Mexican lawyers anticipate rise in anti-bribery work

Enforcement of anti-corruption rules, in addition to stronger anti-bribery laws, could generate more work for lawyers

If Mexico´s newly-elected president Andrés Manuel López Obrador follows through on his campaign promises, it is expected to lead to an increased demand for anti-corruption and bribery-related work for law firms, according to market observers.

A demand for greater efforts to tackle anti-corruption, as well as increased transparency and accountability, were key factors in the result of the election, says Antonio Peña (pictured), partner at Greenberg Traurig in Miami. “Lopez Obrador campaigned on reducing corruption, solving the dramatic violence that affects the country and addressing economic inequality,” he adds. “The challenge is how to balance his strong social ideals, while maintaining Mexico’s reputation as a business-friendly economy that encourages foreign investment.”

Taking steps to enforce anti-corruption rules, in addition to a potential push for stronger laws to combat bribery, could generate more work for law firms, says Daniel del Río, senior partner at Basham Ringe y Correa del Río. He explains that lawyers would be tasked with guiding clients through complex compliance regulation and a challenging business and political environment where the president will have control of Congress and the Senate.

Corruption is an overwhelming and widespread problem in Mexico and is the result of institutional failure, says Juan José Iturbe, a partner at Malpica, Iturbe, Buj y Paredes in Mexico City. He adds that the new president will have to rebuild institutions based on transparency and social participation.

However, restoring the country’s trust in its government will be a huge challenge, according to Carlos Dávila, partner at Baker McKenzie. He adds that implementing and maintaining a disciplined budget, while preserving the division of powers and independence of the central bank, should also be priorities for López Obrador when he takes over in December 2018.

‘Profound transformation’
Meanwhile, Luis Alberto Cárdenas Díaz, legal director at Sabadell, says executing an effective anti-corruption system and strengthening the rule of law should be at the top of the new president’s agenda.

Overall, Mexican lawyers expect positive things from the new government. According to Elsa Hernandez, managing partner at Hernández Castillo Asesores Empresariales, if the new government significantly reduces impunity, other issues such as security, employment, education and poverty will be able to be more effectively addressed. Yves Hayaux Du Tilly, partner in the London office of Mexican law firm Nader, Hayaux & Goebel, says: “Mexico is about to initiate a profound transformation; we are ready to help clients overcome the challenges and make the most of the opportunities.”