Garrigues integrates Mexican firm Sánchez Devanny

The merger of the two firms, which are a good fit in terms of areas of activity and geographic presence, will bring about the creation of one of Mexico’s largest law firms, with around 160 professionals (including partners) and offices in Mexico City, Monterrey and Querétaro. The transaction will also carry major synergies arising from combining Garrigues’ international strength with Sánchez Devanny's weighty knowledge and experience in the Mexican market. Sánchez Devanny's general partners will become Garrigues partners.

After the integration, Mexico will be the firm's second largest market (behind Spain), at a time when the country has sizable capital inflows and outflows with the U.S. and Europe. The transaction will also enable it to strengthen its leading position in Latin America, where it is present in Chile, Colombia and Peru, alongside Mexico.

The integration, scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, is subject to a confirmatory due diligence process, signature of the final contractual agreements and the approval of the relevant bodies of both firms.

"At Garrigues it gives us a great deal of satisfaction to be able to welcome Sánchez Devanny, its partners and professionals into our organization. In addition to being a good fit, the two firms also share the same goals for the Mexican market and the same approach to practicing business law, rooted in service excellence, ethical commitment and an innovative mindset. The clients of the two firms will be the main beneficiaries because, besides continuing to receive the same service, they will also have access to more practice areas and more robust teams. I am sure we will do great things together. I want to take this opportunity to welcome every Sánchez Devanny professional to Garrigues", announced Fernando Vives, Garrigues’ executive chairman.

Rafael Villamar, managing partner of Sánchez Devanny, added that "we are pleased to be able to form part of Garrigues and to bring all our knowledge and experience. This integration is a very important step; the combination of our two firms places us in a leading and trusted position in the Mexican market and the possibility of offering our clients a single platform to handle all their Latin American matters, now with our offices in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile."