Partner

Phoenix
2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Hermosillo
Blvd. Kino No. 301, Planta Alta
Hermosillo, Sonora 83150

Phoenix Office: +1 (602) 364-9800
email: jmoreno@gdcmlaw.com

Mexico Office: +52 (662) 210-6501

Juan F. Moreno's practice emphasizes the representation of U.S. and Mexican companies on investment opportunities, private equity financing and secured lending, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, maquila and cross-border manufacturing and resort, commercial and industrial development in Mexico. He has experience in structuring, negotiating and establishing cross-border operations in Mexico for manufacturing (including medical device and aerospace), wind farm and energy-related projects, distribution and tourism-related ventures, as well as implementing financing structures secured with assets in Mexico and the United States. In connection with such representations, Mr. Moreno also provides labor and employment advice on day-to-day Mexican labor law matters. In addition, Mr. Moreno assists Mexican clients doing business in Arizona, with particular emphasis on commercial real estate, business formations and contract negotiations. Mr. Moreno’s LL.M. concentration was in international trade law.

SELECT REPRESENTATIONS

• • Ongoing representation of a New York hedge fund in its acquisition of a U.S. loan portfolio secured with Mexican luxury vacation homes
• • Ongoing representation of a Mexican publicly-traded energy company in its development of a 500-mile cross-border natural gas pipeline in Northern Mexico
• • Representation of a U.S. publicly-traded mining company in connection with public tenders for Mexican ports infrastructure projects
• • Represented a U.S. energy and utility company in its acquisition of real estate leasehold interests in Mexico for development of a renewable energy project
• • Represented a Mexican company in its acquisition of a mining operation in Arizona
• • Representation of a Mexican client in its acquisition of three commercial plazas in a distressed sale by a U.S. REIT divesting its assets in Mexico
• • Representation of a Mexican company in its acquisition of a 176,000 sq.ft. distribution center in Phoenix, Arizona
• • Representation of California aerospace company in establishing manufacturing operations in Mexico
• • Negotiated and drafted the sale in the United States of a $30 million portfolio of promissory notes issued by buyers of second homes in Mexico
• • Represented an investment fund in the acquisition and financing of a 200-room hotel in Mexico
• • Represented a U.S. lender on drafting and implementing a $25 million loan to a U.S. company with Mexican real estate and inventory as collateral
• • Advised on every aspect of the acquisition, financing, construction and development of a $500 million beach front resort and golf development project in Mexico
• • Represented a major U.S. medical devices manufacturer in its relocation to Mexico and the implementation of a maquiladora program
• • Negotiated and documented the acquisition and financing of a 185,000 sq.ft. industrial building located in Mexico
• • Represented several agribusiness operations in Mexico in the negotiating and drafting of loan and distribution agreements with U.S. lenders and distributors of produce

Bar and Court Admissions

Arizona, 2000
Mexico, 1997
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2001

Prior Experience

Bryan Cave LLP, Phoenix, 2005-2011
Robbins & Green, P.A., Phoenix, 2000-2005
Vitro, SAB de CV, In-House Counsel Legal Department, Monterrey, N.L., 1997-1998

Education

University of Arizona, LL.M., 1999
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, J.D. (Licenciado en Derecho), 1997

Speeches and Seminars

• • “Developing and Financing Golf Resort and Condominium Projects in Mexico,” CLE International, March 2008
• • “Financing Considerations When Doing Business in Mexico,” Arizona Society of CPAs, November 2007
• • “Investing in Mexico’s Restricted Zone,” Northern Trust Bank. Breakfast Series, September 2004
• • “Seminar on Inter-American Business and Trade Law- Cross Border Commercial Law: Secured Transactions and Commercial Credit in Mexico,” University of Arizona and Arizona State Colleges of Law. Sponsored by the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade and the Arizona Department of Commerce, March 2004
• • “Doing Business in Mexico,” Thunderbird- The Garvin School of International Management, July 2003
• • “Mexican Real Estate Law-Real Estate Acquisition for Industrial or Commercial Purposes,” University of Arizona and Arizona State Colleges of Law. Arizona International Lawyers Group, April 2003
• • “Mexican Real Estate Law-Real Estate Acquisition for Tourism Development,” University of Arizona and Arizona State Colleges of Law. Arizona International Lawyers Group, April 2003
• • “Purchasing, Investing, and Developing Real Estate in Mexico,” Maricopa County Bar Association, April 2002
• • “The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act: Protecting your Rights,” Grape Growers Association of Sonora (Mexico), October 2001

Professional Associations

• Arizona State Bar Association
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Arizona-Mexico Commission
• National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade
• Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations

Civic Involvement and Honors

• Top Lawyer in International Trade and Finance Law, Arizona Business Magazine, 2008-2009