Greenberg Traurig, S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Greenberg Traurig, S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 1

‘A well-coordinated team that perfectly understands the needs of its clients’, Greenberg Traurig, S.C.‘s large banking and finance team has established itself a practice of choice for many national clients, as well as US and other international players doing business in the country, given its expertise handling a wide range of financing transactions. Juan Manuel González Bernal, who is particularly well-versed in project finance transactions; and managing partner José Raz Guzmán, who also acts as co-chair of the international firm’s Latin America practice, sit at the helm of the group. Closely supporting them are a skilled group of partners, including Miguel Moisés, who earns praise for his ‘great disposition and attitude’, and regularly represents lenders and borrowers in structured financings, bilateral and syndicated loans, and on the financing of industrial, commercial and housing real estate projects; Rodrigo Orozco, whose expertise encompasses handling sub-sovereign-debt restructurings and re-financings; José Antonio Butrón and Gabriela Palomino. Additional support at associate level is provided by seniors Ana Acosta (secured lending, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and general corporate matters); David Argueta (capital markets and financing transactions; general corporate matters) and January-2022 hire Paulina García de León Gómez , who arrived from HSBC.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Earning plaudits for its ‘knowledge of the matters and extensive experience’, Greenberg Traurig, S.C.'s practice handles the competition aspects of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, including multi-jurisdictional merger control filings; it also assists clients with the crafting of antitrust compliance programs, manages the oversight of internal investigations, advises on government antitrust investigations, and undertakes litigation when necessary. The group co-led by Victor Manuel Frías and Miguel Flores Bernés has remained busy, lately, advising clients from the financial, transportation, pharmaceutical, and oil-and-gas industries, in relation to investigations carried out by the COFECE. Flores is particularly well-versed in government merger reviews, the investigation of alleged anticompetitive conduct, and litigation; while Frías has primarily focused on investigations matters, of late. The pair are supported by a solid second line of associates consisting of José Abel Rivera Pedroza, Valery Dayne García Zavala and Rocío Olea.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 1

A stellar roster of clients including property developers, lenders, investment managers and private equity funds (among others), to mention some, turn to Greenberg Traurig, S.C. for assistance in real estate matters. The compact but nevertheless ‘first-class team‘ (‘very efficient, always responding on time and with very good know-how‘), is highly experienced in acquisition and sale of real estate portfolios and real estate developments, the stabilization of projects, and loan restructurings, joint ventures, and lease agreements. The practice is led by highly respected practitioner Antonio Diez De Bonilla Martinez who is well known for his expertise in negotiations, the closing of sales and purchases, financing, construction, development and the operation of residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial and resort projects. Fellow partner Gerardo Carrillo Valadez is also a key player in the practice; he has a strong focus on real estate development and M&A transactions and demonstrates particular niche expertise with regard to mixed-use and multifamily properties. Completing the core team are senior associates Roberto Guerrero C, who handles all types of transactions related to the development and financing of real estate projects; and Julio Sardina, who focuses on US-Mexico cross-border real estate matters, particularly the legal aspects of structuring and financing of residential, commercial, industrial and hospitality development projects.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

The Mexican capital markets practice at international full-service firm Greenberg Traurig, S.C., garners praise for its ‘great knowledge of the subject’, and is frequently sought out by both underwriters and issuers for assistance with a variety of equity and debt mandates, including CKDs and CERPIs, with a particular focus on the real estate and infrastructure sectors. Work highlights include the representation of Mexico Infrastructure Partners and the concession holder portfolio companies on the approximately $1.1bn initial public offering of a Fibra E investment trust. Jointly-led by experienced partners José Raz Guzmán and Juan Manuel González, the practice group also houses other noted and emergent practitioners such as José Antonio Butrón, who is well known in the projects sphere; of counsel Gabriela Palomino, who stands out for her work in relation to real estate and project-side finance matters; and senior associate David Argueta.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Greenberg Traurig, S.C.'s Mexico City-based corporate team appeals to clients for being ‘committed to excellence’, and for being an ‘ally for the success of the transaction.’ Managing partner José Raz Guzmán, who has profound experience in capital markets and M&A transactions under his belt, heads the group, which advises a wide range of domestic clients throughout the region, as well as US and other international players doing business in Mexico. Arturo Pérez Estrada, who recently steered Betterwar's acquisition of Mexican cosmetics company JAFRA for $255m; and José Antonio Butrón and Victor Manuel Frías, are other key names in the practice group, which works closely with other offices, mainly in the United States. A solid second line of practitioners comprises up-and-coming partner Miguel Yturbe; Gabriela Palomino, who was promoted to of counsel in 2022 and has a particular focus on real estate law and infrastructure projects; and associate Rocío Olea, who ‘knows how to delegate and provides prompt responses’; all three add further expertise and capacity to the practice, which is active in a broad range of industries, including banking, energy, education, telecommunications and gaming.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Providing ‘excellent communication and customer service’, Greenberg Traurig, S.C.‘s highly-qualified, 16-strong team impresses with its ‘innovative approach to providing solutions from different perspectives‘. A constant presence in midstream mandates, the practice has also carved out a niche for itself in the renewables segment, and is more and more involved in major power and oil-and-gas projects and transactions. Led by project finance specialist Juan Manuel González, the team is notably multidisciplinary. Fernando Orrantia focuses on the real estate, corporate and environmental aspects of infrastructure, energy and petrochemical projects; working across both hydrocarbons and renewables, Erick Hernández Gallego has expertise in in regulatory and transactional matters, public tenders and financing operations; while of counsel Pedro Reséndez‘s practice, also covering hydrocarbons, power and renewables, is particularly oriented towards government relations. Key support comes from dual-qualified (Mexico/Texas) senior associate Rodrigo Vazquez del Mercado, who has a close-focus on up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas, government procurement and energy M&A; with fellow senior Adriana Garcia Cuellar and associate Luis Jorge Akle participating on the corporate/finance, and environmental fronts, respectively.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Greenberg Traurig, S.C. is well regarded for its ‘commitment to client service and responsiveness’, and displays considerable experience in project structuring, development and finance; public-private partnership transactions, and construction. The sizeable 25-strong practice group advises project sponsors, banks and institutional investors, insurance companies, state entities and municipalities on a wide range of projects. The team is co-led by Juan Manuel González Bernal, who focuses on public procurement and the legal regime applicable to public works and services, along with public-private partnerships in Mexico; and José Antonio Butrón, who is experienced in M&A, banking, project finance, capital markets, structured finance and securitisations in relation to the roads, water, social infrastructure and telecom sectors, as well as structuring and implementation of infrastructure funds (CKDs, CERPIs and Fibra-E). Key associate support comes from experienced seniors Gabriela Palomino, who focuses on real estate matters, infrastructure and project development; and Edgar Fernando Orozco, whose practice is centred on public procurement and project finance with governments.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

