Professionals committed to legal excellence

Perfil

Diego Álvarez joined Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster in June 2012. He holds a law degree (J.D. equivalent) from Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus, and an LL.M. in Energy and Natural Resources Law from Queen Mary University of London, where he was awarded a Chevening Scholarship granted by the British Government.

He has also completed postgraduate studies in commercial arbitration, project finance, and energy law. Upon completing his studies in London, he undertook a professional secondment with the international law firm Clifford Chance in 2018.

Experiencia Profesional

With more than 14 years of professional experience, Diego has focused his practice on infrastructure and energy projects, as well as international arbitration.

Diego has advised a wide range of domestic and international clients on the negotiation, structuring, financing, and implementation of complex infrastructure and energy transactions throughout Mexico and Latin America.

In the infrastructure sector, Diego has been involved in all stages of projects including highways, hospitals, railways, ports, dams, pipelines, and airports. He also has extensive experience in public-private partnerships (PPPs), having advised clients on the successful implementation of PPP structures at the federal, state, and municipal levels, as well as assisting governmental entities in related matters, including the drafting and development of state-level PPP legislation.

Within the power industry, Diego has advised numerous clients throughout all phases of power generation projects involving various technologies, including utility-scale and distributed-generation solar photovoltaic projects, wind farms, combined-cycle power plants, and geothermal facilities. He has also participated in the development of transmission lines, substations, and other types of electrical infrastructure. Diego regularly provides specialized regulatory advice on electricity matters, including the structuring of new business models and operations, migration into the wholesale electricity market, risk identification and mitigation strategies, and legal due diligence for potential acquisitions and divestitures.

Diego also has significant experience in arbitration, having participated as counsel in both commercial and investment arbitration proceedings conducted under the rules of institutions such as the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration), CIETAC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission), CAM (Centro de Arbitraje de México), and CANACO (Mexico City National Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Center). The disputes in which he has been involved primarily relate to energy and infrastructure matters, as well as commercial disputes arising from international sales transactions, distribution agreements, and corporate matters.

Between 2018 and 2019, Diego completed a professional secondment in the Project Finance and International Arbitration practices of Clifford Chance in London.

Diego has been recognized in the Energy and Natural Resources and Infrastructure Projects categories by Legal 500 (since 2022) and Chambers & Partners (since 2025). In 2024, he was named “Rising Star of the Year” in the Infrastructure Projects category by Legal 500.

Formación Académica

Diego served as Professor of Private International Law at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) from 2023 to 2025.

He has authored numerous publications on energy, infrastructure, arbitration, and public-private partnerships. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars, and academic programs on these subjects throughout Mexico and Latin America.

Education

1. LL.B. (J.D. equivalent), Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus (Mexico), 2013.
2. Diploma in International Arbitration, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus (Mexico), 2015.
3. Diploma in Energy Law, Escuela Libre de Derecho (Mexico), 2016.
4. LL.M. in Energy and Natural Resources Law, Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom), 2018.

Área de Práctica

• Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Infrastructure & Public Procurement

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Certificaciones, Rankings, Publicaciones, Afiliaciones

Associates to watch: Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Band 4

Associates to watch: Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Band 4

Leading associate: Projects and infrastructure

Testimonios

Perfil

Juan Rafael has over 12 years of experience practicing law. He has focused his practice on industrial property, intellectual property, and privacy, with experience in various industrial sectors, including the automotive, consumer products, pharmaceutical-veterinary, and information technology industries, among others.

He has advised and represented various companies in cross-border matters involving the protection of intangible assets, technology transfer, protection of trade secrets, and transfers of personal data.

Juan Rafael has been recognized as an “Associate to Watch” by Chambers and Partners in the area of intellectual property in Mexico; he is authorized to serve as an arbitrator in copyright disputes before INDAUTOR; and he is a Certified Lawyer by the National Association of Corporate Lawyers, Jalisco Chapter (ANADE Jalisco – 2023).

Experiencia Profesional

Juan Rafael joined Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster in 2012 and currently leads the firm’s Intellectual Property and Privacy practice.

He serves as the firm’s liaison and representative before SICYT (the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology) for the PROPIN program (Jalisco Intellectual Property Promotion Program), through which the firm has been recognized for its expertise in Copyright Law.

Since 2013, he has lectured on the importance of Intellectual Property and Industrial Property and their relationship to business development for undergraduate students in the Business Legal Framework course, as well as in the Master’s in Administration program (Legal Foundations of Business), taught by Professor Manuel Alejandro Ripoll González at ITESO.

