Mr Armando Arenas > OLIVARES > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

A giant of Mexico’s IP law market, Olivares is a dedicated IP specialist firm with a client base that includes some of the best-known multinationals operating in the country. The practice is a go-to for the full spectrum of advice. As regards patents, the firm regularly counsels in litigation, as well as filing claims across the chemistry, nanotechnology, electronics, biotech, bioinformatics, computer programs and mechanical sectors. The trade mark team assists a blue chip client base with regulatory and enforcement matters; while on the copyright front, work highlights include distribution and licensing of creative works, copyright transactions and litigation, and software protection. Contacts to note in the sizeable team include: veteran copyright and entertainment law specialist Luis Schmidt; founding partner Sergio Olivares, who advises on the prosecution and litigation of the full range of IP rights; co-chair of the life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry group and coordinator of the litigation department, Alejandro Luna; trade mark counsel to many of the firm’s key clients, Alonso Camargo; and Abraham Díaz, who is the main contact for privacy matters and heads the IT industry group. Further key partners include, Daniel Sánchez, Gustavo Alcocer, Víctor Ramírez and Armando Arenas. Rommy Morales and Jaime Rodríguez represent the next generation of the partnership at the firm, while associate Karla Olvera stands out for her support on litigious matters.

Long known as one of Mexico’s leading IP practices, Olivares has developed its lifescience practice over the course of some 20-odd years, marrying its know-how in IP matters (especially as regards patents) with genuine commercial-side strength. The result is a department with profound regulatory-side knowledge (particularly in relation to life science clients’ R&D projects and novel products), arguably unequalled experience of patent litigation, and full corporate-side capability – including the structuring, drafting, negotiation and closure of asset purchases; supply chain and distribution matters; and procurement and license agreements (as related to M&A). It also handles associated corporate structuring and restructuring, and foreign investment issues for both foreign and local companies, along with administrative compliance and issues such as the transferral of marketing authorisations and portfolio sales. Indeed, the firm has earned a reputation for its ability to influence the regulatory landscape, particularly as concerns pharmaceuticals, having established precedents in relation to the legal framework for health authorisations and approvals, regulatory data exclusivity, pharmaceutical patent term corrections, patent linkage and filing amicus briefs concerning biologic drug regulations. It also has deep experience regarding administrative compliance. The firm’s life sciences and pharmaceutical law industry group is co-led by Gustavo Alcocer, head of the firm’s M&A, corporate and commercial department (and a former Banamex assistant general counsel), who is responsible for the corporate, transactional and financing aspects of the practice; and Alejandro Luna F, who coordinates the firm’s litigation activity and whose practice takes in IP litigation, contentious regulatory matters and administrative litigation; with almost 20 years’ experience as a partner, he is also co-chair of the IBA’s life sciences committee. Fellow partner Armando Arenas heads up the medicines anti-piracy/counterfeiting practice, but also leads on civil litigation matters (where Luna is also active, along with Abraham Díaz, co-head of the firm’s privacy and IT industry groups). Biologist Rommy Morales -who was raised to the partnership in January 2023- handles much of the practice’s patent-related work and is a key support for both regulatory and litigious matters. The partners can also draw on a capable associate bench: dedicated seniors Ingrid Ortiz (whose practice is centred on life science regulatory matters), and Karla Olvera (who in turn focuses solely on life sciences litigation) each have over 12 years’ experience. Additional technical support comes from (non-lawyer) patents coordinator Mauricio Sámano (who also has over a decade at the firm); while younger associate, administrative litigator Eduardo Arana is also of note for his niche expertise in liability and damages claims in the life sciences sector.