Firm Profile > Sánchez Devanny > Monterrey, Mexico
Sánchez Devanny Offices
TORRE NOVO, PISO 4, DESPACHO 401
JOSÉ CLEMENTE OROZCO 335, COL. VALLE ORIENTE
SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL 66269
Mexico
Sánchez Devanny > The Legal 500 Rankings
Wealth management Tier 1
Ten-strong, Sánchez Devanny's ‘sophisticated team’ has ‘deep knowledge and experience in the field’ of wealth management. Prominent practice members include: Queretaro-based Abel Mejía, who advises high-net-worth individuals on tax planning, including pre-immigration planning and family estate structuring, as part of a broader practice that also takes in advising multinationals on their operations in Mexico and associated inter-company cross-border transactions; Ernesto Silvas, who has broad experience advising Mexican family companies and family-offices on the design and implementation of their corporate ownership and governance structures, and succession planning; and managing partner Ricardo León, an expert in cross-border tax planning and transfer pricing matters, who focuses on estate planning mandates. The latter pair operate from the firm's Monterrey office.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘They always have the right answer for complicated situations or cases. Abel Mejia and Ricardo León are excellent people, with very special human qualities, very empathetic and close to the clients. They are very well connected in Mexico and have a very recognized international experience.‘
‘Excellent sophisticated team, highly integrated and very dedicated to the private client sector.’
‘Deep knowledge and experience in the field.’
‘Outstanding service.’
‘They have a high technical level but always with a practical view, taking into account the real needs of the customer.’
Key clients
Citibank
UBS
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Lombard Odier
Scotiabank
International trade and customs Tier 2
Sánchez Devanny continues to shine in the international trade and customs market, thanks to its well-rounded team comprised of expert practitioners. Turenna Ramirez handles strategic planning of trade and customs matters along with litigation, and specializes in international treaties (including NAFTA), customs audits, export promotion programs (including IMMEX) and verification-of-origin processes. José Alberto Campos has a broad expertise in tax and regulatory aspects including tariff and non-tariff requirements and export controls, as well as significant experience in Free Trade Agreements executed by Mexico. Eduardo Sotelo, who made partner in January 2020, is a very competent litigator. All three co-lead the practice. Also recently raised to the partnership, María Luisa Mendoza (IT&C matters particularly in relation to the energy, health and life science sectors) is another name to note among the eight-strong team, which has experience across the chemicals, automotive, food & beverages, cosmetics, medical and pharmaceutical, and alcohol and tobacco sectors, among others.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Embotelladora Niagara de Mexico
American Eagle Outfitters
Clopay Building Products
Bredero Shaw Mexico
Flex Films USA
Sharp Corporation Mexico
Festo
Marubeni de Mexico
Nippon Seiki de Mexico
Essity Higiene y Salud
Labour and employment Tier 2
Clients appreciate the ‘excellent personalized service’ and ‘full understanding of both the needs of the company and the Mexican market’ provided by Sánchez Devanny's labour and employment department. The 18-strong team, regularly advises clients -particularly from the energy and automotive sectors- on labour, immigration and social security matters. It is co-led by Alfredo Kupfer-Dominguez in Mexico City, a recognized market expert and ‘opinion leader on the subject’; and Monterrey-based David Puente-Tostado. Recent matters include undertaking an analysis of the labour (and tax) legal effects of Enel's buisness structure, including over 40 legal entities in Mexico, in order to comply with new labour subcontracting requirements. Key support comes from senior associate Fermin Lecumberri-Cano (labour advisory and litigation), and associate María Fernanda Castellanos, who also has labour litigation experience.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Excellent personalized service with full understanding of both the needs of the company and the Mexican market. Personalised service approach, openness to work under different fee schemes, specialized knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry / medical devices.‘
