Mayer Brown announced today that Francisco Mendez has joined the firm as a partner in its Global Energy practice. Previously, he spent nearly 20 years at ExxonMobil Corporation as in-house counsel for Latin America, where he most recently advised the company on the opening of the oil and gas industry in Mexico to the private sector. Mr. Mendez will be based in the Houston office of Mayer Brown.
With the joining of Mr. Mendez, the firm takes another step towards consolidating its position as a market leader in connection with Mexico’s energy reform. In addition, subject to Mexican legal and regulatory requirements, Mayer Brown intends to open a representative office in Mexico City that, if approved, would focus on serving clients operating and investing in the oil, gas and power industries in Mexico.
“For the first time in 75 years, Mexico’s oil and gas sector is open to private investment. Francisco will bolster Mayer Brown’s ability to advise oil and gas and energy services companies from around the world who are seeking guidance on how to invest in this new market,” said Houston partner Dallas Parker, leader of Mayer Brown’s Mexico Energy Reform initiative. “In addition, if we are successful in securing regulatory approval to open a new office in Mexico City, we will look to Francisco to play a key role in our continued focus on Mexico as part of our established team of international energy lawyers who are knowledge leaders in Mexico oil, gas and power matters.”
While at ExxonMobil, Mr. Mendez provided counsel on significant upstream and downstream projects in Latin America. He has deep experience in the negotiation and drafting of oil and gas contracts. Most recently, Mr. Mendez advised ExxonMobil on the opening of the Mexican oil and gas sector. He was also involved in the formation of the Mexican Hydrocarbons Association, the first such industry association in Mexico. In addition to Mexico, Mr. Mendez has experience in handling oil, gas and power matters in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Guyana.
“Mayer Brown’s global presence and strong experience in handling significant oil, gas and power matters provide an impressive platform for me to advise companies looking to invest in Mexico, one of the world’s leading resource countries for oil and gas,” said Mr. Mendez. “I look forward to working with colleagues across various practices and jurisdictions.”
Neil Wasserstrom, partner-in-charge of the Houston office, said, “The opening of the energy industry in Mexico presents significant synergies between Mexico and Houston, the global hub for the oil and gas business. Francisco’s arrival accelerates the continued growth of Mayer Brown’s Global Energy practice and is a testament to our efforts to expand the firm’s capabilities to better serve clients on oil, gas and power matters in Mexico.”
Mr. Mendez is licensed to practice law in Mexico and graduated from Panamerican University’s School of Law (Universidad Panamericana) in Mexico City.
Source: www.mayerbrown.com
