Latin America-related compliance, white-collar crime and investigations remains big business for international law firms. Over the last decade, firms have invested considerable resources into this area, often bringing in former prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies to develop their practices. Today, firms continue to work on a range of enforcement actions by agencies, internal investigations to deal with potential regulatory violations and compliance programmes to prevent violations. Latin America has been a hotbed of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement over the last few years, often by the DOJ and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and this is expected to continue. Compliance and investigations specialists are also frequently brought in as part of transactional due diligence to uncover and address any corruption violations.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a pioneer in international investigations, especially in Latin America. The practice group is at the forefront of internal and public investigations by civil regulators and public prosecutors; and it has an established background in anti-corruption, including FCPA compliance. Building on its prominent roles in connection with the headline Operation Lava Jato and FIFA corruption scandals, the group is active across the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. New York partner Andrew Levine is widely recognised as a leading figure in Latin America investigations and compliance, notably representing a range of multinational corporates, private equity houses and other financial sponsors in connection with matters in the region. The firm also has a deep bench of white-collar crime, regulatory defence and internal investigations specialist partners who are active in Latin America, including former chief of the SEC Enforcement Division’s FCPA Unit, Kara Brockmeyer; along with David O’Neil, who is co-chair of the white-collar and regulatory defence group. Partners are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has an outstanding presence in investigations and prosecutions with a large team that focuses much of its attention on the Latin America market. It leads the field in FCPA and anti-corruption work, along with fraud and corporate investigations. The firm continues to stand out in this area thanks to its previous representation of Petrobras in the Operation Lava Jato scandal in Brazil. It has maintained its position through a series of major engagements in major FCPA investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), along with voluntary disclosure processes, and substantial internal investigations. Joseph Warin is head of the litigation group in Washington DC and co-chair of the global white-collar defence and investigations practice; he has unrivalled experience in engaging with the DOJ and SEC. Los Angeles partner Michael Farhang is another prominent figure in Latin America, with an impressive record in internal investigations and M&A diligence, and has advised clients in some of the biggest investigations in the region, including in Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. Former head of the FCPA unit at the DOJ, Patrick Stokes is another key member of the team, along with of counsel Bryan Parr and associate Pedro Soto. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

 

Miller & Chevalier Chartered remains at the forefront of white-collar crime, investigations and compliance matters in Latin America. It operates in all the key markets including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Peru. It has worked on many of the headline investigations and enforcement actions in the region, including landmark FCPA settlements, along with large-scale compliance and anti-corruption programmes. With its focus on white-collar defence work, the Washington DC firm has developed a team of top practitioners, many of whom have a major focus on Latin America. Many team members are fluent or native Spanish or Portuguese speakers, including a number that have deep cultural connections to the region. Matteson Ellis is a leader in anti-corruption and investigations, a vastly experienced figure in FCPA investigations and an authority on compliance and best practice for major corporates and governments. James Tillen is also highly-rated with a background in headline and big-ticket investigations, having represented clients in some of the largest cases in the region. Alejandra Montenegro Almonte has also made a significant impression on the market, leading clients in investigations across multiple jurisdictions and establishing herself as a top expert in FCPA matters. Jeffrey Lehtman, William Barry and Margarita Sánchez are additional well-regarded practitioners, as area Gregory Bates and Maria Lapetina. Counsel Leah Moushey also impresses.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's background with sovereign governments and state-owned enterprises, makes it especially well positioned to handle cases before the DOJ, SEC and Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and other enforcement agencies. The Latin America-focused team has a strong emphasis on anti-bribery and corruption, including FCPA investigations. It is working more intensively in connection with financial statements and disclosures on ESG and cyber controls; the firm represented Vale in an SEC investigation into securities disclosures relating to the company’s dam safety, resulting from the 2019 Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil. The Latin America team benefits from the presence of a number of former SEC officials within the firm’s ranks, including Matthew Solomon in Washington DC. Furthermore, the hire of Washington DC-based David Last, the former chief of the FCPA unit at the DOJ, has deepened the firm’s expertise in government and internal investigations. Lisa Vicens ('vast experience and deep knowledge in white-collar matters') is a prominent name in FCPA and cross-border investigations, having represented big-name clients in a series of major engagements. Jonathan Kolodner is another important figure in white-collar criminal enforcement and regulatory matters. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

 

