Galicia Abogados S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Galicia Abogados S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 1

Regarded as a topnotch alternative when it comes to banking and finance matters, Galicia Abogados S.C. appeals to clients – including international and local lenders and borrowers – for the depth and strength of its robust department, which has proven experience handling cross-border syndicated transactions; teaming up with the firm’s M&A team for acquisition finance; sub-sovereign matters; real estate, projects and infrastructure financings; and regulatory work. The practice has particular expertise as regards the financial service sector itself, along with deep engagement with the retail, hospitality, and food & beverage sectors. The department jointly led by a seasoned partner trio consisting of fintech expert Arturo Perdomo ; Guillermo Pérez Santiago , who is recommended for his expertise in capital markets; and Humberto Pérez-Rocha . Up-and-coming figures include Rodrigo Rivera  (corporate, project and real estate finance, secured transactions, domestic and international financings, debt financing, restructuring, and public sector (state/municipal) financing), and in the firm’s Monterrey office, Rosemarie Mc Laren   (appointed partner in January 2021) who focuses on local and cross border, bilateral and syndicated loans. A solid second line is led by senior associates Lili Abascal (public financings; local and international financings, refinancing and debt restructuring), and Jorge Javier Mendízabal (banking, finance, capital markets, with an emphasis on sustainability-linked transactions). Since research concluded, the team has been notably bolstered with the August 2022 incorporation of veteran practitioner Carlos Obregón Rojo, formerly at Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C.. However, former counsel Cecilia Rojas moved in house as GC of Altán Redes the following month; and since publication, Mendízabal has also left the firm – effective as of November  2022.

Mexico > Capital markets Tier 1

Full-service Mexican firm, Galicia Abogados S.C., houses a respected capital markets practice which continuously advises issuers and underwriters, and boasts deep knowledge in a variety of sectors, mainly financial, hospitality, food & beverages, energy, oil & gas, retail, mining, transportation and real estate. The practice co-led by skilled partners Guillermo Pérez Santiago and Maurice Berkman is well-versed in a range of services across all aspects of domestic and international capital markets transactions, and is particularly well known for its expertise in project bonds, international debt offerings, IPOs and follow-on offerings, local debt transactions, public M&A transactions, asset securitisations and other structured products. Key support comes from senior associates  Ángeles Padilla, who also handles regulatory work; and José Alejandro Cortés, who regularly represents issuers and underwriters in domestic and international, public, private and restricted equity and debt offerings and securitisations. The practice was notably reinforced with the hire of deeply experienced practitioner Carlos Obregón Rojo from Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. in August 2022.

Mexico > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

One of the leading firms in Mexico’s competition and antitrust sector, Galicia Abogados S.C. covers a wide spectrum of mandates, from merger control filings to more complex antitrust matters, including challenging M&A transactions, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, leniency applications, complaints before the competition authorities seeking relief for anticompetitive behaviour and general advice on antitrust and competition law issues. The group remains particularly active with clients from the energy, financial and retail sectors, and consists of noted practitioners including practice-heads Christian Lippert, co-managing partner of the firm; and Carlos Chávez, who has -of late- led the firm’s efforts to challenge COFECE decisions, representing a renowned railroad industry participant against all said regulator’s investigations in the sector. Other key contacts include Juan Carlos Burgos, who was promoted to partner in January 2022; Gerardo Rodríguez, who was appointed counsel the same month; and senior associate Maite Celorio, who specialises in antitrust matters and regulated industries. Since  research concluded, the team has been further strengthened with the hire of senior associate Daniella Ramírez Aguilar from Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC – effective as of October 2022.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Widely recognised as one of Mexico’s leading transactional teams, the practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. has proven expertise and an extensive track record advising on complex M&A transactions and a broad range of corporate matters, including domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity and strategic investments, joint ventures, buyouts, divestments, and spin-offs. Key partners José Visoso, who provides additional experience as regards the private equity segment; and Ignacio Pesqueira, who also co-heads the compliance, competition and wealth management practices; co-lead the department. The group operates solidly across numerous industries, including infrastructure, energy, financial services, real estate, hospitality, and telecommunications, and works seamlessly with other areas of the firm. Moreover, the sizable practice houses a number of additional leading practitioners in the Mexican corporate arena, notably senior partner Manuel Galicia; Christian Lippert, who is also experienced in competition and antitrust; Héctor Kuri, who is particularly well-versed in mining transactions; and the technology focused Ricardo García. At associate level, seniors Roxana Schäfer (M&A, real estate and private equity); María Fernanda Luna (M&A; private equity) and Mariana Islas (M&A – particularly as regards infrastructure, real estate and manufacturing) are the names to note. The practice group was further strengthened in August 2022 with the arrival of Carlos Obregón Rojo, formerly practice co-head at Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. . Since publication, the firm has taken the innovative step of recruiting Enrique Argüello - formerly in-house at Telefónica - as the firm's GC, effective as of November 2022.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C. maintains a strong position in the market advising both domestic and international clients on cross-border transactions in mining, power and hydrocarbons. The 20-strong, industry-focused team has the resources and experience to provide services across the regulatory, commercial and financing aspects of the sector, as well as assisting with the development of a full-array of energy projects; ‘they know the sector very well, they anticipate problems and provide innovative solutions‘, comment sources. In the oil and gas industry, the firm advices clients in E&P activities as well as regarding storage, transportation, liquefaction, compression, petrochemicals, and commercialization. In the power sector, the team is active in generation projects (gas, solar, wind and hydro) as well as power storage facilities. The practice is co-led by six partners: Carlos De Maria y Campos, Antonio Borja and Ernesto Partida (who made partner in 2020) have an undoubted reputation in project finance in the energy and natural resources industry; Francisco Fernández Cueto  and Eduardo García-Travesi have strong expertise in the power sector; and mining specialist and practice head, Héctor Kuri. Primary support at associate level comes from seniors Luis Manuel Rosendo, who focuses on energy project development, energy regulation and also has environmental expertise; and Florent Patoret, a mining specialist with experience advising developers, contractors, sponsors and banks on transactional matters in the sector.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 1

