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

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

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 1

Greenberg Traurig, S.C. continues to operate in the upper tier of the market, offering a ‘top-quality service’ to domestic and international clients in transactions across a diverse range of sectors, notaby finance and construction. The firm advises a significant number of major Mexican banks and infrastructure companies, with a good mix of both lender and borrower representations in the private and public sectors, in addition to municipal governments in Mexico. Several of the department’s lawyers are dual-qualified in Mexico and the United States, making it well placed to advise on international transactions. José Raz Guzmán co-leads the team, working with issuers, underwriters and investors on public and private equity offerings – he is highlighted as having an ‘outstanding knowledge of the market’; at his side, Juan Manuel González specialises in project finance transactions. Completing the leadership trio, Rodrigo Orozco Waters advises on foreign investment transactions in the infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, financial, and commercial sectors. Miguel Moisés represents lenders and borrowers in structured financings, bilateral and syndicated loans, as well as handling the financing of industrial, commercial and residential real estate projects; José Antonio Butrón Quintero and of counsel Gabriela Palomino are additional names to note. Senior associates Ana Acosta and ‘excellent’ David Argueta support on financing transactions and capital markets' matters.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Clients of Greenberg Traurig, S.C. particularly value the firm's ‘highly specialised’ competition and antitrust team due to its members’ professional experience at the competition commission. The group regularly acts for major players in a variety of industries when COFECE undertakes investigations into their sector of operation, and the department also saw a rise in activity for its pre-merger filing practice during the course of 2022. The practice is co-led by Victor Manuel Frías, an expert in transaction-related competition law matters; and Miguel Flores Bernés (a former Commissioner at what was then the Comisión Federal de Competencia) who is well-versed in government merger reviews, investigations into anti-competitive conduct, litigation and general compliance counsel. At associate level, both Abel Rivera Pedroza and Valery Dayne García Zavala are recommended by clients, while Rocío Olea Salgado has played a key role in handling the aforementioned boom in pre-merger filing mandates.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 1

The ‘talented and responsive’ team at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. is routinely instructed by property developers, lenders, investment managers and private equity funds for assistance with real estate matters. The group’s expertise encompasses the acquisition, development, financing and sale of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, as well as the stabilisation of projects, loan restructurings, joint ventures, and lease agreements. The practice is co-led by an experienced duo comprising Antonio Diez De Bonilla Martinez, who is praised for his ‘exceptional negotiation skills’ and has focused his practice on joint ventures, M&A, and the sale, purchase and financing of real estate; and Gerardo Carrillo Valadez, who handles real estate development and M&A transactions, and also has niche knowledge of mixed use and multifamily properties. Tax specialist Eduardo Medina Zapata brings over two decades of experience to the table, and majors on tax consulting and the structuring of private and public real estate investment funds and joint ventures. Additional key figures include 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 is singled out for his ‘creative problem-solving mindset’. Sardina handles US-Mexico cross-border real estate matters, particularly the legal aspects of structuring and financing of residential, commercial, industrial and hospitality development projects. Since publication, Guerrero has been raised to shareholder - effective as of January 2024.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

