Gonzalez Calvillo > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Gonzalez Calvillo > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Gonzalez Calvillo‘s consolidated practice covers the gamut of energy matters: from up-, mid- and downstream oil and gas, power generation, regulatory matters, public procurement, and project and infrastructure development, to dispute resolution, litigation and enforcement; environmental matters, social impact and regulatory assessment; project, structured and corporate finance; and joint ventures, M&A and private equity. Founding partner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo is particularly active on transactional and financing matters in the sector; Jorge Cervantes Trejo provides deep knowledge of project finance and development in relation to power, oil and gas infrastructure, as well as specialist niche ADR knowledge; Rodrigo Rojas Robleda also brings deep infrastructure and projects knowledge, particular in relation to private equity in the sector; while Oscar Moreno Silva has specialist knowledge of infrastructure and energy regulatory matters; and Diana Pineda Esteban is also highly regarded for her broad capabilities in energy matters, oil and gas projects, litigation, and associated dispute resolution. A robust second line includes counsels Antonio De Lisi (advisory to sponsors, investors and financial institutions on energy and infrastructure project development, joint ventures and transactions) and Julia González (strategy design spanning regulatory, dispute resolution and risk prevention matters in relation to infrastructure projects); along with senior associate Paulina Poo Romano (energy, environmental and regulatory matters). Since publication, Poo Romano has moved in house - effective as of February 2023.

Mexico > Environment Tier 1

Gonzalez Calvillo is consistently sought out by local and international clients to advise on environmental and regulatory matters, including the design and implementation of environmental strategies; mandatory environmental, natural resources, climate change and social impact provisions; representation before authorities in administrative and judicial proceedings – including class actions, administrative sanctions-related claim procedures, and litigation. The September 2022 hire of Paola Hernández from Grupo México’s Americas Mining Corporation (where she had been director of both compliance and corporate environmental affairs), gives the department a new practice head following the sad and untimely loss of Leopoldo Burguete in March. Key support is provided by a strong second line of counsels: Enrique Muñoz Guízar advises companies on the identification and obtaining of the environmental permits, licenses, authorisations, and concessions required for the development of infrastructure projects in the water, energy, tourism and industrial sectors; Julia González handles strategy design in relation to regulatory, dispute resolution and risk prevention matters; and Carlos Fernando Castilla focuses on administrative litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in relation to environmental and regulatory law. Experienced senior associate Georgina Zavala is also noted.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Gonzalez Calvillo remains a leader in the market with deep experience representing financial institutions, government entities, Mexican and foreign development banks, multilateral organisms, suppliers, contractors, and sponsors in connection with project development and financing transactions in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, water, roads, airports, ports, railways and telecommunications. The key figures in a practice group almost 40-lawyers strong are: name partner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo, who has experience in project finance – particularly representing oil and gas, as well as power companies. Rodrigo Rojas Robleda, who advises on project development and financings in relation to hydrocarbons deals, state-backed PPP schemes and power generation projects. Oscar Moreno Silva regularly represents clients on the regulatory and contractual components required for project development, as well as in public procurement matters; while Jorge Cervantes Trejo specialises in M&A, project finance, private equity, energy and infrastructure. Gonzalo Vargas Ateca‘s broad projects and infrastructure practice encompasses oil and gas, power generation, petrochemicals, joint ventures, government procurement, public bids and regulatory matters. Rounding out the senior team, Hernando Becerra de Cima advises developers and banks on infrastructure financing transactions, and accompanies developers through the development process of energy related projects; Diana Pineda Esteban handles private and public tenders and infrastructure projects, on both the structuring (including regulatory analysis) and development aspects, particularly with regard to storage terminals, pipelines, port, and other maritime facilities; and Antonio de Lisi’s project development experience ranges from power generation and gas projects, to marine terminals, FPSOs, offshore platforms and jack-ups, and refining assets – he also has regulatory expertise.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

