The ‘creative’ competition and antitrust team at Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. ‘has an exceptional degree of specialisation’ and is counsel of choice for a host of major multinationals operating in Mexico. It takes a considerable share of the merger control cases before COFECE and is also a regular in acting for major clients that are subject to sector investigations; recent mandates include matters in the jet fuel and liquid petroleum gas markets. Department head Carlos Mena is one of the go-to advisors in the market when it comes to competition law litigation and investigations, where he has experience on the other side of the table having been head of the investigative authority and general director of investigations of cartels. He and Jorge Kargl are praised by clients for their ‘experience in the sector, together with the attitude of service and commitment to the client’, and Kargl is especially noted in the TMT space. For one client, Luis Gerardo García ‘makes the difference‘’ and he is the founder of the firm’s practice in this area. Another experienced antitrust and competition specialist is Mauricio Serralde, who acts on the full range of competition of matters; while Sara Gutiérrez is rapidly establishing a strong practice in administrative litigation and antitrust, and was promoted to the partnership in January 2023. Senior associate Edgar Martín Padilla has a practice focused on assisting national and international companies with pre-merger authorisations, cartel investigations and procedures before regulatory entities. Since publication, Padilla has moved to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Brussels office as a foreign associate.
Competition and antitrust in Mexico
Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carlos Mena
Les références
‘Carlos Mena and Jorge Kargl are the main reason why we work with Creel. Their experience in the sector, together with the attitude of service and commitment to the client, makes it a pleasure to work with them.’
‘The Creel team is the most creative team I have worked with. They really know the nuances of the law, take the time to know the client’s business, and offer alternative solutions to issues.’
‘Jorge Kargl is an excellent attorney. He is responsive and offers alternative solutions to legal issues. He really listens to the client’s needs and tries to address those needs with creative problem solving.’
Principaux clients
FEMSA
Heineken
Live Nation
Canadian Pacific Railway
EssilorLuxottica
Gas Metropolitano
Holcim
Apollo Global Management
Grupo Axxo
HP
Principaux dossiers
- Represented World Fuel Services in the COFECE investigation into the jet fuel market.
- Acted for AT&T in the COFECE and IFT investigation into the Mexican portion of its sale of WarnerMedia to Discovery, in regard to jurisdiction over over-the-top streaming platforms.
- Advised HP on the competition law compliance for its $3.3bn acquisition of sole control of Poly.
Galicia Abogados S.C.
Galicia Abogados S.C.’s ‘top-notch’ practice is a key component of its overall offering to major companies undertaking deals at the very top of the corporate market in Mexico. The group includes not only dedicated professionals in the competition and antitrust field but also experts in a variety of the country’s major industries, giving the team a robust offering when it comes to navigating the respective regulatory challenges in different sectors, as well as counsel experienced in dealing with the competition authority. The practice is led by co-managing partner of the firm Christian Lippert, one of the best known experts in this area in Mexico. Fellow practice co-head Carlos Chávez is also a recognised antitrust expert in the market; he advises a number of major companies on day-to-day compliance, and has an especially strong client base in the telecoms sector. The practice also houses one of the market’s next generation partners in Juan Carlos Burgos; in recent years he has regularly come up against the competition authority in some of its most significant sectoral-investigations. Counsel Gerardo Rodríguez supports on complex merger control applications, while senior associate Maite Celorio strengthens the practice group’s regulatory offering.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christian Lippert; Carlos Chávez
Les références
‘The practice is top notch, I have remained a client for several years.’
‘In addition to knowing their area of expertise well, they are very business-oriented and very practical lawyers.’
‘Internal lawyers need to have solid knowledge in economic competition matters, know the profile of the firm’s team, if some of them have public experience in the matter, if they have credibility both with the economic competition agency and in the market itself – that is, whether they’re respected by their competitors – and, finally, who their customers have been and are. Galicia is not comparable to the rest of the law firms because it has a unique profile and its results consistently exceed expectations. Galicia’s main quality is that when faced with complex situations they are flexible and seek and find innovative solutions.’
Principaux clients
Grupo México
Banco Nacional de México
Grupo Sordo Madaleno
Organización Soriana
Vertex Real Estate
ContourGlobal Management
AT&T México
GrandVision
Canadian Solar
Elanco Animal Health
COFRA Holdings (C&A)
Equinox Gold
Smurfit Kappa
SSA Mexico
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
BestDay Travel Group
Softbank
Univisión
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Univision on the transaction agreement in which it will incorporate Televisa’s content and media assets.
