Event information
The Mexico GC Summit 2024 is a significant event that brings together legal professionals, corporate counsels, and industry leaders to discuss key legal and business developments in Mexico. The Summit serves as a platform for exchanging insights, networking, and exploring new opportunities and challenges in the Mexican legal landscape. Among many, this year’s key legal themes will concern the evolving regulatory framework in Mexico across various sectors. Discussions will cover recent legislative reforms, regulatory updates, and compliance requirements affecting businesses operating in Mexico. Legal experts aim to examine best practices in corporate governance, risk management, sustainable finance, compliance strategies, and dispute resolutions. At the core, the idea of understanding the legal implications of business operations in Mexico and exploring opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Through insightful discussions, expert presentations, and networking opportunities, attendees can gain valuable knowledge and forge connections to navigate the complex legal landscape effectively.
Agenda
10.30am – 11.00am Registration and Refreshments
11.00am – 11.10am Welcome address
11.10am – 12.00pm Navigating Sustainable financing: a practical approach to its core concepts
The panel discussion centers on the pivotal theme of sustainable financing and the intricate processes involved in companies labeling their credits. In the current global economic landscape, sustainability has emerged as a critical consideration for businesses seeking financial support. Sustainable financing entails the allocation of resources towards projects or initiatives that yield positive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes, aligning with the principles of responsible investing. Within this framework, the discussion explores the mechanisms through which businesses can effectively label their credits to reflect their commitment to sustainability. By delving into various strategies and best practices, the panel aims to shed light on how companies can navigate the complexities of sustainable financing while enhancing transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. Through insightful dialogue and expert perspectives, participants will gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and its implications for corporate decision-making and market dynamics.
- Javier Perochena, head of ESG, Banco Santander
- Brenda Rogel Salgado, partner, Ritch Mueller
- Ricardo Calderón Mendoza, partner, Ritch Mueller
- Eva Isabela Frias Castro, corporate and financial legal managing director, Grupo Coppel
12.00pm – 12.50pm Recent Enforcement Trends and Notable Cases: Lessons Learned for Businesses
This panel will delve into the latest enforcement trends and significant antitrust cases in Mexico, offering valuable insights and practical lessons for businesses operating in the region. With the rapidly evolving landscape of antitrust regulation and enforcement, understanding recent developments and their implications is essential for ensuring compliance and mitigating legal risks.
The panel will feature experts with deep knowledge and experience in antitrust law and enforcement in Mexico. Through a discussion of recent cases and enforcement actions by the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) and relevant judicial rulings, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current enforcement priorities, challenges, and emerging trends in the Mexican antitrust landscape.
Key Topics:
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- Analysis of recent antitrust enforcement actions and cases in Mexico.
- Examination of key legal principles and precedents established by recent rulings.
- Identification of common compliance pitfalls and enforcement risks for businesses.
- Discussion of enforcement priorities and trends in specific industries or sectors.
- Exploration of the implications of recent enforcement actions for business strategies and compliance programs.
- Strategies for effectively navigating enforcement challenges and minimizing legal exposure.
- Practical lessons and best practices for businesses to enhance antitrust compliance efforts.
- Considerations for multinational companies operating in Mexico in light of recent enforcement trends.
- Opportunities for collaboration and engagement with enforcement authorities to promote compliance and cooperation.
- Víctor Manuel Frías Garcés, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
- Miguel Flores Bernés, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
- Claudia Lelo de Larrea, director general for competition procedures, Federal Telecommunications Institute
- Víctor Manuel Meyer Suárez, general director of investigations of absolute monopolistic practices, COFECE
12.50pm – 1.20pm Lunch
1.20pm – 2.10pm Navigating Legal Implications in Nearshoring Strategies
As businesses increasingly explore nearshoring strategies to optimise their operations, this panel offers invaluable legal insights into the multifaceted legal considerations involved. Nearshoring, the practice of relocating business processes or services to a nearby country, presents a range of legal complexities spanning contractual agreements, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, and labor laws. Through comprehensive analysis and practical guidance, panelists help navigate the legal intricacies inherent in nearshoring, giving insights on how to capitalise on cost efficiencies, talent pools, and market opportunities while mitigating legal risks. This topic offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between legal considerations and nearshoring strategies, showcasing proficiency in delivering tailored legal solutions to meet the evolving needs of global businesses.
