CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow > The Legal 500 Rankings

Mexico > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

The ‘truly unique’ team at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow garners client praise for its ‘deep knowledge of the infrastructure industry’ and is routinely instructed by governmental authorities, developers, sponsors and lenders alike. The group’s capabilities cover the entire lifecycle of projects, including the initial structuring phase, financing, implementation and ongoing project management. Particular areas of expertise include toll road concessions, railroads, hospitals and public transport infrastructure, as illustrated by a recent highlight which saw the group oversee the development of the 18.2 km Chalco-Santa Martha Trolebús project in the State of Mexico. The practice is co-directed by Enrique Lorente Ludlow, who is lauded for his ‘extensive knowledge’ and availability, and specialises in project structuring and financing, as well as the preparation of PPP contracts, procurement, and construction matters. Fellow practice co-head and ‘born leader’ Marcia Santomé Sánchez has considerable experience advising federal and local public entities, developers, construction companies, investors and financial institutions on a range of projects. Additional names to note for project financing and development include Giancarlo Schievenini, Fernando Nava Herrera, and senior associate José Antonio Ruiz P.

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

The energy and natural resources group at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow 'knows the regulatory framework like no one else' and has a notable history in advising government entities on an overhaul of the country’s electricity framework. It is counsel of choice in Mexico for a host of international energy companies and investors in the country’s energy and natural resources sectors, assisting them with both the commercial and regulatory advice required throughout the full life cycle of project development. 'An extraordinary lawyer expert in energy issues', co-leader of the practice and senior partner Derek Woodhouse is one of the most experienced figures in energy matters in Mexico, a dedicated specialist regarding power, infrastructure and PPPs. He coordinates the practice alongside Luis Fernández, who is the main contact for mining matters, as well as leading the transactional side of the energy and infrastructure department. The third of the leadership trio is Giancarlo Schievenini, whose practice focuses on oil and gas, and corporate and transactional matters in the energy and infrastructure segments. Raúl Zepeda is another experienced partner to note, and can draw on two decades' in-house experience in the energy industry; his practice also covers banking and finance matters. Senior associate Gabriel Salinas is especially noted for electricity sector work.

Mexico > Life sciences Tier 3

Stakeholders across the life science space value the 'extensive knowledge in the field' of CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow's practice in this area, which acts in a host of regulatory matters, including audits, lawsuits and day-to-day compliance advice. Mauricio Gomez heads a small team at the firm’s Mexico City office but the department is also a part of the wider CMS global life sciences group, facilitating access to a number of multinational clients with operations in Mexico, particularly in the pharmaceuticals space. Gomez himself is one of the notable young partners when it comes to regulatory law in the pharmaceuticals industry and draws on professional experience at the drug regulatory body COFEPRIS. César Lechuga adds corporate and M&A expertise and has experience in the sector, while tax partner Ángel Escalante is also often involved in multi-faceted matters for life sciences clients. Senior associate Manuel Ferrara provides crucial support as regards constitutional and administrative litigation concerning life sciences' matters.

Mexico > Real estate Tier 3

The real estate group at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow is praised for the ‘professional, up-to-date and personalised’ service it offers. The team is frequently instructed by developers, institutional investors, and lenders seeking support with matters including the purchase, leasing, and sale of land, the structuring of financing, and the administration of real estate portfolios. The practice group is also well-positioned to structuring joint ventures for the development of real estate, draft the necessary documents for obtaining land use rights and rights of way, and conduct related due diligence. The ‘up-to-date’ and ‘outstanding lawyer’ César Armando Lechuga directs the department and majors on the development of real estate projects, transactional mandates, and the drafting, negotiation and implementation of transfer of rights contracts, focusing particularly on the industrial and commercial segments. Infrastructure specialist Enrique Lorente Ludlow is an additional key contact. At associate level, Luis Mora y Medrano garners praise for being ‘decisive and very proactive in negotiations’ and has noted expertise with regards to real estate and energy matters.

