White & Case S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

White & Case S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

As well as representing leading domestic and global financial institutions and corporations as both lenders and borrowers in loan transactions and infrastructure financings, the practice group at White & Case S.C. provides regulatory banking counsel. The team is highlighted as being ‘a step ahead of their counterparts’ and garners praise for its ‘knowledge, skill, teamwork and communication’. Juan Antonio Martín singlehandedly leads the practice, and specialises in syndicated loans and asset-backed financings. Maria Teresa Fernández-Labardini provides strategic and legal counsel on a broad range of finance matters, including requests for authorisations and loan restructurings; advising primarily on financial regulatory matters, Andrés Mosqueira has a particular focus on asset management, pension funds and securities regulatory matters; Carlos Mainero also handles financial regulatory matters, along with bank and debt finance. The practice was strengthened by the arrival of partners Eduardo Flores Herrera and Narciso Campos in July and August 2023, respectively; the latter garners praise for his ‘skillful handling and closing of deals’. Fernando Vázquez-Chelius and Rebeca García López were promoted to the partnership in January 2023; and former partner Manuel Groenewold left the firm in December 2022.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

White & Case S.C. houses a strong capital markets team whose work covers the range of transaction types, with particular expertise in debt and structured finance matters. Its experience includes advising investment funds on subordinated notes issuances, and also counts major international banks, and energy and aviation companies among its clients. Juan Antonio Martín steers the department and has led on the firm’s recent key cases; a figure of note in capital markets in Mexico, his practice is focused on securities, domestic and cross-border financings, securitisations and derivatives. Eduardo Flores Herrera, who joined the practice in July 2022, has garnered praised from clients for having ‘great experience in the equity market’ and offering ‘tried and tested solutions to complex problems’. Narciso Campos, who rejoined the firm in September 2022, assists on capital markets and regulatory matters, as does Carlos Mainero. Counsel Eric Quiles brings valuable experience and assists with securities and bond issuances. Manuel Groenewold left the firm, effective December 2022.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

As the Mexican market saw an increase in M&A activity, White & Case S.C.’s competition and antitrust department has been particularly active in unconditional merger-clearances and related transactional issues, notably in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The practice is also adept at assisting its clients with investigations by the competition authority and with antitrust lawsuits. The team is led by Henri Capin Gally, who has a lengthy track-record and has participated in some of Mexico’s most significant transactions and complex competition investigations. The November 2022 promotion of Román González Melo to the partnership means the firm fields three partners for this practice, with Fernando García Gómez the contact to note for constitutional and administrative disputes. At associate level, Germán Macías and Diego Mendoza provide support across the full range of matters.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 2

White & Case S.C.'s compliance practice is lauded by clients for the ‘exceptional quality’ of its counsel on regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering matters. In addition, it offers litigation and guidance on investigations to an array of major local and international financial institutions, routinely advising on complex cross-border matters. Longstanding clients include Morgan Stanley and domestic FMCG giant, Oxxo. María Teresa Fernández Labardini co-heads the practice and is an authority on regulatory, anti-corruption, fintech and corporate matters; she demonstrates ‘experience, skill and attention to detail’. Co-leading the team alongside her are: Juan Antonio Martín, who provides specialist fintech and payment systems' experience; and Enrique Espejel, who specialises in white-collar investigations and litigation. The expertise of Andrés Mosqueira and Carlos Mainero lies in financial regulatory guidance. Rebeca García López focuses on the financial sector, and was promoted to local partner in January 2023. The practice has also demonstrates strong growth, with the recent hires of ‘team player’ and partner, Eduardo Flores Herrera; and of counsel Eduardo Apáez - in July and September 2022, respectively - from Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C..

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

White & Case S.C.’s litigation team regularly appears at the Mexican Supreme Court as counsel for major multinationals operating in the country. It has a strong reputation and caseload in administrative litigation, while also maintaining a commercial litigation practice that participates in some of the standout cases in the market. Bankruptcy cases are a further forte, while more broadly, the firm’s international footprint gives it an advantage in cross-border mandates. The department is highlighted by clients for its ‘great internal communication and teamwork’, with practice heads Ismael Reyes Retana and Enrique Espejel providing expertise in regulatory and administrative litigation, and commercial and civil disputes, respectively. Fernando García Gómez is highlighted for his ‘outstanding technical capacity’ and has a broad practice in constitutional and administrative disputes. January 2023 partner appointment Diego Mora-Jensen’s caseload includes bankruptcy disputes, insurance claims, constitutional amparos and white collar crime; at associate level, Yuriria Galicia (administrative, constitutional and commercial litigation) and Joaquín Pacheco (amparos; white collar, compliance, technology, privacy and data protection disputes) are the key figures. Since publication, Reyes Retana has left the firm - effective December 2023.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

