Lauded as ‘experts in dispute resolution and asset recovery in insolvency scenarios’, the ’well-oiled machine’ that is bankruptcy and dispute resolution-focused boutique Guerra, Hidalgo y Mendoza (GHM) is a strong choice for the gamut of restructuring and insolvency mandates. The team is frequently called upon by creditors and debtors alike and draws on extensive experience handling voluntary, involuntary and pre-packaged insolvency proceedings, debt restructurings and fund recovery mandates. Leadership is shared between ‘benchmark in the industry’ Jesús Ángel Guerra Méndez, ’excellent lawyer’ Elías Mendoza Murguía and Patricio Hidalgo Estrada, who is praised for his ‘remarkable communication skills before judicial authorities’. All three maintain practices focused squarely on insolvency and associated commercial, administrative and constitutional litigation. Following the July 2024 departure of former senior Patricia Cervantes, the key names to note at associate level are ’well-rounded lawyer’ Adrián Villamil; ‘expert associates’ Sandra Trejo and Anayely Galindo; and Regina Tinoco Ariza González (civil, administrative and commercial litigation, arbitration and restructuring).
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Guerra, Hidalgo & Mendoza team is a well-oiled machine. Their collaborative approach to the matters entrusted to them is impressive. Their expertise in bankruptcy matters is extraordinary; it's hard to find another firm with the promptness and collaborative approach offered by GHM.'

  • ‘Jesús Guerra, Patricio Hidalgo and Regina Tinoco Ariza González - their unique approach lies in their meticulous and extremely detailed study of the matters assigned to them. Mr. Guerra has an astonishing composure; Mr. Hidalgo has remarkable communication skills before judicial authorities; Ms. Tinoco possesses remarkable skills in drafting judicial arguments and grievances. Together they achieve results that are difficult for other firms in their field to match.'

  • ‘The team has a distinguished track record in resolving complex commercial litigation and restructuring processes, including representing large companies in high-impact bankruptcy proceedings. Experts in dispute resolution and asset recovery in insolvency scenarios.'

  • ‘The firm's greatest asset is its team of attorneys, who combine elite legal expertise, strategic thinking, and experience in high-profile litigation. Each attorney has specialised training in commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and restructuring, ensuring expert handling of each case. They are highly effective negotiators and litigators, capable of designing aggressive yet intelligent strategies to defend their clients' interests.'

  • ‘Jesús Guerra is a benchmark in the industry. His ability to understand his clients' situations from a legal and business perspective places him at a level comparable to the rest of the industry. Adrián Villamil consistently demonstrates that he is a well-rounded lawyer in the matters he handles.'

  • ‘The Guerra, Hidalgo & Mendoza team has a strong and well-established bankruptcy and restructuring practice. Its attorneys possess extensive experience, judgment, and skills. GHM is one of the best in Mexico in the bankruptcy and restructuring area. GHM is a young and talented team that serves its clients' needs appropriately and successfully.'

  • ‘Jesús Guerra, Elías Mendoza, and Patricio Hidalgo are excellent lawyers, skilled both as litigation attorneys and as experts in corporate restructuring. They understand when it's necessary to defend their clients' interests through litigation and when it's more beneficial for them to pursue a collaborative process between the parties, something that not many lawyers are able to distinguish.

  • 'Sandra Trejo and Anayely Galindo are expert associates in the field, with great judgment and experience. I recommend Sandra Trejo as a rising star; despite her youth, she is excellent.'

  • 'This team is highly technical and, while fully capable of taking a very firm stance, what sets them apart is their preference for negotiation over confrontation. This approach yields better and faster results for their clients. Furthermore, they have a good balance in terms of gender and diversity, and the constant collaboration between the partners is very apparent.'

  • 'The lawyers in the team are creative and pragmatic.'

Key clients

  • Murry Tawil and Isaac Tawil (private investors)
  • Grupo Vasconia
  • Crediquincena
  • Fintech Investments
  • Oro Negro
  • Northgate Capital
  • Wachovia Bank
  • SATIC – Sandstorm Gold Royalties
  • Prodinal

Work highlights

Represented Integradora de Servicios Petroleros Oro Negro in their over $2.2bn restructuring, which involves multijurisdictional proceedings and several issues of first impression in Mexico.
Represented Fintech Investments’ $150m claims in the $350m restructuring of Tangerine Pomelo Group.
Represented Grupo Vasconia in its $200m pre-pack restructuring.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Jesús Ángel Guerra Mendez
Patricio Hidalgo Estrada
Elias Mendoza

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Sandra Trejo

Practice head

Jesús Ángel Guerra Méndez; Elías Mendoza Murguía; Patricio Hidalgo Estrada

Other key lawyers

Regina Tinoco Ariza González; Adrián Villamil; Sandra Trejo; Anayely Galindo