Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

For some clients, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is ‘the best competition law firm in Mexico’. Its 17-strong practice advises companies from across the business spectrum on the full range of competition and antitrust matters, and garners additional praise for being ‘present in all relevant investigations in Mexico’, as well as for having solid knowledge of ‘the way the IFT and COFECE work’. The team led by the deeply experienced Fernando Carreño maintains an excellent reputation for its work in both antitrust investigations and premerger filings, while it is also regarded as one of the go-to firms regarding competition clearance for entities with constant M&A activity, such as KKR and Blackstone. Work highlights include advising AerCap on obtaining merger clearance in Mexico for the acquisition of 100% of GE Capital Aviation Services (GE’s aircraft leasing services division). César Martínez, who was promoted to counsel in December 2021 and associate Michel Llorens are additional key contacts of the team, which was further reinforced at associate level with the arrival of Diego Hernández from SAI Derecho & Economía S.C, and Monica Cabeza de Vaca from COFECE, in March and April 2021 respectively.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 1

One of the first firms to push development of this practice in Mexico, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC not only has a lengthy track record of experience in anti-corruption and compliance, but also, according to clients, is ‘among the best at it’ – the team garnering  particular praise for its ‘excellent knowledge of anti-corruption matters’. The group covers a variety of matters, including anti-corruption due diligence, national and cross-border investigations, preventive advice, as well as criminal and civil litigation arising from said investigations. Diego Sierra, whose ability to ‘understand complex problems and solve them in the simplest of ways is remarkable’, steers the department, currently chairs the anti-corruption commission of ICC Mexico, and is part of the firm’s recently launched ESG practice group. Fellow partner Raymundo Soberanis‘ expertise encompasses international investigations -at times working with US counsel- in various industries including the oil & gas, automotive, pharmaceutical and leisure sectors. Pablo Fautsch, who was promoted to the partnership in December 2021, rounds out the senior team.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is undoubtedly one of the most respected names in the disputes domain, both in Mexico and Latin America, primarily for its ‘leading international arbitration practice’, which combines an excellent mix of experience and youth. Claus Von Wobeser, a market authority with over 40 years’ experience and who is recognised as ‘one of the best and most appointed arbitrators in the world’, heads the team together with Adrián Magallanes, an ‘emerging star in the region’, who garners praise for his dexterity ‘in international arbitration cases and complex construction and energy sector disputes’. Von Wobeser is the current president of the Latin American Arbitration Association (ALARB) and also of the Mexican chapter of the ICC; while Magallanes, in addition to his work as an arbitrator, has an excellent track record in arbitrations, particularly in the commercial, construction, infrastructure, energy, oil and gas, and investor-state sectors. The practice was further reinforced in January 2022 with two partner promotions: Pablo Fautsch, who is part of the automotive & manufacturing and pharmaceutical & life sciences industry groups; and Jessika Rocha, an integral member of the firm’s energy disputes practice group, who has experience in arbitrations against public sector counterparties, including Mexican state companies and organisations. The ‘very well prepared and intelligent’ Montserrat Manzano provides additional partner-level expertise and capacity; while Rodrigo Macín, a ‘strong associate with a lot of legal knowledge’, is an additional name to note.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Lauded for its ‘great service and quality of work’, as well as for remaining ‘at the forefront’ of corporate and M&A activity, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is the go-to firm for renowned clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, Mars, BMW and Uber, who seek out the team's expertise in transactional and corporate mandates. The practice co-led by the experienced Luis Burgueño and Houston-based Pablo Jiménez is particularly effective when it comes to the structuring of joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and cross-border M&A, mainly related to the consumer goods, mobility and manufacturing sectors. Additional notable practitioners in the well-rounder department include: Fernando Carreño, who also heads the antitrust practice; Pablo Saez, who is particularly adept at transactional matters with a real estate component; and Alejandro Orellana, who plays a key role in the firm's consumer goods and financial services' industry groups. Counsels Gloria Martínez and Javier Betancourt, who were promoted to counsels in 2021 and 2022 respectively, are other names to note.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

