Mexico: Real Estate And Construction
Commercial real estate – particularly in the industrial sector – has grown dramatically in Mexico in recent years according to the lawyers we consulted, with several large high rise builds currently under construction in the country’s major cities. Further to this, the real estate sector was recognised as a key contributor to the year-on-year growth of the national services industry by Mexico’s Census and Geography Agency in its most recent report on economic activity. The following 28 professionals are the leading providers of legal counsel to clients in this rapidly expanding marketplace.
Creel García-Cuéllar Aiza y Enríquez SC is the most prolific firm in this chapter, fielding four lawyers – including two name partners. Carlos Aiza is a “legendary figure” in the field, having been involved in the country’s first ever mortgage-backed securitisation and the first cross-border construction loan securitisation with a full wrap among numerous other “trail-blazing” matters. “Corporate expert” Carlos Creel Carrera is a former managing partner at the firm and has acted in several high-profile transactions in Mexico, including representing Grupo Intermex in the sale of its industrial assets to GE Real Estate Mexico. Carlos de Icaza regularly acts for real estate investment companies involved in the tourism, retail and housing sectors, and is recognised in particular for his “world-class” environmental law expertise. Jorge Torres B acts for domestic and international clients in high-profile property transactions in the industrial, retail, residential and hospitality industries.
Three lawyers rank highly from Mijares Angoitia Cortés y Fuentes SC. Lorenza K Langarica O’Hea is a “leading light” in complex corporate transactions and structured financings and regularly represents clients such as Citibank, EMI, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs in complex cross border and domestic M&A matters. The “great” Fernando Orrantia Dworak regularly advises foreign and domestic clients - including sellers, purchasers and institutional investors - in real estate transactions in Mexico and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Manuel Echave Pintado represented O&A Real Estate Development Partners and Desarrollos Península Maya in their strategic alliance with Península Maya Group, as well as Empresas Chocolates La Corona in its sale to Grupo Bimbo, and sources described him as “exceptional”.
Santamarina y Steta SC fields two “impressive” practitioners. Vincente Grau A is recognised for his work in M&A, project finance and infrastructure development transactions, as well as his “first-rate” competition law expertise. José G Pozas de la Vega is a corporate transactions and commercial contracts specialist whose real estate practice is “outstanding” according to peers.
Daniel Del Río has been a partner at Basham Ringe y Correa SC for over 20 years and has developed a “superb” corporate transactional real estate practice, encompassing foreign investment, competition, securities and insurance expertise. Joining him is Juan Carlos Velazquez De Leon who is “very well thought of” for his work in real estate transactions, particularly in the manufacturing an energy fields.
González Calvillo SC benefits from the inclusion of Jorge Cervantes Trejo, whose work in transactions, financings and investment projects in the real estate sector draws on his “excellent” regulatory and foreign investment acumen. At the same firm, Gonzalo Vargas Ateca is praised for his work in real estate matters with a particular focus on the energy and hospitality industries.
At Nader Hayaux y Goebel, name partner Michell Nader Schekaiban is noted for his “groundbreaking” work in financial structuring in the real estate sector as well as his involvement in the development of Mexico’s PPS model of public-private partnerships in project development and financings. The “great” Vanessa Franyutti Johnstone is a well-recognised name in financing and investment matters in retail, industrial, hospitality and residential real estate.
Ritch Mueller SC is similarly well represented. Managing partner and leader of the firm’s real estate team Rodrigo Conesa Labastida came highly recommended for his work with lenders and developers in real estate transactions and project financings, counting Kimco Realty Corporation and Walton Street Capital among his clients. Jean Paul Farah Chajin’s broad-based corporate transactional practice allows him to bring “top flight” capital markets, private equity, infrastructure financing and restructuring experience to the table in real estate matters, having recently acted Citibank and Grupo Desc.
Goodrich Riquelme y Asociados fields “highly respected” senior partner Agustín Urdapilleta, whose corporate real estate work is particularly well recognised in the hospitality, resorts and leisure sector. Joining him is David Enríquez, who was described by peers as a “go-to-guy” for work related to maritime infrastructure.
Baker & McKenzie’s Reynaldo Vizcarra-Mendez’s practice focuses on corporate transactions and infrastructure projects in the real estate and tourism sectors, having handled several public work matters involving federal agencies.
The “superbly talented” Jorge de la Garza represents White & Case LLP where he focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions, construction contracts and property leasing.
Manuel Romano has recently been part of the Jones Day teams acting for PolyOne and Lennox in major transactions, and peers recognise his “exceptional” corporate acumen.
Haynes and Boone LLP fields Luis Moreno Trevino, who is noted for his broad public and private sector expertise and leads the real estate and hospitality practice of the firm’s Mexico City office.
At Thompson & Knight LLP, Miguel de Erice is an infrastructure finance and development expert who regularly acts for clients in the energy, communications and technology sectors as well as the federal government.
Barrera Siqueiros y Torres Landa SC's named partner Juan Francisco Torres-Landa is noted for his work in project financing and acquisition matters, drawing on his “highly sophisticated” knowledge of foreign investment, alternative dispute resolution, environmental and antitrust law.
Roberto Hernandez specialises in construction law with a particularly strong emphasis on public procurement and PPS matters on behalf of such clients as Petróleos Mexicanos, Pemex, Banco de México and numerous federal government agencies, and
he represents COMAD SC in this chapter.
Galicia Abogados SC sees José Visoso earn a prominent listing for his real estate and project finance work, having acted in many major gas and electricity related projects in Mexico.
Rafael Villamar-Ramos represents Sánchez DeVanny Esseverri SC, where he brings extensive environmental and natural resources law knowledge to the table in his work in real estate, energy and hospitality matters.