Introduction
Luis is a shareholder in Fredrikson & Byron's Corporate, Franchise and International Groups. His domestic practice covers a variety of business matters, including drafting supply, distribution and licensing agreements, merger and acquisitions, and other general corporate matters. He has particular expertise on regulatory and contractual issues related to franchising, and currently represents one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the country.
Prior to emigrating to the U.S., Luis earned a law degree and practiced law in Mexico for 6 years. With his dual education/licensing, his background and understanding not only of the different legal systems (civil code and common law) but of the cultural differences, he is uniquely qualified to represent U.S. clients doing business in Latin America and Latin American clients doing business in the U.S. He advises clients in setting up different types of operations in Latin America, including manufacturing, joint ventures, and sales. He currently represents several U.S. clients purchasing and/or developing real estate in Latin America. He also works with foreign clients in negotiations with U.S. companies.
Luis, along with Patrick Kelly, oversees Fredrikson & Byron's office in Monterrey, Mexico. He practices out of both the Minneapolis and Monterrey offices, traveling between the two offices as needed.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2001, cum laude
- Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Chihuahua, Mexico, LL.B., Law, summa cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 2001
- Licensed to practice law in Mexico, 1994
Practice Areas
Languages
- Native Spanish Speaker
- Portuguese (read and write)
Representative Experience
- Prior to pursuing the practice of law in the United States, Luis was a Partner at Salcido, Chavez y Falomir, S.C., a law firm in Chihuahua, Mexico, where he practiced law for 6 years.
Selected Publications & Presentations
- “Have You Checked Your Foreign Operations Lately? The Importance of Auditing,” FredNEWS: International, April 2009
- “The Dilemma Surrounding International Real Estate: To Lend or Not to Lend?,” Real Estate Finance magazine, April 2008
- “International Real Estate: The Dilemma: To Lend or Not To Lend?,” FredNEWS: International, January 2008
- “Closing Real Estate Transactions in Mexico from Minneapolis,” co-authored with Patrick J. Kelly, November 2005
- "Leap of Faith? Buying Real Estate in Mexico Through a Bank Trust (Fideicomiso)" co-authored with Patrick J. Kelly, Fredrikson & Byron's International Focus Newsletter, May 2004
- "Securing Debt in Mexico," Fredrikson & Byron's International Focus Newsletter, October 2002
Professional Activities
Judicial Clerkship
- Supremo Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Chihuahua (Supreme Tribunal of Justice of the State of Chihuahua), Law Clerk for the Magistrate in Charge of the Fifth Civil Court of Appeals
Honors & Distinctions
- Named a "40 Under 40," Young and Promising Business Person, by The Business Journal, 2004