Montserrat Manzano

With an extensive client list of majority international companies, the arbitration department at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC has long been regarded as a powerhouse in the field, acting in a broad range of industrial and business sectors and deeply experienced across a variety of arbitration rules. International arbitration and disputes against government entities are particular areas of strength, particularly when the cases are effectively multidisciplinary, such as combining commercial and administrative law. A further niche differentiation is the firm’s strong reputation with Japanese clients. Two pillars of the Mexican arbitration market jointly oversee the department. Veteran practitioner Claus von Wobeser continues to be a key voice in the firm’s teams of leading counsel for a number of its most prominent cases. Alongside him, Adrián Magallanes maintains a stellar practice in both arbitration and litigation, and excels in the energy sector, which has been a major driver of dispute resolution work during the last Presidential sexenio. With 20 years’ experience, Montserrat Manzano is also a key figure (both as arbitrator and counsel); she has particular expertise regarding investor-state arbitral mandates, and more generally handles complex arbitration matters across a broad range of jurisdictions and sectors. Manzano also advises on structuring assets under investment treaties. At more junior partner level Raymundo Soberanis (who primarily focuses on energy-related disputes); the dual-qualified (New York/Mexico) Pablo Fautsch; and Jessika Rocha, all handle arbitration, litigation, anti-corruption and compliance matters in relation to a range of industries. Another standout up-and-coming name is counsel Rodrigo Barradas, whose recent caseload has seen him representing clients in disputes with Mexican state-owned enterprises and contractors. Former associate Rodrigo Macín left the firm in May 2024. Since publication, senior associate Carlos López Córdova has been promoted to counsel - effective as of January 2025.