About

Number of years practice: 14
Law school attended: Hofstra University School of Law
Languages spoken: English and Spanish (native)
Principal practice areas: Energy Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Project Finance
Admissions: New York

What have been three of your career highlights in Mexico to date?

• Assisting Grupo R’s expansion into deep sea exploration and drilling for Pemex – something I consider vital for Mexico’s long term energy future.

• My current representation of a large Chinese solar developer in the new and growing renewables sector.

• Assisting the clients as they try to arrange
and form new joint venture structures
with Pemex and the CFE. It is the area I
consider to be most challenging for any
lawyer working in Mexico due to the
multitude of issues, risks and motivations
to keep in mind based on the very different parties involved.

What differentiates your practice from that of other private practice lawyers?

My practice spans all of the Americas and as such
I am able to draw from my experience in Peru or Brazil or New York, as well as Mexico, when presented with issues of first impression in Mexico. For example, many of the lessons learned and financial technology developed in Chilean renewables assist in facilitating, structuring and executing renewables financings
in Mexico. Similarly, experience in Brazil has allowed us to address lender requests for tighter structures
as commodities prices continue to slump.
This provides a deep well of knowledge and
precedent to draw from when confronted
with new issues.

Why has Mexico been a particularly strong focus for you?

Mexico has consistently and historically led the way for Latin America generally. CFE and Pemex initiatives for decades have served as models for PPA and service contracts elsewhere in Latin America and allowed more nascent Latin American economies to use those advances to develop their own public and private initiatives. Mexico’s comparative stability versus the rest of Latin America has allowed it to lead the way. One cannot consider themselves as having a Latin American practice without a strong presence in Mexico.

What are your predictions for change in the US-Mexico relationship?

Although the political climate of late has brought with it significant uncertainty, my view is that there are synergies to be found between Mexico and the USA when it comes to our respective natural gas strategies as well as integration of renewables within our electrical grids. Times of uncertainty such as these allow the more nimble and flexible sponsors to rise to the occasion and we should see those entities rise above the pack. Are there any aspects of the Mexican legal market that you would like to see change?

The anticipation of significant increased investments due to the implementation of the long awaited energy reforms caused many firms to expand and in some cases open offices in the Federal District over the last few years. This has allowed for more choice but also requires clients to be more selective than ever. As increased levels of investment failed to manifest, we expect to see these practices become smaller and more localized.

Is there a key economic factor or trend you regard as likely to impact the Mexican legal sector over the next 18 months?

Currency and US/Mexican regulatory risk will become larger parts of deal structuring and diligence. Clients are already focusing on these risk factors with much greater depth and sensitivity.

Are there any sectors you regard as likely growth areas for the Mexican market over the next five years?

I expect the focus will remain in expanding the gas distribution network within Mexico and developing the renewables power base of the country. The exploitation and expansion of deep sea oil fields is strategically important for Pemex over the long term but I do not expect it to become part of the Pemex capex mix unless oil prices increase significantly.