About

Number of years practice: 21 Law school attended: Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (LLB), New York University School of Law Languages spoken: English and Spanish Principal practice areas: Cross-border Finance, Project Development Admissions: Mexico, New York

As a binational, bicultural, dual-qualified lawyer with many years professional practice in both Mexico and New York, Alexandro Padrés has built a New York-based practice fundamentally predicated on cross-border work with Mexico. Practicing in the two jurisdictions most relevant to the development of infrastructure in Mexico has, he says, allowed him to experience both legal systems from the practical perspective and to immerse himself in two different legal and commercial paradigms. The experience has seen him advise on some of the most important transactions in the Mexican market. Early in his career, while based in Mexico, Padrés helped the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) to structure its independent-power-producer program and to launch the bidding processes which opened the sector up to private investment for the first time. In a later transaction he advised a syndicate of lenders in the financing of the design, development, construction and operation of Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport, a key piece of infrastructure that was delivered at a time when Mexico was beginning to focus on infrastructure and economic growth. Padrés is a board member of The New York City Anti-Violence Project, a non-profit organization focused on eliminating violence toward the LGBT community in New York. What are your predictions for change in the US-Mexico relationship? There will certainly be a profound reassessment of the relationship between the two countries and also the benefits each affords the other; without doubt, a period of strain will arise as the United States develops policy and Mexico evaluates [these developments]; Mexico will seek to diversify itself as a result. The new administration has indicated that it will reevaluate the North American Free Trade Agreement and this will certainly have ripple effects on trade, even before negotiations begin. Trade in the automotive, maquiladora and aerospace industries will be impacted. Are there any aspects of the Mexican legal market that you would like to see change? I think there are always concerns regarding rule of law and the authority of the courts – I would like to see greater resources dedicated to strengthening the courts and the administration of the same, to foster the trust that is key to the rule of law. Are there any sectors you regard as likely growth areas for the Mexica market over the next five years? Oil and gas, power, automotive and aerospace.