment. Through Tauil & Chequer Advogados, its associated firm in Brazil, the firm has landed a series of headline deals in oil and gas, including those linked to Petrobras’s divestment programme. It advised Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CPDQ) on its acquisition, alongside Engie, of the remaining 10% stake in Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG) from Petrobras; with the original acquisition of the 90% stake, this involved a total investment of more than BRL34.5bn – the largest M&A transaction in Brazilian history. The Latin America team has also advised on a number of LNG-to-power and gas-to-power M&A transactions, and continues to be involved in renewable energy deals in Chile. Houston partners Pablo Ferrante and Jose Valera have a huge amount of experience in energy M&A; in Brazil, Carlos Motta is a key name in Sao Paulo as is Alexandre Chequer in Rio de Janeiro; and in Mexico City, Raúl Fernández-Briseño is the key transactional contact. Vera De Gyarfas moved in-house in July 2021.