Mexico > Banking and finance Tier 4

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow's banking and finance group regularly advises major Mexican banks, on both the lender and borrower sides, on acquisition and leveraged finance and syndicated lending mandates. Real estate finance and project finance are additional core areas of focus for the practice group. The team is jointly led by Raul Zepeda, who specialises in regulatory and transactional corporate, banking and capital markets mandates; and Fernando Nava, who routinely participates in the financing of projects. Acting for both sponsors and lenders, senior associate Alejandro Perera handles credit and finance restructuring matters; while associate Eduardo Saldaña frequently assists banks, broker-dealers, retirement funds, and rating agencies.

Mexico > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow advises clients in the food, tech, energy and financial services segments on corporate transactions. Recent work highlights for the group include advising Danish company Scan Logistics on the acquisition of Belglobe Mexico (a subsidiary of Swiss-based logistics business Belglobe); and providing corporate governance advice to a cohort of renewable energy companies. Giancarlo Schievenini, who is lauded by one client as being ‘always one step ahead, knowledgeable, creative and pragmatic’, specialises in multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions and the provision of corporate advice to energy and infrastructure-sector clients. Additional key figures include Raul Zepeda, who specialises in fintech and banking-related transactions; energy-focused Luis Fernandez Lagunas; and César Lechuga, whose broad practice encompasses corporate, real estate, infrastructure and finance. Senior associate Alejandro Perera specialises in structuring and negotiating corporate loans and structured financing, with particular focus on infrastructure and energy.

Mexico > Tax Tier 5

Ángel Escalante comes with strong client recommendation for his ‘business skills and extensive knowledge of tax matters‘, and heads the practice at CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow, which absorbed his former firm Escalante & Asociados in October 2023. The team retains its inherent boutique-style focus and strength across matters relating to the full range of tax constultancy, strategy, disputes and audits, as well as handling international trade matters. Senior associates Angélica Cacheaux, Manuel Alejandro Ferrara Ibarra and Gabriel Rojas are all regularly involved in teams led by Escalante.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

CMS has a mix of international and local law expertise in relation to Latin America. Having maintained a Rio de Janeiro office for many years, it then linked up with a local Sao Paulo firm to establish FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023. The international firm has further offices in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The multi-office Latin America practice has close links to international commercial lenders and development banks, along with a range of regional borrowers. It has developed a notable record in financings by European lenders to Latin American borrowers. The team has a long history of headline acquisition financings, project finance, restructurings and receivables-based credit agreements. In Chile, Jorge Allende Destuet is the key names, along with Sergio Rodríguez-Azuero and Daniel Rodríguez in Colombia. Diego Peschiera and Miguel Viale are prominent banking practitioners in Peru. Mexico City partner Raul Zepeda has led a series of major financings, including large project financings in the jurisdiction. Ted Rhodes heads the Brazil desk from London. Former Santiago-based partner Fernando De Cárcer left the firm in April 2024.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

CMS deepened its local expertise with the creation of FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in Sao Paulo, adding to its pre-existing presence in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The firm’s international offices outside of the region continue to play an integral role in Latin America, notably with Ted Rhodes leading the Latin America practice and Brazil desk from London; he was previously managing partner of the Rio de Janeiro office for 14 years. The firm has a longstanding record in oil and gas, complemented in more recent years by further activities in the wider energy arena, natural resources, mining and infrastructure. It continues to expand its presence in solar, wind and green hydrogen. Much of the practice involves cross-border deals involving European parties, along with intra-regional transactions. Carlos Hamann is another key partner in Lima, along with Enrique Lorente Ludlow in Mexico City.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

CMS has a broad geographic presence in Latin America with offices in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, along with its association in Brazil, FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS. The firm is frequently involved in significant cross-border deals involving Latin America, including both private equity and strategic M&A transactions. Technology, media and communications continue to be key sectors for the firm, along with automotive, hotels and leisure, consumer goods, insurance, financial services, construction and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences. Ramón Valdivieso and Jorge Allende Destuet are key partners in Chile, and continue to work on headline transactions for major private equity funds such as KKR. Juan Camilo Rodríguez is managing partner of the Bogota office and a specialist in cross-border M&A transactions, having spent much of his career at US and Europe-based firms. Juan Carlos Escudero is managing partner of the Lima office and has over 20 years of experience in M&A, while Giancarlo Schievenini is a key name in Mexico City. Head of the Brazil desk, Ted Rhodes, has returned to London after spending 14 years in the Rio de Janeiro office; he continues to focus on oil and gas, mining and minerals, and offshore and renewables deals.