‘Their knowledge of legal / labour matters is excellent and they are always up to date with updates on the law and labour practices. In addition to the extensive and timely knowledge; the network of contacts and connections they have helps a lot in handling matters. Especially speaking of Alfredo Kupfer who I consider to be an opinion leader on the subject and he is with whom I work directly. The other team members are excellent too, but I work directly with Alfredo.‘
‘Availability, they are not shown to be mercantilist even when fees are important. Special mention in order:- Alfredo Kupfer; Guillermo Villaseñor; Jimena Robles; Maria Castellanos. It is a consolidated team and the firm has within it different areas in which to provide support and legal advice. They are always open to our concerns and show empathy with our doubts, queries or legal demands.‘
Key clients
FCA
Enel Energy
Sonova
Repsol
Bayer – Monsanto
ATCO
EDP Renewables
Hyundai Mobis
Ingersoll Rand
Bendix
Corporate and M&A Tier 3
Operating from its offices in Mexico City, Monterrey and Querétaro, the practice at Sánchez Devanny is over 30-strong and handles a broad range of work, including advice on joint ventures, M&A, corporate governance and compliance. Key partners include Francisco Andres Gamez-Garza (corporate, M&A financings, joint ventures and compliance due diligence), Cristina Sanchez-Vebber (corporate M&A and competition law), Ernesto Silvas, who is very experienced in cross-border transactional matters; and Jose Antonio Postigo-Uribe (head of the corporate and M&A practice in Mexico City, where he is also office managing partner); while in Monterrey Gerardo Prado-Hernandez (M&A, commercial transactions, day-to-day advisory and contracts) and office managing partner Humberto Morales-Barron, who is also head of the corporate governance and regulatory compliance practice. Ongoing matters include advising Medtronic on its MXN$173m acquisition of certain business lines (concerned with coronary health) from Artimédica; the team also remains particularly active in the automotive sector, long a strength of the firm.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Linamar Corporation
Libbey
Tempel Steel
Dematic Corporation
Sumitomo Corporation
Littler Mendelson
Kongsberg Automotive
Repsol Downstream Internacional
Manufacturas Solco
John Varvatos Mexico
Energy and natural resources Tier 3
Sánchez Devanny 's 'strong' inter-office energy industry group is 'consolidated' 'and can provide full service for all related matters including regulatory, compliance, labour, litigation and corporate,' according to clients. The 12-lawyer team is co-led by transaction-specialised senior partners Jose Antonio Postigo-Uribe and Gerardo Prado-Hernandez, in Mexico City and Monterrey, respectively; both have extensive energy-sector experience, notably with regard to solar projects, wind farms and cogeneration plants. Postigo also handles oil and gas matters including E&P bid processes, transportation, commercialization, investment structuring and dispute resolution advisory. The team's recent caseload has been dominated by the preparation of PPAs, which it has negotiated on behalf of Essity, Embotelladora Niágara, Pipe México, Bendix and Bioenergía de Nuevo León, among others. Net Code regulations and compliance with the technical requirements for generators' interconnection to the national electricity system is another source of mandates. On the oil and gas side, the team is assisting Repsol Downstream Mexico with its participation in the fuel and lubricants retail market. Key associate support comes from energy focused semi-senior, Max Ernesto Hernández-Ernult.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Sanchéz Devanny has a strong practice within the energy sector in Mexico. The firm has a consolidated and strong team for energy matters and can provide full service for all the related matters including regulatory, compliance, labour, litigation and corporate. They are very good for day-to-day matters as well as dealing with complex deals or projects. José Antonio Postigo, Guillermo Villasenor Tadeo and Max Ernesto Hernandez Ernult are the main contacts for the energy matters. They are able to act as a true team and they have all deep knowledge in local regulatory matters. They are client oriented in the approach to the matters and can add strong value with the advice provided.’
‘The firm has a good team of specialized professionals, dedicated to the field of energy and the environment or natural resources, with extensive knowledge, skills and strategy management, in order to solve the different situations that may represent risks or responsibilities for the company. José Antonio Postigo Uribe: very confident and correct in his comments, suggestions and strategies, he has great legal knowledge, both of the previous regulatory system of the electricity sector in Mexico, and of the new regulatory regime. He has experience in the energy branch that generates trust, security and certainty.’
