Firm Profile > Galicia Abogados S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico
Galicia Abogados S.C. Offices
BLVD. MANUEL A. CAMACHO 24
LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC
MEXICO, D.F. 11000
Mexico
Galicia Abogados S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings
Banking and finance Tier 1
Galicia Abogados S.C. stands out for its experience and depth. The 26-strong team is active nationally and internationally representing lenders and borrowers in regulatory and compliance matters; corporate, sub-sovereign, structured, syndicated and bilateral financing transactions; acquisition finance and asset-based finance, among other areas. In what was a busy year with some impressive transactions, highlights included acting as Mexican legal counsel to BBVA Bancomer, Banco Nacional de México, and Scotiabank Inverlat, as lenders, on the combined MXP$10.1bn credit facility to Coca-Cola; to Fermaca, as borrower and issuer, on the $815m hybrid refinancing of the project costs associated with the development and construction of a 420km, 1,670 MMCFD, 42 inch natural-gas pipeline, running through the states of Chihuahua and Durango, and consisting of a $365m bank loan and a Singapore-listed $450m bond issuance; and to several lending parties and institutional investors -including Citi, as administrative agent- on the $740m hybrid financing to Energía del Valle de México Generador for the project costs associated with the development of an 850 MW greenfield combined-cycle, natural gas-fired power plant located in the Axapusco municipality. One of the few teams that handles sub-sovereign financings, the outfit also assisted BBVA Bancomer as structuring and administrative agent, and Banco del Bajío, Banco Interacciones, Banco Mercantil del Norte, Banco Multiva, and Banco Santander, as lenders, on the MXP$20.2bn credit facility to the state of Chihuahua; and the state of Quintana Roo on its MXP$19.2bn refinancing of existing credit facilities, granted by several banks. Very active and highly recommended, Guillermo Pérez Santiago co-heads the practice with Arturo Perdomo; while no longer as active, founding partner Manuel Galicia remains a reference in the market. Other key practitioners include Humberto Pérez Rocha, Maurice Berkman, José Visoso, Eugenio Sepúlveda, and new partner Rodrigo Rivera. Support comes from counsels Cecilia Rojas and Rosemarie McLaren in the firm's Monterrey office, along with associate Lili Abascal. Other clients include Barclays Bank, Grupo Bimbo, HSBC, Inter-American Development Bank, and International Finance Corporation.
Capital markets Tier 1
The Galicia Abogados S.C. capital markets team is led by two partners, handling national and cross-border transactions of varying complexity especially in the energy, retail, consumer products, finance, insurance, telecommunications, pharmaceutical and personal care industries, on behalf of banks and issuers. It also handles regulatory matters. Recent highlight work for the firm 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 sponsr Promecap; Grupo Inmobilia, as sponsor, on the IPO of its development trust bonds (Certificados Bursátiles Fiduciarios de Desarrollo) with a value of $162m; and UStorage as sponsor and Banorte as underwrite, on the former’s issuance of equity securities (CBFIs) through a real estate investment trust (REIT) on the Mexican Stock Exchange for approximately $14m. Maurice Berkman and Guillermo Pérez Santiago are practice co-heads; real estate and M&A partner José Visoso maintains active participation in the sector; and key support comes from senior associate María de los Ángeles Padilla Zubiría and associate José Alejandro Cortés Serrano. Other clients include Arca Continental, BBVA Bancomer, Credit Suisse, Grupo Bimbo, Grupo México, Morgan Stanley, RLH Properties, and Scotiabank.
Competition and antitrust Tier 1
Galicia Abogados S.C. offers 'total knowledge' that extends beyond corporate support to cartel and antitrust investigations, leniency applications, and complaints before the competition authorities. The 'exceptional' Christian Lippert leads the 'impeccable working' eight-lawyer team, which includes fellow partner Carlos Chávez, who has plenty of experience advising clients across a range of heavily regulated industries including energy, rail and telecoms. On the merger control-side the firm advised Citibanamex, on clearance for the sale of its entire portofolio of management assets to BlackRock. The team has also been active advising clients on significant investigations into the barley market and the rail-freight market. Other recent clients include Leagold Mining Corporation, Actis, and The Carlyle Group.
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
Galicia Abogados S.C.'s 'extraordinary and well-rounded team' is one of the legal market's top destinations for high-end corporate and transactional advice. 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. Ignacio Pesqueira and José Visoso jointly lead the ten partner team, which represents clients across almost every sector. Recently the firm advised Actis on the US$1.25bn acquisition of Intergen's Mexico portfolio, including six combined-cycle natural gas fired generation facilities. The firm also advised Citibanamex, a Citigroup subsidiary, on the sale of its asset management business to BlackRock. Other key clients include General Atlantic, Monex, and Bunge. Key partners include name partner Manuel Galicia and Christian Lippert ('top quartile attorneys for M&A'), and Ramiro Sandoval.