- Represented Grupo Lamosa in its acquisition of the Mexican company Fanosa.
- Assisting Organización Soriana with its challenge through amparo proceedings to the resolution issued by COFECE as a result of the purchase of Controladora Comercial Mexicana’s business.
Pérez-Llorca
‘Great team and great leadership’ is the assessment of Pérez-Llorca’s competition and antitrust team by clients familiar with the practice, with group head Cristina Massa being singled out as ‘an extremely professional lawyer… with in-depth knowledge of economic competition’ matters; she can draw on relevant professional experience at both the Mexican antitrust commission and various other public sector posts. Massa primarily acts for major companies and investment funds in Mexico, particularly in the highly regulated sectors of telecoms, energy and financial services. More broadly, she and her team handle merger control procedures, the design and implementation of strategy, and the representation of clients in investigation proceedings before competition agencies. The merger-control side of the wider practice is led by counsel Patricio Martínez Osorio; he assists both domestic and multinational companies particularly as regards pre-merger filings in Mexico. Associate Daniel González Contreras is also an active member of the practice group. Since publication, Massa has left the firm - effective as of April 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Patricio Martinez Osorio
Les références
‘Great team and great leadership. Cristina Massa is definitely one of the most capable antitrust lawyers I have ever met. your team is very professional and dedicated.’
‘Response times, personalized attention and accompaniment in your affairs.’
‘The team’s knowledge of the subject is unmatched, they are up to date on all antitrust issues and know how and when to communicate it to clients. I feel very supported in these delicate issues and confident that I am in the best hands.’
Principaux clients
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Advent International
Aon
Elecnor and Enagás
Gentera
Google México
Lincoln Electric
Nike Mexico
Ontex
Philip Morris México
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Advent subsidiary AI Global Investments (Netherlands) in the concentration notice proceeding before the Mexican antitrust commission.
- Acting for Ontex Group on obtaining antitrust clearance for the sale of its Mexican diapers and hygiene products business to Softys, a competitor which already has a presence in Mexico.
- Advised Gentera on the concentration notice proceeding before COFECE for the acquisition of control and increase of its ownership in ConCrédito.
Greenberg Traurig, S.C.
Clients of Greenberg Traurig, S.C. particularly value the firm's ‘highly specialised’ competition and antitrust team due to its members’ professional experience at the competition commission. The group regularly acts for major players in a variety of industries when COFECE undertakes investigations into their sector of operation, and the department also saw a rise in activity for its pre-merger filing practice during the course of 2022. The practice is co-led by Victor Manuel Frías, an expert in transaction-related competition law matters; and Miguel Flores Bernés (a former Commissioner at what was then the Comisión Federal de Competencia) who is well-versed in government merger reviews, investigations into anti-competitive conduct, litigation and general compliance counsel. At associate level, both Abel Rivera Pedroza and Valery Dayne García Zavala are recommended by clients, while Rocío Olea Salgado has played a key role in handling the aforementioned boom in pre-merger filing mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
Víctor Manuel Frías; Miguel Flores Bernés
Les références
‘Highly specialised team, the vision of its professionals encompasses internal experience in the competition commission, as in other sectors. Strong points the great capacity of analysis. If it compares favorably with other firms. They are very good at collaborating with work teams.’
‘Capacity for analysis from the point of view of having been an authority and experience in the private sector. It differs in that one of its leaders was a very active commissioner in the competition commission. We recommend Miguel Flore Bernés, and associates Abel Rivera Pedroza and Valery Dayne García Zavala.’
Principaux clients
Walton Street Capital
Uber
Becton Dickenson
AICM – Mexico City International Airport
Golfo Transportación
Nadro
Regio Gas
Amexgas
Jebla
Altan Redes
Betterware Mexico
Jafra Cosmetics
Procaps Group
Grupo Gepp
Colegio de Corredores Públicos
HSBC
Sherwin Williams
Grupo Jumex
Syngenta
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Mexico City International Airport (AICM) before the specialised federal courts, following an accusation by the Competition Commission of abuse-of-dominance.
- Acting for Golfo Transportación in the COFECE investigation into possible cartels in the tourism transport industry.
- Representing Nadro in the COFECE investigation into cartel activity in the pharmaceuticals distribution market.