Although widely known in the dispute resolution space for  its finesse and skills in the arbitral segment, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC also houses a renowned litigation practice which has a very fine track record across civil, commercial, and administrative litigation. The group, which is praised for its ‘professionalism, responsiveness and good communication skills’, is jointly led by Adrián Magallanes, who has particular experience litigating energy and construction disputes, as well as handling arbitration mandates; and Diego Sierra, an anticorruption expert with ‘exceptional communication and interpersonal skills’. Constitutional amparos and class-action litigation also account for a significant proportion of the caseload. Recent work highlights include advising Syngenta Agro in a class action case related to the commercialisation of genetically modified seeds. Raymundo Soberanis, Jessika Rocha, and Pablo Fautsch (the latter two where appointed partners in December 2021) are additional key names on the team.

Mexico > Environment Tier 2

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC ‘s ‘impressive‘ environmental practice has the capability to undertake complex regulatory environmental mandates, with expertise in dispute resolution, compliance issues (particularly regarding water supply and wastewater discharges), environmental impact assessments, and the obtaining of environmental and social permits for the successful development of projects. ‘Its advice is personalised to the specific needs of the industry and sector, their opinions and recommendations are tailor-made’, sources note. The team is led by Edmond Frederic Grieger who has expertise in environmental and administrative litigation and arbitration, as well as compliance, M&A, and project and infrastructure development-related matters. Key support is provided by counsel Ariel Garfio who has over 15 years’ experience advising on environmental matters, energy and natural resources and project development; and Rebeca Márquez, whose practice is centred on the regulatory, environmental and real estate aspect of energy project audits and inspections.

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 3

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC‘s great balance between transactional and litigation allows this full-service Mexican firm to offer strong restructuring strategies for clients. The practice is a constant presence representing debtors and creditors in domestic and cross-border bankruptcy litigation and out-of-court restructuring, and garners praise for its ‘detailed knowledge of insolvency proceedings’. Heading the department is well known disputes specialist Diego Sierra, who of late has been focused on representing creditors securing their collection rights against insolvent companies. He is closely supported by fellow partners Raymundo Soberanis; and Jessika Rocha, who was promoted in January 2022 and is experienced in cases related to the aviation, automotive and manufacturing industries and the credit companies’ segment. Associate Alejandro Gonzalez, who is developing his expertise in bankruptcy and restructuring as well as in litigation, is a further name to note.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 3

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC has a broad energy and natural resources offering, that reflects the firm’s full-service capabilities, and advises clients on all stages of project development – from financing and acquisitions, to the construction, operation and sale of energy infrastructure, including the negotiation of EPC agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, and PPAs. The practice is jointly led by Edmond Frederic Grieger whose experience takes in infrastructure project development (especially in the energy and natural resources sector); public tender and auction processes; and the negotiation of contracts related to the energy industry; and Luis Burgueño, an M&A, corporate and commercial transactions specialist (both domestic and cross-border), whose practice has a strong emphasis on energy and natural resources. Additional figures of note in the practice include: Alberto Córdoba, who has experience in mergers, asset transfers, strategic alliances and joint ventures (again, both national and cross-border); Ariel Garfio who undertakes matters related to the development, construction, operation and maintenance of thermal and renewable energy, oil, gas, mining, water and infrastructure projects; and disputes specialist Adrián Magallanes who represents clients in commercial, energy, infrastructure and investor-state arbitrations.

Mexico > Intellectual property Tier 3

With its ‘solid and well-structured team' comprising 'expert lawyers in the matter' who provide 'impeccable advice in intellectual property', Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC remains a steady presence in the Mexican IP market. The group's innovative strategies and approaches, allows it to advise clients on transactional matters, trade mark and patent applications and prosecution, copyright and litigation. The team is led by Patricia Kaim who is known for her expertise in IP litigation and prosecution, infringements and transactional matters. Also a key figure in the practice group, associate Nallely Van Pratt has experience advising international and national corporations on a range of IP matters including distinctive and domain names prosecution, and who is garnering a reputation for ‘providing a novel aspect to trade mark procedures' and 'precise and straight-forward legal advice'.

Mexico > International trade and customs Tier 3

Luis Miguel Jiménez heads the seven-strong practice at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC, which has a particularly strong focus on the automotive sector, and is known for its experience in the IMMEX and maquiladora segment. Jimenez brings to bear additional expertise in customs operations, NAFTA and other FTAs, and associated tax and regulatory matters; while also representing clients in tax audits and verification processes and litigation before the tax and administrative courts. The team was reinforced with the promotion to counsel of Lourdes Salazar in January 2022 and the hire of associate Miguel Concha in 2021. Salazar, who ‘stands out for her good attitude’, handles a variety of matters related to IMMEX and Prosec programmes, as well as handling VAT certifications.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 4

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC's banking and finance department ‘excels in performance and experience’, and undertakes a range of matters including regulatory work, financial transactions, project finance, and credit and debt restructurings. Clients engaged in the payment cards and merchant acquiring industry in Mexico also seek out the group for its particular expertise in this area. A well-balanced duo comprised of seasoned partner Luis Burgueño, who earns praise for his ‘excellent financial expertise’; and energy expert Alberto Córdoba, who regularly represents borrowers and issuers in loan transactions and debt issuances, are in charge of steering the practice. Alejandro Orellana, counsel Gloria Martínez, and senior associate Jaime Ostos, who joined in 2021 from Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C., are additional names to note.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 4

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC  is an established presence in the labour and employment sector, its practice group advising clients on the full spectrum of associated services, from labour due diligence in relation to M&As, joint ventures and spinoffs, or collective bargaining agreements and union negotiations, to anti-corruption and compliance advice, outsourcing reform, social security matters and litigation; reflecting the firm’s broader clientele, it also has a strong specialisation in the automotive and consumer goods industries. The team is  co-led by Rodolfo Trampe, who is experienced in labour law, executive compensation and benefits, and social security matters; and Javier Lizardi who principally advises on labour matters that have a strong corporate or transactional component. Since research concluded the practice has been significantly strengthened with the hire of Rafael Vallejo, formerly practice head at Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa, and much of his team – effective as of Setpember 2022.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 4

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC has particular expertise as regards matters involving ejidos and the real estate team has been involved in multiple transactions involving social property and the conversion of public land in to private real estate for project development. The practice also has considerable experience in land acquisitions, lease agreements, financing and litigation. The team is co-led by Pablo Saez, who advises on real estate matters that have a strong corporate and/or M&A component; and Alejandro Orellana, who generally advises domestic and foreign developers, lenders and private equity investors on regulatory issues related to real estate matters. Promoted to the partnership in 2021, Raymundo Soberanis has extensive real estate disputes experience (both litigation and arbitration), as well as solid knowledge of construction matters; while Ariel Garfio and Javier Betancourt, promoted to partner and counsel, respectively, in January 2022, also participate in the practice on the project finance/development side. Specialist senior associate Rocío Vega has over 10 years’ experience of real estate and project development investment, construction, and lease agreements; restructuring, contracts and trusts; administrative issues (including land use and obtaining permits and licenses); and agrarian matters.

Mexico > Tax Tier 5

The ‘very practical and agile’ tax department at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC, which garners additional praise for its lawyers ‘deep business understanding’, is headed by Fernando Moreno, a seasoned practitioner with proven experience advising global corporations on their foreign investment activities, business matters and transactions in Mexico. He is particularly sought out for his services regarding treaties to avoid double taxation, and has solid expertise in both international trade and customs as well as M&A, while the practice also counts the automotive, consumer goods, energy, financial services, and telecommunications sectors among its mainstays. Appointed counsel in December 2021, Jorge Díaz subsequently moved to Escalante & Asociados in June 2022. Since publication, the firm has absorbed the former Alejandro Torres & Asociados, the move adding founding partner Alejandro Torres (consultancy, tax controversy and strategic litigation) as a partner; Luis Enrique Torres (tax and administrative litigation, tax consultancy) as counsel; and two associates to the practice group – effectice as of January 2023.