Fernando Camarena Cardona

Partner

Fernando Camarena Cardona

Partner

Fernando Camarena is a senior business and legal advisor on international and domestic tax issues in Mexico, providing both tax counseling and assistance with litigation. He is a partner in the Taxation, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, and Transactions Practices. He represents medium-sized companies to Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and other global and brand name corporations in the energy, manufacturing, nutritional supplement, insurance, and other industries.

Fernando is frequently sought after by clients for his broad understanding of tax laws and systems around the world. He is described by clients in the Chambers & Partners Latin American Guide as having deep financial knowledge that “allows him to understand not only the tax implications but also the business with which he is dealing.” With referrals from clients and major law firms around the world, he is passionate about clients’ primary goal of conducting business in Mexico as tax efficiently as possible.

Fernando has extensive experience in M&A and corporate transactions. He has a deep understanding of the corporate vision, as well as the technical transaction specifics for U.S. and foreign corporations, such as the permanent establishment issue that arises in joint ventures, especially in the energy industry, and the country-specific treaties on double taxation. His experience also encompasses insurance regulatory and government contracts matters.

U.S. and European companies are confident when they hire Fernando that he has superior international tax knowledge, and that he understands the entire business picture and structure under which they are operating. American clients appreciate that he knows the reporting that must be done in the U.S. – FIN 48, which they must file when they have an income tax issue abroad.

Awards and Recognition

  • Recognized, The Best Lawyers in Mexico (Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith eds., Woodward/White Inc.)
    • Corporate Law (2015-2023)
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2015-2023)
    • Amparo Law (2020 – 2023)
    • Administrative Law (2020 – 2023)
    • Real Estate Law (2023)
    • Tax Law (2023)
    • Project Finance and Development (2023)
  • Recognized, Chambers Latin America: Latin America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
    • Tax (Mexico) (2011-2024)
  • Recognized, Chambers Global:
    • Tax (Mexico) (2011-2023)

Affiliations

  • Member, Illustrious and National Mexican Attorney’s College
  • Member, Mexican Attorney’s Bar
  • Member, Tax Commission of the Mexican Attorney’s Bar
  • Member, Legal Precedents Commission of the International Fiscal Association (IFA)
  • Member, International Tax Commission of the Mexican Accounting Institute

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
18 October 2023 Article

Mexican Government Promotes Nearshoring Through Tax Benefits

05 July 2023 Article

VAT tax consequences due to the offsetting of debts

In any type of transaction, it is usual for two parties to enter into a debtor/creditor relationship and use the legal concept of compensation as a method of payment for their respective debts, making it easy to comply with their obligations without the need for the movement of money.
02 June 2023

Mexican Supreme Court of Justice Invalidates Key Provision in Federal Tax Code That Authorized the Disclosure of PII by Federal Tax Agency

The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice ruled to invalidate the last paragraph of Article 17-F of the Mexican Federal Tax Code, which allowed requests be made to the Mexican Tax Administration Service (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) to verify and authenticate electronic signature certificates and to disclose to any third party personal identifiable information (PII) to verify the identity of users of electronic signatures, including biometric information, without prior consent by users.
03 May 2023 Deals and Wins

Foley Represents GGV in $60M Investment in Clara

Foley & Lardner LLP recently represented GGV as an investor in the $60 million investment round for Clara, a Mexico-based spend management company.
02 May 2023 Blogs

Nearshoring and Beyond: Hot Topics for Automotive Companies Operating in Mexico

As manufacturing in Mexico returns to pre-pandemic levels, several recent legal developments may affect those operations.
20 March 2023 Innovative Technology Insights

Mexico: Some Key Issues to Watch in a Financially Stressed Environment

Following the bank receivership of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and similar situations with other stressed financial institutions in the U.S. and Europe, companies are concerned with their international assets and credits held by banking and non-banking institutions overseas. The concern in Mexico is augmented due to the interconnection of the U.S. and Mexican economies.