Hogan Lovells
‘One of the strongest specialties of Hogan Lovells’ according to clients, competition and antitrust is an area in which the firm’s Mexico office is frequently engaged in investigations work, as well as handling complex merger control issues, often in relation to major global M&A. In 2022, the team was part of a multi-jurisdictional group of counsel that advised Mondelez International on its $1.3bn acquisition of Ricolino, with coordinated filings in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ukraine; the team secured unconditional approval in Mexico. ‘First-class lawyers’ Ricardo Pons and Omar Guerrero co-lead the practice: Pons focusing on merger control and investigations, while experienced litigator Guerrero is accustomed to handling matters before competition tribunals, federal courts and the Supreme Court. The ‘performance and knowledge’ of counsel Alan Ramírez Casazza is also highlighted by clients, and senior associate Martín Michaus-Fernández is a further name to note. Since publication, Ramírez has been raised to the partnership – effective as of January 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ricardo Pons; Omar Guerrero
Les références
‘It is a team of highly competent lawyers, and who review in detail the necessary points of the operation in question to submit it to a review by the authority. They are always ready to give an update on the issue of the operations we have carried out with them in terms of mergers of our group companies. There is always a response in time and with an attitude of support and support to solve any obstacle that arises to present in a timely manner. All their work under an attitude of professional ethics.’
‘A very complete and very large firm with offices in many parts of the globe! The team has a lot of study capacity, great relationships and a lot of experience.’
‘Omar Guerrero and Ricardo Pons are first-class lawyers. One of the best qualities of Omar Guerrero is that he is not only an extraordinary lawyer, but also an extraordinary human being.’
Principaux clients
Mondelez International
Wal-Mart
Assa Abloy
TC Energy
Paystand
TD Synnex
Industrias Bachoco
Eli Lilly
Wintershall Dea
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Mondelez International on its $1.3bn acquisition of confectionary competitor, Ricolino.
- Advised Paystand on its acquisition of Mexican competitor Yaydoo.
- Advised Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún on an abuse-of-dominance investigation, dismissing third party claims against the airport.
SAI Derecho & Economía S.C
SAI Derecho & Economía S.C receives enthusiastic endorsement from its clients for its ‘excellent service and technical and business knowledge‘ in the field of competition and antitrust. Practitioners have extensive expertise in representation and advice regarding mergers, investigations of potential monopolies, applications to the immunity program, and advice on favourable navigation of the country’s competition regulations. Lucía Ojeda and her ‘deep understanding of clients’ needs‘ come highly recommended by a client base that includes well-known names operating in Mexico’s most strictly regulated sectors. She co-leads the practice with José Ángel Santiago, who has a broad practice in contentious administrative law matters. At senior associate level, Felipe García Cuevas has broad compliance experience, Ernesto Álvarez Castillo assists with major mergers, and Bruno Puerto Salazar specialises in amparo proceedings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lucía Ojeda; José Ángel Santiago
Les références
‘Excellent service and technical and business knowledge. Always available, with extraordinary response times. A multidisciplinary team that perfectly combines the legal deliverable with the business need.’
‘SAI’s greatest strength is its technical competence, which is greater than that of other law firms. They have a better and greater understanding of economic science, which gives them a clear advantage. They have recently begun to delve into data and platform issues, and again show an advantage over other firms that focus on legal or procedural.’
‘SAI is a prestigious law firm that stands out in antitrust practice for integrating not only a legal team but also economists, who have extensive experience in notifying and obtaining merger authorization.’
Principaux clients
Sempra Energy
Nestlé de México
BBVA México
Servicios Electrónicos Globales
Continental Tire de México
Grupo Clisa
Grupo Industrial Saltillo
Xignux Corporativo
Contecon Manzanillo
Radio Cadena Nacional
Principaux dossiers
- Advised E-Global on COFECE’s investigative authorities’ recommendation to divest 51% of its shares, owned by two major Mexican banks, as a result to a barriers to competition investigation in the credit card payment systems.
- Advised Grupo Industrial Saltillo on COFECE’s assessment of the Vitromex and Mohawk International (Daltile) merger.
- Acting for Infraestructura Energética Nova in competition proceedings before the federal courts.
Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC
For antitrust investigations carried out in Mexico, Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC makes for reliable and seasoned counsel. Recent scrutiny by COFECE in the banking and beer making industries have both been sources of work for the practice, which is headed by Fernando Carreño, one of the market’s most renowned lawyers for investigations in this area. He is also an experienced transaction lawyer when it comes to merger and pre-merger filings. The practice was significantly bolstered in January 2023 with the hire of Sergio López as a partner after some seven years at COFECE where he had held a number of senior positions including Director General of Contentious Affairs, Head of the Technical Secretariat and Head of the Investigative Authority. Counsel César Martínez supports on litigation cases, mainly regarding investigations into alleged illegal behaviour; while among a strong crop of associates, experienced seniors Mónica Cabeza de Vaca and Michel Llorens are two names to note. Since publication, Llorens has been raised to counsel - effective as of January 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fernando Carreño
Principaux clients
Anheuser Busch InBev
Blackstone
KKR & Co
Nissan
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Clearlake
Atlantia
Bain Capital
ICA Ingenieros Civiles Asociados
Grupo Infra
Grupo Tomza
Grupo Simsa
Grupo Lala
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Edizione and Blackstone on obtaining a merger clearance in Mexico for their acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Atlantia.
- Advised Celanese on obtaining the merger clearance before COFECE for the acquisition of the M&M Business from Dupont.
- Advising KKR on obtaining merger clearance in Mexico for its acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Contour Global.
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C.
Following the retirement of former practice co-head Pilar Mata in April 2022, the competition law department at Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes S.C. is co-led by Francisco Fuentes and Carlos Orcí. The team is a crucial cog in the firm’s wider offering for heavyweight transactions in Mexico, with the group frequently engaged in some of the biggest M&A and joint ventures that require complex advice on gaining approval from the Mexican competition authority. Clients also benefit from the team’s specialised group of antitrust litigators, assisting with all stages of monopolistic practice procedures and contentious defence. Fuentes is one such litigator, as well as acting on merger analysis and day-to-day compliance. Orcí is an expert in dealing with the antitrust authorities and regulatory bodies in various sectors. Associate Patricio Rivas provides key practice support.
Responsables de la pratique:
Francisco Fuentes; Carlos Orcí
Principaux clients
Perrigo Company
Willis Tower Watson
Gondi
SoftBank
Credit Suisse
IEnova
Worldline
SuKarne
ICG
American Industrial Partners
Aligned Data Centers International
Grupo Televisa
Actis
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the equity holders of Grupo Gondi on obtaining authorisation from COFECE for the sale to WestRock Company of a joint equity interest equivalent to 67.7% of its capital.
- Represented Worldline in proceedings before COFECE to obtain clearance for the sale of its POS terminals and a related software business to Apollo Global Management, and the later reinvestment by Worldline in said business.
- Advised Perrigo, a Dublin-based healthcare company, on a merger control procedure before COFECE to carry out the divestiture of its pharma business in Mexico and Brazil and transfer it to Advent International.
Valdés Abascal Abogados, S.C.
‘Experts in economic competition’, boutique firm Valdés Abascal Abogados, S.C. is specialised in the sector and reliable counsel across the gamut of matters, from merger-control filings, to investigations and competition law litigation proceedings. The firm has over 25 years' market experience and has accrued deep experience counselling companies in leading and dominant positions in their respective industries. Rafael Valdés is one of the best regarded lawyers in the competition and antitrust scenario in Mexico; he co-leads the group with Fabiola Quezada, who draws on 18 years' experience in-house at a major pharmaceutical company to assist with competition and antitrust, corporate law, data privacy, and compliance and anticorruption matters; and Enrique de la Peña, a January 2023 partner appointment and key merger control advisor at the firm. Former senior associate Agustín Aguilar departed in November 2022 but the firm hired associate Artemio Espinosa to the team in December 2022.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rafael Valdés Abascal; Fabiola Quezada; Enrique de la Peña
Les références
‘Very well rounded team with full understanding of the competition and antitrust laws and their porcedures. Also, the team developed a deep knowledge about the details of my case. As a result, the team was able to fine thread a powerful argument through the accusation’s cracks.’
‘Personal involvement of the main partner, Rafael Valdes. He has always been available for phone calls, with clear explanations about the situation. His arguments are assertive and profound.’
‘It is a solid team, with a highly professional practice, accumulated experience and knowledge that allows them to rest easy when listening to their opinions to make decisions.’
Principaux clients
Elektrisola
Afore XXI Banorte
Apollo Global Management
Grupo Herdez
Ford
Marzam
Grupo Kuo
PepsiCo
Traxión
Trayecto
Principaux dossiers
- Advised both Elektrisola and Rea Magnet Wire, on the acquisition of Rea Magnet Wire by Elektrisola.
