CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

The team at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow advises domestic and international clients on a full range of sectoral issues including complex regulatory matters, the design of off-take transactions, project development, renewable energy M&A and project finance, among others. Actively involved in shaping national energy policy, the practice has proved adept at keeping its multinational clients up-to-date with the shifting norms and regulations governing the energy sector during the current administration. Due to the current circumstances in the sector, it has also worked with the Federal Energy Commission (CFE) on the development of conventional and renewable projects. The practice is co-led by Derek Woodhouse, who has vast experience in private sector participation in infrastructure projects; and Luis Fernández Lagunas whose practice is centred on oil and gas exploration and production, along with private and public electricity generation projects. Key support comes from associates Gabriel Salinas, who specialises in international and domestic transactions related to the structuring and development of energy and infrastructure projects, along with corporate and contractual matters; and Manuel Ferrara, a former deputy director of amparo and litigation at the Energy Regulatory Commission, whose practice centres on administrative and constitutional litigation in relation to the energy sector. Former senior José Antonio Téllez has left the firm.

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

An undoubted powerhouse when it comes to projects and infrastructure, CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow garners praise for a ‘team that is knowledgeable and with diversity in the analysis of the different infrastructure projects’. The consolidated 13-strong team advises a broad mix of public and private sector clients and has an impressive track record, particularly in the power, hydrocarbons, mining and infrastructure sectors, but also in relation to PPP projects and the Tren Maya, where it has been engaged on the development of several stations and sections of the line. The practice is co-led by founding partner Enrique Lorente Ludlow, a 25-year veteran who specialises in matters ranging from inception and design, through structuring and finance, to construction and operation; fellow name partner Derek Woodhouse, who is also a seasoned energy and infrastructure practitioner; and younger partner Marcia Santome Sanchez, who is tightly focused on private participation in formerly public sector projects, including via PPPs. Completing the senior team, Giancarlo Schievenini handles all aspects and stages of infrastructure project development, including financing; and June-2021 hire Fernando Nava Herrera, a project finance expert who acts for both public and private entities. Key associate level support is provided by seniors José Antonio Ruiz P, whose practice focuses on project development, regulatory matters and finance in relation to the infrastructure, power and up- and and downstream oil-and-gas industries; and transactional specialist Gabriel Salinas Ruiz, whose practice takes in the structuring and development of energy and infrastructure projects, corporate restructurings, corporate law, competition, and contractual matters.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 2

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow has an established track record in life sciences and is highly experienced in administrative procedures, authorities’ audits and closures, cancellations of drugs, premarket approvals before Mexico's Food and Drug Agency (COFEPRIS), and strategies to launch new regulated products into the market, among other matters. The practice group - which advises international and local pharmaceutical companies, medical devices manufactures and chemicals companies, among others - is led by Mauricio Gómez Guerrero, a former public officer at COFEPRIS, who focuses on life sciences regulatory matters and has experience in regulatory enforcement administrative procedures, controlled substances and government affairs strategy. Associate Manuel Ferrara Ibarra plays a key role in the  implementation of legal defence strategies in both federal and local administrative procedures, as well as handling challenges related to administrative and fiscal matters and regulations.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 3

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow has a proven track record across the full spectrum of real estate matters, with experience and expertise in the structuring, financing and development of industrial, residential, hospitality, office and mixed-use projects. The practice advises developers, institutional investors, and lenders on all necessary areas of real estate projects, including the purchase and sale of land, assistance with the real estate financing market, and the efficient administration of real estate portfolios and structuring of favourable financing. The eight-strong team is led by César Armando Lechuga, who is praised by clients as ‘an exceptional partner and excellent lawyer, with a very organised team - he was always very involved in the advice’; he focuses on the origination of legal structures for the implementation of real estate properties and infrastructure projects through trusts, special purpose vehicles and/or companies. Additional partner level expertise and in-put is provided by senior partner Enrique Lorente Ludlow, who represents landowners, developers and investment funds on complex lease arrangements, as well as on the sale and purchase of commercial, industrial, residential and corporate properties. At associate level, María José Estrada Suárez is a key member of the team and is specialised in the development of structures -plus associated negotiation and documents- for all types of real estate projects; and Luis Mora y Medrano advises on real estate matters related to the energy sector.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 4

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow's practice advises across the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory banking and finance work, regularly acting for a number of leading banks, other lenders and major corporates on a variety of matters. The group, which is fully integrated into the firm's international network of offices, remains well known for its solid track record in project finance, and its prowess handling regulatory work, drawing on the expertise of practice-head Raúl Zepeda, who specialises in financial regulatory mandates. Project finance expert, César Lechuga, who is particularly experienced in real estate infrastructure projects, is another key contact of the team. However, senior associate Héctor González Martínez left the firm to join Calatrava Consultores in January 2022.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow's corporate and M&A practice is praised by clients for offering ‘very practical, clear and dynamic advice’, as well as for its ‘knowledge and proximity to the authorities’. Giancarlo Schievenini heads the young department, which, benefitting from the firm's well known energy and infrastructure practice, has been advising on matters involving the electricity and oil & gas industries of late, drawing on the expertise of energy-head Luis Fernández Lagunas and César Lechuga, who also has a focus on real estate. Senior associate Gabriel Salinas provides additional support in transactions related to the energy sector. The practice is, moreover, fully integrated within the firm's global network of offices.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

CMS continues to evolve its projects and energy practice in Latin America, applying its deep local knowledge and international expertise to key sector trends; this includes the further growth in renewables projects and the early-stage development of green hydrogen projects in the region. It remains a major player in oil and gas, advising on multiple engagements throughout the region, including transactions in Peru, Argentina and Brazil. In Colombia, the firm continues to be noted for natural gas and renewables matters, while the Chile team is a major player in mining and resources. Moreover, the Mexico City office has a long history in power and infrastructure, including the wholesale electricity market. Rio’s Ted Rhodes is a leading name in oil and gas and renewables, as are Carlos Hamann and Augusto Astorga  in Lima, and Daniel Rodríguez in Bogota. Mexico City’s Derek Woodhouse  and Enrique Lorente Ludlow  have outstanding reputations in power and renewables, especially electricity regulation.