As Mexico began industrializing after World War II, the firm grew substantially by handling the rising tide of direct foreign investment and assisting companies to form joint ventures in Mexico before and after the 1973 law governing and restricting direct foreign control of businesses. Mexico is now simultaneously liberalizing restrictions on foreign investment and privatizing industry. We represent clients in many varied fields, taking advantage of both of these trends to make new or expand existing investments in Mexico.
Today the firm has a professional and administrative staff just over 200. As creative problem-solvers, we help our clients address their changing needs so they can prosper in the Mexican business environment, which itself is continually changing. Our main office is next to the Independence Monument in the heart of Mexico City, the center of the political, financial, commercial and industrial life of Mexico.
The firm has earned the high regard of officials at all levels in the Mexican government, as well as the Mexican Bar. In fact, our partners are routinely asked by government officials to comment on proposed legislation.
Since the firm has a strong international orientation, a number of attorneys have lived, trained and are qualified to practice, and indeed have practiced law, in other countries. Thus, as interpreters and arbiters, we are able to assist foreign business people to better understand "doing business in Mexico", as well as help Mexican business people and government officials comprehend and evaluate the foreigners' objectives.
The firm has a branch office in Tijuana, Baja California, a city of commercial importance on the Mexico-United States border, an office in Paris and correspondent offices in other major cities throughout Mexico.
As a leading member of Bomchil Castro Goodrich Claro Arosemena & Asociados, an association of independent Latin American law firms, and a member of Lex Mundi, an alliance of laws firms worldwide, we are able to give our clients immediate access to top quality legal services in over 100 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Each client's legal affairs are personally handled by a partner, referred to as an account-attorney, heading a dedicated team of professionals. Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados, in fact, was among the first Mexican law firms to stress a client-oriented, pragmatic service approach. The account-attorney works closely with other partners and lawyers within our firm having specialized expertise, as well as accountants, bankers, economists, other business advisors and correspondent attorneys in cities where we do not have offices, to ensure the prompt completion of work and avoid duplication of effort. This partner keeps clients informed, and advises them on legal and business developments and legislation that may impact their businesses.
We speak our clients' language, both literally and figuratively. Not only are virtually all of our attorneys multilingual, but as lawyers who have long served the business community, we understand and speak the language of business.
Our practice covers international commercial and civil law, including the following areas: Corporate, Foreign Investment, Joint Ventures, Mergers, Acquisitions, Privatization, In-Bond "Maquiladora" Industries, Anti-Dumping, Competition, Trade, Environmental, Real Estate, Project Financing, Construction, Tourism Investment and Development, Food Processing and Corporate Agricultural Investment, Government Procurement, Tax, Labor, Mining, Petrochemical, Energy (Electricity, Gas, Oil), Banking and Finance, Insurance, Arbitration, Immigration, Customs, Admiralty, Aviation, Transportation, Telecommunications, Intellectual Property, Licensing, Franchising, Estates and Trusts, and representation in all Courts and Administrative Agencies throughout Mexico.
We take pride in the role our firm has played in Mexico's past and look forward to being part of the country's dynamic future.