Luis Armendáriz Prieto
Partner

Resume
Luis represents clients doing business in Mexico and Latin America in various industries. He advises foreign and domestic companies and high-net worth individuals to establish presence locally by means of new investment vehicles or through strategic alliances. His advice is often sought after not only for the legal aspects of business strategy, but also for government and community relations.

Furthermore, Luis uses his experience abroad to help clients who look to expand their business internationally. He acts as external international counsel for Mexican companies and high net worth individuals investing abroad, mainly in the United States.

Areas of expertise
 Domestic and cross-border business law issues;
 M&A, joint ventures and commercial agreements;
 Mining and energy projects;
 Surface rights, easements and rights of way for infrastructure;
 Private equity, venture capital and entrepreneurship;
 Franchise law and related agreements;
 Real estate developments and financing;
 Secured lending and regulatory compliance; and
 Business consulting in the United States.

Academic background
 Northwestern University School of LawMaster of Laws Degree (LL.M.).
 Kellogg School of ManagementCertificate in Business Administration.
 Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). Mexican Law Degree.

Recent representative engagements:
 Representation of a US private equity fund in the USD$10 million acquisition of a packaging business in Mexicali, Baja California, and ongoing corporate legal advice.
 Ongoing representation as external general counsel for the business operations, transactions and infrastructure development for a refined oil products group with more than 1,000 employees in both the U.S. and Mexico, managing corporate affairs, contracts, financing, real estate, permitting and regulation compliance;
 Representation of a private developer with U.S. and Mexican partners, in the development and sale of two wind projects to multi-national energy companies, and ongoing assistance with new wind and solar projects;
 Advised a Mexican mining company in the structuring of a joint venture with a publicly traded US company, in order to finance, develop and expand a mine in production of precious metals in North Mexico;
 Representation of natural gas companies in the negotiation and documentation of surface rights (including rights of way and easements);
 Advisor to an international development banking institution in the analysis and structuring of a USD$180 million financing.
 Representation of several public Canadian companies in their development, acquisition and sale of mining assets in Mexico, including transactional and corporate advice, as well as regulatory compliance and securement of surface rights.
 Participated in the due diligence review, inventory, negotiations and property (Ejido) acquisitions related to a $1.5 billion development of a wind power generation facility in the La Rumorosa area in Northern Baja California.

Publications
 Selected Legal Considerations and Alternatives for Doing Business in Mexico
Organization of Women in International Trade – Phoenix Chapter October 28, 2011
What to consider when entering the Mexican market.

 New Mining Regulations in Mexico
American Bar Association’s Section of International Law – Latin America and Caribbean Law Committee; March 20, 2013
Summary of the 2012 amendments to the Mexican Mining Law Regulations.

 An Update on the Importation, Transportation, and Storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Gasoline, and Diesel Under the Mexican Energy Reform
ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources In-House Committee Newsletter

Professional Affiliations
 Orion Startups Mentor (entrepreneurship law)
Orion Startups is an acceleration/investment program for early stage startups based on Chihuahua, Mexico focused on LATAM startups. Please visit www.orionstartups.com
 Asociación Nacional de Abogados de empresa, Colegio de Abogados (ANADE). Mexican Business Law Bar Association; one of the three main bar associations in the country.  President of the Chihuahua Chapter.
 Grupo Norte 30, A.C. Secretary of the Board (2014-2015) GN30 is a Chihuahua based non profit association of young entrepreneurs and business leaders pursuing positive influence in our State’s economic, political and social development.

Languages
English and Spanish.