Mr Adrián Magallanes > Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC > Mexico City, Mexico > Lawyer Profile

With an extensive client list of majority international companies, the arbitration department at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC has long been regarded as a powerhouse in the field, acting in a broad range of industrial and business sectors and deeply experienced across a variety of arbitration rules. International arbitration and disputes against government entities are particular areas of strength, particularly when the cases are effectively multidisciplinary, such as combining commercial and administrative law. A further niche differentiation is the firm’s strong reputation with Japanese clients. Two pillars of the Mexican arbitration market jointly oversee the department. Veteran practitioner Claus von Wobeser continues to be a key voice in the firm’s teams of leading counsel for a number of its most prominent cases. Alongside him, Adrián Magallanes maintains a stellar practice in both arbitration and litigation, and excels in the energy sector, which has been a major driver of dispute resolution work during the last Presidential sexenio. With 20 years’ experience, Montserrat Manzano is also a key figure (both as arbitrator and counsel); she has particular expertise regarding investor-state arbitral mandates, and more generally handles complex arbitration matters across a broad range of jurisdictions and sectors. Manzano also advises on structuring assets under investment treaties. At more junior partner level Raymundo Soberanis (who primarily focuses on energy-related disputes); the dual-qualified (New York/Mexico) Pablo Fautsch; and Jessika Rocha, all handle arbitration, litigation, anti-corruption and compliance matters in relation to a range of industries. Another standout up-and-coming name is counsel Rodrigo Barradas, whose recent caseload has seen him representing clients in disputes with Mexican state-owned enterprises and contractors. Former associate Rodrigo Macín left the firm in May 2024. Since publication, senior associate Carlos López Córdova has been promoted to counsel – effective as of January 2025.

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is a familiar and esteemed name in the Mexican dispute resolution market, fielding a litigation practice that has profound experience in complex, sensitive, high-profile and bet-the-company cases. Class actions are a particular standout among the team’s caseload, with stellar clients across a mix of sectors looking to the firm for support in these long-running matters. A geographical niche area in which the practice stands out is its experience advising Japanese clients on litigation in Mexico. More broadly, the team is well versed in supporting foreign clients in general on contentious matters in Mexico. Sector-wise the team’s slate of work reflects the country’s busiest and most litigious markets, with real estate and energy matters currently at the forefront of the group’s caseload. Co-leading the practice, Adrián Magallanes also co-heads the firm’s energy group and accordingly focuses his contentious work on litigating complex energy and construction disputes, covering the gamut of matters from PPA conflicts to EPC litigation. His fellow practice co-head, Diego Sierra (in turn head of the Anti-corruption practice and a member of the ESG practice group), maintains a broad litigation practice with a certain focus on complex cross-border litigation strategies, and more recently, anti-corruption investigations and bankrutcy matters. Further depth is provided by younger partners Jessika Rocha (arbitration, bankruptcya and litigation), Raymundo Soberanis (dispute resolution, anti-corruption and compliance), and the dual-qualified (Mexico/New York) Pablo Fautsch (arbitration, litigation and anti-corruption & compliance, along with bankruptcy & restructuring). Appointed counsel in December 2023, Rodrigo Barradas is also dual-qualified (Mexico/New York) and has considerable experience in complex litigation. Since publication, senior associate Carlos López Córdova has been promoted to counsel – effective as of January 2025.