He has been a speaker at numerous intellectual property conferences and professional development programs, including: the Diploma Program in Intellectual Property and Innovation Protection at Centro Universitario UTEG (2022); the Industrial Property Diploma Program of the Mexican Bar Association, Jalisco Chapter (2021); the 11th Conference Series “Law in Economic and Administrative Sciences” (2020), where he presented on “Intellectual Property and Mass Media,” organized by the University Center for Economic and Administrative Sciences of the University of Guadalajara; the 16th Business-University Forum organized by the University of the Gulf of California in Los Cabos; the workshop “The Importance of Proper Trademark Use” at the Jalisco Institute for Entrepreneurship; and various continuing education courses organized by Academia Lawgic.

He has authored and co-authored several articles published in Revista Consejero Empresarial, MarcaSur, LexLatin, and other internal publications related to intellectual and industrial property right.

Formación Académica

1. Universidad Panamericana, Aguascalientes Campus — Master’s Degree in Copyright, Industrial Property, and New Technologies (2020–2022).
2. Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus — Bachelor of Laws (2008–2012).
3. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — Advanced Course on Software Licensing, Including Open Source (2018).
4. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI); University of Guadalajara (UdeG) — Summer Course (2018).
5. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — Intellectual Property Management (2016).
6. International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Mexico; Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus — 24th Certificate Program in International Commercial Arbitration (2015).
7. University of Guadalajara (UdeG) — Certificate Program in Alternative Dispute Resolution (2011).

Professional Affiliations

1. International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property (AIPPI).
2. Mexican Association for the Protection of Industrial Property, A.C. (AMPPI) — Chair of the Western Committee for the 2023–2025 term.
3. National Association of Corporate Lawyers, Jalisco Chapter (ANADE Jalisco).
4. International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Mexico — Vice-Coordinator (2022–2024) of the ICC Mexico Jalisco Young Arbitrators Committee.

Área de Práctica

• Intellectual & Industrial Property
• Privacy & Data Protection / Cybersecurity

Idiomas

Spanish, English, French

Certificaciones, Rankings, Publicaciones, Afiliaciones

Associates to watch: Intellectual Property

Associates to watch: Intellectual Property

Testimonios

Perfil

Ernesto Ampudia has more than 30 years of experience as external counsel and head of legal departments for various financial entities in both the public and private sectors. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in designing complex legal strategies, as well as coordinating their implementation and execution.

He has also held various positions of responsibility within private financial institutions and public agencies in the securities, banking, industrial, and governmental sectors.

He holds a law degree from the Universidad Intercontinental and has completed diploma studies at the Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública (INAP).

Experiencia Profesional

1. Legal Director of Casa de Bolsa Finamex.
2. Legal Director of Grupo Financiero Promex-Finamex.
3. National Legal Director of the Housing Fund of the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (FOVISSSTE).
4. Head of the Legal Affairs Unit of the Instituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México y Municipios.
5. Collaborator of the Deputy General Legal Directorate of Banco Nacional de Obras y Servicios Públicos.
6. Supernumerary member of the Academia Mexicana de Derecho Financiero and registered arbitrator at the Centro de Arbitraje Mexicano, specializing in banking, securities, and commercial law.
7. Member of the Legal Committee of the Asociación Mexicana de Intermediarios Financieros.
8. Member of the Legal Committee of the Asociación de Bancos de México.
9. Secretary of the Board of Directors of various entities in the financial sector.
10. Director and founding partner of various law firms and consulting firms, in addition to having been part of prestigious firms such as Hegewisch Abogados.
11. Legal advisor at the Instituto Belisario Domínguez, the legislative research body of the Mexican Senate.
12. rofessor of Securities Law at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente.

Formación Académica

Ernesto Ampudia specializes in the development and implementation of complex legal strategies that require leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary teams with a strategic vision.

Thanks to his extensive experience as both independent counsel and legal director within the public and private financial sectors, he acts as an integral consultant in high-profile and high-impact matters, particularly in corporate, commercial, financial, and administrative litigation.

Área de Práctica

• Litigation

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Perfil

Rodrigo Acuña Gorozpe holds a law degree from Escuela Libre de Derecho. He joined Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster in 2017 as part of the Infrastructure & Energy team at the firm’s Mexico City offices.

Experiencia Profesional

Rodrigo specializes in both public and private infrastructure projects, as well as projects related to the electric power industry.

He has extensive experience in administrative and construction law, advising domestic and international clients on a wide range of public procurement matters at the federal, state, and municipal levels. He regularly participates in processes related to the bidding and execution of government contracts, including concessions, public works and related services, acquisitions, leases, service agreements, and public-private partnerships.

He has also advised government entities on the structuring of public procurement projects, including the design and implementation of bidding procedures and project follow-up.

In the infrastructure sector, he has participated in the design, implementation, and supervision of energy efficiency projects for public lighting systems, highway concessions, government buildings, power generation plants, railway projects, and port infrastructure.

