Mariana has extensive experience in the oil and gas sectors (throughout the entire value chain), electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, public procurement, and project financing, actively participating in multiple transactions from corporate, regulatory, and antitrust perspectives.

She has advised on the corporate structuring of numerous energy sector projects, including mergers and acquisitions, as well as legal audits (due diligence). Mariana has led various matters in the fields of electricity, transportation, and hydrocarbon marketing, in both midstream and downstream transactions.

Her deep knowledge of Mexico’s regulatory framework — particularly regarding import and commercialization permits before the Ministry of Energy — has been key for our clients in the fuel, lubricant, and petrochemical sectors to maintain active operations in the country.

Mariana has been consistently recognized by Chambers & Partners® and The Legal 500® as a leading lawyer in the field of Energy and Natural Resources.

Education:

• Universidad Panamericana, Law Degree (2007)
• Universidad Panamericana, Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M.) (2018)
• Course "Understanding the NAESB Contracts", North American Energy Standards Board (2020)
• Course "Electric Industry Operations and Markets", Duke University (2019)
• Course "Introduction to Geothermal Energy", UNAM (2019)

Languages:

• Spanish (native)
• English (advanced)
• Certified English-Spanish translator

Affiliations and Certifications:

• Recognized since 2015 by The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in Oil & Gas in Mexico
• Certified by the National Center for Energy Control (CENACE) to represent companies in the Wholesale Electricity Market

Professional Experience:

• MCM Abogados
• Partner (2020 – present)
• Senior Associate (2012 – 2019)
• Berezowsky & Cervantes, S.C. – Senior Associate (2011 – 2012)
• López Velarde, Heftye y Soria, S.C. (now Dentons López Velarde) – Associate (2007 – 2011)
• Llaguno, Name y Moreno, S.C. – Associate (2006 – 2007)
• Pérez Falcón, Ochoa y Castillo, S.C. – Intern (2004 – 2005)

Jorge has over 10 years of experience in the energy sector in Mexico. His practice focuses on oil and gas, administrative, environmental, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, construction contracts, biofuels, chemicals, and dispute resolution (including conciliation and international arbitration with the Mexican state), as well as corporate law, including corporate restructuring, compensation schemes (such as phantom stock), liquidations, and incorporation of companies.

He has advised major oil companies, traders, investors, and service providers on some of the most significant energy projects in Mexico, handling both transactional and regulatory matters. His experience includes:

• Project structuring (acquisitions, mergers, creation of SPVs),
• Partner relations (JOAs, Shareholders’ Agreements, SPAs, unitizations),
• Project financing transactions and asset purchase agreements,
• Force majeure and operational emergencies (spills, shutdowns, explosions),
• Legal defense in multimillion-dollar administrative and sanctioning procedures.

Jorge has participated in over 10 farmouts in Mexico and regularly advises on mergers and acquisitions in the energy sector. He has advised on the construction and installation of strategic infrastructure, such as platforms, pipelines, EPC contracts, and drilling projects, as well as on production, transportation, marketing, and export of hydrocarbons, and permits for electricity generation.

He has represented oil companies and investors in all CNH bidding rounds, including exploration and production contracts in onshore fields, shallow and deep waters.

He has been recognized as a "Next Generation Partner" by The Legal 500, and listed in Best Lawyers in its edition for Mexico.

Education:

• Universidad Iberoamericana – Law Degree (JD)
• One semester at Università Bocconi, Milan
• Certified by the National Center for Energy Control (CENACE) to represent companies in the Wholesale Electricity Market

Languages:

• Spanish (native)
• English (advanced)
• Czech (basic)

Practice Areas:

• Regulatory (energy, environmental, maritime, chemicals, etc.)
• Transactional (M&A, energy contracts, construction contracts, shareholder agreements)
• Corporate
• Dispute Resolution

Professional Experience:

• Notary Offices 195 and 18, Mexico City – Intern (2013–2014)
• MCM Abogados
• Intern (2014–2015)
• Associate (2015–2019)
• Senior Associate (2020–2022)
• Partner (2023 – present)

Francisco Valencia serves as a Senior Associate at MCM Abogados. He has 8 years of experience in the energy and natural resources sectors, with a focus on electricity, oil and natural gas, as well as extensive experience in corporate law, administrative law, arbitration, and litigation.

