Sánchez Devanny

The firm: Sánchez Devanny is a leading Mexican law firm that provides full-service legal advice both to Mexican and international clients. With distinct practice areas that regularly collaborate with one another, the firm provides comprehensive counsel to help its clients make better decisions for their businesses as a whole, especially in the energy, automotive, retail, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries. The partners offer a wealth of experience, including in prior roles as in-house counsels at global companies and government agencies, and key roles within international law firms.

Main areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: Advice on mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructuring, liquidations, transfers, spin-offs, legal and compliance audits, privatisations and joint ventures; advice on agreements and corporate actions; advice to local and foreign investors on their investment activities in Mexico, including advice to venture capital and private equity funds on both their fund-raising and investment activities.

Corporate and project finance: Advice on vendor and supplier financing, infrastructure projects and project finance, PPP legislation and financing, work outs and debt restructuring transactions, restructure of stock exchange listed bonds, and capital and debt placements.

Financial institutions and services: Advice on regulations regarding financial entities, investment strategies and financial institution relationships, and investment and portfolio due diligence.

International trade and customs: Strategic planning for foreign trade operations, advice on customs matters, advice on export incentive programs or duty relief, internal audits and compliance policies, representation in settlement or compliance correction processes and in customs litigation.

Real estate, infrastructure and hospitality: Advice on real estate acquisitions in Mexico; realty title searches, compliance with regulations and leases including leases built to suit; acquisition of real estate and infrastructure permits and licenses; service agreements; and changes in ownership of small agricultural realty (ejidos).

Tax: Advice on tax optimisation for operations and expansion projects, acquisition and divestiture tax planning, corporate reorganisations, tax treaties, transfer pricing planning and defence, tax planning for intangibles and e-commerce, private letter tax rulings, lobbying, tax audits and tax litigation.

Private wealth management and estate planning: Legal planning for high net-worth individuals, cross-border successions and estates, international and Mexican trusts, worldwide asset allocation, testamentary instruments, and family codes of conduct.

Labour, social security and immigration: Support HR departments with employment agreements, terminations, and fringe benefit planning; representation in labour claims; negotiation and termination of collective bargaining agreements; defence from social security assessments; processing immigration visas; and National Immigration Institute controversy resolution.

Corporate governance and regulatory compliance: Design and implementation of compliance operating models; advice on anti-corruption and money laundering provisions; and compliance with Mexican Official Standards and legal requirements for the manufacture, supply, distribution, commercialisation, importation, and advertisement of products.

Energy, natural resources and environmental: Advice on environmental audits and processes; self generation and renewable energy projects (wind, biogas, etc.); and acquisition, assignment, and recording of mining rights.

Life sciences: Filing of health permits and registrations; lobbying for and advice on legal provisions and Mexican Official Standards; and importation, exportation, transportation, storage, and marketing of pharmaceutical, medical, and food and beverage products.

Intellectual property, entertainment and information technology: Registration, management and protection of patents, trademarks, copyrights, utility models, and designs; IP contracting and litigation; image and reputation protection; and domain name portfolio management.

Data privacy and information technology: Analysis of federal data privacy law and its implications, implementation of internal policies and training, administrative proceedings representation, and advice on e-commerce and IT issues.

Litigation and alternative dispute resolution: Audit and review of documents and protocols to ensure enforceability and reduce risks, mediation and arbitration procedures, and representation in all types of civil and commercial disputes.

Antitrust: Representation of clients before Mexico’s Federal Competition Commission, filing concentration notices and notices of corporate restructure, and advice on both absolute and relative monopolistic practices.

Special groups: Automotive industry practice, energy industry practice, life sciences industry practice, Japanese desk, corporate and family business group, retail and e-commerce practice, Fintech practice.