Jones Day brings Salvador Gallo Korkowski back to strengthen its cross-border M&A practice in Mexico

Jones Day announced the return of Salvador Gallo Korkowski as Of Counsel in its corporate practice in Mexico City, in a move to strengthen its advice on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and corporate finance in Latin America.

Admitted to practise in Mexico and New York, the lawyer returns to the firm after serving as General Counsel of Merama Inc., a business platform specializing in the acquisition and development of e-commerce brands in Latin America.

His appointment combines experience at international firms with a perspective gained as the head of legal at a company involved in multiple acquisitions and financing processes.

With more than 15 years of professional experience, Gallo Korkowski advises companies, private equityfunds, investors, boards and management teams on M&A transactions, joint ventures, investments in venture-backed companies and cross-border financing.

From Merama to Jones Day: experience in nearly 30 transactions

During his time as head of legal at Merama, Gallo Korkowski oversaw approximately 30 corporate transactions and led the legal aspects of various equity and debt financings across multiple jurisdictions.

His work included acquisitions and divestments in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru, as well as financing processes with an aggregate value of more than USD 400 million, according to his professional profile.

He also advised the board and executive team on matters relating to transaction viability, risk allocation, corporate governance and regulatory exposure.

In addition to his legal responsibilities, he served as a board member and corporate secretary.

This experience enabled him to participate directly in strategic investment and business expansion decisions, from the initial assessment of opportunities through post-acquisition integration.

A career focused on M&A and international finance

Before joining Merama, Gallo Korkowski spent more than eight years at Jones Day.

During that time, he represented investment funds, public entities and private companies in infrastructure, M&A, project finance and international transactions.

His experience spans sectors including energy, education and heavy industry, as well as coordinating Mexican law aspects of cross-border transactions with Jones Day teams in the United States and Europe.

Transactions listed in his professional profile include advising on the sale of Cardinal Health’s Cordis business to Hellman & Friedman, for approximately USD 1.000 million, and various international acquisitions and financings.

His work has also included financing transactions related to energy infrastructure and industrial projects in Mexico.

His knowledge of both Mexican and US law is central to his practice, particularly in transactions involving international investment and corporate structures across multiple jurisdictions.

Mexico as a regional investment platform

His return comes as Mexico maintains a strategic position for investment and corporate transactions between Latin America, the United States and Europe.

Rodrigo Gómez Ballina, the partner in charge of Jones Day’s Mexico City office, highlighted the country’s importance as a hub for international investment flows and the value of having lawyers who can advise on transactions subject to different laws.

Meanwhile, Randi Lesnick, co-head of Jones Day’s global corporate practice, emphasized the combination of transactional experience and understanding of business needs that Gallo Korkowski brings after leading an active acquisition programme from an in-house legal department.

The lawyer’s return also reflects a notable trend in the legal market: international firms hiring professionals who have held General Counselpositions, bringing direct experience in investment decisions, negotiations, risk management and corporate governance.

A global practice with nearly 400 M&A lawyers

Gallo Korkowski joins Jones Day’s global corporate team, which comprises nearly 400 lawyers specializing in M&A across 16 countries.

According to the firm, over the past five years its teams have advised on more than 5,200 transactions, with an aggregate value exceeding USD 2.1 trillion.

Jones Day has approximately 2,500 lawyers across 40 offices on five continents.

Its Mexico City office, opened in 2009, advises on M&A, banking and finance, capital markets, competition, energy, infrastructure, tax, regulatory matters and dispute resolution.

The office works in coordination with the firm’s international teams on foreign investment and corporate transactions involving Latin American elements.

Education and professional background

Salvador Gallo Korkowski holds a law degree from the Universidad Panamericanain Guadalajara, where he also completed postgraduate studies in constitutional law with honours.

He holds an LL.M. from Cornell Law School, in the United States, and is admitted to practise in New York and Mexico.

He previously served as an adjunct professor of Law and Economics at Universidad Panamericana.

His return to Jones Day strengthens the firm’s international corporate transactions practice, adding a perspective that combines external legal advice, board experience and in-house legal leadership at companies operating across Latin American markets.

Key facts

• Firm: Jones Day
• Appointment: Salvador Gallo Korkowski returns as Of Counsel in the corporate practice in Mexico City
• Experience: More than 15 years in cross-border M&A, private equity, joint ventures and corporate finance
• Previous role: General Counsel of Merama Inc.
• Transaction experience: Oversaw approximately 30 transactions and took part in equity and debt financings exceeding USD 400 million
• Regional presence: Transaction experience in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru
• Admissions: Mexico and New York
• Education: Universidad Panamericana and Cornell Law School
• Global practice: Jones Day has nearly 400 M&A lawyers across 16 countries