‘Associate Tania Elizabeth Trejo: excellent professional attention, her investigations, reviews and analysis of the queries that are made are accurate and generate great confidence, and legal certainty for the company.‘
Key clients
Essity
Dana de México Corporación
Bendix CVS de México
US Pipe México
Embotelladora Niágara de México
Caterpillar
Repsol Exploración México
Bioenergía de Nuevo León
Servicios Administrativos Suma (GEPP)
Life sciences Tier 3
Partners José Alberto Campos (tax and international trade) and Juan Luis Serrano-Leets (the IP, regulatory and privacy aspects of life sciences), co-head the practice at Sánchez Devanny, which has a ‘strong experience in the sector’, and handles matters pertaining to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food, beverages and dietary supplements, cosmetics, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, hazardous substances, cannabis products, and medical and health related services, among others. Moreover, the team, has a good ‘knowledge of customer needs’ and ‘understanding of political norms'; Campos has extensive experience, while Serrano's past experience includes three years' as head of legal at AstraZeneca Mexico. The team collaborates with the firm's corporate governance and regulatory practice group as regards compliance matters led by Humberto Morales-Barron. The primarily international trade-focused María Luisa Mendoza, who was appointed non-equity partner in January 2020, also participates extensively in life-sciences matters.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘We have used Sanchez and Devanny not only for their well respected practice in the life sciences field, but they have been able to assist us whenever corporate and/or employment law issues have come up. We specifically work mainly with Jose Alberto Campos Vargas and Maria Luiza Mendoza Lopez. Jose Alberto is our first call for any legal issues with Mexican law, as well as import/export issues. Jose Alberto provides solid advice and when he does not have the answer, he knows the right people to ask. Maria Luiza principally handles our regulatory issues in relation to our product labeling. She has always been responsive and accurate in her advice.‘
‘Very professional team with strong experience in the sector, with high-level relationships that allows us to have information that helps make decisions. An adequate level of treatment when presenting cases to the local authorities, high authorities and international executives, that positively impact the understanding of situations. Knowledge of customer needs, understanding of political norms and way of working in transnational pharmaceutical companies with a clear level of compliance.’
‘The pharmaceutical sector is a highly specialized sector and, in this sense, it requires specific knowledge of the sector and of the legal and regulatory matter related to it. They are competent lawyers who know the matter.’
‘Thanks to the partner Juan Luis Serrano, progress and achievements have reached an important level very quickly. The empathy and knowledge of the work of lawyers in house, make the service provided very punctual and according to the needs.’
Key clients
Femsa-KOF
Schwan Stabilo
Arca Continental
Pharmhouse
UCB Pharmaceuticals
British American Tobacco
Yanbal
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Slimfast
Merck
Real estate Tier 3
The incorporation of Diego Gómez Haro, formerly head of legal for Mexico real estate at Blackstone Group back in July 2018, has clearly boosted Sánchez Devanny's practice, allowing the firm to strengthen its presence in Mexico City, from where he operates. Very prominent in, among other areas, syndication, restructures, portfolio acquisitions, financing, equity investments, joint venture incorporation or asset divestiture, he co-heads the department with Monterrey-based managing partner Rafael Villamar-Ramos, a reputed market player with substantial experience in industrial, commercial and housing real estate acquisition and leasing transactions. The eight-strong team also includes key practitioner Alfredo Villareal, who is appreciated for being ‘flexible to the customers' demands, receptive to feedback, and very empathetic at the time of negotiation’.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Their interdisciplinary practice has improved in a very noticeable way. They are flexible to the customers’ demands, receptive to feedback, they are very empathetic at the time of negotiation’
‘I think one of their greatest strengths is that they adapt to the speed of the business and always show commitment especially in the moment of closures and completion of the project’
‘Knowledge of the market, of the main players in the market, very good handling of written communication, flexibility and availability with the client. Excellent handling and of complex negotiations and good management of process’
Key clients
Airbnb
IKEA
H&M Hennes & Mauritz
Ikano Industries
Giorgio Armani
Valentino
Under Armour
Sally Beauty Supply
IMPRO Industries
Bendix
Tax Tier 3
Sánchez Devanny's international experience has given the practice substantial hands-on expertise in cross border tax matters. The 20-strong team is co-led by five partners: the experienced Ricardo Leon-Santacruz, who specializes in tax planning and transfer pricing; Guillermo Villaseñor-Tadeo, who leads on the litigation front; Luis Antonio González Flores, who has broad experience in national and international tax audits, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption compliance strategies, with a special focus on multinational enterprises; Mariana Eguiarte-Morett, who has ‘impressive technical knowledge on international tax matters’; and Abel Mejia-Cosenza, who specializes in international tax planning for both individuals and corporations.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The firm shows strength in foreign tax knowledge with national implications. In general they are very accessible, I can contact them by phone, mail or whatsapp and they are always willing to answer the doubts that arise in a process unknown to us.’