Covington & Burling LLP continues to make progress in the compliance and investigations field. It has represented clients in a series of major DOJ investigations involving alleged FCPA violations. The firm has a sizeable white-collar defence and investigations team, which features a number of former prosecutors and former senior officials within the DOJ and SEC. It has fluent or native Spanish and Portuguese speakers at every level of seniority. Its client base is largely US or Europe-based businesses that have operations in Latin America. Prominent name Veronica Yepez has impressed the market since becoming a partner in 2022, representing clients in a number of DOJ investigations and internal investigations, and is almost entirely focused on Latin America. Steven Fagell co-heads the white-collar defence and investigations team and is a former senior official in the Criminal Division at the DOJ, now representing a number of multinationals in a number of DOJ investigations involving Latin America operations. Donald Ridings is chair of the global anti-corruption practice and is another experienced figure in Latin America-related matters. Leah Saris impresses at associate level. All named individuals are based in Washington DC.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has committed considerable resources and expertise to its Latin America white collar defence and investigations practice. It has an impressive record in achieving declinations for clients on a range of matters from the deputy attorney general, DOJ and SEC, and has successfully represented clients in investigations by multiple regulators, resulting in no penalties. In 2023, it represented Grupo Aval and its majority-owned subsidiary Corficolombiana in securing a coordinated resolution of investigations by the DOJ and the SEC. It has also continued to act for clients in large cases linked to the Lava Jato investigation in Brazil. Greg Andres is co-head of the white-collar defence and investigations group, and has taken prime roles in major Latin America cases; he has recently represented clients in government inquiries and FCPA investigations in Latin America. Martine Beamon is also co-head of the group and has extensive Latin America experience. Washington DC partner Daniel Kahn held several senior roles at the DOJ, including as chief of the FCPA unit, and has an established record in cases across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru, among other jurisdictions; he continues to advise clients in connection with multiple investigations, anti-corruption and compliance matters throughout the region. Tatiana Martins is a native Portuguese and fluent Spanish speaker, and remains one of the firm’s most active partners in Latin America investigations. Native Spanish speaker Antonio Perez-Marques has also represented clients in a series of internal investigations and compliance programmes, among other matters. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Ropes & Gray LLP's litigation and enforcement group, specialises in anti-corruption and international risk, government enforcement and white-collar crime. Many in the team are fluent Spanish or Portuguese speakers, and many also have a background as federal prosecutors. Key Latin America-focused partners and co-chairs of the global anti-corruption and international risk practice, María González Calvet and Ryan Rohlfsen were both members of the DOJ’s FCPA unit; Calvet is a native Spanish speaker and fluent in Portuguese. The team continues to represent a range of multinationals with operations or interests in Latin America, along with Latin American businesses, and private equity houses and their portfolio companies. Life sciences and technology remain major industries for the firm worldwide. Alexandre Rene is another prominent figure in global investigations, including those that cover Latin America. All named partners are based in Washington DC, with Rohlfsen also splitting time between Chicago and Washington DC.

White & Case LLP has cemented its position in enforcement investigations, internal investigations and compliance matters. The Latin America-focused team has worked more intensively in sanctions-related matters, bankruptcy-connected matters, and in cryptocurrency and fintech. It is also increasingly active in supply chain ESG issues. The bilingual team is adept at conducting investigations in Spanish and frequently deals with the SEC, DOJ and other key regulators. It continues to work with clients in developing their compliance programmes and regularly assists private equity and strategic clients in assessing compliance risks as part of proposed investments and acquisitions. Michael Garcia holds an accounting degree and is noted for SEC financial fraud investigations. Maria Beguiristain is another leading practitioner with wide-ranging expertise in internal investigations and white-collar criminal defence cases, including those linked to bankruptcies and Ponzi schemes. Enrique Espejel is co-head of the disputes practice in Mexico and has extensive experience in white-collar defence and compliance matters. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