Energy and natural resources Tier 1
Galicia Abogados S.C. has an extremely good track-record for major energy projects, the practice handling work throughout the production chain, from upstream to down, as well as petrochemicals and renewables. The firm regularly advises sponsors and lenders and is also well versed in high-end corporate transactions. A major highlight was representing Actis on its $1.25bn acquisition of InterGen's portfolio of energy assets, including six combined-cycle natural gas power plants. The team also advised Nacional Financiera, Sociedad Nacional de Crédito and Institución de Banca de Desarrollo, as lenders, on the development of three photovoltaic projects. Carlos De Maria y Campos and Francisco Fernández Cueto are extremely well regarded in this area. Since publication, the team has been further consolidated with the January 2020 elevation of Ernesto Partida to the partnership.
Projects and infrastructure Tier 1
Galicia Abogados S.C. is a top choice among sponsors and lenders for high-end projects and infrastructure work. The extremely experienced team is jointly led by Carlos De Maria y Campos, who is especially active on the energy front, and Alejandro De La Borbolla, who is more focused on transport and social infrastructure projects. The team recently advised Fermaca on the hybrid $815m refinancing for the development of a 420km gas pipeline between Chihuahua and Durango; and also advised Natixis, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Korea Development Bank on the $126m financing for the development of a 129MW gas-fired power plant in Pesquería. Additional key partners include Francisco Fernández Cueto, Bernardo Martínez Negrete, and Antonio Borja. Since publication, the team has been further consolidated with the January 2020 elevation of Ernesto Partida to the partnership.
Environment Tier 2
Galicia Abogados S.C.'s 'diligent, responsive and very knowledgeable' team is led by the highly experienced Mariana Herrero who has over 20 years' experience. The practice handles a range of issues, from support on major corporate transactions and infrastructure projects, to more specific contamination, water, hazardous waste management and litigation issues. The team recently advised Balam Fund on environmental issues linked to the acquisition of a photovoltaic plant in San Luis Potosi from Dhamma Energy. It also advised Repsol on the environmental aspects of the company's move into the Mexican market, including the opening of 200 service stations.
Real estate Tier 2
Highly rated by clients and peers, the six-strong practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. is ‘proactive, full of empathy, available, and gives its best to successfully execute transactions’; moreover the lawyers ‘know how to work with internal teams and with counterparts without causing a conflict or power struggle’. The group recently advised key client HSBC on a $336m financing for the acquisition by MREIT (a CKD sponsored by Credit Suisse-sponsored) of Blackstone’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, valued at $621m; and assisted Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM) with the MXN$1.3bn acquisition of three retail centres through a joint venture with developer Central de Arquitectura. In associate matters, the team advises on due diligence and risk analysis (including environmental and regulatory), leasing, urbanisation, development and operation of properties, the incorporation of condominiums and fractional ownership, public and private investment, procedures before the authorities and legal audits, for clients such as FINSA, Acosta Verde, Macquarie, Promecap, Artha Capital, Acciona Parque Reforma, Walton Street Capital, Alignmex Real Estate Capital, Banamex, Azora Capital, Grupo Sordo Madaleno, BK Partners, Fibra HD, Planigrupo and Santander. Practice head Alejandro Trujillo 'knows the sector intimately', having moved to the firm in October 2015 after ten years as general counsel at GE Capital Real Estate; as one client put it: ‘having worked both in private practice and in-house, he is business-oriented and creative in finding legal structures that address clients’ concerns both in terms of risk management and business objectives’. José Visoso’s ‘best quality is his experience’. Ramiro Sandoval, who made partner in January 2018 and whose expertise includes M&A, is a ‘young partner with the expertise and dynamism of a principal one’; ‘he treats the client’s business as his own and follows up at all times’. Associate José Miguel López González is also noted.
Tax Tier 2
The August 2018 arrival of transactional tax specialist Federico Scheffler from SMPS Legal re-stated Galicia Abogados S.C. commitment to tax matters; the subsequent mid-2019 hire of Edson Uribe Guerrero (formerly deputy prosecutor general at PRODECON), as the practice group's third partner deepens the bench still further and firmly establishes the department's stand-alone profile. The now 17-strong practice group, which has 'great technical capabilities and an exceptional relationship with clients', handles consulting and litigation and demonstrates a focus on transactions in the financial, infrastructure, real estate, private equity and regulated industry sectors where the firm is a leading player. Recent mandates saw the team active on operations in the energy sector, such as advising Fortress Investment Group and International Finance Corporation on the tax aspects of the development of their respective renewable energy plants. In other work, the firm acted for key client Grupo Bimbo on several matters, including pension fund structuring, compliance, and legal and tax audits of production plants; and Cabify, on a corporate restructuring following a business acquisition, as well as on day-to-day matters. Practice head Gabriela Pellón is ‘growing into the role of leading the practice’ and her 'engagement and dedication are first class'. Other names to note include senior associates Denise Lester (who leads on litigious matters) and Gabryela Valencia (consultancy), and associates Alejandra Paniagua, Fernando Luján and Arturo Portilla. 2019 also saw experienced litigation associate Nayely George join from Ortiz, Sosa Y Asociados, S.C.. Since publication, Ms. Lester has been raised to the partnership, effective January 2020.
