Compliance and investigations in Latin America: International firms

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has landed some of the biggest investigations engagements in Latin America, including numerous matters linked to Operation Lava Jato in Brazil. Moreover, the firm is routinely instructed by multinationals on anti-corruption settlements involving Latin America and has a buoyant practice in anti-corruption and anti-bribery due diligence in M&A and joint ventures, compliance programmes and risk assessments. Although widely recognised for its experience in Brazil, the Latin America team is active throughout the region. Andrew Levine is a recognised market leader in Latin America white-collar crime and investigations, representing clients caught up in many of the headline scandals in the region. Bruce Yannett is chair of the white-collar and regulatory defence practice, and has in depth experience of Latin America matters, especially Brazil. Kara Brockmeyer is former chief of the SEC enforcement division’s FCPA unit, and is also a key player in representing multinationals and individuals involved in Latin America anti-corruption programmes. David O’Neil is also frequently engaged in Latin America investigations, acting for both individuals and corporates. Brazil and New York licensed Daniel Aun is a highly rated associate, particularly for Brazil investigations.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a global leader in FCPA and anti-corruption matters. It is one of few international firms to truly leverage its Sao Paulo presence in this field, backed by a large group of Latin America white-collar and investigations specialists in various US offices. Much of its work centres on Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, but covers the whole Latin America region. It represents a multitude of Fortune 500 and other companies in Latin America investigations. Amongst a series of headline mandates, it previously represented Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) in the FCPA investigation into the Operation Lava Jato bribery scandal in Brazil. Joseph Warin is co-chair of the white-collar defence and investigations practice and is widely heralded for his experience in FCPA investigations. Los Angeles partner Michael Farhang is a former federal prosecutor and specialises in Latin America investigations and FCPA advice relating to M&A transactions.

Jones Day has committed extensive resources to its Latin America investigations and white-collar defence practice. Its substantial team across the US, frequently represents US and Europe-based multinationals in investigations linked to their Latin America operations. With key partners in its Miami, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Mexico City and other offices, it has extensive coverage of the Latin America region. It remains active in Venezuela's oil and gas sector, and has experienced an upswing in investigations linked to Argentina and Peru. In Mexico City, where it has a substantial team, the firm has worked on a series of engagements relating to cancelled contracts. Eric Snyder has an impressive background as a public prosecutor and previously had a lengthy spell in Sao Paulo; he maintains strong connections to Latin America, is a regular adviser in FCPA investigations and has represented parties involved in the Lava Jato investigation in Brazil. Dallas partner Emmanuel Ubiñas is also singled out as a prominent name in Latin America investigations, as is fellow Dallas partner Arielle Tobin who stands out for her experience in financial reporting and accounting fraud investigations. Cristina Pérez Soto is another key figure in Miami. Los Angeles partner David DiMeglio is also noted for internal investigations in Latin America.

White & Case LLP's strong presence in Miami, including an established white-collar practice, provides it with deep cultural and language connections to Latin America. Michael Garcia has an extensive record in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, with impressive experience in FCPA violations and accounting fraud; he previously passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, giving him additional knowledge of accounting and auditing practices. The firm's strong commitment to the region is evidenced by sizeable offices in Sao Paulo and Mexico City, along with a well-developed US-based Latin America team, including additional investigations and white-collar experts in Washington DC and New York. Maria Beguiristain is noted for investigations and white-collar cases involving Ecuadorian and Central America entities. New York partner Virginia Chavez Romano and Mexico City's Enrique Espejel are also key members of the team.

Diaz Reus International Law Firm & Alliance has a fine reputation for representing public officials and other individuals in regulatory investigations and white-collar cases, alongside its experience in OFAC sanctions. While much of the firm's Latin America practice has centred on Venezuela over the years, it has built a much stronger record across Latin America, including Nicaragua and other Central American states. Global managing partner Michael Diaz leads many of the firm's key cases, with support from Robert Targ, another experienced figure in white-collar crime cases, including FCPA charges, OFAC sanctions, money laundering cases and bank fraud. Marta Colomar-Garcia is noted for anti-money laundering expertise.

