Mexico

Highlights 

Nader Hayaux & Goebel demonstrated its market-leading capabilities in 2024 through its representation of Grupo Murano in two landmark transactions. The firm advised on the refinancing of Murano’s Grand Island Cancun hotel via a complex, first-of-its-kind issuance of senior secured notes, blending features of secured financing and securitization. NHG also guided Murano through a transformative business combination with HCM Acquisition Corp, marking the first De-SPAC transaction involving a Mexican hospitality company. These transactions underscore NHG’s expertise in cross-border capital markets, real estate finance, and regulatory structuring, and reflect its pivotal role in shaping Mexico’s evolving hospitality investment landscape. 

Key Clients 

Key clients include Banobras, Banorte, Blackrock, Grupo Murano, Fibra Danhos, HSBC México, Scotiabank and Total Play.

Ortiz Abogados 

Ortiz Abogados is a distinguished Mexican law firm known for its deep regulatory expertise and strategic counsel in complex financial transactions. With over 25 years of combined experience, its partners bring insights from top law firms and financial institutions. The firm advises a diverse clientele—including fintechs, private equity funds, and family offices—on M&A, corporate structuring, and cross-border financings. 

Highlights 

Notably, Ortiz Abogados guided Credifiel in a debt issuance in Latvia, showcasing its international capabilities. Its strength lies in navigating evolving legal frameworks with precision, offering tailored solutions that ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and support clients’ strategic objectives across dynamic financial landscapes. Ortiz Abogados also recently led the corporate restructuring of Kiwa Mexico, conducting in-depth due diligence and aligning corporate and commercial terms with both Mexican law and global standards. The firm also advised EPH on reorganizing a major real estate project in León, securing favorable terms and ensuring full regulatory compliance. 

 Key Clients 

Key clients include Agente de Seguros y de Finanzas and Constructora e Inmobiliaria Acaliza de México, Atrafin, Credifiel and Kiwa BCS OKO-Garantie.

Pérez-Llorca 

Founded in 1987 and located in Mexico City, González Calvillo, now Pérez-Llorca is well-known for its high-quality transactional work across the board and is experienced in most industries. In the banking and finance practice area, the team represents borrowers and lenders in credit facilities and loan agreements related to restructuring, project financing and cross border financing matters. The capital markets team works on debt, equity and securitization capital markets matters, representing issuers in bond issuances, public offerings, capital increases and trust certificate issuances. The M&A team represents buyers and sellers in private equity and strategic acquisitions. The project development team is very active in the energy and oil and gas industries 

Highlights 

Pérez-Llorca showcased its cross-border transactional strength in 2024 through its representation of NR Finance and Saavi Energía in two standout mandates. The firm advised NR Finance on a major loan transaction with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, co-financed by private institutions, to support Nissan’s automotive finance operations in Mexico, and on the cancellation of a significant securities registration. Pérez-Llorca also acted for Saavi Energía in its acquisition of a 130 MW solar plant in Durango from Northland Power affiliates, navigating complex regulatory and financing elements. These matters underscore the firm’s deep expertise in energy, finance, and capital markets across Latin America. 

Key Clients 

Key clients include Aleatica, AMIB, Banco Bradesco, NR Finance (CrediNissan), Hir Casa, IFM Investors, and Saavi Energía. 

Ritch Mueller y Nicolau 

Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau is a premier Mexican law firm founded in 1975 with a strong transactional focus, originally advising international banks. Today, it is a multidisciplinary powerhouse serving domestic and global clients across sectors. From its Mexico City office, the firm offers top-tier counsel in banking, capital markets, M&A, energy, tax, real estate, dispute resolution, and more. Its team, educated at leading institutions in Mexico and abroad, brings deep expertise and international perspective to complex legal matters. Ritch Mueller is widely recognized for its sophisticated, client-focused approach across a broad spectrum of financial and regulatory practices. 

