Mr Giancarlo Schievenini > CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

CMS has a broad geographic presence in Latin America with offices in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, along with its association in Brazil, FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS. The firm is frequently involved in significant cross-border deals involving Latin America, including both private equity and strategic M&A transactions. Technology, media and communications continue to be key sectors for the firm, along with automotive, hotels and leisure, consumer goods, insurance, financial services, construction and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences. Ramón Valdivieso and Jorge Allende Destuet are key partners in Chile, and continue to work on headline transactions for major private equity funds such as KKR. Juan Camilo Rodríguez is managing partner of the Bogota office and a specialist in cross-border M&A transactions, having spent much of his career at US and Europe-based firms. Juan Carlos Escudero is managing partner of the Lima office and has over 20 years of experience in M&A, while Giancarlo Schievenini is a key name in Mexico City. Head of the Brazil desk, Ted Rhodes, has returned to London after spending 14 years in the Rio de Janeiro office; he continues to focus on oil and gas, mining and minerals, and offshore and renewables deals.

The ‘truly unique’ team at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow garners client praise for its ‘deep knowledge of the infrastructure industry’ and is routinely instructed by governmental authorities, developers, sponsors and lenders alike. The group’s capabilities cover the entire lifecycle of projects, including the initial structuring phase, financing, implementation and ongoing project management. Particular areas of expertise include toll road concessions, railroads, hospitals and public transport infrastructure, as illustrated by a recent highlight which saw the group oversee the development of the 18.2 km Chalco-Santa Martha Trolebús project in the State of Mexico. The practice is co-directed by Enrique Lorente Ludlow, who is lauded for his ‘extensive knowledge’ and availability, and specialises in project structuring and financing, as well as the preparation of PPP contracts, procurement, and construction matters. Fellow practice co-head and ‘born leader’ Marcia Santomé Sánchez has considerable experience advising federal and local public entities, developers, construction companies, investors and financial institutions on a range of projects. Additional names to note for project financing and development include Giancarlo Schievenini, Fernando Nava Herrera, and senior associate José Antonio Ruiz P.

The energy and natural resources group at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow ‘knows the regulatory framework like no one else‘ and has a notable history in advising government entities on an overhaul of the country’s electricity framework. It is counsel of choice in Mexico for a host of international energy companies and investors in the country’s energy and natural resources sectors, assisting them with both the commercial and regulatory advice required throughout the full life cycle of project development. ‘An extraordinary lawyer expert in energy issues‘, co-leader of the practice and senior partner Derek Woodhouse is one of the most experienced figures in energy matters in Mexico, a dedicated specialist regarding power, infrastructure and PPPs. He coordinates the practice alongside Luis Fernández, who is the main contact for mining matters, as well as leading the transactional side of the energy and infrastructure department. The third of the leadership trio is Giancarlo Schievenini, whose practice focuses on oil and gas, and corporate and transactional matters in the energy and infrastructure segments. Raúl Zepeda is another experienced partner to note, and can draw on two decades’ in-house experience in the energy industry; his practice also covers banking and finance matters. Senior associate Gabriel Salinas is especially noted for electricity sector work.

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow advises clients in the food, tech, energy and financial services segments on corporate transactions. Recent work highlights for the group include advising Danish company Scan Logistics on the acquisition of Belglobe Mexico (a subsidiary of Swiss-based logistics business Belglobe); and providing corporate governance advice to a cohort of renewable energy companies. Giancarlo Schievenini, who is lauded by one client as being ‘always one step ahead, knowledgeable, creative and pragmatic’, specialises in multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions and the provision of corporate advice to energy and infrastructure-sector clients. Additional key figures include Raul Zepeda, who specialises in fintech and banking-related transactions; energy-focused Luis Fernandez Lagunas; and César Lechuga, whose broad practice encompasses corporate, real estate, infrastructure and finance. Senior associate Alejandro Perera specialises in structuring and negotiating corporate loans and structured financing, with particular focus on infrastructure and energy.