Experience
He is a tax attorney with more than 20 years of experience and co-chairs the firm’s Tax practice group. He has a broad based transactional tax practice focused on Mexican inbound and outbound tax optimization and transfer pricing; tax treaties, their application and limitations; anti-deferral and anti-abuse legislation; and overall Income Tax and VAT rationalization. His expertise allows him to structure tax-efficient domestic and cross border acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, spin-offs, redemptions, liquidations, post-acquisition integrations and business restructurings.
Ricardo’s transfer pricing experience allows him advice on the design and implementation of intellectual property, financing, procurement and distribution of goods and performance of services transactions.
His experience and sensitivity have afforded Ricardo prominent recognition in the market as a trusted private family advisor that can render guidance on tax optimization and multigenerational planning family governance.
Prior to joining Sánchez Devanny, he served as Associate Chief Counsel, International (financial instrument taxation) at the Mexican Tax Administration Service and worked as associate and local partner in the Juarez, Chicago and Monterrey offices of a major international law firm. Ricardo’s active participation in professional associations has led him to serve as Co-Chair of the Taxes Committee of the International Bar Association (2020-2021); Co-Chair of the International Tax Committee, American Bar Association, Section of International Law (2012, 2013 and 2014), and Chair of the National Association of Tax Specialists, Monterrey Chapter (2013-2014).
As a recognized leader on Mexican taxation, Ricardo frequently speaks at professional organizations and forums in Mexico and around the world. Among these, he has presented at the International Fiscal Association in Mexico, Canada, the United States and Germany, the International Bar Association in multiple events organized in South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Argentina, and Brazil, among others, as well as other academic and professional organizations.
Ricardo is also a regular contributor to various tax journals and professional publications, including Tax Notes International, International Tax Review and Bloomberg BNA, and other publications. Ricardo was the Managing Partner for Sánchez Devanny from July 2019 to June 2023.
“Ricardo León Santacruz is wonderfully skilled and experienced," – Chambers and Partners Latin America 2022.
“Ricardo León Santacruz and his team, including Abel Mejía, are always very knowledgeable and very well structured to offer their services”. – The Legal 500 2022
"He is very professional, knowledgeable about tax issues, and remains in close contact with the client." – Chambers and Partners Global 2021.
"His strength is really a combination of technical skills and knowledge of US law," – Chambers and Partners High Net Worth 2021.
