Felipe Mendoza-Vidal

BIO

Felipe Mendoza is a distinguished legal practitioner with over 32 years of experience in Tax, Foreign Trade, Corporate Law, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). His multidisciplinary expertise, combined with a comprehensive understanding of the Mexican legal and regulatory framework, has positioned him as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and multinational clients operating in Mexico.

Felipe Mendoza’s unparalleled expertise, combined with his clientfocused approach, positions him as a trusted partner for businesses navigating the complexities of Tax, Foreign Trade, Corporate Law, and M&A in Mexico.

EDUCATION

• LL.B., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Summa Cum Laude).
• Master of Laws in International Trade Law, University of Arizona.
• Diploma in Mexican Taxes, Universidad Panamericana.

RELEVANT MATTERS

• Tax Planning: Designed and implemented tax and legal strategies for the world’s largest manufacturing operation in Querétaro for a Fortune 500 client, leveraging IMMEX, VAT, and OEA benefits while mitigating Permanent Establishment risks.
• Manufacturing Operations: Negotiated and structured shelter agreements for multinational clients establishing manufacturing operations in Mexico, addressing tax, customs, and contractual obligations, ensuring seamless integration with IMMEX programs and local regulations.
• Agricultural Acquisition: Provided legal advice on the $27 million acquisition of a hydroponic ranch in Jalisco for a leading U.S. tomato producer, handling tax, customs, and transactional implications.
• Joint Ventures: Structured and negotiated joint ventures for multinational clients, including a textile manufacturing partnership and other industrial collaborations, ensuring balanced terms and strategic alignment.
• Tax Disputes: Represented clients in high-stakes audits and litigation, including eliminating a $20 million tax liability in a Tax Administration Service (SAT) audit.
• Customs Savings: Negotiated a resolution in a customs audit with Sonora authorities, achieving savings of $14 million pesos for a client.
• NAFTA Litigation Success: Won a Federal Administrative Court case reinstating NAFTA origin status for a leading global cosmetics brand securing NAFTA origin status.
• VAT Refunds: Secured multi-million-peso Value Added Tax refunds for multiple clients through strategic litigation and negotiation.
• Corporate Divestitures: Successfully represented Fortune 500 companies in corporate restructuring and high-value divestitures, ensuring compliance and optimal outcomes.
• Tax Treaty Exemptions: Facilitated tax treaty exemptions for a Fortune 500 company in two reorganizations involving Dutch and U.S.-Mexico treaties, leveraging treaty benefits to minimize tax liabilities.
• Ongoing Support for Agricultural Leader: Provides comprehensive legal guidance to a leading U.S. tomato producer, overseeing its Mexican operations and ensuring regulatory compliance

RECOGNITIONS

• Legal 500 Latin America 2025: Leading lawyer in International Trade and Customs.
• Legal 500 Latin America 2025: Recommended Lawyer in Corporate M&A and Tax Law.
• Best Lawyers 2025: Ranked as a leading lawyer in International Trade.
• ITR World Tax 2025: Highly Regarded practitioner in General Corporate tax.
• Legal 500 2024: Shortlisted as Lawyer of the Year in International Trade & Customs.
• Chambers Latin America: Leading practitioner in International Trade since 2013.
• Who’s Who Legal: Recognized in Tax & Customs since 2018.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Former Chairman of the Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresas, Sección Chihuahua.
• Former Professor of the Maquiladora Industry course in the LL.M. program at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juárez Law School.
• Member of the Foreign Trade Committee of the National Institute of Public Accountants, located in Mexico City.
• Volunteers as Chairman of the Board of Centro de Audición y Aprendizaje A.C., a non-profit organization that provides therapy to children with hearing impairment.