Santamarina y Steta has forged a formidable reputation in the Monterrey market, housing capabilities in banking and finance, corporate, capital markets, labour and employment, dispute resolution, real estate, antitrust, insurance and projects, among other sectors. Although a portion of the team’s recent workload has stemmed from assisting new arrivals with the consolidation of their operations in Mexico, the group also handles major M&A transactions, both independently and in conjunction with the firm’s Mexico City and Querétaro offices. Recent matters of note have included assisting Grupo Industrial Saltillo with the sale of its ceramic tile business to US company Mohawk Industries; and representing Ironcast in a strike process filed by the National Mining Union. Office managing partner César Cruz focuses on corporate, M&A, banking and finance, and data protection mandates; his transactional expertise includes international and domestic joint ventures, share and asset deals, corporate restructuring and financings. Firm managing partner Juan Carlos de la Vega is also stationed at the Monterrey office and brings extensive experience in individual and collective labour matters to the table. Additional partners of note include Heriberto Garza, whose broad practice takes in environmental, corporate, real estate and wealth management; Carlos Brehm, who handles civil and commercial litigation, commercial arbitration and restructuring; employment litigation specialist Francisco Udave; and Guillermo Moreno, who majors on corporate law, M&A, government procurement and project finance. Of counsel Jorge Barrero has significant experience in M&A, joint ventures, securities, antitrust and estate planning. Associates Ana Paula Ibarra and Daniela Flores specialise in corporate matters, M&A and joint ventures. Corporate partner Carlos Argüelles left the firm in August 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Reacciones Químicas
  • Grupo Industrial Saltillo
  • Kimek Cosmocel and affiliates
  • Moffitt and affiliates
  • Proveedora de Seguridad Industrial del Golfo
  • Ironcast de México
  • Caterpillar
  • Absormex CMPC Tissue
  • Graftech

Work highlights

  • Assisted synthetic resin manufacturer Reacciones Químicas with the acquisition of Barnices y Resinas.
  • Acted as lead counsel for the shareholders of Cosmocel regarding the sale of their interest in Cosmocel.
  • Advised Moffitt on the incorporation of its Mexican joint venture, Moffittmex Ventilación.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

César Cruz

Other key lawyers

Juan Carlos de la Vega, Heriberto Garza, Carlos Brehm, Francisco Udave, Guillermo Moreno, Jorge Barrero, Ana Paula Ibarra, Daniela Flores