Enrique Espejel > White & Case S.C. > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

White & Case S.C. acts for a variety of multinational companies across the telecom, media and technology segments, and demonstrates particular strengths in telecom-related dispute resolution and in fintech regulatory issues. The firm’s corporate and M&A lawyers are also frequently engaged in TMT sector transactions. Andrés Mosqueira has a particular focus on fintech regulatory, general tech sector matters and data privacy issues. He co-leads the TMT group with Enrique Espejel, a litigator of vast experience who frequent acts as counsel to clients in this space; and Eduardo Flores, whose banking and capital markets expertise are brought to bear in fintech and payments matters in Mexico. Fernando García Gómez is a younger partner who assists with administrative and constitutional disputes for TMT clients; while Yuriria Galicia, promoted to the partnership in January 2024, bolsters the regulatory side of the offering. At associate level, senior Wilbert Luna Arellanes (whose broad practice takes in cybersecurity, data privacy, fintech and technology), and intermediate Joaquín Pacheco, a litigator, are the names to note.

Lauded for its ‘extensive subject knowledge and integrity’, the Mexico City-based team at White & Case S.C. takes care of complex bankruptcy, restructuring & insolvency mandates, primarily acting on behalf of creditors, including domestic and international banks. A recent highlight saw the group assist Afirme Grupo Financiero as the largest creditor in the restructuring and bankruptcy proceeding of Minera del Norte. Enrique Espejel steers the practice and specialises in bankruptcy litigation. Additional key figures include María Teresa Fernández Labardini, whose broad practice encompasses M&A transactions, requests for authorisations before the financial and regulatory authorities, loan restructurings, and compliance issues; and litigator Diego Mora-Jensen Garza, who focuses on bankruptcy, and commercial and civil litigation matters.

Praised by clients as a ‘benchmark for the sector’, the compliance practice at White & Case S.C. is equipped to handle the full range of issues in compliance, including anti-corruption and AML mandates, and corporate investigations. The group is routinely engaged by financial services providers, fintech companies, insurers, charities, and companies in the energy, retail, and agribusiness segments. A recent work highlight saw the group assist Invenergy with preparing its anti-corruption policies, as well as carrying out training sessions for Invenergy’s directors and employees. The practice group is co-directed by María Teresa Fernández Labardini, Enrique Espejel, and Narciso Campos. Fernández Labardini is noted for her experience in regulatory, anti-corruption, fintech and corporate matters, as well as for her ‘legal and technical knowledge’. Espejel takes care of government enforcement actions, internal investigations, and civil and commercial litigation; while Campos focuses his practice on regulatory compliance, banking and finance, and M&A. Additional names to note include banking and finance specialists Juan Antonio Martín and Rebeca García López; and Andrés Mosqueira and Carlos Mainero, who major on financial regulatory matters. Eduardo Apáez‘s is the key counsel-level contact.

Clients of the White & Case S.C.‘s litigation department regard its practitioners as ‘experts on the subject‘ and appreciate their ‘clear and concise‘ advice. Administrative litigation is a particular are of strength for the practice, although in this respect, the loss of former partner Ismael Reyes Retana in January 2024 was a blow. More broadly, the practice is a destination for litigious matters in some of the country’s most heavily regulated sectors, including tech, energy, communications, mining and financial services. The Mexico City offering also has a robust commercial litigation capability and is regularly active in key market matters. ‘Technically great‘ litigator Enrique Espejel leads the team and is primarily noted for civil and commercial disputes. Raised to the global partnership in January 2024, Fernando García Gómez, heads-up the administrative litigation sub group. Diego Mora-Jensen is valued by clients for his ‘exceptional service‘, and handles a mix of bankruptcy disputes, insurance claims, tort and strict liability matters, amparo cases, long with white-collar cases and contentious energy sector work. Appointed local partner in January 2024, Yuriria Galicia is a further key name on the constitutional and administrative litigation side, with experience in Mexico’s key sectors therein. At associate level, Joaquín Pacheco (commercial, white collar, compliance, technology, and privacy & data protection disputes), and Fernanda Méndez (commercial litigation), are both noted. Since publication, Pacheco has been promoted to local partner – effective as of November 2024.

White & Case LLP has cemented its position in enforcement investigations, internal investigations and compliance matters. The Latin America-focused team has worked more intensively in sanctions-related matters, bankruptcy-connected matters, and in cryptocurrency and fintech. It is also increasingly active in supply chain ESG issues. The bilingual team is adept at conducting investigations in Spanish and frequently deals with the SEC, DOJ and other key regulators. It continues to work with clients in developing their compliance programmes and regularly assists private equity and strategic clients in assessing compliance risks as part of proposed investments and acquisitions. Maria Beguiristain is another leading practitioner with wide-ranging expertise in internal investigations and white-collar criminal defence cases, including those linked to bankruptcies and Ponzi schemes. Enrique Espejel is co-head of the disputes practice in Mexico and has extensive experience in white-collar defence and compliance matters. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Michael Garcia  has left the firm.