White-collar crime and investigations is very much a central pillar at Diaz Reus International Law Firm, which -with its headquarters in Miami- has deep connections to Latin America. The firm frequently defends Latin America-based senior executives and government officials in connection with alleged corruption, bribery, money laundering, crypto-currency laundering, and violations of state department sanctions. It has a particularly strong record in money laundering and public corruption cases connected to Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and a range of Central American states, among others. The firm is further noted for its experience in assisting clients with their removal from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list, in securing government declinations of criminal prosecutions and in pre-indictment resolutions strategies. The firm’s founder and global managing partner Michael Diaz is a leader in representing Latin American businesses, executives and government officials in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering cases, including securing declinations from prosecutions from the DOJ and the US attorney’s office in Miami; he has also represented several Venezuelan organisations and institutions in connection with OFAC sanctions. Robert Targ is another hugely experienced practitioner in this area, while Marta Colomar-Garcia is noted for her anti-money laundering expertise, along with roles in a range of pre and post-indictment criminal investigations. Javier Coronado Diaz is key figure in many of the firm’s primary engagements, splitting his time between Miami and Bogota. All named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Jones Day continues to develop its investigations and white-collar practice, with additional growth in M&A due diligence-related engagements and in connection with Latin American corporates and financial institutions moving into the US market, especially from Brazil. The team is also active in managing criminal liability from large environmental incidents, including the liability of directors and board members. Distinctively, the firm has white-collar crime and investigations specialists in Sao Paulo and Mexico City, along with a wealth of Latin America-facing attorneys in multiple US offices. Cristina Pérez Soto heads the litigation team in Miami and has a major focus on government, regulatory and internal investigations in Latin America. Mexico City’s Guillermo Larrea is a compliance specialist with a fine record in corporate governance, anti-corruption, privacy and cybersecurity for Mexican and overseas multinationals. Sao Paulo-based of counsel Fernando Pastore is another key figure in anti-corruption due diligence connected to M&A transactions, along with criminal investigations in Brazil.

Kobre & Kim has a solid record in representing senior executives, high net-worth individuals and politicians, along with multinational corporates and financial institutions. It frequently acts for clients in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations, often those involving FCPA and money laundering violations. The firm is also active in anti-competitive conduct investigations and asset tracing matters. The Latin America white-collar crime team is largely located in Miami with additional support in Sao Paulo. Adriana Riviere-Badell has an emphasis on government enforcement defence, with a major focus on Latin America. Evelyn Sheehan is another experienced figure in cross-border investigations, government enforcement actions and related asset forfeiture matters, often representing high net-worth individuals and executives. Sao Paulo-based Carolina Leung brings further white-collar expertise, particularly in Brazil investigations. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Martin De Luca and Gabriela Ruiz left the firm in 2023.

Paul Hastings LLP has an outstanding presence in FCPA and anti-corruption investigations across the world, and has obtained a significant number of FCPA declinations over the years. The practice has achieved additional prominence in life sciences compliance and enforcement in Latin America. The firm represents a range of Latin America-based corporates and multinationals that have a presence in the region. The team benefits from the firm’s large number of former DOJ and SEC attorneys. The investigations and white-collar defence practice is frequently engaged in large-scale global investigations that involve Latin America, including representing SAP in SEC and DOJ investigations into alleged FCPA violations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Kwame Manley is now global chair of the litigation department, having been head of the investigations and white-collar defence practice. Robert Luskin has an outstanding record in multi-jurisdictional settlements and foreign bribery resolutions, as does John Darden, who is further noted for resolutions and declinations; he recently represented CEMIG (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais), in DOJ and SEC investigations of potential FCPA violations in connection with various CEMIG acquisitions and contracts. Chair of the Washington DC litigation practice, Nathaniel Edmonds, along with Corinne Lammers and Jonathan Drimmer, are also key figures in Latin America-facing investigations. All named individuals are based in Washington DC.

Sidley Austin LLP is a significant player in global investigations and has a fine record in Latin America. The practice has extensive experience in FCPA matters, including landmark resolutions; it acted for Stericycle in one of few recent FCPA resolutions under the Biden administration, which involved a number of Latin American jurisdictions. The firm has handled investigations right across the region, leveraging the presence of multiple former federal prosecutors and officials within its ranks, along with many practitioners that are fluent in Spanish or Portuguese. New York-based Timothy Treanor is global co-chair of the white-collar, government litigation and investigations practice, a former federal prosecutor, and is noted for his representation of CONCACAF in an ongoing criminal prosecution in the US and in connection with the Stericycle case. Dallas partners Paige Holden Montgomery and newly-elected partner David Silva are also key members of the team that focuses on Latin America, along with New York’s Michael Mann.

