Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Manuel M Soto Gutiérrez is a recognised attorney specialising in intellectual property. In 1971 he received his law degree from the law school of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City. He also attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he received a degree in business administration in 1970.

Mr Soto is an active member of various national and international organisations, including the Mexican Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property – for which he has served as president – the Mexican Bar Association, the International Trademark Association, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, the Inter- American Association of Intellectual Property and the National Association of Corporate Lawyers.

Mr Soto is experienced in advising multinational companies on the protection, maintenance and enforcement of their trademarks in Mexico and abroad. Further, he has been a speaker at many congresses and conferences regarding intellectual property. Mr. Soto began his practice at Uhthoff Gomez Vega & Uhthoff, SC in 1970 and became a partner in 1981. Currently, he is senior partner in charge of the trademark department at the firm, which is one of the oldest and most highly rated IP and corporate law firms in Mexico.