Gonzalez Calvillo > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Gonzalez Calvillo > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

‘Great team and great leadership’ is the assessment of Gonzalez Calvillo’s competition and antitrust team by clients familiar with the practice, with group head Cristina Massa being singled out as ‘an extremely professional lawyer… with in-depth knowledge of economic competition’ matters; she can draw on relevant professional experience at both the Mexican antitrust commission and various other public sector posts. Massa primarily acts for major companies and investment funds in Mexico, particularly in the highly regulated sectors of telecoms, energy and financial services. More broadly, she and her team handle merger control procedures, the design and implementation of strategy, and the representation of clients in investigation proceedings before competition agencies. The merger-control side of the wider practice is led by counsel Patricio Martínez Osorio; he assists both domestic and multinational companies particularly as regards pre-merger filings in Mexico. Associate Daniel González Contreras is also an active member of the practice group. Since publication, Massa has left the firm - effective as of April 2024.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

The energy practice is a key pillar of Gonzalez Calvillo’s broad service offering and the team places particular emphasis on projects work, from structuring and development, to financing and operation. Clients are supported through the full life-cycle of their projects, from inception, through fundraising and development, to operation, with the team also well equipped to handle potential disputes - it is particularly capable in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Five lawyers share leadership of the broad practice group: founding partner Enrique González Calvillo is a regular lead partner on transactions and financing in the sector; Jorge Cervantes Trejo is a go-to figure for power project finance, but also has a strong practice in ADR in the sector; Rodrigo Rojas Robleda is another seasoned financing expert; Oscar Moreno Silva handles infrastructure projects and regulatory matters; and Diana Pineda Esteban is an expert on the development side of energy projects work. At counsel level, Antonio de Lisi has assisted sponsors, investors, financial institutions and governments with cross-border and domestic financings, as well as project development; while Julia González focuses on infrastructure projects and designs strategies spanning regulatory, dispute resolution and risk prevention matters. Associate Jeronimo Ramos assists with infrastructure and energy project finance, structured finance, real estate transactions and M&A. Since publication, Pineda Esteban has left the firm (effective April 2024), subsequent to which the firm has announced an agreement to merge into Spain's Pérez-Llorca.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

The ‘highly sophisticated’ and ‘extremely responsive’ team at Gonzalez Calvillo is noted by one client for its ‘significant infrastructure expertise’, which encompasses a range of transactional, regulatory and dispute resolution work relating to infrastructure and project finance. The group has a strong track record assisting financial institutions, government entities, local and international development banks, multilateral entities, suppliers, contractors, and sponsors in connection with project development and financing transactions in various segments – including power, oil-and-gas, water, roads, airports, ports, railways and telecoms. The team’s six partners head up the department on an equal partnership basis: name partner Enrique Gonzalez Calvillo specialises in cross-border transactions involving energy and power generation, as well as M&A, joint ventures and project finance; Jorge Cervantes Trejo majors on M&A, project finance, private equity, energy and infrastructure. Rodrigo Rojas Robleda advises on project finance, lending and power generation projects, while Oscar Moreno Silva regularly represents clients on the regulatory and contractual components required for project development. Hernando Becerra de Cima advises developers and banks on infrastructure financing transactions; and Diana Pineda Esteban handles private and public tenders, oil-and-gas and infrastructure projects, and completes the senior team. Of counsel Antonio de Lisi is noted for his participation in financings, energy and infrastructure development transactions, joint ventures and M&A. Julia González, promoted to of counsel in January 2022, is active on the development of infrastructure projects, dispute resolution and risk prevention matters. Since publication, Pineda Esteban has left the firm - effective as of April 2024.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 2

The banking and finance practice at Gonzalez Calvillo excels at commercial lending, acquisition financing, project finance and regulatory banking work, regularly advising fintechs, domestic and international banks, and investment funds. Recent work highlights include advising Grupo Crédito Maestro on a $65m financing granted by Banorte; and assisting Banco Bradesco with the purchase of shares issued by Ictineo Plataforma, a popular financing entity. The team is led by four partners: José Victor Torres Gómez has vast experience as lead counsel in complex cross-border transactions; Bernardo Reyes Retana K specialises in both private and public offerings of securities, advising issuers, investors, underwriters, and credit agencies; José Ignacio Rivero Andere is experienced at working with non-bank financial institutions; and Daniel Guaida advises on fintech and regulatory technology matters. Senior associate Jacinto Avalos provides key support. Former partners Juan Manuel Sancho Rodrigo and Jaime Cortés left the firm in December 2021 and January 2022 respectively. Since publication, both Torres Gómez and Guaida have left the firm (effective April 2024), subsequent to which the firm has announced an agreement to merge into Spain's Pérez-Llorca.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 2

