Profile
With over 20 years of experience, Carlos Ochoa focuses his practice on the areas of energy, natural resources, regulatory, and project financing matters, advising both domestic and international clients on complex transactional matters. He has experience providing legal counsel to companies in the energy sector, including electricity, renewable energy, oil, and gas, as well as in the real estate sector.
Carlos has led multidisciplinary teams and has been involved in the structuring and execution of strategic projects in the areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure development. He also has deep experience in arbitration and litigation, handling complex disputes related to the energy and corporate sectors.
In the public sector, Carlos held key positions related to the development of Mexico’s energy regulatory framework. He served as coordinator of International Legal Affairs and Investments at the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). He also held the position of director of the Hydrocarbons Regulation Department at the Ministry of Energy, served as legal manager at Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC), and as senior attorney in the Legal Process Control area of the Office of the General Counsel at Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), participating in numerous litigations and regulatory matters.
Over the years, he has been recognized by international legal publications as a leading lawyer in Mexico in the areas of energy, projects, and infrastructure.
Concentrations
- Oil & Gas
- Renewable Energies
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Administrative Litigation
Capabilities
Experience
ENERGY
- Represented various international companies in bidding processes related to infrastructure, electricity, and hydrocarbons projects.°
- Participated in the execution of electricity generation projects and contracts (both conventional and renewable energy) for independent power producers (IPPs).°
- Represented companies in the hydrocarbons and electricity industries in various disputes and negotiations related to infrastructure, government contracting, and energy matters.°
- Participated in the negotiation and implementation of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Manzanillo.°
- Advised a Mexican government entity on the signing of a loan agreement worth US$391 million.°
- Advised on the preparation of terms and the public bidding process related to natural gas transportation in the northern region of Mexico.°
- Participated in the negotiation of new terms and conditions for a long-term (20-year) service agreement related to natural gas supply for Northwestern Mexico.°
- Participated in the drafting, review, and approval of contracts for the acquisition of assets necessary for the development of electrical infrastructure in Central Mexico.°
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
- Represented various developers of wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric projects with a total installed capacity exceeding 900 MW.°
- Designed new legal strategies for the incorporation of Mexican companies in the electric sector to leverage renewable resources and natural gas.°
PROJECT FINANCE
- Advised Oak Creek Energy Systems, Inc., a California-based wind project developer, on the development, project financing, and sale of the first two phases of the Tres Mesas Wind Project to funds managed by Goldman Sachs and Corporativo GBM.°
- Represented a bilateral agency and a Mexican bank in the financing of a US$100 million wind project in northern Mexico.°
- Represented a bilateral agency in the financing of a biomass project.°
CORPORATE SERVICES
- Represented an industrial conglomerate in the sale of its polymers business in Mexico and Latin America for US$450 million.°
- Represented various Mexican and foreign companies in corporate restructuring matters.°
°The above representations were handled by Carlos Ochoa prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, S.C.
- Coordinator of International Legal Affairs and Investments at the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), 2011–2013
- Director of the Hydrocarbons Regulation Department at the Ministry of Energy, 2010–2011
- Legal Manager at Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC), 2007–2010
- Senior Lawyer in the Legal Process Control area of the Office of the General Counsel at Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), 2002–2007
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in Mexico, Administrative Law, Energy Law, Project Financing & Development, 2021–2025
- Listed, LACCA Approved, Energy, Latin Lawyer, 2025
- Listed, Stand-out Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2024
- Listed, Leaders League, Mexico: Projects & Infrastructure, 2023 - 2024
- Listed, IFLR1000, Notable Practitioner, Project Development, Project Financing, 2019-2024
- Listed, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA), Recognized Lawyer, Energy, Mexico, 2017-2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 Latin America
- Energy & Natural Resources, Mexico, 2015–2025
- Projects & Infrastructure, Mexico, 2018 -2025
- Listed, Chambers & Partners, Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, Latin America, 2019
- Listed, Los 300: Most Influential Leaders in Mexico, Líderes Mexicanos, 2018
- National Association of Corporate Lawyers (ANADE)
- Mexican Academy of Energy Law
- International Bar Association (IBA)
Credentials
- Master’s Degree in Business Law, Universidad Panamericana
- Master’s Degree in Public Law, Universidad Anáhuac
- Mexico
- English
- Spanish