With its expanding team and its wide-ranging experience of representing clients before the DOJ, SEC and other regulators around the world, Vinson & Elkins LLP is a growing force in corporate crime and investigations. Its background in the energy and technology sectors, has given it additional exposure to the elevated compliance and white-collar risks in certain industries. Much of the practice centres on internal and government investigations, risk assessments, compliance policies and procedures, reviewing contractual arrangements, and due diligence reviews. The corporate crime and investigations team is frequently engaged in due diligence for energy transactions and in an array of investigations linked to corruption, bid ridding, cybersecurity, securities fraud and money laundering, among other matters. New York-based Palmina Fava is a prominent figure in government and internal investigations, due diligence for acquisitions, and compliance programmes; a significant portion of her practice is focused on Latin America. Washington DC partner and former federal prosecutor Ephraim Wernick is an authority on FCPA investigations, including in Latin America.

Arnold & Porter combines its global commitment to white-collar defence and investigations with its eminent history in Latin America. The firm routinely handles anti-corruption and white-collar defence matters in multiple Latin America jurisdictions, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. It frequently represents clients in government investigations and enforcement, internal investigations, due diligence reviews and follow-on litigation. The white-collar defence and investigations team features a number of former prosecutors and lawyers from the DOJ, SEC and Serious Fraud Office (SFO). New York-based Marcus Asner is the key contact and has represented clients in a series of anti-corruption investigations, including those linked to public tenders.

King & Spalding LLP has an increasingly prominent compliance and investigations practice in Latin America. Closely linked to its formidable energy practice, the special matters and government investigations team has a raft of engagements in Mexico oil and gas projects and transactions. The group is also active in connection with investments by private equity funds and in relation to investigations by global accounting firms into their operations in the region, including internal compliance and investigations to ascertain potential violations. Brandt Liebe is a key partner in Houston; while New York’s Gary Adamson, a fluent Spanish speaker, has a major focus on Latin America regulatory and internal investigations matters.

Latham & Watkins LLP has an established white-collar defence and investigations practice that frequently lands engagements that are solely focused on or connected to Latin America. Alongside the firm’s highly-rated Latin America team, the white-collar defence and investigations department has a fine record in FCPA investigations and FCPA compliance procedures. Many of its cases are linked to allegations of embezzlement, accounting fraud, money laundering, and corruption. The firm is also noted for its record in DOJ declinations and FCPA resolutions. Douglas Greenburg has more than 25 years' experience in FCPA, money laundering and securities fraud, among other matters, and is the former global practice chair of the white-collar defence and investigations department. Daniel Dominguez also has an impressive background in white-collar defence, internal investigations, and enforcement actions by the DOJ and SEC. Both are based in Washington DC.

Morrison Foerster has an established investigations and white-collar defence practice, which has a fine record in Latin America cases. The Latin America-focused group is complemented by the firm’s prominent global privacy practice and in-house forensic accounting group. The team includes three former managers from the DOJ Criminal Division’s fraud section, including Washington DC partner Charles Duross, who is active in Latin America cases. Of late, the group has continued to advise on internal investigations, defence of clients before the DOJ and SEC, compliance programmes and transaction due diligence. It continues to represent multinational clients and financial institutions from around the world in large-scale investigations involving their Latin America operations. New York partner Ruti Smithline is co-chair of the investigations and white-collar defence practice group and co-chair of the Latin America department; she was born and raised in Colombia and is a fluent Spanish speaker. Washington DC’s John Smith previously served as a top official at OFAC and is actively engaged in Latin America matters.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has a deep presence in Latin America across multiple practice areas, including white-collar defence and investigations. The firm’s esteemed reputation has brought it a wealth of Latin America-based and global clients that have interests or assets in the region. It is routinely engaged in FCPA investigations and compliance, internal investigations and claims under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. Julie Bédard is head of the Americas international arbitration group, is common and civil law trained, speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and regularly handles white-collar defence matters.

Winston & Strawn LLP has a burgeoning commitment to Latin America, including teams dedicated to government investigations, enforcement, compliance and international trade. The firm has deep knowledge of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act relating to the Cuba economic embargo, including compliance advice. It has worked on a series of sanctions matters relating to Cuba and Venezuela, and continues to represent a number of multinationals and Latin American corporates in connection with government and internal investigations. The firm’s nascent offices in Miami and São Paulo have provided further connections into the region and relationships with public and private companies, institutions, professional service organisations, corporate boards and committees, executives, officers, public officials, and other individuals. Abbe Lowell is global co-chair of the global investigations, enforcement and compliance practice, and maintains a strong focus on Latin America. Cari Stinebower is chair of the international trade practice and has leading expertise in sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela. New York-based Marcelo Blackburn is also experienced in SEC and DOJ investigations involving Latin American entities. Pamela Davis  has left the firm. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.