Daniel Díaz Álvarez > Sainz Abogados > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.