STRATEGIC DEFENSE FOR HIGH-STAKES PROJECTS IN MEXICO.

Environmental lawyers in Mexico advise on regulatory authorizations (MIA, CUSTF, ETJ), defend clients in inspections and proceedings before federal authorities such as SEMARNAT, PROFEPA and ASEA, litigate administrative resolutions before federal courts, and structure projects so they can be built, operated and financed within environmental law. The work is preventive as much as litigious.

Ideally before land acquisition, and definitely before submitting a MIA. Early counsel identifies federal jurisdiction triggers, land-use change requirements (CUSTF), wetland and mangrove restrictions, and the conditionants that will shape the project's cost and timeline. Bringing counsel only after a PROFEPA inspection is far more expensive.

A Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) is the environmental impact authorization required for federally regulated activities, including tourism developments larger than 200 housing units or 50,000 m² in coastal zones, hydraulic and port works, and most infrastructure on federal land. It is filed before SEMARNAT in either Particular (MIA-P) or Regional (MIA-R) modality.

Yes. PROFEPA resolutions can be challenged through an administrative review (recurso de revisión), through the Federal Court of Administrative Justice (TFJA), and ultimately through amparo before federal courts. The strategy depends on whether the goal is to lift a closure quickly, to reduce a fine, or to set a precedent. Time limits are short — typically 15 to 30 business days from notification.

Yes. We routinely advise foreign hotel operators, private equity funds and institutional investors on Mexican environmental regulation, in English. All filings before Mexican authorities are made in Spanish; our communication with the client and reporting can be entirely in English.

We operate nationwide. Our practice is concentrated in coastal tourism corridors — Quintana Roo (Cancún, Tulum, Riviera Maya), Baja California Sur (Los Cabos), Nayarit (Riviera Nayarit), Yucatán — and in Mexico City for federal proceedings.