Jones Day increases tax partner count in Mexico with KPMG hire

The global law firm Jones Day has announced that Jose Miguel Barragan joined its Tax Practice in Mexico City as a partner, effective February 1, 2011. He arrived from the accounting firm KPMG, where he was head of its Mexico City legal practice.

Mr. Barragan has substantial experience in both advisory and litigation aspects of tax and administrative law. He has prepared legal opinions and strategic advice on a broad range of taxation matters, domestic and foreign, especially with regard to interpretation of provisions of treaties for the avoidance of double taxation when Mexico is signatory. He has coordinated defense strategies adverse to tax authorities on credit assessments and the constitutionality of tax laws. Mr. Barragan has also been involved in numerous tax planning strategies, preparation of stock and asset purchase agreements, and mergers and acquisitions.

“Jose Miguel’s tax and administrative litigation advisory experience will be a great addition to the Firm,” said Ray Wiacek, head of Jones Day’s Tax Practice. “His arrival not only expands our capabilities in the important Mexico City market, but also brings depth to our experience in Latin Americain general. We’re very excited to have him on board.”

Prior to his work at KPMG, Mr. Barragan was a senior manager of the legal practice at Grant Thornton and an associate at Ortiz, Sainz y Erreguerena, S.C. (formerly Ortiz, Sainz y Tron). He also served in the Office of International Affairs as the Department Head of Treaty Negotiations at the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. He has been a professor of Commercial and Tax Law at Universidad Anahuac del Sur in Mexico City since 2006, and is a member of both the Barra Mexicana Colgio de Abogados fiscal commission, and International Fiscal Association.

Mr. Barragan earned his Licenciatura en Derecho (J.D. equivalent) from the Faculty of Law at Universidad Anahuac del Sur, Mexico City.