Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Luis Lavalle Moreno of Martínez, Algaba, De Haro, Curiel & Galván-Duque, S.C. in Mexico. Luis has been a valuable member of the ILN for many years, and embodies not only the excellence that the ILN requires of its members, but also the spirit of friendship that bonds the Network together.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
We are a medium size law firm (in terms of Mexican size), providing litigation and corporate services for our clients.

Who would be your typical client?
Our typical client ranges from a major bank or insurance company or a high tier company to an individual or medium size company searching for high quality legal services for ordinary or complex transactions.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That we are one of the few law firms in Mexico combining litigation and consultation services, giving our clients a unique service in terms of quality and attention.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
One of the most challenging cases probably was advising Citibank (together with several other members of the firm) in the acquisition of Banamex.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
There isn’t a particular one, but my proudest moments as a lawyer are when clients and counterparts publicly acknowledge and recognize our job in closing dinners or parties of closed transactions.

What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
I try to spend time with my family or also I try to play golf with friends or do exercise.

What would surprise people most about you?
I have no idea what would surprise people about me…

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
There is not one memorable ILN experience, but a conjunction of several moments.  For me, it is the particular group that has been formed and the relationship you have with each and all the members, which is particularly enriched through the meetings organized (trips).  This relationship goes beyond referrals or meeting colleagues – it is a true friendship.

What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
If I wasn’t a lawyer, I probably would have become an oceanographer or a doctor.

If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
Robert De Niro

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone trying to do good on each and all of the activities performed.