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

Banking and finance Tier 1

Praised by clients for its ‘high-quality service’, Galicia Abogados S.C. fields a large, well-rounded team of lawyers with ‘great technical skills in the area’. Regular advisor for some of the leading banks present in Mexico, the team handles, among other areas, regulatory and compliance matters; corporate, sub-sovereign, structured, syndicated and bilateral financing transactions; and acquisition and asset-based finance. Arturo Perdomo, who actively represents domestic and international companies in the negotiation of financing operations, co-heads the area with the ‘very savvy’ Guillermo Pérez, considered by some as a ‘top lawyer in banking and capital markets’. Support comes from founding partner Manuel Galicia, who has wide-ranging experience in credit facilities, private and public securities, and debt offerings and co-investments, among other matters. Senior associates Lili Abascal and José Alejandro Cortés are also noted.

Capital markets Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C.'s integrated 15-strong team is co-led by Maurice Berkman (securities law and corporate financing), and Guillermo Pérez Santiago (capital markets, banking, finance and M&A), with the additional involvement of name partner Manuel Galicia (corporate finance, M&A, capital markets and private capital), and José Visoso (financing, capital markets, M&A and real estate). Acting for a more or less even split of issuer and lender-side clients as well as intermediaries, the team is adept in local and international debt capital markets, equity (and equity-like) capital markets, project bonds, asset securitization and structured products, especially in the energy, retail, finance, insurance, telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries; it also handles regulatory matters. Recent highlight work for the team included advising Merrill Lynch México and JP Morgan on the $300m global initial public offering of an SPAC – the second in the Mexican market – by sponsor Promecap; Grupo Inmobilia, as sponsor, on its $162m development trust bonds IPO; and UStorage (as sponsor) and Banorte (as underwriter), on the former’s $14m issuance of equity securities (CBFIs) through a real estate investment trust (REIT) on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Key support comes from senior associate María de los Ángeles Padilla Zubiría and associate José Alejandro Cortés Serrano.

Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C. is valued in the market for its ‘impeccable, practical and dynamic work’ that extends beyond merger-filing assistance to cartel and antitrust investigations, leniency applications, and complaints before the competition authorities. The 'excellent' Christian Lippert leads a 'solid and reliable' team of lawyers now 11-strong, which includes fellow partner Carlos Chávez, who has extensive experience advising clients across a range of heavily regulated industries including energy, rail and telecoms. The team is also active in barriers-to-competition investigations, recently advising clients on significant investigations into the barley and rail-freight markets, and is also experienced in antitrust litigation. Key support comes from specialized senior associate Juan Carlos Burgos.

Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Galicia Abogados S.C. fields a stellar corporate and M&A team, regarded by some clients as ‘something unique in Mexico, absolutely western standard as far as availability, smart solutions, business oriented and precise standard of goals achieving’. The firm's popularity is demonstrated by the calibre of the deals it is regularly instructed on, many of which are the largest the market has to offer; major highlights in 2019 include advising in an internal corporate restructure and transfer of its relevant Mexican subsidiaries for Johnson Controls regarding the USD$ 13.2 billion sale of its Power Solutions subsidiary to Brookfield Business Partners. Ignacio Pesqueira (M&A, corporate advisory) and José Visoso (M&A and finance), co-lead the ten partner, 40-strong team, which also includes very highly-regarded founding partner Manuel Galicia (M&A, private equity and finance); Christian Lippert (M&A, corporate and competition / antitrust); Arturo Perdomo (M&A, banking and finance and finance regulatory); Humberto Pérez Rocha (M&A, banking and finance, project finance and insurance); Héctor Kuri (M&A, finance and infrastructure), Eugenio Sepúlveda (M&A and financial restructuring); Ricardo García (M&A, corporate finance, private equity and banking); and Ramiro Sandoval (M&A and private equity with an emphasis on real estate matters).

Life sciences Tier 1

Full-service mainstay, Galicia Abogados S.C.'s ‘very competent, professional team' has 'great knowledge and experience of local and international health legislation', informed by extensive in-house industry experience. Practice head Bernardo Martínez Negrete is primarily focused on all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, from M&A to clinical trials. A former regional director at generics company, Teva, newly appointed counsel Lisandro Javier Herrera ‘demonstrates great mastery of the topics' and 'a style of work that easily adapts to the needs of clients’; he maintains a broad life-sciences practice. The team advises an impressive portfolio of clients -particularly from the pharmaceutical industry- regarding regulatory, compliance and day-to-day matters, as well as corporate matters, transactions and dispute resolution. A recent headline mandate saw the practice advise the Asociación Mexicana de Industrias de Investigación Farmacéutica (AMIIF), develop a legal defence strategy in the face of the current administration's reform of the public procurement process for medicines (the first changes in 15 years). Experienced associate Luis Marin Tijerina is also noted.

