International law firms set their sights on Mexico

Large international law firms are setting their sights on Mexico, as the country’s growing economy precipitates both inbound and outbound investment streams. DLA Piper is the latest large firm to launch in the region after acquiring the 14-lawyer Mexico City office of Texas-based law firm Thompson & Knight last week. "We want to be where our clients are doing business, and they are doing business in Mexico," said Terry O'Malley, DLA Piper's U.S. co-chairman. A few US and international law firms have had a long-term presence in Mexico, like Baker & McKenzie, which has been in the country since 1961 and now has about 180 lawyers and staff there. Baker & McKenzie’s Latin America chairman, Raymundo Enriquez, says that he has observed the economy’s growth from one that attracted foreign investment to one where Mexican investors are sending money out to emerging markets in Latin America. US employment law firm Littler Mendelson launched Mexico City and Monterrey in December, and international law firm Greenberg Traurig opened a Mexico City office earlier last year. Jones Day launched in Mexico City in 2009 via a merger with local law firm De Ovando & Martinez del Campo SC.

International law firms set their sights on Mexico online.wsj.com Fri, Feb 24, 2012