The team at Gonzalez Calvillo  handles all manner of capital markets' matters, working with government agencies and self-regulating organisations (such as the Mexican Stock Exchange), as well as corporates, to handle Mexican and international securities' offerings, and advise on financings. The practice represents both issuers and holders of securities such as FIBRAs, FIBRAs E and CKDs; recent work highlights include representing Bursamétrica Casa de Bolsa before the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores, challenging the imposition of administrative fines. Working on an equal partnership basis, the team’s four partners co-lead: José Victor Torres Gómez who is experienced in complex cross-border transactions, financing and securities; co-managing partner José Ignacio Rivero Andere; Bernardo Reyes Retana, who focuses on advising AFORES, FIBRAs and FIBRAs E; and Daniel Guaida who has particular expertise regarding the structuring of publicly traded private equity funds. Since publication, both Torres Gómez and Guaida have left the firm (effective April 2024), subsequent to which the firm has announced an agreement to merge into Spain's Pérez-Llorca.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘unfailingly commercial and collaborative’ team at Gonzalez Calvillo is praised for ‘consistently providing highly sophisticated advice’ in corporate and M&A matters. Corporate restructurings, shareholders’ agreements, domestic and cross-border M&A, and corporate governance are core areas of expertise and the firm fields a deep partner-level bench with profound transactional know-how. While long best known for handling M&A deals in the energy sector, the practice has demonstrated its adaptability during the current downturn in that sector, migrating its focus to pick up a healthy flow of work in the technology, fintech, automotive and science-related sectors over the last few years. A recent case in point saw the team represent the management of leading Mexican tech company, KIO Networks, on the $1bn sale of all its assets to global infrastructure fund Isquared Capital. Co-managing partner José Ignacio Rivero Andere focuses primarily on corporate finance and cross-border M&A; and banking and finance specialist José Victor Torres Gómez is also frequently active in major cross border transactions. Additional key partners include Rodrigo Rojas Robleda, who has particular experience in project finance, infrastructure, foreign investment and energy matters; Jorge Cervantes Trejo, who advises sponsors, developers, investors, and lenders on M&A, dispositions, and joint ventures; and Hernando Becerra de Cima, who routinely advises clients on mergers in the renewables space. Co-manging partner Jorge Mondragón (who was recently appointed the new chair of global law firm alliance Multilaw) heads up the firm's franchising and licensing practice and is hence also frequently active in corporate and commercial matters - such as his advice to Diltex on its joint venture with Etam. Of counsel Rosa Elena Coto is regularly instructed by Mexican and foreign entities, startups, and capital investment funds for her transactional expertise; and senior Jacinto Ávalos is the name to note at associate level. Since publication, both Torres Gómez and Coto have left the firm (effective April 2024), subsequent to which the firm has announced an agreement to merge into Spain's Pérez-Llorca.

Mexico > Environment Tier 2

The nine-strong environmental practice at Gonzalez Calvillo handles the full array of environmental matters, ranging from contract review and environmental due diligence, through risk mitigation and preventative measures, to project development related matters and administrative litigation. The group also houses expertise regarding clean development mechanisms, climate change policy and ESG. Recent matters include assisting Smurfit Cartón y Papel de México on all issues related to its water usage and associated concession titles; undertaking due diligence of the environmental and urban development matters related to a hotel development in Quintana Roo; and aiding Triumvirate Environmental obtain various environmental permits, including hazardous waste import authorisations, civil protection approvals and various modifications to the company’s waste transportation permits. The practice is led by a trio of deeply experienced counsel: 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; contentious specialist Carlos Fernando Castilla focuses on administrative litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in relation to environmental and regulatory law; while the practice of Paola Hernández Villalvazo (a September 2022 hire from Grupo México’s Americas Mining Corporation) is centred on ESG matters. Further depth is provided by counsel Julia González, who devises strategies as regards regulatory, litigious and risk prevention, as well as handling social impact matters; and senior associate Georgina Zavala, a water law specialist. Former senior Paulina Poo Romero moved in house in February 2023.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 3

The practice group at Gonzalez Calvillo handles all aspects of labour compliance, AML and antibribery matters, offering support with baseline analysis, prevention and corrective strategies, national and international investigations, and litigation. Its diverse client base operates in the comms, energy, transportation, tech and hospitality sectors. Two partners co-lead the team: Luis Mancera De Arrigunaga, who specialises in anticorruption, AML and tax-compliance; and Luis Enrique Cervantes Estevez, who leads on investigations. Juan Carlos Peraza is experienced at implementing compliance programmes; with senior associate María Paula Boustani also consistently active on core cases, designing codes of conduct and handling internal investigations. Former associate Victor Nakakawa Trejo left the firm in May 2023. Since publication, the firm has announced an agreement to merge into Spain's Pérez-Llorca, effective as of April 2024.