‘Sanchez Devanny’s team works collaboratively to find solutions and to deeply understand the business and the issues that come up with specific solutions. Also, they work fast without losing the quality of their work by involving senior and high capable professionals to deal with every matter.’
‘Mariana Eguiarte Morett has an impressive technical knowledge on international tax matters and an extensive international network to help dealing with impacts in multiple jurisdictions. Pedro Jose Miranda Sadurni has great experience on tax controversy matters and brings a lot of practical insights to assist on tax audits and litigation.’
Key clients
Schwan Stabilo
Arca Continental
Johnson Controls
Eaton Corporation
Investar Capital Partners
H&M Hennes & Mauritz
AES Corporation
Almadex Minerals
Repsol
Enel
Compliance Tier 4
Sánchez Devanny offers a solid compliance practice with extensive expertise in corporate internal investigations, anti-corruption regulations and anti-money laundering investigations. The 12-strong practice, led by Humberto Morales-Barron, José Alberto Campos and Daniel Maldonado-Alcantara (in Monterrey, Mexico City and Queretaro, respectively), also counsels clients on FCPA, UK Bribery Act and Mexican anti-corruption regulations; on compliance and/or regulatory audits and their legal implications in connection with M&A and commercial agreements; and on internal vetting procedures for distributors, agents and service providers. Additionally, the regulatory/compliance group represents clients during administrative proceedings, inspections and litigation, including sanctions, closures and product seizures.Banking and finance Tier 5
Three partners lead the practice at Sánchez Devanny; Monterrey-based Ernesto Silvas-Medina, who focuses on mergers and acquisition financing and restructuring; Francisco Andres Gamez-Garza, who primarily handles commercial lending for the industrial sector; and real estate financing expert Diego Gómez-Haro Katznelson, who operates from Mexico City. Key support comes from senior associates Jaime Moreno-Treviño and Debby McKey, both from the Monterrey office. The eight-strong team, which also acts for private equity clients on debt financing acquisitions, remains a popular choice for banks, borrowers and investors due to its experience in cross-border loans, securities, syndicated multi-jurisdictional loans, bonds issues and fund formation.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Constantia Flexibles Holding (Wendel)
Barclays Bank
JP Morgan Chase Bank
KeyBank National Bank
Bancomext
Akbank TAS
Banque Pictet
Captalys
Intellectual property Tier 5
The IP practice at Sánchez Devanny is differentiated by its strong focus on the pharmaceutical industry, advising key clients including Stendhal, Servier, Merck, Alexion, Serral, Lakeside, Biotoscana, Stendhal and Exeltis on a broad range of issues including prosecution, litigation, interactions with regulatory law for both patents and trade marks, as well as general policy advisory. IP practice head Juan Luis Serrano-Leets has 20 years' experience and is a 'a very complete lawyer'; formerly in house at Astra Zeneca, he also leads the life sciences and data privacy areas.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The firm has a great partner, Juan Luis Serrano Leets. He knows very well both the practice of intellectual property and regulatory issues in Mexico. This gives him an additional advantage. He has a great knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. Having worked as an in-house lawyer and in a law firm makes him a very complete lawyer’
‘They are very professional and clear in their recommendations, they even make us see many points that we had not considered. Juan Luis Serrano is the lawyer with the greatest sense of urgency on issues that impact the pharmaceutical industry and helps us make decisions with clear information from different sources and to anticipate. He is always empathetic, proactive, ethical, and solution-focused’
‘They solve problems from a practical point of view’
‘Juan Luis Serrano brings knowledge, experience and peace of mind’
‘Maria Jose Ayala Garcia has a pleasant attitude and follows up closely on the issues she handles’
Key clients
Teva Pharmaceuticals
UCB Pharmaceuticals
H&M Hennes and Mauritz
Repsol
The Pokemon Company
Exeltis Pharma
Engie / GDF Suez
Sumitomo Corporation
Tarrant Capital IP
Sea Bridge
Sánchez Devanny > Firm Profile
Sanchez Devanny is a leading Mexican law firm that provides full-service legal advice to both Mexican and international clients.
