Editorial: Arbitration in Mexico
Commercial arbitration is a well established method of dispute resolution in Mexico, and several leading experts stood out in the research for their proficiency, whether they are acting as counsel or as neutral.
Claus von Wobeser of Von Wobeser y Sierra SC is the “best known practitioner in Mexico”. Fêted both as arbitrator and as counsel, he is a “must for inclusion”. A former president of the Mexican Bar Association, his work at the ICC Court of Arbitration in particular is “first class”.
Jose Maria Abascal of Abascal & Asociados also performed extremely well. Described as “one of the pre-eminent authorities in the country”, he received large numbers of votes from our sources in and out of Mexico.
Eduardo Siqueiros of Barrera Siqueiros y Torres Landa SC is regarded as “excellent”. He is a recognised authority on commercial and investor-state arbitration, and has participated in proceedings before the ICC, ICDR, CAM and CANACO, as well as claims under chapter XI of NAFTA. His colleague Luis Omar Guerrero Rodríguez is also well known, both for his practice in this area and for his teaching – his track record includes tenures as a law professor at the Universidad Panamericana, the Universidad Iberoamericana, the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de Mexico and Centro de Arbitraje de Mexico for the VIII Seminar on Commercial Arbitration.
Carlos Loperena R of Loperena Lerch y Martín del Campo is a “major player in this field”. President of the Mexican Bar Association, he has a high profile both domestically and overseas.
Luis Enrique Graham is the head of Chadbourne & Parke’s dispute resolution practice in the Mexico City office, and an “acknowledged authority in this field”. He has experience of domestic and international arbitration before the ICC, ICDR, London Court of International Arbitration, NAFTA/ICSID and other tribunals.
Alejandro Ogarrio of Ogarrio Daguerre SC is another former president of the Mexican Bar Association to make this list, and he is also “one of the finest arbitrators in the country”. He was also an alternate representative of Mexico before UNCITRAL, and is among the most highly regarded individuals in our research.
Rodrigo Zamora Etcharren of Bufete Zamora Pierce is “rapidly building a fantastic reputation”, and was picked out by many of our sources.
At Miranda & Estavillo SC, founding partner Fernando Estavillo is known for his time as member for Mexico of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC and as member of the Latin American Users’ Council of the LCIA.
Emilio Gonzalez de Castilla Jr of González de Castilla Abogados SC is an “established authority”, renowned across all types of dispute resolution.
Thomas Heather at White & Case SC is a “man of many talents”, and his selection as arbitrator by the ICC Court of International Arbitration as well as his work as arbitrator in the largest case brought under NAFTA, affecting the trucking industry, earns him an appearance in this chapter.
At González de Cossío Abogados, Francisco González de Cossío is renowned for his arbitration practice, his teaching and his writing in this sector. He is “tremendous”, both as counsel and as arbitrator in construction, energy, maritime and intellectual property disputes.
Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle LLP can offer clients the benefit of Gabriela Alvarez-Avila’s “unrivalled experience”, gleaned from her time as a counsel with ICSID in Washington, DC, where she participated in bilateral investment claims, and proceedings related to NAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, national investment laws and international contracts.
Enrique González Calvillo is founding partner of González Calvillo SC, and a “very experienced and effective practitioner”. He has acted as arbitrator and advised clients in proceedings under the ICC, National Chamber of Commerce and the Arbitration Center of Mexico rules, and has been a member of the NAFTA 2022 Advisory Committee on Private Commercial Disputes since 2000.
At Santamarina y Steta, Fernando del Castillo E received high levels of praise for his disputes work across the board, and Herfried Wöss of Wöss & Partners SC is internationally recognised for his ICC work among other cases.