Mexico: Natural Resources
The Mexican energy sector is developing rapidly, with Pemex recently launching a new private contracting regime for mature oil fields. The past year has also seen increased activity in the waste disposal, water treatment and renewable energy sectors. We identify 20 lawyers at the forefront of this exciting market.
López Velarde Heftye y Soria is one of the top energy law firms in Mexico and is the only firm to see three of its practitioners listed in this chapter. Rogelio López Velarde is chairman of the International Practice Group of the Institute of Energy and was described to researchers as “the leader of the pack”. Amanda Valdez has co-authored several publications on power, natural gas and LNG and is recognised for her “insightful and informed counsel”. Jorge Jiménez is a “talented and diligent attorney”.
Two lawyers from Barrera Siqueiros y Torres Landa SC earn inclusion in this chapter. Carlos Ramos Miranda is “an excellent lawyer who understands the needs of his clients” and Juan Francisco Torres Landa “consistently produces work of the highest quality”.
At Santamarina y Steta SC, two lawyers are recognised for their outstanding energy law practices. The “superb” Juan Carlos Machorro C is admired by colleagues for his broad knowledge and experience in the energy sector and Vicente Grau A has “a brilliant understanding of energy law issues”.
Thompson & Knight Abogados has a strong natural resources team and earns two inclusions in this chapter. Gabriel Ruiz Rocha represents national and multinational companies before governmental and regulatory bodies and was commended in our research as “a first-class lawyer”. The “highly respected” Miguel de Erice has acted as an adviser to the Mexican Federal Government in energy matters and is “very well known”.
Rodrigo Sánchez-Mejorada, a partner at Sánchez-Mejorada Velasco y Ribé SC, is “a prominent figure in the energy law sector, with superior legal knowledge”.
David Enríquez, of Goodrich Riquelme y Asociados, is head of the maritime and offshore energy practice group and brings “a wealth of experience and skill to the Mexican energy bar”.
Haynes and Boone SC’s Antonio Franck is “excellent” and has participated in the structuring and financing of electric energy projects such as Samalayuca and Mérida III.
At Berezowsky & Cervantes SC, co-founding partner Manuel Cervantes garnered votes for his “great insight on Pemex matters” and is admired for his “ability to assist with all the critical aspects of a startup”.
Head of the energy practice group at Cervantes Sainz SC, Francisco Valdés López has acted on a wide range of privatisation projects, both for governmental and private entities. He was commended to researchers as a “leader in the Mexican energy sector” and “a definite inclusion”.
Santiago Sepúlveda Y, a partner at Creel García-Cuéllar Aiza y Enríquez SC, is a “very experienced practitioner” whose client list includes Sempra Energy and Mitsui & Co.
Nicolás Borda Barrero, of energy boutique Borda y Quintana, is “a leading energy lawyer” and is respected for his highly specialised practice.
Federico Kunz is the founder and managing partner of Kunz Abogados. His “exceptional” natural resources practice benefits from his experience in the mining and environmental law sectors, allowing him to “appreciate and understand all aspects of a complex matter”.
Horacio de Uriarte Flores is listed from Mijares Angoitia Cortés y Fuentes SC. He is “well known” for his work advising the consortium formed by Transcanada Pipelines Ltd, Intergen and Gutsa Construcciones on the development, construction and operation of the 700km Mayakan natural gas pipeline.
Juan Pizarro-Suárez V L is listed from Pizarro-Suárez Abogados and is “a respected and skilled attorney”.
Jáuregui y Navarrete SC’s founding and managing partner Miguel Jáuregui Rojas is praised for his “invaluable business acumen” and “high-quality client service”.