The firm: With distinct practice areas that regularly collaborate with one another, the firm provides comprehensive counsel to help clients make better decisions for their businesses as a whole, especially in the energy, automotive, retail, real estate, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing industries.
It builds enduring client relationships that go beyond individual service contracts because the firm makes every effort to understand clients’ businesses and expectations, to serve as an ally, and to provide complete, accessible and personalized advice. As a testament to these efforts, it continues to advise clients today who have trusted us with their legal matters since Jorge Sanchez Devanny founded the firm in 1996.
Throughout the firm, its staff takes pride in serving clients with a combined approach of experience and creativity because its recognizes that when you know how things are done it is easier to think outside the box. Its partners offer a wealth of experience, including in prior roles as in-house counsels at global companies and government agencies, and key roles within international law firms.
With offices in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Queretaro, as well as several strategic alliances worldwide, the firm is well-positioned to quickly and efficiently represent and respond to clients in the entire Mexican Republic and abroad, shortening the distance between it and clients.
Practice areas: Corporate and M&A: corporate and project finance; financial institutions and services; international trade and customs; real estate, infrastructure and hospitality; tax; private wealth management and estate planning; labor, social security and immigration; corporate governance and regulatory compliance; energy, natural resources and environmental; life sciences; intellectual property, entertainment and sports law; data privacy and information technology; litigation and alternative dispute resolution; and antitrust.
Industry groups: automotive, energy, life sciences, retail, fintech, business family group.
Other groups: Japanese desk
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chairman / Managing Partner | Ricardo León-Santacruz | rls@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Managing Partner for Monterrey Office | Rafael Villamar-Ramos | rvr@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Managing Partner for Mexico City Office | Turenna Ramírez-Ortiz | tramirez@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | José Ángel Eseverri-Ahuja | jae@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Francisco Andrés Gámez-Garza | agg@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Partner | Juan Luis Serrano-Leets | jlserrano@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Luis Antonio González Flores | luis.gonzalez@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Alfredo Kupfer-Domínguez | akupfer@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Humberto Morales-Barrón | hmorales@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Partner | Alfonso López-Lajud | alopez@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Daniel Maldonado-Alcántara | dmaldonado@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 4422966400 |
Partner | Abel Mejía-Cosenza | amejia@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 4422966400 |
Partner | José Antonio Postigo-Uribe | japostigo@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Gerardo Prado-Hernández | gph@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Partner | David Puente-Tostado | dpt@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Partner | José Alberto Campos-Vargas | jacampos@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Cristina Sánchez-Vebber | csv@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Ernesto Silvas Medina | esm@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 8181533900 |
Partner | Guillermo Villaseñor-Tadeo | gvillasenor@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Yutaka Kimura | yutaka.kimura@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 4422966400 |
Partner | Mariana Eguiarte-Morett | meguiarte@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Diego Gómez-Haro K. | dgomezharo@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Partner | Eduardo Sotelo-Cauduro | esotelo@sanchezdevanny.com | +52 5550298500 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Francisco Andres Gamez-Garza | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Ricardo Leon-Santacruz | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Humberto Morales-Barron | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Gerardo Prado-Hernandez | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr David Puente-Tostado | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Ernesto Silvas-Medina | Partner | View Profile |