Galicia Abogados S.C. has a longstanding reputation in Mexico’s oil and gas industry, as well as being a heavyweight when it comes to advising clients across the mining sector. It has established itself as a go-to destination for precedent setting matters in those areas, as well as being a reliable choice for day-to-day regulatory assistance and support to clients involved in major M&A. More recently, it has also handled matters in the country’s nascent renewable energy industry, both on the regulatory front and with regard to M&A. One of the elder statesmen of the Mexican energy industry, Carlos de María y Campos continues to lead counsel on significant matters, particularly project finance matters. The department has further strength on that front in the figures of Antonio Borja, whose recent caseload has included contentious matters against Pemex; and younger partner Ernesto Partida, who is already well versed in cross-border financing, as well as project development. For mining matters, Héctor Kuri is the lead contact and a regular in that sector’s most significant transactions. Francisco Fernández Cueto is a senior partner with standout experience in the financing of renewable energy, conventional generation and natural gas projects; while the ongoing development of the practice is reflected by the appointment to the partnership of Florent Patoret in December 2023. Eduardo García-Travesi is another up-and-coming partner to note, and at senior associate level, Luis Manuel Rosendo stands out.
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Profile
Work Department
Energy and Project Finance
Position
Co-head of the Energy and Project Finance practices
Career
Francisco co-leads Galicia’s Energy and Infrastructure groups with a focus on project finance. Based in the Mexico City office, his practice focuses on energy matters with an emphasis on renewable electricity, conventional electricity and natural gas.
He advises clients in development, construction, financing (through project finance, project bonds and other structures), sector M&A transactions, joint ventures, and energy regulation and litigation as well as the operation and maintenance of small, medium and large-scale energy projects.
Francisco is particularly known for his participation in sophisticated transactions and experience in financial agreements and project contract negotiations, including power purchase and hedge agreements, natural gas transportation agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, and operation and maintenance arrangements.
He represents the full spectrum of industry participants, including sponsors, developers, project companies, lenders (commercial banks, public banks, multinational agencies, export credit agencies, private equity funds and other capital providers), insurers, contractors and other investors.
He is recognized as an expert by renowned international legal publications and directories, such as Chambers Latin American Guide and Chambers Global Guide, in the Energy and Natural Resources and Project Finance practices. The Legal 500 Latin America Guide has also ranked him as a leading lawyer in said practices. Latin Lawyer and IFLR1000 consider him an expert lawyer in the Mexican legal sector due to his negotiation skills, technical expertise and business focus.
Languages
Spanish, English
Memberships
Francisco is a member of the Knowledge Management Committee at the Firm.
Education
Francisco obtained his Law Degree from Universidad Iberoamericana and Corporate Law Degree from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). Before joining the Firm, Francisco worked as a foreign associate at the New York and Mexico City offices of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle. Afterwards, he was a partner at his own firm.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We have used the services of Galicia for many years and they understand our business which makes their advice relevant, specific, efficient and very timely.’
‘Excellent language skills (spoken and written) and legal/business expertise mean that the Galicia team are able to quickly offer support based on their extremely strong regulatory and transactional expertise. Hector Kuri, Florent Patoret and Mariana Herrero are three partners who's advice I regularly rely on.’
‘The team has strong legal skills and excellent connections in the mining community. They are also very proactive.’
‘Florent Patoret, Hector Kuri and Mariana Herrero are excellent legal counsel and provide proactive and detailed assistance.’
Key clients
- Shell
- Grupo Mexico
- Consorcio Industrial
- FERMACA
- Grupo Terra
- Grupo Gemma
- Jaguar Exploración y Producción de Hidrocarburos
- OMV Aktiengesellschaft
- Tokyo Gas
- Harbour Energy
- Saavi Energía
- Ternium
- Vitro
- Rrepsol
- Avant
- CARSO Gasoducto Norte
- Grupo Avanzia
- Hokchi Energy
- BHP Billiton
- Bimbo
- FEMSA
- KUO
- ContourGlobal
- Engie
- Canadian Solar
- Mitsui
- Invenesa
- Northland Power
- Arroyo
- Balam
- Saavi Energia
- AES
- Sun Power
- First Solar
- BayWa
- 174 Global Power
- Mitsubishi
- New Fortress Energy
- Tokyo Gas
- EDP Renováveis
- Total EREN
- INSA / Dynasol
- Valia Energía
- Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)
- BHP Billiton
- X-Elio
- Neoen
- Nacional Financiera, Institución de Banca de Desarrollo (NAFIN)
- BNP Paribas
- Citibank
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking
- Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, Institución de Banca de Desarrollo (BANCOMEXT)
- Banco Nacional de Obras y Servicios Públicos, Institución de Banca de Desarrollo (BANOBRAS)
- Banco Sabadell
- International Finance
- Interamerican Development Bank
- North American Development Bank
- KfW IPEX-Bank
- Credit Agricole
- Natixis
- MUFG
- BBVA Bancomer
- Banco Santander
- Banorte
- Citibanamex
- Mizuho
- ING
- Barclays
- Equinox Gold
- Silver Wheaton
- EMX Royalty
- Minera Cuscatlán
- Fortuna Silver Mines
- Alio Gold
- Global Infrastructure Projects (GIP)
- Sabcapital
- Sunmex Renovables
- Valeo Automotive
- Global Infrastructure Projects (GIP)
- Sabcapital
- Nacional Financiera
- Institución de Banca de Desarrollo (NAFIN)
- Industrias Negromex / Dynasol
- Sunmex Renovables
- Valeo Automotive
Work highlights
Advising Equinox Gold on the negotiation of a gold forward sale and prepay arrangement with a syndicate of its existing lenders.
Advising Inter-American Development Bank, Banobras, SMBC and MUFG on regulatory and contractual matters for the achievement of commercial operation date by La Pimienta Solar (a SPV of Atlas Renewable Energy).
Advising Valeo Automotive Mexico on the purchase of an International Renewable Energy Certificated (IREC) with Iberdrola.