Specifically, on July 9, 2010 the Arbitral Tribunal rendered its Final Award declaring that the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by InBev did not breach any provision of the Investment Agreement. In addition, it was also declared in the Final Award that the claim of 2.5 billion dollars in damages brought by Grupo Modelo against InBev lacked any merits. 

AB-InBev was also represented in this case by the US Law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. and Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP.

After over 70 years of legal practice and 46 years as professor of the First Course of Mercantile Law in the Escuela Libre de Derecho – without receiving any salary, as it is a tradition in the School, Mr. Manuel Lizardi received a well deserved tribute in a ceremony which took place in his honor on June 8, 2010 in the Industrial Club at Mexico City.

Mr. Manuel Lizardi is the third lawyer in the history of Mexico to receive the degree of Professor Emeritus of the Escuela Libre de Derecho, recognition that was given due to his “exemplary and brilliant path in teaching”. After almost 100 years of history and after having in its classrooms, as professors and alumni, two presidents of Mexico, justices of the Supreme Court of Justice and some of the most distinguished lawyers and notaries public, the Escuela Libre de Derecho has only given this distinction to three lawyers: Mr. Manuel Herrera y Lasso, Mr. Gustavo R. Velasco and now Mr. Manuel Lizardi, whom, unlike the others, never occupied a administrative position within the School.

Von Wobeser y Sierra is proud and joyful because of this recognition for Mr. Manuel Lizardi; only a few years before, the Mexican Bar Association gave Mr. Manuel the National Jurisprudence Prize (Premio Nacional de Jurisprudencia), the highest recognition that such Bar grants its members.

In the same ceremony, the book titled “Study of the General Corporations Act and Comments to its Articles”, written by Mr. Manuel Lizardi, published and distributed by Editorial Porrúa, was presented. This work, unique in Mexico, combines the experience and knowledge acquired by Don Manuel through his 46 years of teaching and 70 years of professional experience.

On July 6, 2010 the ICC Court of Arbitration communicated the Final Award in which the Arbitral Tribunal confirmed there was no breach by defendant, dismissing claims related to the existence of a potential liability derived from failure to disclose facts which amounted to non-compliance with various provisions of Mexican Social Security Law.  Moreover, claimant was condemned to bear all legal representation costs.

Von Wobeser y Sierra is pleased to announce the promotion of Fernando Carreño to partner of this firm. Fernando Carreño is responsible for the Antitrust area of VWyS and also does significant work in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, project finance, debt restructuring and international commercial arbitration.

Fernando Carreño graduated from the Escuela Libre de Derecho (cum laude) and completed a Master’s at Northwestern University School of Law. He was a visiting attorney at the firm Arent Fox LLP in Washington DC.

He has been the lead professor in the courses: Real Assets and Rights and Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Universidad Iberoamericana, as well as in the Module of Mergers and Acquisitions in the graduate degree in Commercial Law of the Universidad Panamericana.

After months of arduous work, Von Wobeser y Sierra is pleased to announce the launching of our new web page.  We have tried to make this page a source of useful and relevant information that will be of interest to our clients and friends. Regarding the design, we have been able to add attractive features but at the same time keep the page light, with an emphasis on easy navigation.  Thus, for example, the description of the practice areas identifies each of the partners and attorneys with experience in that area, with links to the individual pages of each attorney.  The new section of publications allows the consultation and downloading in PDF of some of the articles published by members of our firm in different publications and collections of works.  We also added a section called "Books", where the complete version of the Legal Guide to Doing Business in Mexico can be consulted and downloaded.

Our commitment is to keep this website updated and to periodically add relevant information that may be of interest to you.

We invite you to visit our page and consult the new sections and, more specifically, we would appreciate it if any suggestion or comment you may have regarding such site could be sent to the following address: info@vwys.com.mx.

Von Wobeser y Sierra has been recognized by this publication as the top leading firm in arbitration and Claus von Wobeser has been identified as the most in demand arbitator in Mexico.  Our litigation, corporate, M&A and intellectual property practices have also been recognized as leading in Mexico.  Excerpts (in italics) from the publication:

• Arbitration and Litigation:  A major player in the arbitration scene, the firm's practice has an accomplished team and provides an excellent service as arbitration counsel.
• Corporate and M&A:  The practice has a sizeable team with a distinctly international flavour. Clients are quick to praise its value for money and its constructive, dedicated attitude to solving complex business issues, with one client commenting: “They fulfil all my needs when working in the country.”  This year handled some major deals for household names including Coca-Cola, Mars, BMW and Diageo.
• Intellectual Property: Clients comment: "The team knows the area in depth, keeps you up-to-date with any developments and is good at following up."
• Claus von Wobeser:  Respected as formidable litigator and recognized as one of the most active arbitrators in Mexico.  Also cited as one of the most well-connected individuals in the legal profession in the country.
• Luis Burgueño: Telecoms, technology and competition specialist Luis Burgueño impresses clients with his dedicated approach and commercial acumen.
• Margarita Garate:  Recognized as a young, up and coming individual laywer.  Clients praise her trade mark and litigation work. "She is always available and  responsive – her knowledge of IP is strong and she is easy to get along with," clients say.

The 3rd edition of GAR 100 again recognizes Von Wobeser y Sierra, S.C. as one of the 100 best arbitration firms in the world.  Von Wobeser is the only Mexican firm to have achieved this distinction.  The arbitration practice of Von Wobeser y Sierra is thus recognized as one of the leaders in the global market, on par with some of the principal firms of Europe and the United States of America.

Over the last few years, the national and international arbitration practice of Von Wobeser y Sierra has continued to grow and develop in all los árbitros, both as attorneys for a party and as arbitrators appointed by the parties and/or by arbitration administration institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the American Arbitration Association and the London Court of Arbitration.  Our firm has been particularly active in investor – state arbitrations, where members of our firm have acted as members and president of arbitral tribunals, including arbitrations between non-Mexican investors and states.

The 3rd edition of GAR 100 will be published soon.  Until it is published, the list of the 100 best arbitration firms in the world can be consulted at the following web site:

http://www.globalarbitrationreview.com/surveys/survey/156/gar-100-2nd-edition/