To capitalize on massive reforms in the oil and gas industry in Mexico, Mayer Brown will expand its energy practice to the country's capital city by bringing on Francisco Mendez, ExxonMobil Corp.'s in-house counsel in Latin America.

Mendez, who worked at ExxonMobil for 20 years and helped the energy giant navigate Mexico's recent reforms, will be based in Mayer Brown's Houston office but will split his time between there and Mexico City.

“Mexico has been completely closed to the outside world in terms of oil and gas production for 76 years, and it is one of the most resource-rich countries in the world,” says Mayer Brown corporate partner Dallas Parker, who is leading the firm's Mexico energy reform initiative.