Lauded for its ‘technical strength, strategic thinking and deep understanding of the regulatory and commercial context in Latin America’, the environmental practice at Galicia Abogados S.C. provides advice across the full spectrum of environmental matters, including regulatory issues, litigation and environmental due diligence in the context of M&A transactions. The team is also well-positioned to handle advisory mandates relating to waste and wastewater management, air emissions, contaminated sites and circular economy initiatives. A recent work highlight saw the group carry out due diligence of Dow Quimica Mexicana’s Mexican assets in advance of the divestiture of its laminating adhesives business. The practice is co-led by Mariana Herrero and Carlos Escoto. Herrero has wide-ranging advisory experience, with particular strength in water rights and the structuring of compliance strategies for wastewater management. Escoto, for his part, has focused his practice on environmental policy matters and the environmental aspects of M&A transactions and financings. Key contact Lucía Manzo, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2025, specialises in the development of energy and infrastructure projects, environmental authorisations and real estate matters. Associate Guillermo Garza focuses on financings and M&A transactions in the energy, infrastructure and tourist development sectors. Associate Lourdes Lozano left the firm in January 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Environmental and ESG
Position
Environmental and ESG Partner
Career
Mariana has practiced environmental law her entire professional career, which dates back to her time as a law student, and has never looked back.
Mariana has in-depth and expansive experience in environmental law, from wildlife to waste regulation. She takes a multi-perspective approach on environmental issues, often in collaboration with the Firm’s Projects, Litigation and M&A practices. She is praised by clients and peers for her ability to bring outstanding environmental expertise to the Firm’s regulatory practice, transactional projects and strategic litigation.
Supported by a skilled team of associates, she has represented Mexican and international companies in the energy, retail, manufacturing, financial services and infrastructure industries.
She has a particular expertise in advising intense water consuming industries on the preservation of water rights and designing strategies to ensure compliance with the complex wastewater regulations in Mexico.
Mariana is recognized as an expert and leading lawyer by renowned international publications and directories, such as Chambers Latin American Guide and The Legal 500 Latin American Guide, in the Environmental practice. The Legal 500 Green Guide lists her as an expert in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practice.
Languages
Spanish, English
Memberships
As the first female partner of the Firm, Mariana is conscious of being a role model for other young female lawyers at Galicia and elsewhere. She actively promotes diversity and inclusion best practices at the Firm and organized the Diversity & Inclusion Committee from inception to 2021. Mariana is the first female member in the Executive Committee across leading firms in Mexico as well as a member of Galicia’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Pro Bono Committees.
Mariana is also a founding board member for Abogadas MX, a non-profit organization that aims to promote more female lawyers in leadership positions in Mexico.
Education
She studied Law at Universidad Panamericana with a specialization in Administrative Law and holds a MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change & Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Content supplied by Galicia Abogados S.C.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The availability of all practices in a single office makes it possible to move forward at the required speed in complex cases.'
‘The environmental team has experience in regulatory processes, as well as industrial and investment processes.'
'Galicia Abogados S.C.'s environment team stands out for its technical strength, strategic thinking and deep understanding of the regulatory and commercial context in Latin America.'
'What makes this practice unique is its ability to articulate viable legal solutions aligned with its clients' business realities. They differentiate themselves by providing comprehensive advice that combines regulatory analysis, practical insight and foresight.'
'I especially highlight the work of Mariana Herrero and Carlos Escoto. Together, they combine legal brilliance with collaborative sensitivity in an uncommon mix; they are natural articulators between ecosystem actors. They also stand out for being rigorous, analytical, methodical and effective in bringing complex issues to the ground with applicable solutions.'
'Compared to other firms, Galicia is not only up to the task: it stands out for the level of involvement of its partners, its openness to working together and its commitment to legal innovation. They have been pioneers in integrating ESG issues into their practice, with a focus on sustainability, human rights and environmental governance, which is rare in the regional legal market.'
Key clients
- KfW IPEX-Bank Abertis Infraestructuras KPS Capital Partners Cargill Nishimura & Asahi International Finance Corporation New Fortress Energy Grupo Farmaceutico Somar Guardian Industries Lyondell Basell Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, Sociedad Nacional de Crédito, Institución de Banca de Desarrollo (Bancomext) Equinox Gold Silver Wheaton Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Credit Suisse Securities (USA) Promecap Citigroup Global Markets JP Morgan Securities Banco Santander Banco Sabadell Contour Global Korean Export-Import Bank Baywa.re OMYA Ericsson Canadian Solar Nacional Financiera, Sociedad Nacional de Crédito, Institución de Banca de Desarrollo Balam Fund Bunge Foods Mexico Grupo Bimbo Repsol Grupo Sordo Madaleno Actis Vertex Real Estate and Grupo Carrier Consorcio Industrial Deloitte Ignis El Puerto de Liverpool EDP Renováveis (EDPR) Fermaca Prana Power PremierTech Advent International Green Tank Jumex The World Bank Group Tamsa Termolita Costco Wholesale Mexico Cementos Moctezuma PGIM Dow Química Mexicana Whirlpool Global Carvajal Global Reporting Initiative Eastman Chemical Company Ponterra Construmac Industrias Alen Ravago Mercado Libre Inditex Gasoductos de Morelos
Work highlights
Advised Ponterra on a forest carbon project in the state of Puebla.