Profil
Rocío Olea Salgado is a leading transactional attorney with wide-ranging experience advising on cross-border M&A transactions involving Mexico, Latin America, and the United States. She regularly counsels multinational companies on the structuring, negotiation, and execution of complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic investments in regulated and unregulated sectors.
In the area of Technology & Transactions, Rocío guides clients through sophisticated technology-driven deals, including technology transfer, licensing, and outsourcing arrangements. She also advises on regulatory issues related to e-commerce, and digital transformation projects, helping clients navigate the evolving legal landscape at the intersection of technology and business.
With a growing focus on Data Privacy, Rocío advises clients on compliance with Mexican and international data protection regulations in the context of cross-border transactions. She assists multinational companies in developing and implementing privacy policies, data transfer strategies, and addressing regulatory challenges arising from technological innovation and international operations.
Rocío has significant experience in antitrust and competition matters. She represents clients before the National Competition Commission (CNA) and has coordinated multi-jurisdictional competition projects with international authorities in merger control filings, investigations, and compliance matters. Her experience includes counseling on pre-merger notifications, cartel investigations, strategic competition assessments related to M&A and commercial agreements, and the implementation of comprehensive antitrust compliance programs.
She is consistently recognized by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, and Latin Lawyer for her outstanding work in M&A, corporate law, technology and competition matters.
Concentrations
- Mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures
- Technology-related transactions
- Antitrust litigation and competition regulation
- Data privacy and cybersecurity
- Regulatory compliance
Expertise
Erfahrung
- Representation of a multinational agribusiness company in the acquisition of a local company located at Los Mochis, Sinaloa, that operates the company’s corn seeds business in Mexico.
- Representation of a Mexican conglomerate regarding a long-term supply agreement with a multinational retailer in connection with the manufacturing and processing of case-ready meat and poultry products.
- Representation of Grupo Gepp in a merger control procedure related with the strategic alliance with Alpura, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of dairy products in Mexico, regarding the distribution of Alpura’s products by Grupo Gepp through diverse channels in Mexico.
- Represented a leader in the medical devices and hospital services sector in connection with the sale of a significant minority stake to a private investment firm. The transaction involved a complex corporate reorganization and tax structuring process to establish a holding company, which subsequently sold the minority stake to the private investment firm. Our team advised on all aspects of the transaction, including the design and implementation of the reorganization structure, negotiation of transaction documents, and tax planning to optimize the outcome for the majority shareholders.
- Representation of a ridesharing company in the acquisition of the largest online platform for grocery distribution in Mexico. The transaction was structured as a multi-buyer deal.
- Representation of Gill Industries, Tier 2 manufacturer and supplier of automotive seat structure components, in the acquisition of Gill’s Mexican entities by Lear, one of the largest Tier 1 manufacturers and distributors of automotive seat structures.
- Represented Oak Creek de México, operator of one of the largest windfarms in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico, in connection with a significant corporate restructuring and re-negotiation of project management agreements. The windfarms operated by Oak Creek received substantial investments from major Mexican public companies, including Goldman Sachs, GBM, and Engie. Certain investors, also secured financing from third-party sources.
- Representation of a global coworking company and its affiliates in acquiring a major investment conglomerate's Latin Americas stake in a joint venture operating the global coworking locations across the region.
- Representation of MiddleGround Capital, a private equity firm, in the acquisition of 100% of Castle Metals Group, after its merger with and into Pacu Merger Sub.
- Representation of a real estate investment firm in the acquisition of a multimillion-dollar industrial real estate portfolio, as well as in the representation of the buyer in the merger control procedure before the Mexican Antitrust Agency.
- Representation of Grupo Jumex, one of the leading beverage companies in Mexico, in the joint venture with Arizona International LLC, a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of iced tea, regarding the commercialization of Arizona’s products in Mexico, as well as in the merger control procedure before the Mexican Antitrust Agency.
- Representation of a leading company in the Mexican feed industry in the purchase of the assets of the aquaculture facility from a regional aquaculture producer based in Mexico.
- Representation on the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of a pioneering collaboration agreement between two powerhouse companies in the global digital economy for the provision of quick commerce and food delivery services in Mexico and Brazil.
- Representation of main TV stations and media agencies in the incorporation and launching of a joint industry committee for the provision of video audience measurement services in Mexico.
- Representation of foreign and Mexican companies on a variety of issues, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, data protection, commercial and administrative matters, government procurement, software and hardware protection, and venture structuring.
- Representation of international companies with permanent establishment in Mexico in general corporate matters.
- Represents a company in the e-commerce industry’s legal marketplace and operations teams in a broad portfolio of high-impact matters covering corporate structuring, commercial strategy and regulatory compliance. Her work spans expansion into new Latin American markets, the launch of innovative business lines in Mexico, and the negotiation of strategic relationships with suppliers, commercial partners and sponsors. These matters are deeply intertwined with the use of personal data, digital platforms and technology-enabled services, making privacy, consumer protection and data governance central pillars of every transaction and operational decision.