- Carlos Véjar, local partner, White & Case
- Jesus Flores, director of institutional affairs and international commercial matters, Mexico City, TENARIS
- Francisco de Rosenzweig, executive partner, Mexico City, White & Case
- Elizabeth Gonzalez, local partner, White & Case
2.10pm – 3.00pm Electronic Agreements and Promissory Notes in Court
As technology continues to advance, traditional paper-based documents are being replaced by electronic formats, presenting both opportunities and challenges within the legal system. This panel will explore the intricacies of electronic agreements and promissory notes, examining their validity, enforceability, and admissibility in Mexican courts. We will navigate through the regulatory framework governing electronic transactions, including the latest amendment to the Credit Instruments and Operations General Law, shedding light on the legal requirements and safeguards necessary to ensure their effectiveness. Throughout the session, our panelists will share insights gleaned from practical experiences and legal precedents, offering valuable perspectives for private practitioners, general counsels, credit and risk officers, and policymakers alike to provide clarity and guidance amidst the digital transformation of commercial practices.
- Mauricio Mendoza, partner, Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel
- Diego Gutierrez, partner, Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel
- Jessica Mejía, legal director, Afore Sura
- Carmen Beatriz Meza, financial and stock market legal manager, FEMSA
- Diego Castañeda, head of litigation, Scotiabank
3.00pm – 3.20pm Break
3.20pm – 4.10pm Effects of the Recent Supreme Court Judgment on the energy counter-reform, and the extraterritorial impact of the new European supply-chain legislation (CSDD).
This panel discussion will delve into the intricacies of structuring supply chain contracts under the recently enacted European legislation, known as CSDDD. Our panelists will shed light on the implications of this legislation on businesses operating within the European market and navigating complex supply chains. Furthermore, the conversation will extend to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court concerning the energy counter-reform, exploring its effects on regulatory frameworks and business operations in the energy sector. It will also analyse the implications of these developments within the context of the USMCA, providing insights into how trade agreements intersect with evolving regulatory landscapes.
- Herfried Wöss, founding partner, Wöss & Partners
- Diana Rodriguez Torres, legal director, Braskem Idesa
- Renata Herrera, regulatory leader, AES Mexico
4.10pm – 5.00pm In and Out-of-Court Restructurings and Out-of-the-Box Alternatives
This panel discussion in Mexico will delve into the multifaceted world of corporate finance, focusing on restructuring strategies tailored to the Mexican market. Our discussion will center on in-court and out-of-court restructuring methods, along with innovative alternatives, providing insights into navigating financial challenges effectively. Restructuring plays a pivotal role in mitigating financial distress within Mexico’s corporate finance landscape. Our panel will shed light on the nuances of in-court restructuring processes governed by Mexican bankruptcy laws, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks and procedural intricacies involved. Furthermore, we will explore the dynamics of out-of-court restructuring mechanisms, emphasizing their flexibility and potential advantages for Mexican businesses. Through real-world examples and case studies, we aim to illustrate the importance of stakeholder cooperation and strategic negotiations in achieving successful out-of-court restructurings. Additionally, our discussion will spotlight out-of-the-box alternatives that Mexican companies can leverage to address financial challenges creatively. From innovative financing models to strategic partnerships and distressed debt investing, our panelists will share insights into emerging trends and opportunities in the Mexican financial landscape.
- Jesús Ángel Guerra Méndez, partner, Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza
- Fernando Zapata, legal VP, Nexxus Capital
- José Rafael López Guerrero, Head of Legal and Compliance Latam, Xiaomi
- Roberto L. Frias, Group general counsel and company secretary, SANFER
5.00pm – 5.10pm Closing remarks
5.10pm Drinks reception
Speakers
Javier Perochena, head of ESG, Banco Santander
Javier Perochena is Head of ESG Solutions at Banco Santander Mexico in the Corporate & Investment Bank division. Previously, he was Head of Issuers at BIVA (Bolsa Institucional de Valores) since the launch of the exchange. A former Vice President of Business Development for iShares in Blackrock for four years where he covered private banks and family offices. Before that, he worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank in their international Private Banking division based in their Mexico and Miami’s offices, covering the business centers for the US, Switzerland, and Germany. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management, from ITAM and a Master’s degree in Economics and Business from Universidad Anahuac.
Brenda Rogel Salgado, partner, Ritch Mueller
Brenda Rogel joined the firm as a partner in 2023. She specializes in environmental and social impact. Brenda has more than 20 years of experience in the practice of environmental and regulatory law, assisting a wide range of industries and companies in the identification, understanding and managing of the environmental and regulatory risks associated with business start-ups, acquisitions, operations, expansions and divestitures.