White & Case S.C. fields ‘a very solid team with extensive knowledge and sensitivity to critical aspects of the market’ in the energy and natural resources space. The department has necessarily adapted to current market circumstances, strengthening its regulatory offering in the face of López Obrador’s policy of opposition to public investment and ownership in the sector. Practice head Francisco de Rosenzweig is highly respected in the market for both energy regulatory matters and energy transactions, and according to one client, is ‘undoubtedly the benchmark in matters of public law and energy’. Juan Ruenes, who was promoted to international partner in January 2023, is the name to note for financings and refinancings in the energy space; while Juan Carlos Llorens -in turn raised to the local partnership in January 2023- has recently been involved in energy sector M&As, financings and refinancing. Associate José Daniel Franco is noted as ‘very reliable in his help, particularly in the technical aspects related to the natural gas industry’. Since publication, Mariana Montemayor has left the firm, effective as of October 2023.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

The eight-strong practice at international firm White & Case S.C. is known first and foremost for its work advising sponsors and developers on matters that span the full life-cycle of projects, as well as its activity in the renewables and oil-and-gas segments. The group is comfortable handling complex cross-border transactions, as demonstrated by its recent participation in the negotiations for the construction of a new international rail bridge connecting Laredo, Texas, USA and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Electricity regulatory specialist Francisco De Rosenzweig steers the practice and advises clients on projects in the energy, transactional, infrastructure and transport sectors. January 2023 saw the promotion of both Former Braskem Idesa GC Juan Ruenes and Juan Carlos Llorens to international partner; Ruenes handles project and asset finance, infrastructure development and general corporate matters, while Llorens majors on corporate law, and energy, infrastructure and project financing. Since publication, Mariana Montemayor has left the firm, effective as of October 2023.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Praised for their ‘extraordinary response times’, ‘experience and knowledge of the market’, and ‘quality work’, the lawyers at White & Case S.C. specialise in cross-border M&A. Multinationals, commercial and investment banks, REITs and private equity funds regularly turn to the group for support, with recent matters including activity in the drinks sector, advising Pernod Ricard subsidiary Austin, Nichols & Co. on the purchase of a 20% interest in Sotol Nocheluna, a producer and marketer of sotol spirits. Henri Capin-Gally steers the 12-strong practice and has focused his practice on M&A and competition matters. Corporate, banking and finance and capital markets all-rounder Sergio Márquez is well-versed in advising sellers and purchasers on the acquisition of assets or shares, in addition to the incorporation of joint ventures. Senior associate Mariel Martínez Zárate (who returned to Mexico in early 2022 after three years as a member of the firm's New York-based corporate team) supports private equity funds and SPACs on matters involving global M&A and equity investments. Fernando Vázquez-Chelius Solís was promoted to local partner in January 2023. Since publication, the team has been further strengthened with the hire of Alfonso Vargas Mayoral as a local partner - he arrives from Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C., effective January 2024.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 3

The Mexico office of White & Case S.C. plays a key role in the firm’s North America presence in the field of arbitration. Practice head Rafael Llano Oddone and his team are key advisors for the firm’s international client base, particularly as regards navigating the landscape of regulatory reform under the López Obrador administration. This has involved a considerable volume of energy sector work, as well as challenging the Mexican government on contract terminations within the framework of NAFTA and successor USMCA agreement. Francisco de Rosenzweig is the name to note for clients requiring energy regulatory law counsel, and counsel Marièle Coulet-Diaz bolsters the firm’s commercial and investment arbitration offering in the region. The practice was further strengthened in August 2023 with the hire of Carlos Véjar; while perhaps best known as an international trade specialist, Véjar also has extensive investment arbitration and private commercial arbitration experience. Since publication, Coulet-Diaz has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2024.

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 4

Lauded for its ‘rapid response time, knowledge and honesty’, the team at White & Case S.C. handles both commercial litigation and financial restructuring, assisting major domestic and international financial institutions. Practice head Enrique Espejel is an experienced litigator for creditors in high-profile bankruptcies, and is recognised for his ‘outstanding counsel, in-depth theoretical knowledge and skill at devising practical strategies’; María Teresa Fernández Labardini provides counsel on the full range of matters, including loan restructurings. Diego Mora-Jensen Garza was promoted to local partner in January 2023.