Ropes & Gray LLP's anti-corruption and international risk group is in large part responsible for the solid platform and growth of its Latin America practice. The team is frequently engaged in investigations of alleged FCPA violations and multi-jurisdictional compliance programmes. It is also experienced in anti-corruption due diligence relating to M&A transactions in the region. The firm and the Latin America team are widely recognised for their expertise in pharmaceutical, life sciences, asset management and financial services, amongst many other sectors. Chicago partner Nicholas Berg co-chairs the Latin America team and has deep experience in FCPA and other anti-corruption investigations. María González Calvet co-chairs the Latin America group and is another leader in FCPA, anti-corruption risk and enforcement in Latin America. Chicago partner Ryan Rohlfsen is another extremely active specialist in the Latin America region, while Colleen Conry, Alexandre Rene and Boston's James Dowden are also key team members.

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a fast growing government investigations and white-collar criminal defence practice in Latin America, with much of it centring on the technology and financial services sectors. The firm has an extensive record in compliance programmes and regulatory investigations. New York partner Palmina Fava is at the forefront of compliance programmes, FCPA and anti-corruption investigations across Latin America. San Francisco partner and former federal prosecutor Matthew Jacobs is a key player in cross-border investigations, including those involving Latin America. Washington DC's Ephraim Wernick is a former supervisor from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal fraud section and FCPA unit, and is also active in Latin America investigations and anti-corruption due diligence exercises for potential M&A transactions.

Greenberg Traurig LLP‘s white-collar defence and special investigations practice features a number of former prosecutors and has increasingly strong connections to Latin America. The firm frequently represents individuals, executives, government officials and family offices involved in anti-corruption investigations. Washington DC partner Daniel Pulecio-Boek is the key figure in this regard, with deep experience of the Latin America region, and he consistently wins praise from clients.

Hogan Lovells US LLP has extensive connections to Latin America, most notably through its large and highly established Miami office, along with highly acclaimed offices in Brazil and Mexico. This has enabled the firm to develop a strong pipeline of anti-corruption investigations engagements, including FCPA investigations. Miami partner Rafael Ribeiro is the key name in Latin America investigations and in pre-acquisition due diligence exercises. Washington DC's Peter Spivack is also highly experienced in FCPA investigations, including those involving Latin American entities.

Morrison & Foerster LLP combines global eminence in white-collar crime, compliance and investigations, with ever deeper roots into Latin America. The firm has landed a series of impressive engagements, not least being mandated as US compliance monitor to the Odebrecht (now Novonor) monitorship, following Odebrecht's headline FCPA settlement in 2016; the monitorship was completed in November 2020. The firm is also active in internal investigations for Latin American corporates and multinationals with interests in Latin America. It also represents a number of individuals involved in alleged fraud, bribery and corruption. New York partner Ruti Smithline is co-chair of the firm’s investigations and white-collar criminal defence group and co-chair of the Latin America Desk.

Winston & Strawn LLP has significantly developed its white-collar crime and investigations credentials in the last three years. The US-based team now features a string of highly-rated professionals, including a number that have extensive experience of FCPA and anti-corruption matters in Latin America. The firm has represented some of the biggest corporate names in the region, including state-owned entities, along with a range of public officials and other individuals. San Francisco partner Pamela Davis is a leader in FCPA and global investigations, including a large number involving Latin America. She also has deep expertise in compliance programmes and pre-M&A due diligence. On a number of occasions she has been appointed as an independent FCPA consultant or monitor by the SEC or Department of Justice in investigations into Brazil-based businesses. Washington DC's Abbe Lowell and Cari Stinebower are also noted for big-ticket matters, including FCPA and sanctions investigations, involving Latin America.