Within the electric power industry, Rodrigo has advised clients in proceedings related to obtaining generation permits, registration in the qualified users registry, registration of physical assets, regulatory counseling for participants in the Wholesale Electricity Market, and due diligence processes for energy projects.

He has also conducted regulatory research and analysis related to risks within the electric power industry.

Formación Académica

Law Degree from Escuela Libre de Derecho.

Área de Práctica

• Energy & Natural Resources
• Infrastructure & Public Procurement

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Perfil

Álvaro Ancona holds a law degree from Universidad Panamericana. He joined the Firm in 2019 as part of the Labor & Social Security team at our Guadalajara offices and currently forms part of the Tax & Foreign Trade practice group.

Prior to joining the Firm, Álvaro worked at Baker McKenzie, focusing his practice on Corporate and Real Estate Law. In this role, he participated in transactions primarily related to the tourism, chemical, and technology sectors through the preparation of trust structures, general contracts, incorporation of companies, and legal due diligence related to corporate compliance, among other matters.

Experiencia Profesional

His practice focuses on Tax, Labor & Employment, and Foreign Trade matters, primarily aimed at preventing legal contingencies through the strategic planning of commercial transactions and corporate structures for both domestic and foreign companies, as well as handling disputes arising from tax assessments and foreign trade audits, among other matters.

In addition, he has advised companies in the automotive, tourism, real estate, agribusiness, and maquiladora industries, among others, on matters related to labor structures, labor and social security compliance due diligence, strategic documentation for the prevention of labor contingencies, and the legal implementation of subcontracting structures following recent regulatory changes in the field.

Formación Académica

He completed his pre-university studies at Instituto de Ciencias and Newland School, where he served as President of the Student Council. As part of his professional development, he completed the “Justice” course offered by Harvard University. He has participated in various debate competitions, as well as national business solutions competitions organized by Universidad Panamericana, and in multiple forums and panel discussions related to recent labor outsourcing reforms and the 2022 tax reform in Mexico.

Área de Práctica

• Tax (Advisory & Litigation)

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Perfil

Mercedes Antuña Robledo holds a law degree from Universidad La Salle, Benjamín Franklin campus, where she graduated with the second highest GPA in her class.

She also holds a diploma in Corporate Law from Escuela Libre de Derecho and a Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in International Business Law from Universitat de Barcelona.

With more than five years of experience in the corporate practice area, Mercedes has collaborated with public notaries and national and international law firms, allowing her to develop a broad perspective of the corporate sector in Mexico and advise clients across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Mercedes practices in the Corporate and Business area, providing legal counsel to domestic and international clients. She is currently a member of the Mexico-European Union Chamber of Commerce and the INSIGNE Alumni Association of Universidad La Salle.

Experiencia Profesional

She joined the Firm in August 2024 as part of the Corporate and Business team at our Mexico City offices.

Prior to joining Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster, she worked at the associated Public Notary Offices 212, 223, and 246 in Mexico City, as well as at the law firms Campa y Mendoza Abogados, Hogan Lovells, and Rödl & Partner.

Formación Académica

Education

1. Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in International Business Law from Universitat de Barcelona.
2. Diploma in Corporate Law from Escuela Libre de Derecho.
3. Law Degree from Universidad La Salle, Benjamín Franklin campus (final GPA: 9.57).

Certifications

1. General Course on Intellectual Property from the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy.
2. Online course “Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills,” offered by IESE Business School.
3. Online course “People and Team Management,” offered by University of Michigan.
4. Online course “Introduction to English Common Law,” offered by University of London.

Publications

1. Author of the article “A Surrealist Litigation: The 39 Paintings of Remedios Varo”, published in Ágora, the Law Review of the Faculty of Law of Universidad La Salle, Year 15, Issue No. 52, August 2019.

Área de Práctica

• Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Perfil

He holds a law degree from the Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara campus; he has served as secretary general of COMCE Jóvenes and is currently the commissioner for agriculture and fisheries at the Western Textile Chamber.

Formación Académica

He earned his law degree from the Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara Campus.

Área de Práctica

• Tax (Advisory & Litigation)

Idiomas

Spanish, English

Perfil

Madeline has developed her professional career in the areas of product design, visual identity, and digital marketing for brands within the furniture and design industries.

She has participated in projects for GOCO Authentic Woods, MDO Muebles, and ABOUT Studio, where she has led initiatives focused on the creation of innovative visual content, digital community management, and the execution of campaigns aimed at brand positioning and commercial growth.

Experiencia Profesional

Her experience combines strategic design thinking with communication and digital marketing tools, developing creative solutions that strengthen brand identity and presence across multiple channels.

Formación Académica

She holds a background in Industrial Design from Universidad del Valle de México and is distinguished by her ability to align creativity, technology, and business objectives.

Idiomas

Spanish, English