Gonzalez Calvillo houses a highly regarded banking and finance department with a solid track record in the Mexican market, which spans customary banking and finance matters from commercial lending, acquisition financing and project finance to regulatory banking work. The group has built a reputable client portfolio, as well as a solid presence across multiple sectors, including oil, gas, and electricity, fintech and the automotive industry. Recent work highlights saw the practice representing JA Mitsui Leasing, as lender, on the granting of a $98m financing for the construction, operation and leasing of a Toyota-branded automotive components manufacturing plant which will be operated by Metalsa. Co-managing partner José Ignacio Rivero Andere, who is particularly skilled at handling cross-border transactions; and José Victor Torres Gómez, whose experience encompasses transnational financings, syndicated loans and leasing work, are the main contacts of the team. Fellow partners Jorge Cervantes Trejo, Rodrigo Rojas Robleda and Daniel Guaida Azar are all also active in the sector, particularly on project finance matters; while Bernardo Reyes Retana K., in turn, handles private and public securities offerings, cross border finance and banking regulatory matters. The name to note at associate level is that of senior Jacinto Ávalos (banking and finance, private equity and capital market). Former partner Juan Manuel Sancho Rodrigo left the firm in March 2022.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

Gonzalez Calvillo‘s capital markets practice represents a good blend of domestic and foreign companies, including private equity firms and their portfolio companies, along with issuers and underwriters, on local and cross-border securities transactions. The group maintains a steady workflow representing both issuers and investors of securities such as FIBRAs, FIBRA-Es, and and CKDs, and is focusing on increasing its visibility in project bonds and green bonds-related work. Work highlights include representing FIBRA Prologis on its successful second offering and placement of a CNBV-registered, US$-denominated “Green Bond” on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Key contacts of the group include co-managing partner José Ignacio Rivero Andere, who also serves in the board of directors of companies such as Aleatica; and Bernardo Reyes Retana K., who has solid experience in private and public securities offerings in Mexico and abroad under his belt. Capital markets practitioner Jaime Cortés Alvarez  left the firm in January 2022.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Gonzalez Calvillo‘s antitrust practice is led by Cristina Massa, who is particularly well-versed in concentration cases, administrative litigation and amparo procedures, while also handling investigations and abuse-of-dominance claims – particularly in the regulated sectors. The team advises some of the largest companies operating in Mexico (as well as small and medium-sized entities), and has considerable breadth of expertise including oil & gas and electricity; telecoms and broadcasting; the automotive and aviation sectors; chemicals, pharmaceuticals, technology entertainment, construction, utilities, health and hygiene and investment. Key support is provided by counsel Patricio Martínez Osorio (a late 2020-hire from Creel Abogados, SC, where he was a partner), who handles antitrust, competition, data privacy and advertising law matters; associate Daniel González Contreras is also noted. However, senior associate Diego González Altamirano left for Conesa & Moreno Abogados in January 2022, and counsel Gabriel González Aragón subsequently departed the following May.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Gonzalez Calvillo‘s corporate and M&A practice fields a bench of ‘highly specialised and dynamic lawyers’, who earn plaudits for their ‘excellent service and very good negotiation skills’, as well as for their ‘outstanding industry-specific knowledge’. Recommended for their strong expertise across a variety of sectors, the group advises clients on a wealth of corporate legal matters, from corporate restructuring and shareholders agreements to the structuring and execution of domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. In addition, the team is also sought out for its prowess in corporate governance matters. Co-managing partner José Ignacio Rivero Andere, who excels in cross-border transactions; banking and finance specialist José Victor Torres Gómez; Jorge Cervantes Trejo, whose experience encompasses relevant transactions in oil, gas, telecoms, real estate, hospitality and infrastructure projects in general; Hernando Becerra de Cima, and Rodrigo Rojas Robleda are among the department’s key practitioners. Promoted to counsel in September 2022, Rosa Elena Coto‘s corporate practice has a strong orientation towards transactional matters – particularly relating to the private equity segment. Senior Jacinto Ávalos provides key associate support. Former partner Juan Manuel Sancho left the firm in March 2022.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 2

Gonzalez Calvillo houses an nine-strong practice that is primarily focuses on transactional real estate matters but also handles the full spectrum of relevant matters, from land acquisitions and sales, and project development, to franchises, lease agreements, permits and financing – particularly in relation to the industrial, residential and hospitality segments. It regularly represents developers, lenders, investment banks, pension funds, real estate investment funds and corporations in connection with real estate-related transactions, including hotel management companies, golf course developers, shopping centres and business centres.  The practice is co-led by Alfredo Chávez Goyeneche, a well known practitioner who advises on all types of corporate transactions involving joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, lease agreements, restructurings, contracts, project finance, investments, public bids, and regulatory issues in general; and Gonzalo Vargas Ateca, who is experienced in the implementation of sophisticated purchase and sale agreements, cross-border investments, M&A transactions and finance. Key support comes from senior associates Joaquín Alcalá Cuéllar (corporate, M&A and real estate) and Haydeé Montserrat Gonzalez Tavira (corporate/real estate), the latter an August 2021 hire from Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. prior to the departure of senior associate Paulina Sellerier who moved in house as VP Legal Latam at Habitas in September.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

