Santos Elizondo S.C.

Number of partners: 16
Number of associates: 35
Languages: Spanish, English, French

Firm Overview:
Santos-Elizondo, S.C. was founded in 1965 and is considered the most respected and leading Monterrey firm with a strong bench of experienced practitioners who participate in legal matters throughout Mexico. The level of expertise in the various practice areas is supported by partners and associates who have degrees from the most prestigious universities in México, with postgraduate studies in universities such as Harvard, Georgetown, New York University, University of California–Berkeley, the University of Illinois and the Universite du Paris-Sorbonne. Many partners and associates have been foreign associates in well recognised international firms such as Davis Polk & Wardwell, Cleary Gottlieb, Paul Hastings, Milbank Tweed, Skadden Arps and Orrick. All of the current partners of Santos Elizondo have worked together for over 20 years providing stability and strong ties that result in team oriented work, identity and loyal domestic and international clients.

Main Areas Of Practice:

General Business Law:
The firm advises domestic and international clients in all aspects of business in Mexico, from the selection of corporate structures, incorporation process, regulatory permits, shareholders agreements and joint ventures to the day-to-day legal advice that may be required.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Joint Ventures:
The firm brings sophisticated and innovative advice and client service to domestic and cross border transactions, equity and asset acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and other transactions. Santos Elizondo M&A team is complemented with practitioners in other areas providing full scope and strategic advice to clients.

Banking, Finance & Securities:
The firm’s banking and securities lawyers represent major domestic and international financial institutions, insurance and surety companies, retirement fund administrators, rating agencies and multiple purpose financial companies (Sofoms). They also represent borrowers and trustees on lending transactions and acquisition finance ranging from simple secured and unsecured credit agreements, syndicated loans, equity and bond offerings.

Foreign Investment:
The State of Nuevo León is one of the states in Mexico with the most foreign investment. The firm represents major international companies including car manufacturers and tier 1 & 2 suppliers in all dealings regarding the establishment of subsidiaries, the acquisition of land, regulatory compliance and together with labour and immigration practitioners, the hiring of local employees and immigration of foreign workers into Mexico.

Civil, Commercial, Family & Criminal Litigation:
The firm represents individuals and entities, whether as plaintiffs or defendants in all types of civil, family, commercial, criminal, labour and constitutional litigation. They also assist and advise foreign clients in enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Mexico, act as expert witnesses in international litigation and as mediators and arbitrators in domestic and cross border disputes.

Insolvency & Restructurings:
The firm is recognised for representing clients in need of financial restructuring and insolvency proceedings, regularly acting as lender and debtor counsel and in the acquisitions of distressed assets. The firm also provides legal advice to individuals acting as administrators in insolvency proceedings.

Real Estate:
The firm represents a wide range of clients in complex and dynamic transactions including the sale, purchase, financing and development of hospitality, commercial, industrial and housing projects across Mexico.

Tax Planning & Litigation:
The firm actively counsels foreign and domestic clients on the structuring of a wide array of transactions, including corporate sales and acquisitions, business and individual succession planning and tax litigation. Lawyers have participated as expert witness before the United States Courts in complex cross border matters.

Estate Planning & Probate:
The experience of litigation and tax lawyers is complemented to assist clients in estate and succession planning considering domestic and international tax implications. The firm represents high-net worth families on how to efficiently transfer their assets and helped clients manage tax consequences, including counselling in the implementation of family agreements in order to ensure an organised and efficient generational transition. The firm has extensive experience creating trusts and are well versed in issues involving trust administration and litigating issues that may arise in estate and trust controversies.

Labour & Immigration:
The firm actively represents clients in the daily management of labour issues that may arise in employment relations. From background checks and the drafting of individual labour contracts to the negotiation of complex collective bargaining agreements, health and safety, stock options and employee benefit issues. The firm also participates in all types of employment litigation with labour practitioners counselling international clients in all matters related to immigration of their employees and their families to ensure compliance with Mexican immigration laws.

Administrative Law & Regulatory Compliance:
The firm has extensive experience in advising foreign and domestic clients in all areas of regulatory compliance, actively working with subsidiaries of foreign companies to ensure compliance in Mexico with foreign regulations, such as FCPA and OFAC related regulations. Lawyers assist clients anticipate and comply with a wide array of regulatory matters and dealing with government regulators. The firm routinely reviews and advises clients on their business ethics policies and implementing procedures to effectively comply with Mexican law and regulations. The firm works closely with clients to identify issues that may represent risks for potential violations.

Antitrust:
The firm represents domestic and foreign clients in their business practices to ensure compliance with antitrust regulations regarding competitive business practices. The firm also evaluates and provide advice in the filing of merger and acquisition notices for approval.

Energy:
The firm has experience in energy related projects, including securing the required permits, negotiation for the acquisition, use and exploitation of land for energy related uses as well as representing companies and individuals involved in major, biogas, solar and wind energy generation projects and also provide counsel and representation in public bidding processes.