Busy transactional boutique Robles Miaja is an expert handler of cross-border, big-ticket M&A and capital markets deals. It has a loyal client base that includes some of Mexico’s leading companies, guiding them on novel and innovative work. Along with its corporate and debt panache, the firm helms a popular banking and finance department. Transactional expertise is complemented by telecom expertise.
A recent boom in initial public offerings (IPOs) has kept Robles Miaja’s transactional departments busy. It was counsel to Latin American telecoms group América Móvil in the $1 billion spin-off of its tower communications business, while it helped Mexican tequila producer Bocle issue $800 million worth of notes. The firm was also instructed for the $520 million shareholder takeover of Mexico’s largest dairy group Grupo Lala. Meanwhile, some clients called on to mop up some of the fallout from the covid-19 pandemic when reorganising their businesses. The firm represented Aeromexico on its Chapter 11 restructuring, while it previously assisted clients caught up in the repercussions of Mexico City’s cancelled airport project.
Firm founder Rafael Robles Miaja is reputed for his nuanced and careful understanding of client needs and counts a close relationship with some of Mexico’s most prominent family-owned entities, both on day-to-day work as well as complex transactions. Robles has guided clients on high-value work involving large banks and corporations and while his experience may draw many important clients to the firm, he has surrounded himself with a team of bright lawyers that share his passion for high-quality legal services. María Luisa Petricioli Castellón and Gerardo Pérez-Chow Martínez both sit alongside Robles on the management committee.
Robles Miaja regularly advises five of Latin America’s 100 largest companies, according to research on "Who represents Latin America’s biggest companies?" published by the Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA), which is affiliated to Latin Lawyer. América Móvil features on that list along with Grupo Aeroméxico and Grupo Lala too. Banks, both local and international, account for an impressive chunk of the firm’s client list and the firm often works with BBVA Bancomer.
The firm favours organic growth, though lead partners say that they are happy with the firm’s current mid-sized proportions at present. Robles Miaja has a lock-step model and believes in a more even partnership system that benefits the firm more as a whole, than recognising individual talents.
The firm has some partners based in New York, which helps the firm with cross-border transactions and enhances relationships with foreign lenders.