Senior associate Héctor Sánchez is the key contact at Greenberg Traurig, S.C.'s practice, following the departure of former department-head, Hugo López Coll  for Sainz Abogados in February 2022. Sánchez has proven experience representing foreign and Mexican companies in a variety of industries - including  pharmaceutical, computer software and hardware, information services, real estate developers and retail. He advises on regulatory and compliance matters regarding regulated activities (particularly in relation to energy and gaming), as well as anti-corruption due diligence, corruption risk analysis and training.

Mexico > Environment Tier 3

Leveraging the combined strength of international offices in over 40 cities, Greenberg Traurig, S.C.'s Mexico office is known for its capabilities in environmental matters and is consistently sought out by clients since ‘they innovate to seek alternative solution from different perspectives'. The team's broad experience encompasses contentious and non-contentious matters, environmental and regulatory permits, contaminated sites, waste, air emissions, water, surface occupation of lands, and on the environmental aspects of infrastructure and real estate projects, and transactions in general. Given the foregoing, unsurprisingly, the team advises clients in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, food and beverages, infrastructure, mining, renewables, real estate, telecommunications, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The practice is led by Erick Hernández Gallego who has longstanding experience in the sector and particular expertise regarding regulatory issue, urban development, corporate environmental regularisation, environmental impact and risk matters, and the financing of green projects, among other matters. Key support is provided by associate Luis Jorge Akle.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, S.C.'s Mexico City disputes capability took a significant developmental step forward in September 2022 with the arrival of Alejandro Ostos (as a shareholder), along with his team of three associates and a law clerk, who arrived from the centenarian firm, Bufete Ostos. Complementing the practice’s recognised expertise in administrative, tax and amparo litigation under the direction of department-head Joselino Morales (whose practice also encompasses competition and IP litigation, as well as contentious public works and government contracting matters), their arrival equips the practice with significant civil and commercial litigation expertise. Recent mandates saw the team represent Uber in both Supreme Court and local amparo litigation so as to permit the company to resume operations in Cancun and other cities in Quintana Roo. At associate level, senior Hugo Hernández and intermediate Perla Salgado are both specialised in administrative and tax litigation, with Hernández having particular expertise in regulatory matters.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, S.C. significantly bolstered its labour and employment offering in December 2021, with the incorporation of Leslie Palma and her team of six associates from Holland & Knight, the hires following on from that of Marité Villanueva, who joined as Of Counsel the previous October. The team has experience across a broad front of employment issues, including individual and collective bargaining matters, executive compensation, labour relations management, workforce reductions and other employee changes. The practice is co-led by Palma, who focuses her practice on labour and benefits matters, advising clients on employment matters throughout the corporate sector; and experienced labour lawyer Villanueva, who assists employers with the management of employees, including massive and strategic layoffs, lawsuits, contingency plans to prevent labour liabilities, and union negotiations.

Mexico > TMT Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, S.C.‘s TMT practice represents clients from all subsectors on their different needs, including M&A, corporate, regulatory and government relations, as well as demonstrating prowess in transactional work, and advising on the regulatory aspects of TMT. Edgar Olvera Jiménez, who has an ‘exceptional knowledge of telecommunications’ and is regarded as an ‘outstanding lawyer and advisor’, heads the practice. A former Undersecretary of Communications for the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation, Olvera has over 20 years’ experience working on matters related to the telecoms sector, infrastructure projects, consumer protection, and administrative law. Associate Maribel Tovar is another name to note.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Greenberg Traurig LLP's deep commitment towards Latin America extends to an impressive flow of energy and infrastructure M&A engagements, along with project financings and project bond issuances. The firm has experienced further growth in green financings and green bond transactions. Through its Mexico City office it has landed an impressive market share of Mexico projects and transactions. It also has a fine record in Central America and is building its standing throughout South America; a case in point was its advice to Hudson Sustainable Group on the $107m  green financing of six solar farms in Uruguay. Mexico City office co-founding partner Juan Manuel González Bernal is a notable name in energy and infrastructure project development, while Marc Rossell and Oscar Stephens in New York provide further energy and infrastructure financing expertise, including in project bonds and green bonds.