A stellar roster of clients in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries turn to Galicia Abogados S.C. for advice on life science matters, from logistics to dispute resolution. Being a full-service firm, it has a highly specialised practice with experience regarding digital health, UNOPS and governmental procurement process; health care mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures; the regulatory aspects of the release, sale, labelling, promotion, advertising and distribution of medicines, medical devices and human vaccines; along with the drafting and negotiation of agreements and regulatory data protection. Co-leading the practice, Bernardo Martínez-Negrete has been involved in various innovative healthcare projects and more recently on projects directly related to Covid-19 and, subsequently, to post-pandemic developments; while Lisandro Javier Herrera is a recognised expert in health regulation, governmental procurement processes, pharmaceutical regulation, molecular medicines, medical devices, digital health and compliance. At associate level,  the experienced Luis Marin Tijerina and younger colleague Martha Contreras advise clients on regulatory matters concerning pharma products, innovative and generic drugs, high-tech equipment, biotechnology, food supplements and medical devices, as well as clinical studies, cosmetics and personal hygiene products, and digital health, among other matters.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C. undoubtedly one of Mexico’s predominant forces in projects and infrastructure, fielding a 32-strong team with tremendous experience regarding the development, financing, construction, operation and sale of long-term infrastructure and energy projects (not to mention restructuring and negotiations as required). It advises on non-/limited recourse financing structures, concession titles, service agreements, PPAs, PPP-structures, EPC and O&M contracts among other matters. The practice is co-led by established figures Carlos de Maria y Campos and Alejandro De La Borbolla who both specialise in energy and infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on project finance; Francisco Fernández Cueto, who advises clients on the development, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of energy projects; and Bernardo Martínez Negrete whose project finance and M&A practice is particularly oriented towards the life sciences industry and the infrastructure sector. A second line of younger partners consists of Antonio Borja (energy and project finance); Ernesto Partida (cross-border financings, project finance, and infrastructure and energy project development); and Eduardo García-Travesi (development, purchase & sale, and financing of power projects – primarily renewables). Senior associate Alan Rogel and intermediate Luis Manuel Rosendo are also noted.

Mexico > Wealth management Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C. is the firm of choice for a number of financial institutions, family offices and high-net-worth individuals in need of assistance with the legal aspects of estate and succession planning, including tax, corporate governance, real estate, wills, trusts, regulatory compliance and litigation risk management. The group is jointly headed by co-managing partner Christian Lippert, and Gabriela Pellón who mainly advises individuals and families regarding international investments and tax compliance, and can draw on her expertise handling tax aspects in transactions, mergers, spin-offs and acquisitions, restructurings, capital reductions, applicability of international treaties, tax audits and legal defence. Senior associates Cecilia Díaz De Rivera, Fabiola Jiménez and Fernando Luján are other names to note.