- Advised a company in the manufacturing industry on a comprehensive review, redesign and implementation of its privacy documentation across its Mexican operations. The matter involved analysing how the company collected, processed, stored and shared personal data, and translating complex legal requirements into clear, operationally effective privacy notices and internal practices.
- Legal advice on the structuring, drafting and negotiation of a collaboration agreement between two global e-commerce and cloud company regarding the provision of quick commerce and food delivery services in Mexico and Brazil.
- Represented Uber Technologies in the acquisition of a majority stake in Cornershop, the largest online grocery delivery platform in Mexico, Chile, and other jurisdictions. On a day-to-day basis, we represent both Uber and UberEats in general corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters.
- Advising global e-commerce and cloud company on labor matters for the launch of a special program in Mexico, and coordination of legal assistance in Argentina and Brazil, as well as legal advice on day-to-day labor matters.
- Representation of key technology and e-commerce companies in a variety of commercial and compliance issues in Mexico, including transactional and general corporate matters.
- Advice and assistance to foreign and Mexican companies in responding to data security incidents and breaches, the implementation of data privacy compliance programs and counseling concerning data privacy related risks.
- Betterware Mexico: Represented Betterware Mexico in the pre-merger control filing procedure for its acquisition of Jafra Cosmetics and its subsidiaries.
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Inc.: Advised Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Inc. in the pre-merger control filing for the acquisition of Royal Resorts.
- Gill Industries: Advised Gill Industries, a Tier 2 automotive seat structure component manufacturer, in the merger control process for the acquisition of its Mexican entities by Lear Corporation, one of the world’s largest Tier 1 automotive seat structure manufacturers and distributors.
- Represented one of the main beverage bottling participants in its merger control process for a strategic alliance with one of Mexico’s largest dairy manufacturers and distributors
- Middleground Capital: Representing Middleground Capital in the pre-merger control filing procedure related to its indirect acquisition of A.M. Castle & Co., including its Mexican subsidiaries. Middleground Capital is an operationally focused private equity firm that makes control investments in middle-market B2B industrial manufacturing and specialty distribution companies globally. (Ongoing)
- Acting as counsel to a company in the agricultural industry in a sophisticated investigation initiated by the Mexican Competition Commission (COFECE) into the corn and corn flour markets.
- Advised a company in the financial services industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the acquisition by another company of an industrial real estate portfolio located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
- Advised a company in the private equity industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing for the acquisition of the Mahekal Beach Resort from a trust indirectly owned by the same company, by a vehicle indirectly owned by a company in the hospitality industry.
- Represented companies in the real estate investment industry in the pre-merger control filing relating to their joint venture to purchase and develop a real estate portfolio in various states in Mexico.
- Advised a company in the insurance industry and a company belonging to the real estate management industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the acquisition by a company belonging to the automotive industry of its Puebla facility, owned by a company belonging to the insurance industry and managed by a company belonging to the real estate management industry.
- Advised a company in the agricultural industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the joint venture between two companies in the agricultural industry to acquire a company in the poultry industry, consolidating the poultry businesses of two companies in the poultry industry.
- Advised a company in the financial services industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding its acquisition of a company in the industrial and logistics real estate industry with a portfolio of 61 “Class A” industrial buildings and substantial land for further development.
- Advised a company in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the acquisition of another company in the pharmaceutical industry and its subsidiaries, focused on high-quality branded generics.
- Advised a company in the aircraft maintenance industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the transfer of assets used for the operation of a hangar at Queretaro International Airport by a joint venture in the airline industry.
- Advised subsidiaries of a company in the specialty chemicals industry in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding the acquisition of 100% of a company in the global glass fibre and manufacturing industry.
- Representing a company in the retail e-commerce industry in a COFECE investigation into potential barriers to competition in the retail e-commerce market in Mexico, including requests for information and on-site inspections pursuant to the Federal Economic Competition Law. (Ongoing)
- Advising a company in the retail e-commerce industry in COFECE’s investigation under Article 94 into the e-commerce segment, with potential implications for regulation of major market players. (Ongoing)
- Advised a company in the aviation services industry and its controlling entities in connection with the pre-merger control filing regarding an investment by a company in the financial services industry. (Ongoing)
- Advising a company in the flexible workspace industry and its investors in connection with the pre-merger control filing relating to the divestiture and reacquisition of shares held by a company in the financial services industry, following the Chapter 11 procedure in the US. (Ongoing)
Anerkennung durch den Markt
- Listed, The Legal 500 Latin America Guide, “Latin America: Mexico,” 2021-2026
- Corporate and M&A, 2022-2026
- Competition and Antitrust, 2021, 2024-2026
Ausbildung
Akademische Ausbildung
- Master of International Business Law, Escuela Superior de Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ESADE), 2014
- Law Degree, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios de Monterrey, México, 2011
Zulassung
- Mexico
Sprache
- Spanisch, Native
- Englisch, Fluent
- Französisch, Conversational