Compliance Tier 2

The compliance unit – part of the larger regulatory practice group – at Galicia Abogados S.C. primarily handles day-to-day matters (internal policy design and implementation, training and manuals) and transactional compliance in relation to M&A, joint ventures, and government awards and procurement. It also undertakes defence and representation in investigations before entities including the FTI, Competition Commission and Federal Data Protection Institute, among others. The team is led by Carlos Chávez, who divides his practice between regulated market transactions and compliance and investigations. Fellow partner Humberto Pérez Rocha handles compliance and legal reporting issues related to the financial sector; while senior associate Lisandro Javier Herrera also handles compliance and reporting, in his case in relation to the life sciences sector, and participates in internal investigation matters. Recent matters include preventative advice on the application of anti-corruption laws and internal policies to internal procedures, hires, engagements and events; internal investigations dealing with compliance and environmental regulations; public procurement matters; and executive training.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 2

With ‘vast knowledge, dedication and international prestige’ as a corporate powerhouse, Galicia Abogados S.C. has steadily built its disputes capabilities over the last few years and is beginning to reap the rewards of its efforts. If still best known in disputes circles for its litigation capabilities, it also has increasing traction in the arbitral segment, most clearly signalled by its current representation of Carso Gasoductos Norte in a $500m London Court of International Arbitration dispute initiated by Mexican state power entity, Comisión Federal de Electricidad. The team is co-led by Rodrigo Zamora and Cecilla Azar; Zamora specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration and has extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator. Azar, in turn, as her roles as current president of Intstituto Mexicano de Arbitraje and vice president of the ICC’s Mexico Arbitration Commission would suggest, is arbitration dedicated - particularly in relation to the energy, infrastructure and construction sectors. Key support comes from dedicated senior associate Paola Aldrete (who arrived with Azar from DLA Piper Gallastegui y Lozano in 2018), and associate Santiago Oñate.

Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Deeply experienced project development counsel Carlos De Maria y Campos heads the energy, infrastructure and project finance areas at Galicia Abogados S.C., with fellow senior practitioner Francisco Fernández Cueto, who focuses on power and natural gas transactions and project development. The full service firm is one of the market's top choices for energy transactional and financing matters; however, with the modification of the market regulatory framework that has accompanied the present administration, it has found itself increasingly active in complex structural disputes in the sector, such as its representation of Carso Gasoducto Norte in arbitration before the CFE to ensure the juridical security of natural gas transportation service agreements, and in sensitive matters concerning the structure and operation of the wholesale electricity market. Additional key members of the seven-partner team include Alejandro De La Borbolla, Antonio Borja, Eduardo García-Travesi and Ernesto Partida (who made partner in January 2020); all handle energy related infrastructure, project finance and M&A. Both Bernardo Martínez Negrete and Humberto Pérez Rocha also undertake project finance and transactions in the sector in as part of broader, respective, finance and corporate practices.

Environment Tier 2

Housing a nine-strong environmental team, Galicia Abogados S.C. handles a wide range of issues, from support on major corporate transactions and infrastructure projects, to more specific contamination, water, hazardous waste management and litigation issues. Highly experienced 20-year environmental law veteran Mariana Herrero has broad experience on the environmental aspects of transactional and project development, corporate and liability management, and administrative permitting, among other matters. With over 15 years' experience in environmental matters (notably in complex regulatory issues concerning oil, gas and renewables; environmental impact and risk assessments, remediation and permitting), Carlos Escoto was appointed counsel as of Janaury 2021; he is undoubtedly one to watch. Senior associate Lucía Manzo (environmental law and regulation) is also noted.

International trade and customs Tier 2

The excellent ‘combination of experience and knowledge’ makes the trade practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. stand out 'above all others’ both ‘individually and as a whole'. Partners Daniel Amézquita and Mario Valencia, who is well-known for his work in contentious customs and tax matters, co-head the team which handles maquila (IMMEX) and PROSEC programmes, certified companies (OEA or C-TPAT equivalent), VAT certificates, quotas, certifications, licences, import and export permits; tariff classifications and compliance with tax and customs obligations, as well as anti-dumping and subsidies investigations, litigation and arbitration processes, and FTA negotiations. All with a focus on the energy, pharmaceutical, automotive, telecommunications, chemical, e-commerce and retail industries. Key support comes from associate Fernando Rodriguez.

Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Full-service major, Galicia Abogados S.C., houses considerable project finance expertise throughout the energy sector, as well as in petrochemicals, transport infrastructure (roads, rail, ports and airports), telecoms and water, among other areas, handling primarily financings, negotiations and transactional matters. An experienced, seven-partner team includes head of the energy, infrastructure and project finance areas, Carlos De Maria y Campos and infrastructure practice co-head Alejandro De La Borbolla (infrastructure and project finance transactions across all areas of infrastructure development). Other key figures in the partner-heavy team include: Francisco Fernández Cueto, who focuses on the development, structuring, financing and operation of energy projects; Bernardo Martínez Negrete, whose practice centres on project finance, health care and M&A; Antonio Borja (project finance, infrastructure and energy); finance specialist Humberto Pérez Rocha, whose practice encompasses project finance, insurance and M&A; and the project finance, infrastructure and M&A-focused Eduardo García-Travesi. Recent matters saw the project-finance and capital-markets teams pair-up to advise the original investors on the $225m refinancing of a wind-power project via a private notes offering. At associate level, senior German Fernández G and associate José Alejandro Cortés are noted; however, environmental senior Jacquelin Gutíerrez moved in house in October 2019, as did associate Santiago Tinoco in February 2020.