She is an expert in the management of contaminated sites and environmental emergencies, as well as in the formulation of sustainability and climate change strategies, permit analysis, regularization and compliance programs. She has worked in the defense of different industries and stakeholders, when governmental agencies initiate surveillance actions, impose sanctions or measures contrary to law.
Brenda also has engaged in strategic investigations and litigation to protect the environment, advance climate change adaptation and promote the inclusion of women and minority rights.
Brenda has a law degree and a certification on Environmental Justice and Litigation from Universidad Iberoamericana.
Ricardo Calderón Mendoza, partner, Ritch Mueller
Ricardo Calderón joined the firm in 2002 and has been a partner since 2008. He specializes in domestic and cross-border M&A and financing transactions in different sectors, representing national and international investors, financial institutions and rating agencies. He also has extensive experience in real estate transactions, including financings, acquisitions, asset sales and developments.
Ricardo regularly advises both local and foreign companies in the design and implementation of compliance programs, regulatory matters and internal investigations. He is one of the founders of our ESG practice and has advised clients on corporate governance, inclusion and diversity, ethics and responsible business practices.
Prior to joining Ritch Mueller in 2002, he worked in the international legal area of Banamex and was Deputy Director in the Strategic Planning and Corporate Development area of Grupo Financiero Banamex.
Ricardo has a law degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, and an LLM degree from Boston University. He also worked as a foreign associate in Sidley & Austin’s New York office (1999-2000).
Víctor Manuel Frías Garcés, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
The practice of Victor Manuel Frías is focused on commercial law, including competition, mergers and acquisitions and arbitration.
On the competition side, Mr. Frías has represented clients in numerous cartel investigations before the Competition Commission in different industries for over 20 years. He frequently represents clients in pre-merger filings. Mr. Frías has been ranked by different publications as one of Mexico’s premier competition attorneys. He often appears before Mexico’s Federal Specialized Courts in Competition and Telecommunications matters.
On the M&A front, Mr. Frías has also been ranked as one of Mexico’s leading attorneys. In 2017, he closed the largest acquisition in Mexico for over $2.3 billion. He has represented acquirors (both Mexican and foreign), targets, and investment funds in a large number of acquisitions, takeovers, and joint ventures. He also counsels clients on a broad range of corporate and business-related matters, including corporate governance, corporate compliance matters and internal investigations. Mr. Frías has had substantial transactional involvement in numerous industries, including health care, information technology, retail, and the food industry. He has been ranked by Who’s Who as one of Mexico’s premier attorneys in IT matters.
Mr. Frías’s experience in commercial arbitration includes disputes involving contracts, construction, and corporate law. In a matter that is frequently reviewed by specialized literature in Mexico, he obtained an award in excess of $350 million on behalf of an international EPC contractor in an ICC arbitration against Mexico’s national oil company involving claims of delay and additional costs incurred in the design and construction of an offshore oil and gas production platform.
Miguel Flores Bernés, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
Miguel Flores Bernés focuses his practice on antitrust and competition issues, assisting national and international clients in investigation proceedings of alleged anticompetitive conduct, concentrations, and defense strategies before specialized antitrust courts.
He has assisted clients in the competition clearance of transactions by the Mexican competition authorities, such as Federal Competition Commission (Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica – COFECE) and Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de las Telecomunicaciones – IFT). Likewise, he represents economic agents in: i) proceedings for the investigation of alleged anticompetitive conduct (cartels, abuse of dominance and unlawful concentrations), including fine reduction programs (leniency and early closure of a probe with commitments); and ii) proceedings related to barriers to competition, essential inputs and declarations of lack of effective competition.
His experience also encompasses the development and implementation of defense strategies before specialized competition courts, and compliance advice to mitigate and prevent risks of violating competition law, including internal investigations for companies in various industries including, transportation, health, energy, specialized services, manufacturing, financial services, agriculture, among others.