- Acted for both Grupo Transportes Monterrey and Transportes Larmex on the merger control procedure before the Mexican competition authority, for the merger of these two entities forming, Trayecto.
- Advised the Apollo funds on the merger control procedure for its acquisition of Tenneco.
White & Case S.C.
As the Mexican market saw an increase in M&A activity, White & Case S.C.’s competition and antitrust department has been particularly active in unconditional merger-clearances and related transactional issues, notably in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The practice is also adept at assisting its clients with investigations by the competition authority and with antitrust lawsuits. The team is led by Henri Capin Gally, who has a lengthy track-record and has participated in some of Mexico’s most significant transactions and complex competition investigations. The November 2022 promotion of Román González Melo to the partnership means the firm fields three partners for this practice, with Fernando García Gómez the contact to note for constitutional and administrative disputes. At associate level, Germán Macías and Diego Mendoza provide support across the full range of matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Henri Capin Gally
Les références
‘Henri Capín Román González Melo: full knowledge of the subject; extensive experience in the sector; good relations with authorities and full availability.’
Principaux clients
Facebook Mexico
Konfío
Macquarie Asset Management
Pimco Investment Management
Grupo Financiero Banorte (Banorte)
Grupo Viva Aerobús
Sempra Energy
Kansas City Southern de México
Quinto Andar
Braskem Idesa
Codere México
Te Creemos
ALD Automotive (Société Générale)
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Grupo Viva Aerobús and its operating subsidiary, Aeroenlaces Nacionales (Viva), before COFECE to obtain authorisation to close a commercial alliance agreement and joint venture with Allegiant Air.
- Acted for Sempra Energy in proceedings before COFECE regarding its sale of a 10 per cent stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
- Advised Macquarie Asset Management and its consortium partners British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and MEAG, on securing antitrust clearance in Mexico for their circa €2.5bn acquisition of Reden Solar.
Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C.
Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C. operates a multi-jurisdictional merger control practice for its clients with operations in Mexico, and is also part of the firm’s global offering regarding cartels and as compliance counsel. Practice head and managing partner of the firm’s Mexico offices, Raymundo Enriquez is well-versed in merger control, cartel investigations, antitrust compliance and competition litigation. He is supported by Luis Amado, who is particularly strong on investigations related to potential monopolies; and associate Alina de la Luz, formerly at COFECE for over seven years, and who has particular expertise in abuse-of-market-dominance cases and the analysis of competition conditions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Raymundo Enriquez
Les références
‘The team was professional, giving timely follow-up to all the points that corresponded to us.’
‘They always took the necessary time to accompany me both in the doubts and in the review of documents and later the electronic signature within the COFECE portal.’
Principaux clients
Sika
Nielsen Holdings
Platinum Equity Group
Sumitomo
Casio
Air Liquide
Hubbell
Transat AT
Valero
Knauf /USG
Best Buy
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting Sika with a merger control process before the Mexican Competition Commission regarding its business combination with MBCC Group.
- Acting for Nielsen on a merger control filing regarding the intended acquisition of Nielsen by a private equity consortium led by Evergreen Coast Capital.
- Advised Platinum Equity and Ingram Micro on Platinum’s acquisition -through Imola- of all issued and outstanding shares of GLC Investment Management.
Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.
Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. has a strong track record in high-profile and complex antitrust investigations, and is also a regular presence in the market’s merger control landscape. Cartel matters are a particular forte, including investigations and leniency applications, and infrastructure antitrust issues related to public bidding procedures is another niche strength. Department head Amílcar Peredo has broad experience in representing national and international clients on all areas of competition and antitrust, and is well known as a reference in the market. Associate León Jiménez provides primary support across the full range of sector matters; however, counsel Fernanda Garza departed in March 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Amílcar Peredo
Principaux clients
IQVIA
Tiffany & Co
Volkswagen
Sanderson Farms
WESCO International
BASF
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Gerdau
Tate & Lyle
SAAM
Aristocrat Leisure
Grupo Financiero Inbursa
Stellantis
Saint-Gobain Group
Meritor
Mohawk Industries
British Columbia Investment Management
Coca-Cola
Tetrapak
Mattel de México
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting Mohawk with obtaining COFECE’s approval for the acquisition of Manufacturas Vitromex, a company owned by Grupo Industrial Saltillo.