Mexico > Compliance Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C.' compliance arm, which operates as part of the firm's larger regulatory practice group, brings notable transactional expertise and sturdy regulatory knowledge, coupled with strategic capabilities in litigation and ESG to the table. The group, which is jointly headed by Carlos Chávez, Christian Lippert, and Juan Carlos Burgos -who was promoted to the partnership in January 2022- advises foreign and domestic clients in connection with the design and implementation of anti-bribery, privacy, antitrust and general compliance policies and manuals, and is also well-versed in covering the compliance angles of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and government awards and procurement. Recent work highlights include acting as compliance and regulatory advisors to Univision on the transaction agreement in which Televisa’s content and media assets were combined with Univision. Other key contacts on the team include counsel Gerardo Rodríguez, who was appointed in January 2022 and specialises in antitrust and competition matters; and associate Marianela Romero.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

Outstanding full service firm Galicia Abogados S.C. has built a sizeable and well-established arbitration practice over the last few year, with practitioners experienced acting as both party counsel and arbitrators, and which is supported by the firm’s profound transactional and regulatory expertise, coupled with strategic capabilities in litigation and ESG. The department is well-versed in arbitrations related to contractual, shareholder, infrastructure, environmental, construction, pharmaceutical and energy disputes, while also boasting considerable experience in arbitration against Mexican government entities – primarily, state-owned enterprises from the energy sector. The practice houses a number of distinguished arbitral exponents in its ranks, first-and-foremost, Cecilia Azar, who is particularly dedicated to arbitration in the infrastructure, construction and energy sectors and is currently vice-president of the Mexican Arbitration Commission of the ICC; and Rodrigo Zamora, who garners praise among his peers for his work as both counsel and arbitrator. The firm hired Arantza Vargas as a senior associate from Del Castillo y Castro Abogados in March 2022; however, former senior Paola Aldrete subsequently left to establish her own boutique, Aldrete Arbitration, in July 2022. Nevertheless, Vargas joins a strong second line consisting of José Antonio Casas (who is equally active in arbitration and commercial litigation); and Ana Sofía Sapiña (complex commercial arbitration in the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors). Fellow former senior Adriana Lozano left in August 2022 to undertake her LLM at Harvard. Since research concluded, Casas has moved to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz - effective as of September 2022.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C. distinguishes itself with a sturdy litigation capability that continues to extend its reach and profile. Indeed, the interdisciplinary practice undertakes activity in all core litigious areas -administrative, regulatory and constitutional; civil and commercial; in relation to/ or parallel with, arbitration; and tax and labour litigation- thereby allowing it to handle legislative, administrative or judicial actions (or omissions) arising from all levels of government, via administrative law proceedings, judicial (and/or constitutional) review actions, and amparo proceedings. The practice is co-led by Rodrigo Zamora, who stands out for his prowess in commercial litigation and arbitration; and Daniel Amézquita, an accomplished  administrative and constitutional litigator, who has remained busy of late with cases arising primarily from the energy sector – although other sectors such as pharmaceuticals, finance and telecoms, have also been generating mandates. The pair are closely supported by an experienced second line of senior associates consisting of Iván Valdespino, whose sector expertise encompasses energy, infrastructure, environmental matters and urban development; José Antonio Casas, a commercial litigation specialist; and Gilda Velázquez, who provides additional expertise in administrative and constitutional litigation.

Mexico > Environment Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C.‘s full-spectrum environmental practice has experience in transactional work and associated due diligence, regulatory matters, compliance, litigation and ESG, and acts particularly for clients drawn from the energy, real estate and regulated industries (including, ports, roads, water projects and pharma), drawing on the support of a strong litigation and arbitration practice group for judicial and/or administrative representation as necessary. The practice is led by Mariana Herrero who has in-depth experience in all aspects of environmental law, from wildlife to waste regulation, and who is accustomed to multidisciplinary approaches to environmental issues, frequently working in collaboration with the firm’s projects, litigation and M&A practice groups. Fellow specialist Carlos Escoto -who was raised to the partnership back in early 2021- brings sophisticated regulatory and sustainability experience to the group, and is a recognised specialist in the development of infrastructure, renewable energies, oil & gas, mining, and manufacturing and tourism industry projects. Key associate support is provided by seniors Lucía Manzo and Lourdes Lozano – who both primarily attend to the regulatory and environmental aspects of infrastructure and energy projects, and associate Verónica Palacios, a former director of hydrocarbons regulation at the Comisión Reguladora de Energía.