Prior to joining the firm, he was a Commissioner in the Federal Competition Commission (2006-2013) and before that, he acted as economic legal advisor in the office of the President of Mexico. Previously, he focused his practice in the cost-benefit analysis of economic regulation at the Mexican Ministry of Economy. He also acquired extensive experience in negotiation and international affairs by being part of the group of lawyers that negotiated Free Trade Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties with the European Union, Japan, Singapore, Israel, Chile, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, and in different international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Herfried Wöss, founding partner, Wöss & Partners
Dr Herfried Wöss is international arbitrator and partner of Wöss & Partners Arbitration – Damages – Trade – Infrastructure – Energy (Mexico City – Washington DC – Lima – Vienna* ) and has extensive experience in international commercial and investment arbitration under the ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, NAFTA and various local arbitration rules both as arbitrator and party counsel. His arbitration experience spans from refinery-ships, thermo-electrical plants and substations, gas and oil pipelines, EPC turnkey projects, public-private partnerships, M&A, joint venture agreements, franchise agreements, international sales contracts, and the telecommunications, automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Several of his awards and publications have produced judicial precedents in favour of arbitration.
Mauricio Mendoza, partner, Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel
Mr. Mendoza has been a member of Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel for over 14 years and was made partner of the Firm in 2019. He has broad experience litigating high-stakes disputes in Mexico and handling commercial arbitrations administered by the major arbitral institutions.
His practice mainly focuses on controversies related to financial institutions and services, often involving securities traded in Mexico and abroad. Likewise, he has participated in disputes on aviation, construction, education, energy, real estate, and telecommunications matters.
Additionally, he provides advice on bankruptcy and restructuring, enforcement of agreements and guarantees, sale and purchase of entities and distressed assets, and contractual and extracontractual liability.
Diego Gutierrez, partner, Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel
Mr. Gutiérrez has been a member of Martínez, Algaba de Haro y Curiel, since 2003, and was appointed partner in 2015. Mr. Gutiérrez has extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation, as well as in national and international commercial arbitration procedures, administered by the most recognized arbitral institutions. His practice focuses on financial, banking, securities, bankruptcy, construction and corporate disputes.
Recognized for his remarkable legal skills, he successfully represents corporations and individuals before Mexican courts, as well as before arbitral tribunals, in controversies with a high degree of technicality that usually involve considerable risk for his clients. In addition, he has provided advice on complex issues in the celebration or execution of legal acts and instruments, in order to mitigate the clients’ risks.
Some of Mr. Gutiérrez clients include credit and banking institutions, large corporations and transnational organizations.
Claudia Lelo de Larrea, director general for competition procedures, Federal Telecommunications Institute
Claudia Lelo de Larrea is the Director General for Competition Procedures at the Federal Telecommunications Institute (Mexico). She is an expert on Mexican competition and antitrust law and practice. She has applied and interpreted the Federal Economic Competition Law both from the public sector, as well as from the private sector perspective.
For more than five years she was a government official in different divisions of the Mexican Competition Authorities (COFECO, COFECE and IFT); afterward, she moved to the private sector, where she was the leading lawyer on several investigations initiated by COFECE, as well as on various merger control proceedings. She is now back to the public service as DG at the IFT.
Claudia teaches the “Economic Competition Law” lecture at the Faculty of Law of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Claudia holds an LLB from UNAM’s Faculty of Law, and an LLM on International Economic Law and Policy (IELPO) from the University of Barcelona.
Víctor Manuel Meyer Suárez, general director of investigations of absolute monopolistic practices, COFECE
Víctor Meyer is the General Director of Investigations of Absolute Monopolistic Practices at the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE). He holds a degree in Law from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and an LL.M. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in “Media, Entertainment, and Technology Law and Policy.”
Since joining the competition agency in 2011, Víctor has been involved in multiple investigations of collusive agreements in markets such as public procurement of health products, passenger air transport, distribution and marketing of LP gas and gasoline, professional football player signing, among others.
In his twelve years at COFECE, Víctor has led multiple verification visits and processed numerous immunity requests. Likewise, he collaborated in the drafting of various regulatory bodies, such as the Regulatory Provisions of the Federal Economic Competition Law, the Regulatory Provisions of the Immunity Program, the Regulatory Provisions on Legal Advice, the Investigation Startup Guide, and the Immunity Program Guide
Carlos Véjar, local partner, White & Case
Carlos Véjar focuses his practice on International Trade. He represents domestic and international clients in international trade, investment arbitration and private commercial arbitration, with more than 20 years of experience advising and representing clients in various matters of international trade, investment, government procurement, regulatory compliance, unfair practices, intellectual property and customs procedures, as well as in arbitration and commercial and investment mechanisms.