- Advising Meritor on the concentration notification procedure relating to its acquisition by Cummins.
- Assisted Saint-Gobain with pre-merger notification procedure to acquire IMPAC.
Jones Day
Jones Day’s competition and antitrust department is characterised by the high volume of merger control filings it handles in the country, as part of the firm's multi-jurisdictional antitrust work on high-profile transactions. The practice also represents major companies in a variety of sectors on investigations by COFECE concerning cartels, abuse of dominance and collusion agreements. All matters are all led by department head and of counsel, Gabriel Altamirano, who has some two decades' antitrust experience in Mexico handling both domestic and cross-border merger matters and investigations work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gabriel Altamirano
Principaux clients
Avient Corporation
Marubeni America
Sanofi
Ainda Energia
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Avient on the merger control process for the sale of its distribution business to an affiliate of HIG Capital.
- Advised Marubeni America on the merger control process regarding the sale of its unit of the Gavilon grain business to Viterra for approximately $2.1bn.
- Advised Sanofi on the sale of 12 over-the-counter and prescription brands in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to Hypera Pharma.
Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C.
Ritch, Mueller y Nicolau, S.C. was boosted by the return to its competition practice of senior associate Marta Loubet in January 2023, nine months after she had left to join White & Case S.C.. Her broad experience and sector focus on energy, transport, financial services, consumer goods and TMT, rejuvenate a practice that has steadily grown its merger control offering recently, particularly in the fintech sector which the Mexican authority has identified as a target for additional scrutiny. Transactional lawyers Octavio Olivo Villa and counsel James Ritch co-lead the department; moreover, in addition to Loubet’s return, the team has seen the arrival of further additions in associates Montserrat Quintana (who joined from an in-house position in June 2022), and Julia Fuentes (a November 2022 arrival from Pérez-Llorca in Spain).
Responsables de la pratique:
Octavio Olivo Villa; James Ritch
Les références
‘The responsiveness of this Ritch Muller team is excellent in terms of quality and timing. As an in-house lawyer, one feels very solidly advised, in addition to the fact that the team listens and understands the particular needs of the matter.’
‘The work is excellent no matter which team member you deal with; It is noticeable that there is a good leadership focused on giving the best possible service.’
‘They are very professional. They are highly competitive.’
Principaux clients
Ainda Energía & Infraestructura
Thor Urbana
Walton Street Capital
LIV Capital
Wind Point Partners
Steel Dynamics
Sanfer Pharma
Acon Investments
Medistik
Billpocket
Universidad Utel
Interceramic
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Ainda Energía & Infraestructura in the obtaining of COFECE authorisations for two different acquisitions; one, the acquisition of a stake in Neology Mexico (which is active in the market of electronic toll road payments); and secondy, the acquisition of a participation in a contract for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons under the shared production modality in the “Hokchi” area.
- Advised Acon Investments on its investment in Corporación Actinver.
- Advised Billpocket on its acquisition by Kushki, a payment technology platform.
Santamarina y Steta
As one of the oldest full-service firms in the Mexican market, Santamarina y Steta has a longstanding practice in competition and antitrust, and assists a disparate range of clients with both contentious and advisory matters in the area. It regularly handles merger control and pre-merger filings, and is also well-equipped for investigations work, including those addressing cartels and monopolistic practices. Practice head Vicente Grau is an experienced transactional lawyer in various sectors and therefor familiar with navigating companies’ interactions with COFECE, as well as sector specific regulators. Senior associate Ivan Szymanski assists across the full range of competition matters. Since publication, Szymanski has left the firm to open the new competition department at Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda – effective as of December 2023
Responsables de la pratique:
Vicente Grau
Les références
‘Santamarina is a prestigious legal services firm with expert partners in various practices that complement the competition and antitrust practice.’
‘I have worked with various firms on antitrust matters and I cannot find a differentiation that puts the current partners of Santamarina at the most prominent level (in this practice).’
‘An in-house lawyer needs to know that the firm has the knowledge and experience in the field of consultation. In relation to the collaboration, it is of a high level and with adequate organization and understanding in the attention of the affairs of my company in charge of the lawyers of the firm.’