The expertise of the capital markets practice at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. encompasses IPOs, debt offerings, structured securities (FIBRAs, FIBRA-Es, CKDs, CERPIs) and the representation of SPACs. The team demonstrates ‘great subject knowledge’, and has experience representing issuers, underwriters, financial institutions and venture capital funds in domestic and cross-border securities offerings, leading cases in a ‘methodical and structured manner’. An experienced trio heads up the practice, comprising José Raz Guzmán, who is knowledgeable on public and private offerings of equity, debt, structured instruments, FIBRAS, CKDs, SPACs and securitizations; FIBRA-E structuring expert Juan Manuel González; and project finance-focused José Antonio Butrón. Of counsel Gabriela Palomino supports on corporate, infrastructure and project finance matters; senior associate David Argueta is an additional key contact.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Miami-headquartered international firm Greenberg Traurig, S.C. fields a sizeable 30-strong corporate team from its Mexico office and has reaped the rewards of this offering in terms of a noticeable upturn in mandates and caseload. The practice works across a broad array of sectors – banking, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, real estate, education, telecoms, pharma, tech and retail, to name just a few, and also receives mandates from the private equity and venture capital segments. The group is highly is accustomed to handling at all stages (negotiation, structuring, completion) and in all types (M&As, joint ventures, recapitalisations) of corporate transactions, with recent highlights ranging from representing a Fibra-E on the MXN$7.7bn acquisition of a participation in certain toll roads to advising both Syngenta and Betterware on strategic acquisitions in their respective sectors in Mexico. The practice is co-led by Miguel Yturbe (M&A and general corporate matters) and Arturo Pérez Estrada (corporate matters, financial regulation, privacy and corporate finance law), with managing partner José Raz Guzmán (financial and M&A transactions); José Antonio Butrón (M&A, banking, project finance, capital markets, structured finance and securitisations); Victor Manuel Frías (M&A, takeovers and JVs; along with corporate governance, corporate compliance matters and internal investigations); and Gabriel Lozano (general corporate and securities matters, including international M&A, PE and VC investments, commercial loans and securities offerings) providing further senior-level support. The deep partner bench is further reflected in the availability of an up-and-coming group of younger partners including Luis Cortés (commercial and corporate law, compliance and financings); Antonio Robles Hüe (energy, financial, commercial and corporate law); and Gabriela Palomino (project, energy and infrastructure-related transactional matters). The foregoing can also call on an array of experienced associates, notably: Víctor F Callarisa, Luis A Torres, Rocío Olea, Adriana García-Cuellar and Ana Acosta Silva.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Greenberg Traurig, S.C.’s energy and natural resources practice has broad regulatory, transactional and litigation experience across many segments of the energy industry, including crude oil, natural gas, oil products, LNG and electricity -both conventional and renewables. Of counsel Pedro Reséndez co-leads the practice and is appreciated by his clients for his ‘deep knowledge of the industry’; he has complementary experience in energy and government relations, and is counsel of choice for a number of multinationals operating in the Mexican market. His fellow practice co-head is Erick Hernández Gallego, a key figure in transactional and financing matters in both the hydrocarbons and generation sectors. On financing matters, senior partner Juan Manuel González brings his considerable experience to bear. The practice has a strong pool of associates to draw on, including seniors Rodrigo Vázquez del Mercado-Rivera and Luis Jorge Akle.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

The practice at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. handles anticorruption, AML, regulatory and antifraud-related matters, and assists companies from varied backgrounds such as aviation, oil and gas, food and drink, manufacturing, pharma and telecommunications. The firm’s global presence in the United States, Europe and Asia affords it a large professional network and international expertise. Practice co-head Victor Manuel Frías advises on corporate governance and internal investigations; alongside him, Pedro Reséndez carries out internal investigations and directs the design and implementation of compliance programmes. Associate Hector D. Sanchez Fernandez specialises in regulatory and compliance matters relating to energy, consumer protection, gaming and advertising. Since publication, Hector D Sanchez Fernandez left the firm.

Mexico > Environment Tier 3

The five-strong practice group at Greenberg Traurig, S.C.‘s Mexico office has benefitted from the firm’s international standing, as well as its local transactional prowess, to successfully replace the shortfall in projects work under the current administration with a strong pipeline of transactional engagements. A wave of sales by Mexican companies in the second half of 2021 has segued into a scenario where near-shoring has become the predominant transactional driver, with the firm proving adept at securing relevant mandates. The team has also gained traction in the mining section where activity has included M&A, restructuring and arbitration-related matters, with the May 2023 mining reform only serving to further increase engagements in the industry. Practice head Erick Hernández Gallego is an administrative and regulatory specialist with over 20-years’ experience in the environmental sector as part of a broad practice that reaches from renewable power generation to healthcare. He is closely supported by senior associate Luis Jorge Akle – who arrived at the firm together with Hernández back in late 2017 and has worked with him since 2010 – and is also an administrative specialist with a strong focus on environmental matters and renewable energy projects. The team’s recent mandates include advising Mexican conglomerate Grupo IDESA on the implementation of ESG policies; assisting Envision International / Vive Energía with environmental and regulatory compliance with regard to all its renewable energy projects, along with the successful filing and execution of a number of amparo lawsuits; and Grupo Procaps on the environmental and regulatory aspects of its acquisition of the assets of Grupo Farmacéutico Somar, which includes four properties. The team has also been assisting The World Bank advise Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) on the implementation of the basis on which to elaborate a Mexican Official Standard (NOM) for carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), in line with Mexico’s national and international obligations regarding climate change.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