Carlos served in the Ministry of Economy for 20 years holding various positions, including Director General of International Trade Legal Affairs, in charge of coordinating Mexico’s participation in trade and investment disputes, as well as providing legal advice on international trade negotiations and foreign trade matters under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), among others.Carlos was part of the Permanent Mission of Mexico before the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, representing Mexico during the Doha Round Negotiations, responsible for dispute resolution and intellectual property matters. Management and participation in WTO Dispute Settlement proceedings.
Diana Rodriguez Torres, legal director, Braskem Idesa
Diana Rodríguez Torres serves as the Legal Director, overseeing Institutional Relations and Sustainability at Braskem Idesa, Mexico’s leading polyethylene producer. She also manages External Communication, Corporate and Regulatory Governance. Diana sits on the Board of Directors of the National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ), contributing to strategic decision-making in the sector. She led negotiations for Braskem Idesa’s supply contract with Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), involving a $5.2 billion investment and subsequent international arbitration processes. Additionally, Diana orchestrated the refinancing of Braskem Idesa for $2.1 billion and secured financing for a $450 million investment in a raw material import terminal from the United States. This project led to the establishment of Terminal Química Puerto México (TQPM), later recognized as a priority development area by the Federal Government. Diana holds a law degree from the Western Institute of Technology and Higher Studies (ITESO), a Master’s in Business Management from IPADE Business School – MEDEX, and a Diploma in Leadership from Berkeley University. She has completed various programs and courses in environmental law, commercial contracts, and leadership. Prior to her role at Braskem Idesa, Diana served as Legal Director at Grupo Cinemex, overseeing the company’s sale and associated refinancing. She also held positions at Anwalt Consulting, advising clients such as ICON Group and Shakeys Pizza, and collaborated with law firms like Gatt Corona y Asociados and Corporate Jurists. As a Founding Member of the Mexican Association of Women Business Managers (AMMJE), Diana served as Secretary of the Council from 2017 to 2019, contributing to the advancement of women in business leadership roles.
Jessica Mejía, legal director, Afore Sura
Jessica Mejía Franco. She holds a Law degree from UNAM and a Master’s in Financial Law Institutions from Universidad Panamericana, with postgraduate studies in commercial law at Escuela Libre de Derecho and 17 years of experience and practice in commercial, notarial, corporate, financial, and securities law. Since August 2010, to date, she has been a lawyer at Sura Asset Management México (formerly ING México), where she has provided legal support to its various business areas and is currently the Legal Director of Afore Sura.
Carmen Beatriz Meza, financial and stock market legal manager, FEMSA
Carmen Beatriz Meza Aragón. A lawyer with over 15 years of experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. She holds a Law degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a Master’s degree in Business Law from Universidad Anáhuac. She currently works at Coca-Cola FEMSA
Diego Castañeda, head of litigation, Scotiabank
Diego Alejandro Castañeda Baños is a lawyer specialized in civil and commercial law with 10 years of experience in the financial sector. A graduate of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), he holds a Specialization and is a candidate for a Master’s degree in Private Law from Universidad Anáhuac México Norte.
Currently, Diego serves as the head of the Specialized Litigation area at Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A., being responsible for the area at the national level. His career includes his collaboration as an associate in the civil and commercial litigation area at Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C., where he handled complex litigations and conducted negotiations with various authorities and regulatory entities.
Diego has demonstrated a constant commitment to professional excellence, combining his solid academic background with extensive practical experience, making him a reference in his field.
Renata Herrera, regulatory leader, AES Mexico
Renata holds a law degree from Universidad del Valle de México. She has specialised in Energy Law during her 8 years in the energy industry, working with multinational companies, including Enel Green Power, Engie, and AES Mexico. Renata has regulatory and legal experience in renewable energy project development and power plant and operation of power plants (renewable, thermoelectric and combined cycle), as well as in the elaboration of the regulatory and legal structure for the development of distributed generation, electromobility and on-site battery generation projects, to advance the implementation of a sustainable energy transition. She has assisted in multiple M&A transactions, Project Finance, international arbitrations, and negotiation of EPC, O&M, PPA’s, and Qualified Supply Contracts. Renata is currently the Regulatory Leader at AES Mexico, where among her multiple responsibilities, she is in charge of the migration of self-supply power plants to power generation under the Electricity Industry Law, the regulatory definition for the implementation of greenfield projects, M&A, and solutions for the implementation of greenfield projects, M&A, and transformational solutions, including decarbonisation projects with green hydrogen.