Principaux clients
Ganfeng Lithium
USG Holdings
Bartlett Grain
Grupo Industrial Saltillo
Cameron International
General Motors Company
GM Financial de México
Marriott International
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr
Nixon Peabody
Teacher Stern
Veolia Environnment
Abbott Laboratories
Kimek Cosmocel
Glen Raven
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Ganfeng with obtaining the pre-merger clearance of its acquisition of full control over Bacanora Lithium.
- Advised Kushki Holdings on securing pre-merger authorisation from the Federal Economic Competition Commission, for the acquisition of Mexican fintech Billpocket.
- Acting for Grupo Industrial Saltillo on the pre-merger filing for its acquisition of Vitromex.
DLA Piper Mexico
Competition and antitrust has been a focus of growth for DLA Piper Mexico in recent years and the team now handles a share of COFECE’s sector investigations, as well as being a valuable asset for the firm’s corporate and M&A practice. Illustrative of that link, corporate partner Jorge Benejam co-heads the department; he is especially familiar with the technical and regulatory aspects of the life-sciences, telecoms and technology sectors, as well as analysing potential antitrust issues for M&A transactions. His partner in leading the team is Antonio Cárdenas, a litigator with increasing involvement in antitrust and competition matters. At the associate level, Ana Marietta Rivero is also involved in a contentious capacity, while Regina Esparza, hired from Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. in September 2022, is an antitrust advisory specialist.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jorge Benejam; Antonio Cárdenas
Principaux clients
ViaSat
Spica Telecom
Coeur Mining
Gap
Crédito Real
Vorwerk & Co
Grupo Alsea
Taboola Mexico
Nielsen Ibope Mexico
Electrocomponents
MKS Instruments
Sanofi Aventis de México
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Coeur on the merger control procedure related to its sale of all the issued and outstanding shares of Proyectos Mineros La Preciosa.
- Advised Gap on the direct acquisition by Grupo Axo of all of Old Navy’s assets and operations in Mexico.
- Advised Jafra Cosmetics on its acquisition by the Nasdaq-listed company Betterware de México.
Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC
Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC’s offering for competition and antitrust is appreciated for its ‘great command of the subject’ by a client base it has added to significantly in recent years; the practice group now acts for major banks and some of the market-leading multinationals operating in Mexico. A recent example of the department’s development saw the team acting for Bank of America before COFECE regarding a cartel investigation into the governmental securities market. Practice head Alejandro Mendiola led this matter (and does so on the majority of instructions), while of counsel Gabriel González Aragón is well-versed in merger control but focuses on investigations.
Les références
‘All the lawyers, senior and associates, have a great command of the subject. They are always willing to propose strategies and adjustments to them for the benefit of their clients. The team has lawyers specialized in other complementary branches that are sometimes necessary for the success of the matters entrusted to them.’
‘The lawyers have great practical experience and academic solvency.’
‘Knowledge and monitoring of the issues.’
Principaux clients
Bank of America
Ad hoc group of Aeroméxico Noteholders
Indorama
IBM Mexico
Principaux dossiers
- Representing Bank of America before COFECE in a cartel investigation into the governmental securities market.
- Advising the ad hoc group of Aeroméxico’s noteholders on a merger control case relating to its Chapter 11 filing.
- Advising Indorama on purchasing Oxiteno, a US company which also has international operations, in order to increase its market share in Mexico.
Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C.
Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. is valued by clients for its ‘excellent attention to detail’ regarding antitrust advice, where it assesses the potential impact of corporate developments and M&A; the practice group also has capability in investigations. Department head David Hurtado leads on all matters for clients that include multinationals and market-leading domestic corporations. Associate Julia García De Acevedo focuses her practice on competition law and international trade.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Hurtado
Les références
‘It is a firm that has helped me on issues of economic competition as well as foreign trade. Compared to other law firms, Jáuregui and del Valle resolve any situation with excellent attention to detail and become essential business partners for the company.’
‘I would say that their main strength is attention combined with the resolution of complicated situations. They always answer and resolve.’
Principaux clients
Corporate Properties of the Americas (“CPA”)
Grupo ADO
Latamel Distributors
Herman Miller México
Signify México
Colgate Palmolive
Saint-Gobain México
American Standard Brands
Desarrollos Altabrisa
Online Latin American Payment Mexico (PayU)
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted ADO with an antitrust training program for directors, employees and managers.
- Advising Signify on the review of competition aspects related to distribution contracts with clients and distributors.
- Acting for Saint Gobain on antitrust matters regarding the distribution, sales, joint venture agreements, and occasional M&A.