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Alfonso Cortez Fernandez

Alfonso Cortez-Fernández

Partner
Baker & McKenzie Abogados, S.C.

Biography

Alfonso Cortez is a member of the Litigation and Government Enforcement Steering Committee for North America and Chair of that practice at the five Mexican offices. He has over 25 years of experience. Also he is highly regarded in a wide range of litigation and arbitration matters. He has been a professor in the law department of the Universidad Cervantina, and is a member of the international law fraternity Phi Delta Phi. He has been first vice president of the National Association of Corporate Lawyers (ANADE-NL), was coordinator of the Constitutional Rights Commission of the Mexican Bar Association, Nuevo Leon Section (BMA – NL), as well as counselor in the steering committee of the BMA – NL.

Practice Focus

Alfonso specializes in domestic and international litigation and arbitration proceedings. He has experience in administrative litigation, particularly in relation to energy matters, in public tenders. He also handles litigation in the areas of insolvency, civil, commercial, real estate and constitutional law, and frequently advises on alternative means of dispute resolution.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Represented clients in amparo suits claiming the unconstitutionality of various national laws and procedures arising therefrom, such as expropriation laws, laws regulating pawnshops, the general health law, general tobacco control law, and resolutions issued by regulatory bodies in energy matters, etc.
  • Represented clients in insolvency, bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings.
  • Represented clients in commercial and civil litigation proceedings regarding the enforcement of credit agreements, shareholders' rights, trusts, mortgages, pledges, insurance and guarantees.
  • Advised and represented clients in complex international and domestic commercial arbitration and litigation for the enforcement in Mexico of judgments or arbitral awards rendered abroad.
  • Represented clients in all kinds of administrative litigation, in connection with permits, concessions, administrative contracts, and in connection with business closures, fines or sanctions imposed by administrative authorities.
  • Advised several multinational companies on collective actions in Mexico.

Professional Honors

  • Highly recommended for Litigation practice in Monterrey, Mexico by Chambers & Partners Latin America from 2016 to 2024
  • Recognized as one of the best lawyers in commercial litigation in Monterrey, Mexico by "Best Lawyers" from 2020 through 2024

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • ANADE- NL National Association of Corporate Lawyers
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Bar Association Nuevo Leon Section (BMA – NL) 2016-2018
  • American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico
  • International Chamber of Commerce

Admissions

  • Mexico (1997)

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center (Legal English) (2012)
  • Instituto de la Judicatura Federal, México (Constitutional Actions) (1999)
  • University of Monterrey (Honors) (1996)
  • Capital University (International Business) (1995)
  • Carlos III University (European Union Law) (1994)

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Co-author, "Law of Patrimonial Liability of the State and Municipalities of Nuevo Leon," 2013.  
  • Co-author, "Global Restructuring & Insolvency Guide-Americas," 2014.
  • Author, "Mexico's Anti-Money Laundering Regulations."