Our Team

Francis E. Cossu

FOUNDING PARTNER

Francis Cossu was born in Connecticut and moved to Mexico at eight years of age. Mr. Cossu has provided strategy to investors who have incorporated over 200 Mexican corporations. Additionally, he helps to manage and maintain the day-to-day corporate, regulatory and business needs of these. He has created many sophisticated investment structures in the form of business trusts and joint ventures to develop real estate investments

Mr. Cossu has completed over US$ 1 Billion in real estate transactions:

• $600,000,000+ in transfers in the exclusive Palmilla development.

• $200,000,000+ in mortgages, security trusts and other real estate securities to guarantee, repayment of loans granted throughout Mexico by foreign / domestic financial institutions and private entities.

• $80,000,000+ in transfers in other residential developments such as El Pedregal, El Dorado, Palmilla Sur, Puerto Los Cabos, Punta Ballena, and Cabo del Sol.

• $50,000,000+ in transfers in other Mexican states including Mexico City, Quintana Roo, Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco.

• $200,000,000+ in mortgages, security trusts and other real estate securities to guarantee, repayment of loans granted throughout Mexico by foreign and domestic financial institution and private entities.

Mr. Cossu provides oversight to developers in the creation, implementation, operation and management of developments such as: Villas del Mar Pamilla, Oasis Palmilla, and both phases of Espíritu del Mar.

Francis has participated in multiple professional forums providing insight and advice to local congresses in the enactment of laws and other areas of government in the application of provisions and compliance of obligations.

Education: Universidad Panamericana, México City (Law, 1991); Georgetown University (Masters Degree in Law, 1992)

Languages: Spanish, English and French

Practice Areas: Corporate Law, Real Estate; International Law; Taxation, Maritime Law; Foreign Investment; Litigation


Cesar Aristoteles Morales

PARTNER

Mr. Morales joined Cossu Abogados in 2003 and heads the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution department. He has extensive experience in all forms of litigation, especially as it relates to civil, commercial, corporate, administrative, and amparo (constitutional) action matters. He has provided counsel in complex matters where the resolutions have created precedence as recorded in the Supreme Courts Federal Judicial gazette (the official source of precedents for the Mexican Federal Judicial System).

Mr. Morales completed his in Spain where he earned a masters degree and a PhD in Law. With over 20 years of experience, Aristoteles is a renowned litigator and has succesfully represented individuals and corporate clients in complex domestic and international litigation and arbitration.

Mr. Morales is a frequent speaker and participant in several forums related to litigation and its constitutional approach.

Education: Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (1992); Universitat Pompeu Fabra (masters in law 1998-2000); Universidad Complutense de Madrid (PhD 1994-1997)

Practice Areas: Litigation and Dispute Resolution


Claudia Suarez

SENIOR ATTORNEY

Claudia Suarez joined Cossu Abogados in 2006 as a senior associate where she plays an important role in handling real estate transactions as well as assisting foreign and domestic corporations that wish to do business in the Baja California Area. She has previously worked as an attorney at Gascon, Estada & Estrada, a public notary office and law firm in Guadalajara.

Claudia has a deep understanding of the administrative rules and regulations governing real estate transactions as well as the processes to be followed in the various state and municipal offices. Claudia has extensive experience in dealing with all kinds of real estate transactions as well as structuring, incorporating and handling the day to day legal needs of corporations, associations and condominium regimes.

Mrs. Suarez obtained her law degree from the Universidad Panamericana and has been licensed to practice law in Mexico since 2001

Education: Universidad Panamericana campus Guadalajara, Jalisco (2001)

Languages: Spanish and English

Practice Areas: Corporate Law, Real Estate; International Law; Taxation, Maritime Law; Foreign Investment


Hector Barradas

ATTORNEY

Hector Barradas joined Cossu Abogados in 2003 as an associate in the litigation department. He specializes in civil and commercial litigation. Hector has extensive experience dealing with municipal, state and federal judicial authorities.

Mr. Barradas obtained his law degree from Universidad del Occidente and has been licences to practice law since 2001

Education: Universidad del Occidente, Guasave Sinaloa, Mexico (2001)

Languages: Spanish and English

Practice Areas: Litigation


Norma Martinez

OFFICE MANAGER

Norma Martinez joined Cossu Abogados in 2003, she is the office manager and is in charge of managing the business side of the office as well as the law office operations. She takes care of the firm finances and the overall day to day office logistics.




Edmundo Renato Manriquez

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Mr. Edmundo Manriquez joined Cossu Abogados in 1995, he constantly deals with both state and municipal authorities such as the cadastre bureau and the public registry of property and commerce, as well, he has experience dealing with immigration authorities and has substantive knowledge on the diverse administrative proceedings to be followed before the National Immigration Institute.