Mexico > International trade and customs Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C. fields a thriving practice which continues to gain increasing profile in the international trade and customs sphere as a result of its assistance to multinational and Mexican companies looking to implement mechanisms to facilitate the manufacturing, importation and exportation of goods - such as the IMMEX and PROSEC Programs, OEA, quotas, certifications, licenses, and import and export permits. The group led by Daniel Amézquita and younger partner Mario Valencia also actively participates in antidumping and subsidies investigations, as well as safeguarding measures before the investigating authorities; litigation and arbitration processes regarding international trade; and boasts a robust knowledge of the rules and regulations applicable to the international trade of goods and services in accordance with WTO guidelines. José Andrés Muñiz, who has strong experience advising domestic and international clients on import and export regulations; while Fernando Rodriguez and Sheidel Francioli provide key support at associate level. The energy, pharmaceutical, automotive, telecommunications, chemical, e-commerce and retail industries stand as the group's mainstay sectors.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C. is hailed for a ‘team that is one of the best in the industry, by virtue of its experience, availability, knowledge, attention and quality of its services’. The 12-strong practice advises both local and international clients on commercial, industrial and residential real estate matters, with a heightened focus on the hospitality segment, where the team has participated in numerous flagship projects, including as advisor to institutional lenders and real estate developers. The department, which has experience on acquisitions, public and private market joint ventures, the structuring and formation of private equity funds, FIBRAS (Mexican REITs) and other investment trusts (such as CKDs); capital raising, securities offerings, and portfolio- and asset-level financings; leasing and property management, real estate litigation, and environmental and regulatory matters involving real estate projects across all asset classes. The team is co-led by Ramiro Sandoval, who focuses on handling sophisticated transactions in the real estate and hospitality sector; and Rodrigo Rivera, whose strengths lie in financing-related issues and who is also very active on real estate-related ESG matters. The pair are supported by two key senior associates, Roxana Schäfer and Mariana Islas, both of whom have extensive transactional real estate experience.

Mexico > Tax Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C.‘s tax practice has maintained a healthy upward trend since it opened its doors some six years ago and is known for its front-running services across a range of tax-related matters, including consulting, controversy and litigation. Four partners now sit at the helm of the group: Gabriela Pellón, who is adept at handling transactional mandates and tax structuring, and also heads the wealth management practice; Federico Scheffler, who regularly acts in collaboration with the M&A, energy, capital markets, and banking and finance areas on transactional tax matters; Edson Uribe, who focuses on tax controversy and specialises in the design and implementation of strategies to resolve tax disputes; and Denise Lester, who boasts extensive experience in tax litigation. Senior associate Alejandra Paniagua, who has expertise in non-contentious work, including estate planning, corporate restructuring, and regulatory tax audits, provides key support. Since the conclusion of research, the practice has been further strengthened with the July-2022 hire of Eduardo Michán, current president of the International Fiscal Commission (ICMP) and a former vice-president of new product development at Merrill Lynch, as partner.

Mexico > TMT Tier 3

Full-service Mexican powerhouse, Galicia Abogados S.C., continues to gain momentum in the TMT sphere, thanks to is favourable track record assisting clients keep up to date with IFT regulatory developments and investigations, as well as guiding them on transactional matters. As regards the telecommunications segment, the practice is led by Carlos Chávez, who also handles media mandates; on the technology front, in turn, it is Ricardo García who coordinates the practice’s work regarding the fintech, regulatory, e-commerce, M&A, tax, private equity and health & life sciences areas. The pair can call on additional partner level support from Arturo Perdomo (particularly fintech matters) and Humberto Pérez Rocha (particularly tecnology and media); while at senior associate level, Irma Ross co-heads the IP & data privacy area of the firm.  

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 4

Galicia Abogados S.C.' bankruptcy and restructuring practice actively participates in restructurings, distressed asset transactions, and preventive financial restructuring. The team is led by Monterrey-based partner Eugenio Sepúlveda, who is particularly well-versed in insolvency and debt restructuring (his core practice), M&A and project finance. The real estate, aviation and manufacturing sectors are among the mainstays for the group, which has a particularly good track record advising creditors. Senior associate Andrés Caro offers key support.

Mexico > Insurance Tier 4

Galicia Abogados S.C. offers a cross-disciplinary insurance and reinsurance practice led by Humberto Pérez Rocha, who brings to the table his additional expertise as co-head of the banking and finance and M&A teams. The department is a recurring choice for domestic and international insurance and reinsurance players in need of assistance with regulatory, complex insurance and reinsurance transactions, claims and insurance-related disputes, and arbitration proceedings. Recent work highlights include advising GNP with the development of potential new corporate structures for the specialised services that Multiasistencia provides to the policyholders of GNP with assistance and care services in case of loss. Associate Ricardo Montejano is also noted.