Our Practice
As Mexico emerges as a key player within the global economy, an increasing number of United States companies are establishing and expanding operations in this growing marketplace. At the same time, a significant number of enterprises within Mexico are broadening their international business reach. At Snell & Wilmer, we are committed to serving our clients’ regional and international business needs. To this end, we established operations in Los Cabos, Mexico in mid-2008. This market expansion is in line with our growth strategy and is one we planned over several years by carefully analyzing opportunities in Mexico, developing in-house international law capabilities, and establishing collaborative ties to Mexico-based law firms.
Our Mexico practice offers a full range of transactional and regulatory legal services to those national and international businesses with interests throughout Baja and northern Mexico. The climate and beaches across this region have turned it into an increasingly popular destination and a focus of international economic development activity, especially from United States-based companies and investors. Our areas of practice include: business and finance, franchising and licensing, export controls and economic sanctions, cross-border investment, commercial litigation, product liability litigation, federal tax, state and local tax, immigration, labor and employment, antitrust and trade regulations, environmental, dispute resolution, health care services, real estate and development, gaming services, intellectual property, and technology.
Our Attorneys
Companies looking to establish a foothold in the Mexico market, as well as those wishing to expand their presence internationally, experience a comparative advantage when employing the services of a locally positioned, yet global-minded legal team. The Snell & Wilmer Mexico practice team has the international experience, resources, and insight to support Mexico-related initiatives and international business matters. We have both Mexico and United States licensed attorneys who are bilingual and bicultural, and who possess strong relationships with Mexico’s government officials and business leaders. Our clients also benefit from the relationships we maintain through our firm’s membership in Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms.
Our Clients
Snell & Wilmer has represented financial institutions, private equity firms, franchise operations, importers, exporters, distributors, multi-national corporations, trade associations, energy companies, engineering firms, government entities, insurance companies, real estate developers, gaming entities, manufacturers, and technology companies. Furthermore, Snell & Wilmer attorneys are abreast of not only industry, but also market changes, which enable us to better serve our clients’ interests.
Our Experience
Over the years, attorneys in our Mexico Practice have represented a wide range of companies and individuals in their cross border initiatives. Below is a listing of some of our most recent transactions:
Real Estate
- $100 Million gated master-planned golf community in Sonora, Mexico
- $500 Million transaction for development of 12,000 unit master-planned development
- $50 Million partnership development of 2,000 acre development
- $50 Million hotel negotiated purchase by U. S. developer
- Master-planned community and resort development in Baja California
- Fractional real estate ownership program in Cabo, Mexico
- Subdivision development and fractional real estate ownership program in Sonora, Mexico
- Hotel and master-planned community in Mexico
- Real estate guaranty trust for multiple properties on behalf of Mexico developer
- Numerous $5 Million plus Mexico development transaction on behalf of U.S. lenders
- Numerous buyers of real estate and development land throughout Mexico Lenders financing real estate in Mexico through real estate guaranty trusts
Business & Finance
- Representation of a Mexican financial group in the tender offer and acquisition of a publicly held U.S. financial institution
- Representation of U.S. companies in debt recovery efforts in Mexico and Canada
- Negotiated joint ventures in Mexico between the U.S. and Mexican companies
- Representation of U.S. investors in joint venture and investment in Mexico Tier One suppliers to the automotive industry
Commercial Finance
- Representation of developers and construction companies regarding all aspects of real estate projects in Mexico's coasts
- Representation of U.S. financial institutions in connection with real estate secured cross-border loans in Mexico
- Advised a publicly held mining company on all matters related to the negotiation, due diligence, corporate incorporation and acquisition of mining claims in Mexico
- Represented one of the largest loan servicers of commercial mortgage loans in the U.S. in connection with regulatory issues concerning the servicing of securitized loans secured by real property in Mexico
- Assisted a U.S. publicly held company in the acquisition of a U.S. manufacture company with Mexican subsidiaries and a Maquiladora plant in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
- Assisted in the cross-border corporate restructuring of a U.S. based corporation with multiple subsidiaries in Mexico and other tax and general business law related issues
Franchising
- Draft of master franchise agreements, development agreements and disclosure documents for franchise development rights in Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Australia
Labor & Employment
- Advised clients regarding key labor laws in Mexico and Canada
- Representation of U.S. and Mexican companies regarding application of U.S. labor/employment laws to cross-border operations
Manufacturing
- Establishment of shelter operations, maquiladora operations and Pitex programs for U.S. aerospace companies, automobile manufacturers, heavy equipment manufacturers and food industry
- Assisted a major US food producer with negotiations with the Mexican government in the resolution of sugar import issues
- Assisted a U.S. aerospace company in establishing manufacturing operations in Mexico
- Assisted various U.S. manufacturers in obtaining favorable economic development incentives to expand operations to Mexico
