Simon Christian, Global Research Director

Cecilia Díaz de Rivera, Senior Associate, Galicia Abogados

Cecilia joined Galicia in 2007 as law clerk. In 2010 she became an associate in the Banking & Financing and M&A practice areas, and later in the Wealth Management practice area, to which she is now fully dedicated. She has lately focused her professional practice on the corporare and family estate practice, specifically on the corporate aspects of control, estate planning and family business structures. Cecilia works close to individuals, families, family offices and trustees ins the design, implementation and management of control, estate and succession structures. She studied law at Universidad Iberoamericana, A.C., México (2010) and has a master’s degree in Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia Law School, New York (2012). Recently, The Legal 500 has named her “Rising Star” in the Wealth Management practice.

Fabiola Jiménez, Senior Associate, Galicia Abogados

Fabiola joined Galicia in 2007 as an intern in the Mergers & Acquisitions area. Since 2009 she continued her development as an associate in the M&A practice and joined the Wealth Management area. She has focused her work in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions transactions, including, financing, corporate reestructures and specifically on the corporate aspects of control, estate planning and family business structures. Fabiola works closely with individuals, familes, family offices and trutees in order to design, implement and operate control, estate planning and succession structures. She studied law at Universidad Panamericana (2008) where she graduated with honors, a degree in Mercantile Institutions at the same University (2009), a degree in Fundamentals in Maritime Trade and Transport at Lloyds Maritime Academy of London (2012), a degree in International Maritime Law at Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (Madrid, Spain, 2013), and a degree in Challenges and Dynamics of the Family Business at Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa (IPADE Business School) (2022). Fabiola is recognized as a recommended associate in The Legal 500 2023 Latin American Guide in the Wealth Management practice.

Christian Lippert, Partner, Galicia Abogados

Christian is an authority in the Mexican legal market with over 20 years of experience in strategic mergers and acquisitions, antitrust matters and private wealth management. Acting as a trusted advisor to his clients, he combines unrivalled market insight and an innovative analysis of the transaction at hand, prioritizing the client’s best interest. He represents clients in complex merger proceedings, particularly in regulated sectors and industries as well as cartel investigations and abuse of market power. Christian is an enthusiastic reader and believes in the importance of childhood education in Mexico. He collaborates closely with civil society organizations dedicated to improving educational quality, acting as their Pro Bono legal counsel and, occasionally, holding leadership positions. Christian was a foreign attorney at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York. He graduated with honors from Universidad Anáhuac, and he is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Philosophy. Due to Christian´s experience, market knowledge and representation of clients in some of Mexico´s most important sectors, renowned international publications, such as Chambers Latin American Guide and Chambers Global Guide, recognize him as an expert and leader in Mexico for the Competition and Corporate/M&A practices. In addition, he is honored in The Legal 500 Latin American Guide´s “Hall of Fame” in the Competition practice and as an expert in the Corporate/M&A and Wealth Management practices. Leaders League recognizes him as an expert in the Competition and Merger Control practices. Latin Lawyer lists him as an expert in the Mexican legal market. Additionally, Christian is a co-leader of the team recognized as “Elite” by Global Competition Review (GCR100). He is a Co-Managing Partner of the Firm and member of the Executive and Compensation Committees.

Gabriela Pellón, Partner, Galicia Abogados

Gabriela is a firm believer in the responsibility of a job well done and using a keen tax strategy for business. She likes to start her client conversations stating, “If we take into account that the tax authority is your 30% shareholder, with a preferential dividend, we better start by addressing how we are going to meet the expectations of this shareholder as efficiently as possible.” She is a partner and co-leads the Tax and Wealth Management practices at Galicia. Clients are drawn to her unique ability for solving intricate tax issues in transactions, mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions, restructurings and capital reductions as well as in the applicability of international treaties, tax audits and legal defense. Her international interests have driven her to advise not only Mexican companies but numerous foreign companies as well. Gabriela’s people skills and empathy are a great asset to private clients, whom she advises on tax compliance and investments abroad. She has developed a great capacity for structuring businesses efficiently, balancing strict adherence of the law to the client’s benefit and satisfaction. She is well known for developing long-term and personal relationships with clients, who usually seek her involvement at the corporate level first and subsequently retain her services as a trusted personal and asset advisor, often becoming counsel to the family. She is one of the driving forces behind Galicia’s cross-practice Wealth Management group. Before joining the Firm, Gabriela was partner of a boutique law firm specialized in tax law. Her academic interests motivated her to publish numerous articles and studies on tax issues. She holds an MBA from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, in partnership with University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Universidad Iberoamericana. Gabriela is recognized as an expert and leading lawyer by renowned international publications, such as Chambers Latin American Guide, Chambers Global Guide, The Legal 500 Latin American Guide, The International Tax Review (ITR World Tax) and Leaders League, in the practice of Tax: Non-Contentious, also known as Tax Consulting. She is also considered a pioneer and leader in the Wealth Management practice by Chambers High Net Worth Guide and The Legal 500 Latin American Guide. Latin Lawyer recognizes her as an expert lawyer on tax matters in Mexico.