Jesús Ángel Guerra Méndez, partner, Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza
Jesus possesses extensive experience in various legal matters, including counseling and litigation in bail and insurance-related issues, where he represents both beneficiaries and financial institutions. He has also been involved in litigation concerning administrative proceedings, particularly those related to the cancellation of reinsurance company authorizations, as well as constitutional matters through injunctions. His expertise extends to providing counsel and litigating in administrative law matters, among others.
Authorized to practice law in Mexico since August 2002 and in New York, United States of America, since September 2006, Jesus has made significant contributions to various conferences. These include participation in events such as the Regional Conference of the International Insolvency Institute and the Latin and Caribbean Conference Panel of Chapter 15 in Miami, Florida, in winter 2020, and the Nineteenth Annual Conference of the International Insolvency Institute Latin America in Barcelona, Spain, in summer 2019. He also contributed to the Regional Conference of the International Insolvency Institute, Latin and Caribbean Conference, focusing on the most representative insolvency proceedings in Mexico in Mexico City in spring 2018.
Jesus earned his degree in Private Law and Private International Law from Centro Universitario México, Division of Higher Studies, A.C., in Mexico City. He further pursued his legal education by completing the Master of American Law at Boston University School of Law and obtaining a Specialty in Commercial Law with distinction Cum Laude from Universidad Panamericana A.C.
He began his professional journey at Guerra, Gonzalez y Asociados S.C. in 1996, eventually rising to become a Partner in January 2004.
Eva Isabela Frias Castro, corporate and financial legal managing director , Grupo Coppel
Eva Frías joined Grupo Coppel in March 2022 as Divisional Manager of Corporate Legal and Finance. Eva began her career at the law firm Ritch Mueller, S.C. in 2002. In 2004 she worked for Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP in New York City in the securities and capital markets practice area. In 2010, Eva joined BlackRock Mexico as a Legal Director. Eva was also a partner at Raz Guzman Abogados, S.C. Prior to joining Grupo Coppel, Eva was Legal Director of Citibanamex Casa de Bolsa and Legal Director of Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory at Citibanamex. Additionally, Eva was Secretary of the Board of Directors of Citibanamex Casa de Bolsa. Eva is a founder and served until 2022 as a member of the Board of AbogadasMx, a non-profit association whose mission is that every female lawyer in Mexico develops in an inclusive professional environment and has the necessary tools to enhance their development. Eva has a law degree from ITAM and a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance Law (LLM) from Boston University.
Jesus Flores, institutional director and international trade affairs, TENARIS
Professional Background
- 2001 – Present: Director of Institutional Affairs and International Commercial Matters, Tenaris Mexico.
Main current activities related to foreign trade:
- President of the Foreign Trade Commission of Canacero
- President of the Foreign Trade Committee of the Latin American Steel Industry (Alacero)
- Member of the North American Steel Committee
- Representative of Canacero on the OECD Steel Committee
- Assistant Coordinator of the US-Mexico CEO Dialogue
Public Administration Activities:
- 1994 – 2000: Ministry of Economy, Chief Administrative Officer
- 1990 – 1994: Ministry of Economy, Chief Negotiator of the Energy Chapter (NAFTA), and Chief Negotiator with Latin America
Academic Background
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics: Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.
- Postgraduate Studies in Economics: University of Manchester, England, and University of Warwick, England.
Francisco de Rosenzweig, executive partner, Mexico City, White & Case
Francisco de Rosenzweig is the Executive Partner at White & Case México City office and Head of the Mexico Office’s Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Group.
He advises domestic and international clients on major corporate and financing transactions. His practice has a particular focus on project- and asset-based financing, enabling the successful development, funding and completion of large-scale projects and deals.
Francisco has extensive experience advising clients on projects in the energy, infrastructure and transportation fields. He has a particular focus on regulatory and transactional matters, project and asset-based financing, which allows him to provide clients innovative and unique insights that provide investors with an invaluable understanding of the regulatory and corporate decision-making processes, enabling the successful development, funding and completion of large-scale projects and deals. His skills have been in particularly high demand in the last few years, in connection with the implementation of energy and infrastructure reforms. The companies advised by Francisco represent a substantial part of the private energy corporations in Mexico, as well as the most important energy-related associations such as ASOLMEX, AMEXHI and AMEE, among others.
