backManuel specializes in advising large companies on financial matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and business strategy. He is also a member of the board of directors for several companies. Clients identify him as a pro-business advisor with strategic and tactical qualities in a wide variety of issues and legal matters.
He served as legal adviser to the Coordination of Foreign Trade Business Organizations during the negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and the European Union (Mexico–EU FTA). He has also acted as an adviser to a number of other national and international organizations
Manuel is the only Mexican practitioner recognized by Chambers Latin American Guide as an “Eminent Practitioner” in the Banking & Finance and Corporate/M&A practices and by The Legal 500 Latin America Guide’s “Hall of Fame” in the Corporate/M&A practice. Leaders League has also recognized his extensive experience and identifies him as a leader in the Banking & Finance and M&A practices. Manuel received the Latin Lawyer Latin America Leader of the Year Award in 2021. Latin Lawyer and IFLR1000 also recognize him as a leading legal practitioner in Mexico. In 2023, the IBA Women Lawyers’ Committee named him one of ten Male Champions for Change Ambassadors.
“I consider myself a very fortunate lawyer, having had the privilege of being surrounded by exceptional professionals who are, above all, exceptional human beings. What motivates me professionally is ensuring that our clients receive the best possible advice, creating an environment in which our partners can succeed, and building strong, long-term relationships with our clients. This allows us to address their most complex challenges and help them benefit from our collaborative approach.” – Manuel Galicia
For the past 16 years, Manuel has been a pioneer in implementing innovative policies and initiatives on Diversity and Inclusion, creating Galicia’s Diversity, Pro Bono and Sustainability Committees as well as being part of the ESG coordination team. Manuel continues his efforts as a strong advocate for equality in Mexico´s legal market.
“Our goal cannot be limited to being the #1 firm of the year. I think it is more important our focus be the constant competition with ourselves, so we can remain the best organization in our sector in the long run, offering our members an environment and working conditions that allow us to enhance our qualities and capabilities and thus our development and happiness.
In a people business like ours, the most important thing is to collaborate with people who are more skilled than you are, and to do so we must attract valuable talent for thinking, acting and being different.
In that sense, for our organization to transcend, we must form leaders who envision an environment rooted in respect, inclusion, diversity and opportunities for members to develop, be happy and feel safe and proud of who we are.” – Manuel Galicia
Manuel has been decorated with the Federal Republic of Germany’s Order of Merit in the grade of Knight’s Cross (2007) and with the Republic of Austria’s Gold Medal of Honor for Services Rendered in the grade of Knight’s Cross First Class (2011).
He studied a Master of Comparative and International Law at Southern Methodist University School of Law (Dallas, Texas, United States) and a Bachelor of Laws at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. He has international experience as a foreign associate at Baker & Botts.
Manuel is a founding partner of the Firm. He chairs Galicia’s Executive Committee and is a member of the Firm’s Compensation, Business Development, Sustainability and New Collaboration Model Committees.