Tax Tier 2

The young practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. has repeatedly strengthened itself since its creation four years ago, and now fields a solid 17-strong team of professionals- including four partners - that specializes in matters such as tax consulting, tax controversy, alternative dispute resolution and tax litigation, and has particular strength in international tax matters and cross-border transactions. The department, which is combined with the wealth management area, is led by Gabriela Pellón, who is increasingly well known for her exemplary transactional tax work. Other key partners include Federico Scheffler, who also specializes in transactional tax mandates; Edson Uribe Guerrero, former deputy Chair of the PRODECON, where he was officer in charge of implementing and supervising the first alternative dispute resolution procedure (tax mediation) in Mexico; and Denise Lester, who was promoted to partner in January and focuses on tax litigation matters.

Wealth management Tier 2

Galicia Abogados S.C.'s wealth management practice, although young, has amassed considerable know-how in the area thanks to it's combined strength with the firm's solid tax department. The seven-strong team regularly advises individuals, families, family offices and trustees on the legal aspects of estate planning strategies, including tax, corporate governance, real estate, wills, trusts, regulatory compliance and litigation protection. Partners Gabriela Pellón, who focuses on individuals and families regarding international investments and tax compliance, co-leads the department with competition specialist Christian Lippert. Additional capability comes from fellow partner Federico Scheffler, who has broad expertise on all tax aspects of wealth management and estate planning. Strong associate support comes from Cecilia Díaz de Rivera and Fabiola Jiménez.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 3

The ‘extraordinary’ disputes practice Galicia Abogados S.C. ‘exceeds expectations’ and increasingly handles a good mix of arbitration and litigation work. Department-head Daniel Amézquita focuses on administrative and constitutional litigation (as well as international trade and commerce); while fellow partner Rodrigo Zamora leads on commercial litigation alongside his arbitration practice. Offering ‘complete availability’, the team has been especially active in constitutional amparo actions, as well as in telecoms and antitrust matters. It advised Soriana, for instance, in successfully overturning a COFECE resolution prohibiting the retailer from a divestiture by means of long-term leasing; and is also counselling a telecoms player on its lodging of an amparo against a MXN$620m fine levied by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (ITF) as a result of the company's broadcast practices. A strong second line of dedicated senior associates comprises: Iván Valdespino on administrative, constitutional, financial, environmental and energy disputes, along with legal consultancy; while Gilda Velazquez Mason has a sharp focus on administrative and constitutional litigation, as does Diego Manzano Barragan. However, former senior Javier Bravo Soler left the firm in April 2020.

Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 4

The practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. tackles insolvency issues from an all-round perspective, providing advice that covers tax, contracts, international law and other areas, both in out-of-court workouts and bankruptcy litigation. Acting primarily on the creditor side, practice head Eugenio Sepúlveda has participated in large-scale bankruptcy proceedings in the aviation, real estate and manufacturing industries.

Insurance Tier 4

The practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. is sought out by domestic and foreign entities and corporations looking for advice regarding their operations in Mexico. With transactional expert Humberto Pérez Rocha at the forefront, the department advises clients on insurance-related corporate matters and regulatory issues, and in connection with the analysis and negotiation of claims; while also regularly representing insurance and surety companies before the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público and the Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas, regarding the regulatory aspect of their day-to-day operations. 

Real estate Tier 4

The July 2020 departure of practice co-head Alejandro Trujillo to establish his own boutique (taking several associates with him), was undoubtedly a blow to the department at Galicia Abogados S.C. that he helped build, but is far from being its demise. The team continues to advise on a broad range of sector issues, ranging from due diligence and risk analysis (including environmental and regulatory aspects), leasing, urbanization, property development and operation, condominiums and fractional ownership, public and private investment, and with administrative procedures and legal audits. Former co-head Ramiro Sandoval has taken on full leadership of the practice; he has extensive experience in acquisitions and divestitures, public and private market joint ventures, structuring and the formation of private equity funds and REITs, primarily with a focus on mixed use projects and in the hospitality industry. José Visoso, who has actively advised financial institutions in local and cross-border transactions as well as both sellers and purchaser in M&A deals, is another key partner. Associate support comes from Guillermo Para and Mariana Islas.

TMT Tier 4

Full service major, Galicia Abogados S.C. maintains a six-strong telecoms team as part of its wider regulatory practice group of 16 lawyers which, on the telecom-side, handles day-to-day matters, transactional operations and  administrative disputes; and on the technology side, undertakes regulatory, competition, privacy, tax and intellectual property matters, as well as fintech and transactions. Carlos Chávez is a regulated markets specialist with a strong specialisation in competition matters and public sector contracting; he leads on all the firm's telecom and media matters. Key support comes from associates Irma Ross, who leads the firm's IP practice and has experience across IT, data privacy and administrative litigation; and Maite Celorio, who focuses on telecom, regulated markets and competition, as well as having a sub-specialization in the telecoms and IT sector. Administrative litigator Gilda Velazquez Mason also handles telecoms, privacy and data protection matters as required.