Francisco also has extensive experience on project finance. He frequently represents project sponsors and developers as equity investors, in major infrastructure, natural resource, industrial and energy projects from initial investment to exit. As part of his practice, Francisco de Rosenzweig has provided legal counseling to both developers and lenders in the design, implementation, collateralization and development of a number of energy and infrastructure projects, as well as cross-border transactions: these projects include power—private developers and IPPs—and oil & gas, midstream and downstream activities.
He advises clients regarding corporate M&A transactions, public biddings and bankruptcy proceedings. Francisco also has broad experience in coordinating litigation proceedings.
Francisco de Rosenzweig is regarded as one of the leading authorities on international trade in Mexico. He served as the deputy minister of foreign trade at the Ministry of the Economy, where he led Mexico’s international trade negotiations on issues, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and The Pacific Alliance Trade Initiative, and negotiated Bilateral Investment Treaties (“BITs”) Mexico belongs to, among others and represented Mexico’s interests before the World Trade Organization. His outstanding participation in the UMSCA negotiations received special recognition on February 2020 from the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador during the Closing Ceremony of the 36th General Ordinary Assembly of the National Agricultural Council. His participation is also reflected in the recently published book: Cuarto de junto, the crucial contribution of the private sector in the negotiations of Mexico’s trade agreements.
Francisco has also served as chief of staff to the minister at the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, general counsel for public expenditure at the Ministry of Finance, executive secretary at the Inter-Ministerial Commission for Public Expenditure, Financing and Privatization; general counsel of the Energy Regulatory Commission and general director of the Electric Restructuring Unit of the Commission.
Francisco is a thought leader in the energy, infrastructure and international trade areas and highly sought after by the media for his views on the sector.
Fernando Zapata, legal VP, Nexxus Capital
A financial legal specialist, with a particular interest in regulatory oversight of pioneering financial technology, Fernando holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City, and a Master of Laws in Banking and Financial Law from Queen Mary University in London. Fernando held notable positions with Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez and EY Law Mexico and now serves as Legal Vice President of Nexxus Capital, one of Mexico’s largest independent alternative asset managers. Here, he undertakes transactions of all kinds, including M&A and private debt, and oversees anti-money laundering efforts for the fund’s myriad operations.
José Rafael López Guerrero, head of legal and compliance Latam, Xiaomi
For over 13 years, Rafael has focused his career on various legal practices and areas such as corporate, labor, retail, technology, banking and finance, real estate, litigation, energy, and infrastructure. He has worked in international law firms and companies, dedicating the last 8 years to leading legal, compliance, and government relations teams for multinationals like WeWork and Xiaomi.
In addition to his activities in the legal field, Rafael is a member of the board of directors of Grupo Beatness, a company focused on the opening and operation of gyms; Grupo Chateau, dedicated to the opening and operation of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants; and Grupo LORO, a conglomerate with activities in the real estate, energy, and education sectors.
Moreover, Rafael has been a panelist at various forums in Latin America and has lectured at some of the most prestigious institutions in Mexico.
Rafael holds a law degree from Universidad Iberoamericana, a Master’s in Law from Universidad Panamericana, and has studied business law at the University of Salamanca. He also has a diploma in administration, investment, and real estate development from Universidad Anáhuac.
Roberto L. Frias, group general counsel and company secretary, SANFER
Roberto L. Frias, a seasoned legal professional with over two decades of proven expertise in various sectors. Roberto holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and a Master of Laws in Financial Services Law from the Alliance Manchester Business School, UK. He serves as General Counsel and Company Secretary of Laboratorios Sanfer, the second largest pharmaceutical company in Mexico. Since 2016, Roberto has structured several capital stock restructurings, M&A and project finance transactions, representing Sanfer in Mexico and its subsidiaries in the Latin America region.
Elizabeth Gonzalez, local partner, White & Case
Elizabeth’s professional practice focuses on tax law. As part of her practice, she constantly provides tax advice to clients in corporate income tax and international tax treaties, assisting multinational companies to provide them with tailor-made solutions to optimize the taxes around their day-to-day businesses and to successfully respond to liabilities arising from differences in tax law interpretation with the Mexican authorities. Elizabeth’s principal client focus is in the oil and gas, construction, technology, media and telecommunications, and manufacturing industries.
Elizabeth’s experience includes representing Mexico in the analysis and discussions regarding Action 7 of the BEPS Action Plan at the OECD conference in Paris, which puts her ahead of the curve in her capacity to help clients address and resolve complex tax matters with global implications. Elizabeth has been a speaker in several business seminars in Mexico, Madrid, Houston and Miami. In 2019, she represented INDEX in the discussions with Mexico’s Congressional tax committees related to the 2020 Tax Reform.