Praised for its ability to ‘understand the client’s needs and get fully involved in the business’, the ‘hands-on’ team at Greenberg Traurig, S.C. is active in project structuring, development, financing and refinancing, as well as PPPs and transactions involving infrastructure investment trusts such as FIBRAs-E. The group is routinely instructed by banks and institutional investors, FIBRAS, insurance companies, and Mexican states and municipalities. The practice is co-directed by a seasoned trio, comprising: Juan Manuel González Bernal, who specialises in project finance, public procurement and PPPs;  José Antonio Butrón, who handles M&A, refinancings, project finance, capital markets transactions, securitisations, and the structuring and implementation of infrastructure funds (CKDs, CERPIs and FIBRAs-E); and Gabriela Palomino, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2023 and focuses on M&A, infrastructure and project development. Associate Edgar Fernando Orozco assists with public procurement and project finance matters.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

In September 2022, Alejandro Ostos and his team -formerly of Bufete Ostos- joined Greenberg Traurig, S.C. in what constitutes a significant overhaul and strengthening of the latter’s contentious capabilities. Ostos receives plentiful praise for his ‘extensive experience in administrative and constitutional matters’, and now leads the firm’s nascent civil and commercial litigation department. The practice works closely with the firm’s corporate and compliance offering and acts for a diverse client base that includes domestic and multinational companies, investment banks and advertising agencies, among others. Senior associate Mauricio Rueda and associate Erick Peregrina (who both joined with Ostos), handles commercial, civil, and family law litigation, along with constitutional amparos.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 4

The ‘attention, professionalism and specialised knowledge’ of Greenberg Traurig, S.C. is brought to bear on labour and employment strategies for a wide ranging client base in Mexico, be it for day-to-day running of the company or relating to transactional matters. The practice is also active in dispute resolution, focusing primarily on conflict prevention but with capability and experience in labour law litigation. The practice is jointly led by Leslie Palma, who has vast experience assisting clients with the transfer of employees and standardisation of benefits; and Marité Villanueva, a name to note for union negotiations regarding large-scale layoffs. The practice heads are supported by associates Jorge Andazola and Karla Copka. Since publication, Jorge Andazola left the firm.

Mexico > TMT Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, S.C. fields a TMT practice whose work encompasses regulatory, consulting, complex transactions, and antitrust matters. Practice head Edgar Olvera Jiménez has spearheaded the office’s development in this area since he joined the firm in 2018 and is especially well-regarded in the telecoms sector, as well as being an experienced advisor on infrastructure projects, consumer protection, and administrative law. Senior associate Maribel Tovar is the other key practice contact and has particular strength in public law.

Mexico > International trade and customs

Mexico > Tax

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Greenberg Traurig, LLP has a substantial focus on Latin America, including through its large teams in Miami, New York and Mexico City. Many in the team are fluent Spanish and/or Portuguese speakers, with a large number also being dual-qualified in the US and a Latin American jurisdiction. Energy and infrastructure transactions account for a large slice of its Latin America practice, including high-value M&A and project finance transactions. Much of the practice centres on bond-driven financings, including green bonds and project bonds. Mexico and Chile currently constitute its primary jurisdictions. Marc Rossell is co-chair of the Latin America group and is noted for capital markets-driven financings of energy and infrastructure. Oscar Stephens is a native of Chile where he is especially active in project financings and bond offerings, having a principal focus on renewable energy and infrastructure. Mexico City partner Juan Manuel González Bernal is co-chair of the global infrastructure practice and has extensive experience in project finance, public procurement and PPPs in Mexico.