The practice group at Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. specialises in handling bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings, primarily representing creditors. Demonstrating both contentious and corporate expertise, major banks and financial institutions routinely look to the team for support. Following the September 2025 departure of ex-practice co-head and of counsel Thomas S. Heather, the practice is directed by senior partner and financial services group lead Carlos Aiza who specialises in capital markets and corporate finance transactions, private equity and real estate. Additional key contacts include managing partner Pedro Velasco, Rodrigo Castelazo (banking and finance, bankruptcy and restructuring and capital markets), Emilio Aarún (who advises banks, debt funds and institutional investors on banking and finance transactions and bankruptcy and restructuring processes) and Alejandro Isaac (banking and finance, bankruptcy and restructuring and infrastructure matters). Counsel Christian Dorantes also handles financial transactions, equity and debt securities issuances and restructurings and insolvency proceedings. Following the firm's January 2025 integration of litigation-specialists Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel, the practice groups contentious capability was bolstered by notable arrivals that included civil, commercial, administrative and bankruptcy litigators Javier Curiel, Alejandro Legaspi, Diego Gutiérrez Martínez and Mauricio Mendoza.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Creel's restructuring practice is distinguished by its technical expertise, in-depth knowledge of the financial sector, and its strategic approach to protecting the interests of the bank.'

  • 'The Creel team (Pedro Velasco, Emilio Aarún, and others) demonstrates exceptional ability to navigate complex situations and conduct sensitive, multi-party negotiations. One of their key strengths is their ability to develop comprehensive strategies, combined with a keen understanding of the law.'

Key clients

  • Banco del Bajío, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Banco Mercantil del Norte, et al.
  • Cerberus Capital Management
  • BNP Paribas, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley.
  • BBVA Bancomer, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer et al.
  • The Bank of New York Mellon, Cyrus Capital Partners and Contrarian Capital Management
  • Banco BTG Pactual
  • Cerberus Capital Management
  • UBS AG (formerly Credit Suisse AG)
  • Scotiabank Inverlat, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank Inverlat

Work highlights

Advised BBVA Bancomer and others on the $1.25bn restructuring of Cinepolis.
Advised The Bank of New York Mellon on a debt restructuring process.
Advised BNP Paribas, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley on the restructuring of Valia Energía's indebtedness.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Alejandro Legaspi

Practice head

Carlos Aiza

Other key lawyers

Pedro Velasco; Rodrigo Castelazo; Emilio Aarún; Alejandro Isaac; Christian Dorantes; Javier Curiel; Alejandro Legaspi; Diego Gutiérrez Martínez; Mauricio Mendoza