Mexico > Tax Tier 4

White & Case S.C. supports its strong corporate offering on international transactions with a tax practice that assists with all related issues in substantial M&A. The team also acts on contentious tax matters against the Mexican authorities. The practice is led by Elizabeth González, whose main expertise is in corporate income tax and international tax treaties. November 2022 saw the firm bolster the team further at partner level with the hire of Carlos Martínez from Creel Abogados, SC: he brings additional experience in international taxation, transfer pricing and tax litigation to the practice The group can also call on Ismael Reyes Retana in relation to public sector matters.

Mexico > TMT Tier 4

The ‘very professional and responsible’ TMT team at White & Case S.C. is a regular advisor to major names in the Mexican telecoms industry, with recent regulatory laws regarding data privacy being a frequent source of work. Dispute resolution is a further strength in relation to these sectors, and it also assists with some of the telecoms industry's higher-end M&A. Ismael Reyes Retana is well-versed in telecoms regulatory matters, as well as being a noted administrative litigator. He leads the practice and is supported by Fernando García Gómez, who focuses on dispute resolution, and associate Yuriria Galicia, who has experience representing clients before the Supreme Court. Since publication, Reyes Retana has left the firm - effective as of January 2024

Mexico > International trade and customs

Mexico > Real estate

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

Highlighted for its ‘very deep bench and industry knowledge’ White & Case LLP has a very sizeable Latin America-focused international arbitration team (totalling some 100 professionals) that handes an impressive mix of commercial, construction and investment arbitration engagements. The team is also noted for its expertise in enforcement proceedings, while its catalogue of recent cases includes appointments in the energy, resources, financial services, technology and transportation sectors. Indeed, the energy sector – particularly renewables – has been a notably active area for the practice, while in sovereign matters, it has acted for clients in a series of  investment arbitrations against Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru (among other jurisdictions). The team maintains members across it Washington DC, New York, Miami, Houston Mexico City, London and Madrid offices. Rafael Llano Oddone leads the international arbitration group in Mexico City, while Ecuadorian Francisco Jijón has impressed in a series of ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations involving Latin American parties. Houston and Miami-based Silvia Marchili is building a name for herself in investor-state arbitrations; and New York’s Jorge Mattamouros has a focus on Portuguese-speaking markets, especially Brazil’s oil and gas sector. Miami’s Estefanía San Juan was elected to the partnership in January 2023, with Ignacio Madalena becoming a local partner in Madrid the same month. Michelle Grando impresses at counsel level, as does Mexico City’s Marièle Coulet-Diaz. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise. Since publication, former practice co-head Jonathan Hamilton has left the firm – effective as of March 2024 – as has Alejandro Martínez de Hoz, as of April 2024.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Latin America: International firms > Capital markets

White & Case LLP has performed admirably in spite of a difficult climate for capital markets issuances, with deal flow from Brazil – the firm’s primary market – remaining strong with a series of bond restructuring engagements. It has a large team of capital markets specialists in São Paulo, along with a significant number of New York partners and associates that have a particular focus on Brazil. Mexico, the Andean region and Argentina are also core markets for the team; 2022 partner-hires Eduardo Flores Herrera and Narciso Campos in Mexico City are both capital markets focused. The firm has also benefitted from its strength in energy and infrastructure, areas where capital markets activity has remained relatively buoyant, and it has leveraged its prominence in liability management to significant effect. The practice group continues to benefit from its exceptional issuer client base that provides a steady pipeline of engagements, while it also maintains strong links to bulge-bracket investment banks and funds – including distressed debt funds – that are increasingly prominent in this space. Further growth in the team has come through the promotion of São Paulo’s Abraham Paul and Miami-based Karen Katri to the partnership. Donald Baker remains the premier international capital markets lawyer in São Paulo, while John Vetterli is global head of capital markets and has a major focus on the Brazil market. São Paulo’s John Guzman is increasingly prominent in Brazil capital markets offerings, and Bibiana Jaimes and the highly-rated Rafael Roberti are also key team members. Sao Paulo associate Beatriz Barros is active team member on many large deals. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

White & Case LLP has an intense focus on Latin America, which features a well-established white-collar crime and investigations practice led by Michael Garcia and Maria Beguiristain in Miami. The department has built a strong geographic profile, based on headline engagements in Brazil and -more recently- throughout Latin America; it continues to represent some of the biggest names in Brazil, along with other Latin American businesses and an array of multinationals with interests in the region. The team is multi-lingual and has tight cultural connections to Latin America. It has achieved recognition for its expertise in FCPA investigations, internal investigations and M&A due diligence. It is also developing its name in matters related to gaming, crypto and online platforms, and has achieved further growth in US sanctions programmes. Enrique Espejel is another key figure; based in Mexico City where he co-heads the disputes practice, he is frequently engaged in internal investigations for international clients and their Mexican subsidiaries, and also has fine record in enforcement actions.