Bio

Cecilia Azar Manzur is co-leader of the Arbitration area and a lawyer specialized in mediation and judicial proceedings related to alternative dispute resolution with more than 25 years of experience. She joined Galicia as a partner in 2018, where she focuses her practice on complex domestic and international commercial disputes. Acting as arbitrator, counsel, mediator, or expert in Mexican law, she has developed a broad experience, particularly in cases related to energy, infrastructure, construction, and commercial mediations. Among its clients are national and foreign companies that have entered into agreements related to energy or construction and infrastructure matters. Her recent cases involve complex disputes arising from PPA and public and private work agreements. She has participated in matters related to distribution agreements, technology transfer and international sales. Cecilia is recognized for her expertise and record of accomplishment in complex judicial proceedings related to arbitration before Mexican courts, such as set aside and enforcement of awards, interim measures, amongst others. In close collaboration with other practice areas of the Firm, she advises clients in Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) matters, specifically by analyzing investment protection provisions in Investment Treaties to which Mexico is party. She teaches arbitration and mediation in undergraduate and graduate courses at UNAM, ITAM and CIDE. Currently, Cecilia is president of the Mexican Institute of Mediation (IMM). She is on Mexico’s list of conciliators in ICSID proceedings and is a member of the International Arbitration Court of the ICC. In addition, as of November 2022, she is a member of the Steering Committee of the Latin America Working Group created by the IBA Arbitration Committee. Previously, she served as president of the Mexican Arbitration Institute (IMA); as Secretary General and Counsel of the Mexican Arbitration Center (CAM); as vice-president of the Arbitration Commission of the ICC Mexico, and as a consultant for the Mediation Project in Mexico sponsored by the American Bar Association and USAID. She regularly publishes and speaks on alternative dispute resolution. Cecilia is recognised as Band 2 in the 2023 Chambers Latin American Guide in the Dispute Resolution: Arbitration practice. Since 2021, she is part of Chambers’ Most in Demand Arbitrators list, being the first woman to ranked in said list. She is also considered by The Legal 500 2023 Latin American Guide as a leader in her practice. The French publication Leaders League and Latin Lawyer recognise her as a leader in the national and international legal market, due to her experience and recognition by her clients. She is member of the Galicia’s Talent Committee.