International trade and customs Tier 3
Clients appreciate Galicia Abogados S.C.’s ‘reactivity, pertinent questions, and ability to adapt to clients’ needs: the firm delivers on its promises in terms of time and quality’. The trade practice focuses on the energy, pharmaceutical, automotive, telecommunications, chemical, e-commerce and retail industries, handling 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 antidumping and subsidies investigations, litigation and arbitration processes, and FTA negotiations. Recent highlights included assisting Eosol Energy recover $6.8m unduly charged by the Tax Authorities as a result of the tariff mis-classification of solar panels imported into Mexico; Compañía Occidental Mexicana obtain authorisation to export plaster under special conditions; and Decathlon comply with technical, safety, security and labelling requirements in relation to its importation and commercialization of goods. Senior associate Mario Valencia is valued by clients and peers alike: ‘he is attentive and aware of clients’ needs’; also respected, practice head Daniel Amezquita Diaz represents clients in constitutional violation cases, representative tax assessments, anti-dumping resolutions, international arbitration and other matters relating to sanctions imposed by federal and local authorities. Associates Diego Manzano and Sheidel Francioli (who arrived from Sánchez Devanny in mid-2018) are also active in the practice. Other clients include AT&T and B&G Foods. Since publication, Valencia has been raised to the partnership, effective January 2020.
Dispute resolution Tier 4
Galicia Abogados S.C. has made a strong push into dispute resolution, as demonstrated by the arrival of the 'excellent' disputes all-rounder, Rodrigo Zamora, from his former firm Bufete Zamora Pierce ; and the highly-respected arbitration specialist, Cecilia Azar (vice president of the ICC's Mexico arbitration Commission) from DLA Piper Gallastegui y Lozano in mid-2018. The firm handles a good mix of arbitration and litigation work, including administrative litigation where Daniel Amezquita Diaz holds sway. On the arbitration side, the firm has recently been involved in several significant infrastructure related disputes.
Insurance Tier 4
The insurance practice at the full-service firm Galicia Abogados S.C. advises clients on insurance-related corporate matters, regulatory issues and in connection with the analysis and negotiation of claims. Clients have included HSBC Seguros, Cesce Seguros, MetLife Seguros, and Sura Seguros México. Practice head Humberto Pérez-Rocha sits on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the latter company; his practice focuses primarily on transactional work.
TMT Tier 4
Galicia Abogados S.C. offers ‘excellent service’ with ‘availability and engagement’. The team is part of the wider regulatory practice group of 16 lawyers who in the telecommunications sector handle day-to-day and transactional work, as well as administrative disputes; and in technology, regulatory, competition, privacy, tax and intellectual property matters, as well as fintech and transactions. Examples of recent work include ongoing advice to key client AT&T on several matters including on the defence of certain data protection actions before the Mexican privacy regulator and federal courts, and on compliance and permitting matters relating to its network operations. Iy also represented Cementos Apasco in its regulatory regularisation before the FTI, namely in terms compliance and permitting matters relating to the client’s network in Mexico, specifically the radio-electrical spectrum used internally by the company. The practice is led by Carlos Chávez, whose expertise includes competition and antitrust; support comes from associates Maite Celorio and Gilda Velázquez.
Latin America: International firms > International arbitration > Local practitioners of note (by country)
Claus Von Wobeser at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is a widely recognised arbitration specialist, acting as both arbitrator and counsel. The team also includes a number highly regarded practitioners such as Marco Venegas, Fernando Moreno and Adrián Magallanes. Recent caseload include a range of multimillion-dollar construction and commercial arbitration proceedings. SOLCARGO handles a steady stream of international arbitration, and recently represented Comisión Federal de Electricidad in two multimillion-dollar claims related to power purchase agreements with independent power producers. Fernando Pérez Correa is the name to note, and regularly sits as both arbitrator and counsel. González de Cossío Abogados, SC's Francisco González De Cossío is a recommended for acting as arbitrator and counsel in a range of domestic and international arbitration cases. Galicia Abogados S.C.'s Rodrigo Zamora is particularly noted for his expertise in infrastructure and construction-related disputes, and acts as both arbitrator and counsel; Cecilla Azar is 'a great expert in arbitration and ADR'. Wöss & Partners' Herfried Wöss regularly acts as counsel, arbitrator and expert witness, and is active in handling infrastructure and energy cases. Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.'s Bernardo Sepúlveda Amor and Carlos Martínez Betanzos are also names to note. Fernando Del Castillo left Santamarina y Steta, and set up his own firm Del Castillo y Castro Abogados.
