Profile
Work Department
Position
Senior Partner
Career
With over three decades of experience, Derek Woodhouse is recognized as a leading advisor in Mexico’s energy sector, he has experience advising on complex energy and infrastructure matters. Early in his career, he played a central role in Mexico’s regulatory transformation of the 1990s, helping design and implement the legal framework that opened the natural gas and electricity sectors to private participation. Building on this foundation, Derek joined CMS in London, where he advised governments, banks, and leading companies on the financing and development of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Since returning to Mexico, he has led high-profile practices, co-founded Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow (now part of CMS), and counseled both public and private clients on major reforms and transactions. Notably, he supported the Energy Ministry and the System Operator in the design of Mexico’s Wholesale Electricity Market, the restructuring of CFE, and the drafting of key legislation such as the Geothermal Law.
Derek combines unparalleled regulatory expertise with extensive international project finance experience. His unique background—spanning both public service and global private practice—makes him a trusted partner for clients looking for innovative and practical solutions in energy and infrastructure sectors.
Languages
Education
- Escuela Libre de Derecho, Mexico City, Law Degree, 1988 – 1996
- George Washington University, International Law Institute, Washington D.C., United States, Postgraduate Studies, Introduction to the United States Legal System, 1997
- Harvard University, Center for International Development, Boston, Massachussets, United States, Postgraduate Studies, International Program on Privatization, Regulations and Corporate Governance, 1999.
Content supplied by CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They know the regulatory framework like no one else, highly qualified.’
‘Attitude of service, creativity and capacity, they have seen it all.’
‘Good collaboration and communication between team members. They propose different alternatives to solve it. One of the characteristics that stand out of the work team is the ability to adapt according to the changes that the client indicates and/or that are generated during the process due to the matter in question.’
‘Raúl Zepeda, Luis Fernández and Gabriel Salinas show mastery of the subject, experience, efficiency, clarity, attention, and adaptation.’
‘It is an extremely specialized area with environmental impact, and important in companies to achieve ESG objectives in the short, medium and long term. The team's skills are knowledge of the subject and its relationships with the government environment, regulations and legislative initiatives. News, anticipate what is going to happen, giving recommendations to protect contracts with foreign companies and not incur breaches. It is a dynamic and consistent office of change and transformation, adapting to new environments, and investment in technology in its infrastructure, adapting to the new reality, adjusting its standards and ESG commitment in Mexico.’
‘Derek Woodhouse is an extraordinary expert in energy issues. I have known his career for more than 20 years, in the different offices in which he has collaborated and he is characterized by his commitment, treatment of clients, transparency and solvency in each matter entrusted to him.’
‘We admire their customer service and the way in which they convey complex legal issues to practical and business concepts. They compare positively as they provide us with uninterrupted, consistent and congruent care.’
‘This year in particular we worked positively with Luis Fernández with whom we were able to navigate complex issues and understood where he could and should intervene to reconcile agreements with our counterparts in a calm and logical manner which helped collaboration.’
Key clients
- CICSA
- Mota-Engil
- Sanborns
- Carso Energy
- Petronas
- Gold Royalty
- Shell
- Sabritas (PepsiCo)
- Fibra Macquarie
- Cargill de México
- BP
- Vitol
- Walmart
- Suburbia
- Rassini
- CDPQ
- CKD IM
- Eni
- Troy Energía
- Energía de Apizaco
- Thermion
- PepsiCo
- Mitsui
- EDF Renewables
- Vesta
- IADB