Mexican Attorneys | Over 30 Years of Experience
Personal Service. Professional Follow-Through.
For more than 30 years, Connell & Associates has advised international clients on real estate, business, and legal matters in Mexico, with extensive experience in coastal communities. We combine our knowledge of Mexican law with an understanding of cross-border transactions and the practical considerations faced by foreign investors, property owners, and families.
Our main office is located in the Marina area of Puerto Vallarta, with additional offices in Punta de Mita, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, and Mexico City. This presence allows our team to assist clients across Mexico’s important coastal and investment markets while maintaining the resources and reach required for matters extending beyond those regions.
Our attorneys provide clear advice, careful legal analysis, and strategies tailored to each client’s objectives. Whether you are acquiring property, developing a project, conducting business, or resolving a dispute, we work to identify legal risks and guide you through each stage of the process.
Contact us to discuss your matter and determine how our team may assist you.
Our principal areas of expertise include
Real Estate and Real Estate Development
Tax Advisory for Real Estate and Business Operations
Estate Planning, Probate, and Inheritance Disputes
Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone Concessions (ZOFEMAT)
Contracts and Negotiation
Intellectual Property and Trademark Registration
Corporate Law, Business Transactions, and Foreign Investment
Civil and Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
Agrarian and Land Tenure Matters
Arbitration and Mediation.
Immigration and Residency Services
Meet Our Partners
For more than 30 years, David W. Connell has helped international clients navigate … with confidence the legal and business landscape of Mexico. As Founder of Connell & Associates, he has built a reputation for delivering practical and cost-conscious legal strategies designed to protect investments, preserve wealth, and support long-term success.
Born in California and educated in both the United States and Mexico, David offers a unique cross-border perspective that bridges two legal systems and two cultures.
His ability to understand the expectations of U.S. and Canadian clients—while providing practical solutions under Mexican law—has made him a trusted advisor to property owners, investors, developers, businesses, and families throughout Mexico.
Throughout his career, David has advised clients on complex real estate transactions, foreign investment, corporate matters, trusts, estate planning, and high-value development projects. His counsel is informed not only by decades of legal practice, but also by extensive firsthand experience in business, real estate transactions, and development. Many of the strategies and recommendations he provides are grounded in situations he has personally encountered, allowing him to approach legal matters with a practical understanding of the challenges, risks, and opportunities his clients may face.
His work is driven by a simple philosophy: exceptional legal counsel should provide clarity, confidence, and lasting peace of mind—not unnecessary complexity.
David is actively involved in the community and advises several nonprofit organizations. He has also served as President of Fundación Punta de Mita for approximately eight years, supporting initiatives focused on strengthening the Punta de Mita and surrounding communities.
He is also the Founder of TLA Escrow Services, one of the leading real estate and commercial escrow companies in Latin America, with offices in Dallas, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and San José, Costa Rica.
Beyond his legal practice, David takes an active role in real estate development and has served as a principal in projects including Ancora Punta de Mita: https://ancorapuntamita.com and Los Panchos in La Saladita, Guerrero: www.lospanchosmx.com among others. This direct involvement in development gives him an additional practical perspective on many of the same legal, commercial, and operational issues faced by his clients.
In his free time, David can often be found on the ocean—freediving, surfing, or fishing with family and friends.
With more than two decades of legal experience, Cenorina Gómez is recognized for guiding international clients through some of Mexico’s most complex real estate, corporate, and investment matters. As a Partner at Connell & Associates and Managing Attorney of the Puerto Vallarta office, she combines deep legal knowledge with a practical, client-focused approach that delivers confidence at every stage of the process.
Since joining the firm in 2002, Cenorina has advised individuals, developers, investors, and international businesses on high-value real estate transactions, corporate structuring, foreign investment, and regulatory compliance.
Her ability to anticipate legal challenges and create strategic solutions has made her a trusted advisor for clients investing and doing business throughout Mexico.
Her practice extends beyond traditional legal counsel. Cenorina has extensive experience leading due diligence for residential, commercial, and development projects, helping clients identify opportunities, minimize risk, and move forward with confidence.
From trust structures and corporate entities to environmental permits, condominium regimes, and regulatory approvals, she provides comprehensive guidance tailored to every investment.
Known for her attention to detail and commitment to excellence, Cenorina believes that exceptional legal representation should bring clarity, security, and long-term value—not unnecessary complexity.
Her collaborative approach ensures that every client receives personalized legal strategies aligned with their goals and investments.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Cenorina works closely with U.S. and Canadian property owners, investors, and entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the Mexican legal system with confidence, transparency, and peace of mind.
Héctor García is a Partner at Connell & Associates, where he advises international clients on navigating the legal and business landscape of Mexico with confidence, precision, and strategic insight.
Known for his client-centered approach, Héctor works closely with U.S. and Canadian property owners, investors, developers, and business leaders, providing practical legal guidance tailored to each client’s objectives.
His philosophy is simple: exceptional legal counsel should not only solve today’s challenges, but also protect tomorrow’s opportunities.
As part of the firm’s leadership team, Héctor collaborates on sophisticated legal matters involving real estate, foreign investment, corporate transactions, and long-term asset protection. His ability to transform complex legal issues into
clear, actionable strategies has earned the trust of clients seeking security, transparency, and lasting results.
Héctor believes that every investment represents years of dedication and hard work.
For that reason, he is committed to delivering legal solutions that safeguard not only property and business interests, but also the legacy his clients are building for future generations.
Together with the multidisciplinary team at Connell & Associates, Héctor is dedicated to providing the level of professionalism, responsiveness, and personalized service that international clients expect when investing and doing business in Mexico.
Omar G. Ortiz Castañeda is a Partner at Connell & Associates and leads the firm’s Litigation Practice, representing international clients in complex legal disputes throughout Mexico. With more than 15 years of experience, he is recognized for delivering strategic legal solutions that protect investments, resolve disputes efficiently, and safeguard his clients’ long-term interests.
Since joining the firm in 2010, Omar has played a key role in strengthening Connell & Associates’ litigation practice.
His experience spans constitutional, civil, commercial, and criminal litigation, where he has successfully represented foreign investors, property owners, businesses, and private clients in high-profile and strategically significant matters.
Graduating with highest academic honors from the University of Guadalajara, Omar has built a reputation for combining technical excellence with practical legal strategy.
His ability to analyze complex legal challenges, negotiate effective resolutions, and confidently represent clients before Mexican courts has made him a trusted advisor for those doing business and investing in Mexico.
As Head of Litigation, Omar coordinates sophisticated legal matters alongside multidisciplinary teams and strategic partner firms, ensuring every client benefits from comprehensive representation and seamless legal support.
His leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving favorable outcomes have contributed to the continued growth and reputation of Connell & Associates.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Omar works closely with U.S. and Canadian property owners, investors, and entrepreneurs, providing clear communication and practical guidance throughout every stage of the legal process.
His philosophy is rooted in professionalism, integrity, and the belief that exceptional legal representation should provide clients with confidence, certainty, and lasting peace of mind.
How We Work
Understanding Your Needs. Defining the Next Steps.
Every matter begins with understanding your objectives. We offer a complimentary initial consultation, which may be conducted in person, by phone, or by videoconference, to discuss your legal needs and evaluate how our team may assist you.
Following this initial assessment, we will outline our proposed legal services, estimated fees, and the next steps required to move forward.
