Sainz Abogados > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

Sainz Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 1

Sainz Abogados houses a strong bankruptcy and restructuring practice which is praised as having a ‘deep knowledge of the Mexican insolvency system’ and a ‘great combination of deal-making and litigation capacity in cross-border restructurings’. Combining transactional and litigation expertise, the team of ‘true experts’ offers assistance on in-court and out-of-court bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings, cross-border reorganisations and insolvency procedures, concurso proceedings and workouts. At the helm of the group, ‘elite insolvency lawyer with a world class cross-border practice’ Alejandro Sainz has led on some of the market’s most significant bankruptcy and restructuring matters of recent years (including Unifin Financiera, Alpha Credit, Oro Negro, Aeroméxico). Daniel Díaz Álvarez takes care of commercial litigation, concursos mercantiles, shareholders’ conflicts and public work disputes both on behalf of and against government bodies; ‘brilliant insolvency tactician’ Santiago Alessio focuses on corporate reorganisations, M&A, restructurings and bankruptcy; and Rodrigo Guaida, described by one client as ‘a star in the making with great commercial sense’, handles restructurings, corporate governance and M&A. Gabriela Avendaño was promoted to partner in January 2023; and Yoare Heredia is the name to note at associate level. Since publication, the firm has been notably strengthened with the arrival of an eight-strong group from Gonzalez Calvillo, including specialists in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, competition, and energy and projects - effective as of April 2024.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Built upon the twin-pillars of core litigation and transactional practices, Sainz Abogados is best known for its strength in bankruptcy and restructuring matters; nevertheless it has considerable corporate and M&A capacity that was notably boosted with the incorporation of Hugo López Coll in early 2022. The 13-strong team advises clients from a broad array of industries (including aviation, banking, biotech, construction, energy, finance, gaming, hospitality, insurance, mining, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, real estate, IT and transportation) on domestic and cross-border corporate transactions (including corporate restructurings, M&As and joint ventures) along with associated antitrust issues, governance matters and corporate compliance. Practice head Octavio L Hernandez handles both corporate/M&A and financing matters and also has considerable private equity experience. Name partner Alejandro Sainz is also active in the finance and M&A sectors, with his market leading bankruptcy and restructuring experience giving him additional insight and expertise in both areas. Further partner-level engagement is provided by Santiago Alessio Robles, a corporate reorganisations specialist who also handles M&A matters; while the above mentioned López Coll (who is dual-qualified in New York and Mexico) focuses on M&A, private equity, capital markets, and regulatory and compliance matters, along with internal investigations and shareholder disputes. At associate level, Daniela Alcázar is a corporate and M&A-dedicated practitioner, while Lucía Laganá handles corporate finance matters as part of her broader practice. Since publication, the team has been substantially boosted by the arrival of established corporate, transactional and finance partner José Victor Torres Gómez and counsel Rosa Elena Coto, members of a more sizeable group that arrived from Gonzalez Calvillo in April 2024.

Mexico > Labour and employment Tier 4

Sainz Abogados is frequently instructed on contentious labour law matters that range from litigation to the termination of unionised employees. The team is also active on labour due diligence processes and other matters relating to transactions, and is also the counsel of choice for various companies regarding their day-to-day navigation of the employment regulatory landscape in Mexico. Alejandro Nila leads the department and is primarily focused on the labour strategy and social security aspects of the practice. Associate Omar Zayas concentrates on litigation and other contentious matters, as does fellow associate Marcela Bojorge.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 4

The ‘efficient, proactive and diverse’ team at Sainz Abogados specialises in advising property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, real estate investment trusts and private owners on a range of real estate matters, namely land lease and purchase agreements, joint ventures, and related due diligence work. Daniel Saltzberg heads up the practice, and has over 20 years’ experience assisting developers and private equity funds with the acquisition, development, financing and sale of real estate; partner Manuel Corona is also noted. Senior associate Ximena Hernández, who majors on real estate financings, trusts, and corporate and securities matters, provides key support.

Mexico > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 5

The disputes practice at Sainz Abogados handles civil, commercial and administrative litigation, particularly regarding contractual and shareholder conflicts, along with restructuring and bankruptcy matters, and amparo cases; it has notable strength in the energy sector. The department is co-led by Daniel Díaz and Adrián Villagómez, both of whom are well-versed in judicial work, having acted for insurance companies, banks, construction companies, energy-sector stakeholders and government entities, among others. Counsel Estefanía Sierra maintains a broad disputes practice; fellow counsel Federico Villela is an additional name to note. Since publication, Villela has been promoted to the partnership - effective as of January 2024.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 5

Sainz Abogados regularly counsels clients on matters concerning contracting with state-entities Petróleos Mexicanos in the oil-and-gas sector, and Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) in the power sector. The department is a robust choice for companies needing advice on navigating the respective power and hydrocarbons regulatory landscapes, and is also a regular counsel on conflicts related to the operation and administration of energy contracts. The practice is led by Francisco Valdés, who assists clients in the hydrocarbons and power industries with regulatory, administrative and public procurement law; and Daniel Díaz, an experienced litigator. Adrián Villagómez is a further name to note for contentious matters, and Ricardo Pinto is the associate to note for energy sector expertise. Since publication, the team has been boosted by the arrival of Diana Pineda Esteban, a specialist in the developmental side of energy projects, one member of a larger group that arrived from Gonzalez Calvillo in April 2024.

Mexico > Banking and finance

Mexico > Competition and antitrust

Mexico > Compliance

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure

Mexico > Tax