Since 2017, he has advised leading national and international energy companies, as well as the now state-owned company (Federal Electricity Commission), on the understanding, implementation, and operation of business models derived from the 2013 Energy Reform, as well as the recent 2025 Reform.

Francisco has recently assisted in obtaining import permits for hydrocarbons and refined petroleum products regulated by energy sector authorities. He has broad experience advising on day-to-day operations in the midstream and downstream sectors, as well as in the drafting and negotiation of contracts related to various transactions in the electricity sector, including power purchase agreements, supply contracts, and other electricity sale schemes.

Additionally, he has represented clients in the defense of their interests in various administrative, contentious-administrative, and conciliation procedures, as well as in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including before authorities such as PROFECO.

Education:

• Tec de Monterrey – Law Degree (2015)
• Escuela Libre de Derecho – Diploma in Energy Law (2017)

Languages:

• Spanish (native)
• English (advanced)

Professional Experience:

• MCM Abogados – Senior Associate (2020 – present)
• Solórzano, Carvajal, González y Pérez-Correa, S.C. – Junior Associate (2017 – 2020)
• PricewaterhouseCoopers, S.C. – Associate (2016 – 2017)

Benito joined MCM Abogados in February 2020 as an intern, and since 2022 has been part of the team as a Junior Associate.

His experience has focused on the sectors of oil and gas, energy, and natural resources, as well as on public procurement, regulation concerning industrial safety, navigation, and maritime commerce, administrative law, corporate law, dispute resolution, and consumer protection within the energy sector.

He has actively participated in the analysis and development of legal strategies for some of the major oil companies, investors, oil marketers, and service providers in Mexico, within high-profile energy projects.

His experience includes legal advice on exploration and extraction projects (offshore and onshore) in aspects such as:

• Joint ventures (for example, joint operating agreements – JOAs),
• Import and export permits for petroleum products, chemicals, and derivatives,
• Management before naval and port authorities to facilitate operations of operators and providers,
• Activities related to production, transportation, marketing, and export of hydrocarbons,
• Procurement of strategic infrastructure (platforms, FPSOs, pipelines, etc.),
• Administrative sanctioning procedures, inspections, and regulatory compliance,
• Environmental, maritime, and port matters,
• Procedures for electricity generation permits,
• Matters related to force majeure or catastrophic events,
• Interaction with government entities and contractors.

Benito is fluent in both Spanish and English, enabling him to advise on projects of both local and international nature.

Ma. Fernanda Arteaga Espino
Graduate of the Law Degree from the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE), whose prior experience before joining MCM Abogados was focused on the areas of industrial property, corporate law, and energy regulation.

She currently serves as a Junior Associate at MCM Abogados, where she has participated in corporate matters of companies in the energy sector, and has developed her practice in regulatory issues related to hydrocarbons and electricity, including analysis of regulatory frameworks, permits, and regulatory compliance.

She is proficient in legal practice in both Spanish and English, which allows her to support multi-jurisdictional transactions and advisory work.

Evelin studied Law at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). Additionally, she completed the international program 11th Law School Global League Summer School at King’s College London, focused on law, technology, and sustainability.

Before joining the firm, she worked at the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN). She has experience facilitating alternative dispute resolution methods, as well as knowledge in transparency, access to information, and national security.

Santiago Ibarra Berumen is a Law student at Universidad del Valle de México, where he has developed a solid legal education. He has two years of experience in the legal field, specializing in Intellectual Property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, as well as emerging issues in Fintech and Artificial Intelligence.

Before joining MCM Abogados, he collaborated in preparing administrative requests, complaint and amparo filings, as well as trademark registration management. Previously, he gained experience in civil, commercial, and family litigation at a law firm in Mexico City, and in corporate and commercial law in Mérida, Yucatán.

His career is distinguished by a proactive approach, analytical capacity, and a high ethical commitment, qualities he consistently applies in every professional legal project.