The practice at full-service Mexican firm Gonzalez Calvillo is based on two core aspects of compliance: anti-money laundering and anti-bribery. Luis Felipe Mancera de Arrigunaga, a former general counsel and Chief Tax Prosecutor, as well as Chief of the Banking and Savings Unit at the Ministry of Finance, helms the practice, bringing to bear his specialisation in anticorruption, AML and tax-compliance. Counsel Juan Carlos Peraza provides additional expertise in creating and implementing compliance programs, and also advises collaborates on internal investigations; and senior associate María Paula Boustani, who boasts solid experience in corporate ethics and compliance, are other names to note.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

Praised for being ‘highly specialised and very empathic with the client’, Gonzalez Calvillo‘s dispute resolution practice has established civil, commercial, administrative and constitutional litigation as its strong points. Shareholders and corporate disputes, real estate controversies, administrative law, and bankruptcy and amparo proceedings account for a healthy portion of the workload of the group led by experienced litigator, Edgar Grajeda Muñóz. Recent work highlights include representing BP’s entities in two different class action processes both derived from the oil spill caused by the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon platform in the Macondo field. Regulated-sector specialist Luis Mancera has also been active in the energy sector, advising hydrocarbons companies (particularly as regards mid- and downstream licenses and permitting matters) and power generators; as well as acting for telecoms companies in regulatory and litigious matters before IFETEL and PROFECO. The September 2022 promotion of former counsel Daniel Morán Salgado to the partnership has further consolidated the firm’s bench for contentious matters (Morán is well-versed in a variety of disputes); and the pair can also call on senior associate Ana Rosa Bobadilla, who is experienced in insolvency and class action procedures; and associate Jesús Manuel Gálvez, for experienced support as necessary.

Mexico > Intellectual property Tier 3

Gonzalez Calvillo's intellectual property practice group is sought out by clients for its profound knowledge of trade mark infringement and litigation matters, as well as for its advice on trademark portfolio management and prosecution, and patent litigation. The team is co-led by Pablo Hooper, who has a particularly strong profile for his activity in the franchise segment, as well as for his experience in intellectual property and specialisation in IP transactional work. Alberto Pliego, who was raised to the partnership in January 2022, focuses on advising domestic and foreign companies on trade marks, copyright, litigation, franchising, licensing and distribution. Also noted and an integral member of the practice, experienced senior associate Lirio Salgado directs the department's patents area.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 3

Gonzalez Calvillo fields a team with experience in regulatory compliance for the import, marketing, distribution, storage, advertising, and sale of products such as drugs, medical devices, food supplements, food and beverages, spirits, and tobacco products. Following the sad and premature passing of former environmental head Leopoldo Burguette-Stanek in March 2022, the practice is now co-led by counsels Enrique Muñoz Guízar, who advises companies on identifying and obtaining the permits, licenses, authorisations, and concessions that they may require for their activities and operations; and Carlos Fernando Castilla, who focuses his practice on administrative litigation and dispute resolution, and has experience designing complex defence strategies.

Mexico > TMT Tier 3

Gonzalez Calvillo offers expert advise in the TMT field, boasting deep knowledge and expertise across the telecom spectrum while delivering comprehensive analysis regarding all related regulatory aspects, and is renowned for its solid skills representing clients before administrative and jurisdictional bodies in litigation procedures. The practice, which garners praise for its ‘extensive experience in telecommunications regulation’, is led by Luis Mancera de Arrigunaga, who handles regulatory matters as well as specialising in administrative litigation, constitutional relief proceedings, telecoms disputes and contentious constitutional procedures. He works side-by-side with a strong second line of counsels comprised of Juan Carlos Peraza, a former director of regulation and litigation at Televisa; Lucia Fernández González; and the recently promoted Rafael Fuentes.