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For over 55 years Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel has successfully represented corporations in complex local and cross border cases, where its renowned corporate experience has paired superbly with unique litigation skills. The Firm’s highly specialized litigation, arbitration, and insolvency practices offer clients a competitive advantage that is hard to match. The Firm is consistently recognized as one of Mexico’s top tier law firms.
Wöss & Partners, a globally recognized law firm, specializes in commercial and investment arbitration with respect to complex damages claims, infrastructure and energy projects being involved in the largest arbitrations in Latin America. Noted for their extensive participation in arbitrations, the firm has received accolades from The Legal 500 and the International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration.
Adriana San Román and Dr. Herfried Wöss, founders of Wöss & Partners are the leading authority in damages in international arbitration, authors of the Oxford University Press monograph on “Damages in International Arbitration under Complex long-term Contracts” as well as of book chapters such as on damages in investment-treaty arbitration. They are the authors and lecturers of the “Advanced Seminars on Damages in International Arbitrations” they have held with ICC Austria, the Washington DC Bar, ICC Costa Rica, Standford University and other prominent institutions. The firm also engages in international trade regulation, corporate and international business law.
The firm’s arbitration practice consisting of an international team is centred in its Washington DC office. The firm also counts with offices in Mexico City for its corporate and international business practices, and a representative office in Vienna.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 45 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI “Highly Recommended Law Firm” for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 250. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e® Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono.
The firm has been serving Mexican clients and foreign investors with interest in Mexico for many decades. GT established an office in Mexico City in 2011. GT’s Mexico office offers clients innovative, strategic advice and legal services that span both traditional industries and cutting-edge sectors. Web: www.gtlaw.com.
Ritch Mueller is a top tier multidisciplinary transactional firm committed to offering high value-added legal advice to national and international clients in the structuring, development and financing of their private businesses and public sector projects in Mexico.
Since 1975, we have been actively involved in shaping how Mexican law is practiced within each of our main practice areas, including M&A, corporate finance (capital markets and banking), financial regulation, real estate, and energy and infrastructure. Our tax, competition and antitrust, environmental, social, corporate and regulatory practice groups, complement our traditional areas while at the same time tending to our clients’ ongoing needs.
Our work encompasses transactions mainly within the financial, industrial, infrastructure, energy, retail and services sectors.
Our firm has a staff of more than 100 professionals deployed amongst our different practice areas, who seek to add value by means of an efficient and in-depth service combined with high levels of expertise and experience.
Pellerano & Herrera stands as the leading full-service law firm in the Dominican Republic. Established in 1952, the firm has consistently maintained market leadership for over 40 years, facilitating the establishment of more than 500 foreign companies in the market and has participated in the largest and most important cases and transactions in the Dominican Republic. Renowned for its proficiency in navigating intricate legal matters, Pellerano & Herrera excels in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, project and structured financings, bond issuances, complex litigations, and unfair competition, among others.
Aguilar Castillo Love is a full-service corporate, and the first home-grown, regional, Latin American law firm. It counts more than 60 lawyers working across Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay. Through legitimacy, cross-border business insight and forward-thinking legal expertise we provide security for our clients on highly complex and critical matters. We place the quality of our practice, the nature of its work and the value of our relationships ahead of our size. We are instruments for business integrity through the law.
Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza, S.C., was founded in 2020 as a specialized high-tier boutique Mexican firm focusing in bankruptcy and restructurings, both in and out-of-court; civil, commercial, insurance and bond litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution methods.
Their partners have almost three decades acting as counsel to individuals, private and public companies, domestic and international entities, banking institutions, and governments in complex and high-profile matters.
Our firm has successfully participated in the most relevant restructurings in Mexico, some of which have led to amendments to the Mexican Ley de Concursos Mercantiles and our firm has obtained great results for our clients. Likewise, our firm has achieved results in a wide range of high-stake and complex litigation – federal and state, trial and appellate, and through arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our dispute resolution lawyers employ the most appropriate tools and strategies for each stage of the process and each unique situation. Whether through the timely use of innovative alternative dispute resolution techniques or skillful and persuasive work at the court, you can count on our lawyers to maximize your prospects for a successful outcome whether in restructurings or disputes resolution.
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