Highlights 

Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau solidified its position as a market leader in 2024 through its counsel on some of the year’s most transformative transactions. The firm advised Mexico Infrastructure Partners on the IFLR Loan Deal of the Year winning acquisition of Iberdrola’s power assets, including the structuring of the acquisition trust and equity vehicle through a public CKD offering subscribed by the Mexican National Infrastructure Fund. It also represented Arroyo Energy Group in the sale of Pemcorp to a Fibra E, including merger control clearance. The firm advised the Central American Bank for Economic Integration on the reopening of medium-term notes and acted for HSBC México and BBVA México in key financings. Ritch Mueller also supported Fibra Monterrey in a refinancing and guided WeWork México through a complex out-of-court restructuring, preserving operational continuity. These mandates underscore the firm’s depth in energy, capital markets, and financial restructuring. 

Key Clients 

Key clients include Arroyo Energy Group, Banco Santander, Bank of America, Banorte, Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (CABEI), BBVA México, Credit Agricole, Fibra Monterrey, HSBC México, Mexico Infrastructure Partners, WeWork México 

Testimonials 

Banking and finance 

“They have the most expertise in the market, combined with swift responses and availability as well as a business mindset.” 

M&A 

“They are extremely business-orientated and quick to respond. Their legal knowledge combined with their client management style makes them unique.” 

“Their lawyers have extensive expertise in the field and always seek to match the client's ideas."

Sanchez Devanny/Garrigues

Sanchez Devanny/Garrigues is an international firm with 13 offices in South America, North America, Europe and Asia. The firm has worked with Latin American firms through alliances for decades, but has recently opened its own offices in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. The Mexico office is in Mexico City.  

Highlights  

In 2024, Garrigues significantly expanded its presence in Mexico through a strategic merger with Sánchez DeVanny, reinforcing its capabilities in capital markets and cross-border finance. The firm advised Ford and Toyota on separate issuances of debt certificates listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, guiding both through regulatory approvals and transaction structuring. Garrigues also represented the International Finance Corporation in a capital injection into Grupo Farmanova Intermed to support its regional logistics expansion. These mandates underscore the firm’s growing influence in Latin America and its ability to deliver sophisticated counsel to global clients across diverse sectors. 

Key clients   

Key clients include Bancomext, Banorte, Ford, IDB, IFC, Macquarie, Scotiabank, Suez International and Toyota.

Santamarina y Steta 

Santamarina & Steta has more than 70 years of experience and has grown to three offices in Mexico City, Monterrey and Querétaro. 

Highlights 

Santamarina y Steta continued to demonstrate its strength in infrastructure, finance, and cross-border insolvency in 2024. The firm advised Bancomext on the financing of a strategic dock acquisition, navigating complex maritime regulations and structuring the transaction to optimize risk and tax outcomes. It also represented FONADIN in the capitalization of over MXN 15 billion through a public-private partnership for the Perote–Xalapa highway, coordinating closely with federal authorities. Additionally, the firm counseled Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery in insolvency proceedings to recover a debt under a cross-border fleet lease, bridging significant legal differences between Chinese and Mexican commercial law. The matter involved innovative dispute resolution mechanisms and complex jurisdictional considerations, underscoring the firm’s expertise in international maritime and commercial litigation. 

Key Clients 

Key clients include Bancomext, Banorte, FONADIN, Morgan Stanley and Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery. 

Testimonials 

Insolvency 

"Partners and lawyers are always available, respond promptly to our business needs and requests, and their input is integral in the design of business and legal strategies when we are involved in highly distressed situations as creditor or stakeholders." 

M&A 

"Highly personalised and ample resources on various legal matters." 

"They are very experienced and supportive, our principal external law firm." 

"Very responsive and knowledgeable." 

"Personalized service with very quick turnaround and support from the firm's numerous capabilities." 

"Understand the issues well. Work very efficiently. Don't try to make a simple project too large." 

Carlos Arguellas 

"Very responsive. A seasoned professional." 

Pablo Laresgoiti 

"Highly personalised service, quick turnaround and high quality." 

"Highly personalized service and availability."

Juan Carlos Machorro 

"Very knowledgeable lawyer. Also lets his team do the work." 

Carlos Olvera 

"Solutions-oriented counsel, who is able to provide strategic legal advice on a wide range of subjects when dealing with highly distressed situations. Expert in restructurings, workouts, litigation and distressed projects." 