Mexico > Intellectual property Tier 3

The breadth of the IP practice at Gonzalez Calvillo makes it reliable counsel for companies operating in Mexico, whether they need ongoing advice on rights protection or representation in court on specific issues. A large client base of both domestic and international market-leaders instruct the team, and as the practice has become increasingly recognised, it has acted on more cross-border matters, co-ordinating counsel across Latin America. In a near 30-year career, Pablo Hooper has established himself as one of the market’s leading names across trade mark, copyright, franchising and entertainment matters; he particularly stands out for strategic litigation regarding the protection of intellectual property rights. Co-leading the department alongside Hooper is Alberto Pliego, whose broad slate of work currently encompasses the real estate, energy and technology sectors. In support, associate Lirio Salgado (‘the knowledge she has on the subject is evident’), is the main contact for patents work; and fellow associate Constantino Aquique supports on litigation.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 3

The team at Gonzalez Calvillo has solid experience across both the advisory (licensing, compliance etc.) and the contentious aspects of the life science and healthcare sectors. The practice regularly handles matters concerning the import, marketing, distribution, storage, advertising, and sale of products such as drugs, medical devices, food supplements, food and beverages, spirits, and tobacco products. It is 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 administrative litigator Carlos Fernando Castilla, who works across the environmental, regulatory and life sciences segments, and has experience designing complex defence strategies. Key associate support is provided by senior Georgina Zavala who also has an administrative law background and works across environmental, agrarian and social impact; and life science, health care and sanitary regulation matters, including consumer protection and labelling.

Mexico > TMT Tier 3

The TMT offering at Gonzalez Calvillo comprises a number of more specified practice areas, with a core strength in regulatory matters and administrative litigation in the telecommunications space. Luis Felipe Mancera de Arrigunaga has a professional background in telecoms as well as extensive experience advising on regulatory matters. He heads-up the administrative / regulatory side of the practice, while Jorge Mondragón helms the corporate work and is also the key contact for data privacy matters. Daniel Guaida is the lead lawyer for fintech sector work and is especially strong on advising start-ups that are commencing banking and financial activities in Mexico. At counsel level, Lucía Fernández, Juan Carlos Peraza and Rafael Fuentes support across the full range of matters. Since publication,  Guaida and Peraza have both left the firm - effective as of April and March 2024, respecitvely.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 4

Gonzalez Calvillo's nine-strong team disputes team assists its clients - most frequently the Mexican subsidiaries of multinationals from a range of sectors - with administrative, civil, commercial and constitutional litigation, along with -when necessary- bankruptcy litigation. Class actions have been a particular recent highlight for the team, most often led by senior practice figure Edgar Grajeda, who, with almost 20 years' experience as a partner, is deeply knowledgeable regarding civil and commercial litigation. Grajeda co-directs the practice with Daniel Morán, whose handles complex civil and commercial litigation, as well as acting energy and real estate controversies, judicial reviews derived from public tenders, administrative sanctioning procedures, nullity trials, and amparo proceedings. Disputes dedicated senior associate Ana Rosa Bobadilla works across a broad range of civil, commercial, family, criminal and administrative matters and also has experience of insolvency and class action procedures.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 4

The six-strong practice at Gonzalez Calvillo garners praise for its client focus and is regularly retained by major international corporations in the food and drink, hospitality and retail sectors (among others), seeking assistance with day-to-day real estate negotiations. The group is also well-equipped to handle the management and operation of real estate portfolios, sale and lease transactions and financing, working on behalf of developers, lenders, investment banks, pension funds and real estate investment funds. Practice head Alfredo Chávez Goyeneche focuses on real estate and project development investment and has experience advising Mexican and multinational companies on all types of corporate transactions involving joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, lease agreements, project financing, investments, public bids, and regulatory issues in general. Key support comes from senior associates Joaquín Alcalá Cuéllar and Haydeé Montserrat Gonzalez Tavira, who major on both corporate and real estate matters.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 5

Gonzalez Calvillo’s labour practice has a particular focus on compliance and litigation matters, and regularly supports clients on risk assessments to identify existing or potential labour and employment issues. The firm is retained by a variety of multinational and domestic companies for day-to-day labour law advice, and has recently seen a notable increase in its fintech client base. Luis Enrique Cervantes, who was made partner in January 2022, co-leads the department with corporate law expert and managing partner Jorge Mondragón. Senior associates Fernando de Buen and María Paula Boustani are further names to note.