About

Number of years practice:

39

Principal practice areas:

Corporate Finance; Capital Markets; Banking; M&A

Bar admissions:

New York

Languages spoken:

English

What differentiates your Mexico-facing practice from those of your US competitors and peers?

I was one of the first US lawyers to focus on corporate finance work in Mexico and I believe that my first-mover advantage has led to numerous representations of a wide range of international and domestic underwriter and issuer clients in debt and equity financing transactions, merger and acquisition activities and lending transactions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of advising Mexico-based clients from an office in the United States?

We work closely with a number of banks and other financial institutions who have offices in Mexico, but maintain headquarters here in New York, so that remains a convenient advantage for US-based firms. Additionally, despite the growth in the Mexican legal market, the majority of financings and capital markets issuances are still governed under New York law, so Mexico-based clients still look to US-based counsel, which we see as an advantage to sitting in New York.

What changes in the commercial and/or legal market do you anticipate in the 12 months ahead in Mexico?

Almost any change in the commercial market in Mexico will be tied to the López Obrador administration. Many investors are still a bit leery
in the wake of the cancellation of the airport project and general concerns that the government could unilaterally change contracts is deemed unfavorable. If those concerns are eased, we could see an uptick in investment and in the bond market specifically. The same goes for the IPO market, which should become more active by the end of the 2019 and into 2020. However, if the US sneezes, Mexico catches a cold. Any economic weakness in the US, especially a recession, will have an adverse effect on Mexico.

What influence will legal technology have on US/Mexico working practices in the future?

The legal practice and the markets in which we operate are evolving rapidly. As the legal landscape becomes more competitive in Mexico, international firms need to find ways to streamline processes and costs. Legal technology allows us to deliver legal solutions to our clients in value-driven, creative and innovative ways.

What is your perception of in-house counsel’s priorities in terms of client service when working with US-based law firms?

In-house counsel expect that you know the market – the culture, the business environment, the political landscape – as well as they do.

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