Mexico’s Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa Bolsters Office in Madrid With Uría Menéndez Hire

Mexican law firm Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa has expanded its office in Madrid with the addition of a lawyer from Spanish firm Uría Menéndez Abogados—a move made in an effort to better serve the growing number of Mexicans investing in Spain.

Miguel Bastida, who joins as a partner, brings more than 18 years of experience to an office that has one other partner and seven associates. The Mexican firm reports a “very notable increase” in new clients and work as investment pours into Spain from Mexico.

Plenty of Mexican investors have been seeking to diversify their assets amid perceived hostility toward the private sector since President Andrés Manuel López Obrador came into power in 2018. Chevez opened its Spanish outpost that same year.

Pere Pons, partner in charge of the Chevez office in Madrid, told Law.com International that regardless of political trends, Spain presents opportunities for international investors—both corporate and individual—who share a cultural affinity with the country.

“While geographic diversification of investments is a motivating factor, the Mexican investor has understood that this is a market of interest where their excellent management skills can generate value, while finding both growth and defensive investments,” Pons said.

Bastida, who was counsel at Uría Menéndez, specializes in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and taxation of financing structures. He has also been involved in advising foreign investors in the planning and execution of investment projects in Spain, as well as on outbound investment projects.

Chevez highlighted a need to reinforce its M&A and tax litigation capabilities in Spain as motivating factors for the hire of Bastida, who the firm noted also has ample experience in real estate.

Uría Menéndez declined to comment on Bastida’s departure.