Galicia Abogados S.C. > Firm Profile
Since its establishment, Galicia Abogados has been considered one of Mexico’s most respected law firms and a market leader.
Galicia Abogados is recognized for its participation in sophisticated transactions and its multidisciplinary approach and leadership in five strategic sectors: finance, energy and infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and regulated industries. It is a multidisciplinary firm that differentiates itself by achieving greater specialization by sectors, which are addressed through the combination of its practice areas and is reinforced by its arbitration and commercial litigation as well as by its administrative and tax litigation practices. It is also regarded as being a solution-oriented firm, whose lawyers proactively facilitate transactions and make business happen.
The firm seeks and trains highly qualified professionals with international presence, most of whom have studied at prestigious universities and have worked at leading law firms in the United States, Europe, and Latin America
Teamwork, its dynamic approach to business, it’s drive and commitment to be its clients’ preferred business partner, while maintaining a human quality, strong values and empathy, makes Galicia Abogados stand out as the leading and reliable law firm that confirms its purpose.
The firm and each of its members are committed to generate growth for its clients, its community and its people.
The firm works with a network of high-profile international law firms throughout North and Latin America, Europe and Asia, in order to support its clients with a global reach and strong local business knowledge and sensibility.
The firm focuses not only on helping its clients to fairly express their interests, but also characterizes itself for taking into consideration the point of view of others, thus achieving results which are innovative and in line with its clients’ needs and businesses.
Over the last 24 years, the firm has had the privilege of being part of landmark transactions which have helped build a more competitive Mexico facing the challenges of the 21st century and allow the firm to continue its drive to generate growth, lead the market with social responsibility and strong values.
The firm is committed and strives to make sure that each acquisition, each securities issuance, each energy and infrastructure project it helps develop and finance, and each transaction that it participates in, translates into economic development and social benefits, for which it is devoted to drive the growth: (i) of its clients, helping them to make the best possible decisions in order to improve their business performance; (ii) of the firm, ensuring financial sustainability in order to achieve transcendence by investing time and talent in projects which go beyond its businesses and which benefit Mexico; and (iii) of its human capital, creating the institutional conditions needed to meet their maximum potential, by creating incentives, training opportunities and personal development.
Other offices: Monterrey (Av Ricardo Margain 440 Piso 9 Despacho 901, Valle del Campestre, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. 66259, T: +52 81 9689 9030)
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| M&A and private equity | Manuel Galicia | ||
| M&A and private equity | Ignacio Pesqueira | ||
| M&A and private equity | José Visoso | ||
| M&A and private equity | Arturo Perdomo | ||
| M&A and private equity | Héctor Kuri | ||
| Banking and finance | Manuel Galicia | ||
| Banking and finance | Arturo Perdomo | ||
| Banking and finance | José Visoso | ||
| Banking and finance | Humberto Pérez Rocha | ||
| Capital markets | Manuel Galicia | ||
| Capital markets | Arturo Perdomo | ||
| Capital markets | Maurice Berkman | ||
| Capital markets | Guillermo Pérez Santiago | ||
| Energy, oil and gas | Carlos de María | ||
| Energy, oil and gas | Francisco Fernández | ||
| Energy, oil and gas | Antonio Borja | ||
| Energy, oil and gas | Eduardo García-Travesi | ||
| Tax | Gabriela Pellón | ||
| Antitrust and regulatory | Christian Lippert | ||
| Antitrust and regulatory | Carlos Chávez | ||
| Pharmaceutical | Bernardo Martínez | ||
| Projects | Alejandro de la Borbolla | ||
| Projects | Bernardo Martínez | ||
| Projects | Antonio Borja | ||
| Real estate | Alejandro Trujillo | ||
| Real estate | José Visoso | ||
| Real estate | Ignacio Pesqueira | ||
| Real estate | Arturo Perdomo | ||
| Arbitration and Commercial Litigation | Rodrigo Zamora/Cecilia Azar | ||
| Workouts | Eugenio Sepúlveda | ||
| Environmental | Mariana Herrero | ||
| Administrative litigation & International trade | Daniel Amézquita |
Other
Partners : 26 Of counsel : 1 Lawyers : 128Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance
- Capital markets
- Competition and antitrust
- Corporate and M&A
- Energy and natural resources
- Projects and infrastructure