Francisco Udave 

"He is very experienced, well focused and attentive when needed. His strategies helped us on the labour law reform restructure."

SMPS Legal 

SMPS Legal is an international law firm with offices in Canada, the United States, Colombia and Mexico. In Mexico City, the firm advises domestic and foreign investors in a variety of industries and represents creditors and debtors in financing and financial restructurings. It has expertise in the chemical, automotive and financial services sectors. 

 Highlights 

SMPS Legal continued to demonstrate its leadership in private equity and corporate structuring in 2024 through its work with Arago Capital and Niedax Group. The firm advised Arago on multiple capital calls tied to its CERPIs program, facilitating over six issuances that raised significant funding for long-term investments in middle-market companies. SMPS also counseled Niedax Group in the restructuring of its Mexican subsidiary for a joint venture with ABB, resulting in the formation of Abnex Inc. This strategic alliance expands cable tray manufacturing across North America, showcasing SMPS Legal’s strength in cross-border joint ventures and industrial sector innovation. 

Key Clients 

Key clients include Arago Capital, Bocel Fondo II, Capital Indigo, Fortem Capital, Galerie Inc, Grupo Axo, Locfund, Niedax Group, Parks Loan Agreement and Ventura Axo. 

Testimonials 

Investment funds 

“The firm provides great business-oriented advice” 

Eduardo Pizarro 

“Eduardo has depth knowledge of Mexican real estate law, as well as a profound knowledge of financial drivers that impact the profitability of our projects.”

Villarreal – VGF 

Villarreal Garcia Campuzano Gomez & Fernandez is a Mexican law firm founded in 2016. The firm is a specialized Mexican law firm with deep expertise in debt and financial transactions. Its team of seasoned financial lawyers advises a broad client base, including public and private companies, family offices, FIBRAs, CKDs, and major financial institutions. The firm handles complex domestic and cross-border financings, including syndicated loans, private placements, restructurings, project and real estate financings, and aircraft deals. Known for its strategic insight and market fluency, Villarreal – VGF consistently adds value across a wide range of structured and secured transactions, supporting clients through every stage of the financing process with precision and reliability.  

Highlights 

Villarreal – VGF reinforced its reputation in 2024 as a premier lender-side banking firm, advising leading financial institutions on complex, collateralized financings across Mexico. The firm represented Altum Capital in a dual-currency acquisition financing for Amigo Tours, secured by cross-border guarantees and real estate assets. It also advised Banorte on multiple mandates, including a macro facility for industrial development and a syndicated construction loan with BBVA for a major plant in Nuevo León. Additionally, the firm counseled Scotiabank on a structured real estate facility and supported Dimex Capital in a pioneering receivables-backed financing involving electronic notes. These mandates underscore VGF’s deep expertise in structuring innovative, multi-jurisdictional lending transactions.

Key clients 

Key clients include Altum Capital, Banorte, BBVA, Nadbank, Dimex Capital and Scotiabank.

Von Wobeser y Sierra 

Von Wobeser & Sierra is a full-service firm founded in 1986 in Mexico City. The firm advises debtors, lenders, and guarantors on a range of credit and financing transactions. It represents both Mexican and international clients. In M&A, the firm represents large international corporations in acquisitions and advises private equity fund managers working alongside US and other international firms. 

Highlights 

Von Wobeser y Sierra demonstrated its strength in cross-border commercial and financial structuring in 2024 through standout work for The Coca-Cola Company and China Construction Bank Corporation. The firm advised Coca-Cola on the structuring and negotiation of a groundbreaking digital activity agreement with Arca Continental, enabling the expansion of the Yomp! B2B platform across Latin America. The deal required innovative regulatory and transactional design. The firm also represented China Construction Bank in a multi-year trading finance framework agreement with ZTE Mexico, crafting a tailored structure for recurring cross-border transactions. These matters highlight Von Wobeser’s versatility in complex, multinational engagements. 

Key clients 

Key clients include American Financial Group, China Construction Bank Corporation, Electrical Components International, Enerflex, Seguros Atlas, The Coca-Cola Company, Viacore Inc.