Diego Ostos > Santamarina y Steta > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

Praised for the ‘excellent quality’ of his work, as well as for his ‘unparalleled depth of market knowledge’, practice-head Juan Carlos Machorro steers the banking and finance group at full-service firm Santamarina y Steta, which is well known for its strength in corporate and project finance, regularly representing both financiers and borrowers. Machorro is closely supported by partners Alberto Saavedra, a veteran figure with some 35 years’ experience in securities, banking and finance, capital markets, foreign investment and project finance; and Sergio Chagoya, who offers additional expertise advising government entities, and handles a variety of financial transactions, including private equity and venture capital in relation to infrastructure projects, public offerings, securitisations and privatisations. Further expertise is provided by a solid pair of younger partners, namely Diego Ostos (banking and finance, capital markets, project finance and government procurement); and Ricardo Orea, who has particular experience advising on the financing of infrastructure projects in the energy and transport sectors, and on other asset-backed financing transactions. Promoted to counsel in January 2022, Margarita Casarin is another name to note.

Santamarina y Steta houses a seasoned and reputed capital markets practice, which remains involved in advising clients in debt and equity offerings, including work on FIBRAS and CKDs, as well as on public tender offers in several jurisdictions for clients that have subsidiaries and relevant assets in Mexico. Practice-head Alberto Saavedra brings his extensive experience in this area to the table, with the structuring of debt programmes undoubtedly one of his core strengths. Sergio Chagoya, whose capital markets practice is complemented by a solid knowledge of banking and finance and corporate/M&A; and Diego Ostos, who was welcomed to the partnership in February 2022, are also key departmental contacts.

Santamarina y Steta is particularly well known for its experience advising public and private sector entities in the planning, development, execution, and financing of urban infrastructure projects in the power, oil and gas, telecoms, transport (including roads, railroads, ports and airports), social infrastructure, and water treatment/waste management industries. The team is led by the deeply experienced Juan Carlos Machorro, who focuses on the development and implementation of investment and manufacturing projects in Mexico. Sergio Chagoya also has considerable experience with some 25 years advising lenders, sponsors, borrowers and state-entities on financial transactions (including private equity and venture capital) on infrastructure projects, public offerings and securitisations. Younger partners Ricardo Orea (financing for energy, transport and social infrastructure projects, as well as aircraft, vessel and other asset-backed financing transactions) and Diego Ostos (banking and finance, capital markets, project finance, infrastructure, M&A, PPPs and government procurement), complete the senior team. Experienced senior associate Margarita Casarin (corporate and financial law, including syndicated, structured and project finance, and infrastructure projects) provides key support.