The Legal 500 > Latin America > Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's prominence in Latin America compliance and investigations stems in large part from its roles in cases linked to Operação Lava Jato (operation car wash) in Brazil. With the scandal reverberating into other jurisdictions, the firm is now active in a broader range of geographies, notably Mexico and Argentina. Moreover, the practice now ranges across a number of segments, including anti-corruption, FCPA and white-collar crime investigations, anti-money laundering and the compliance aspects of M&A and other transactions. Much credit should go to Andrew Levine, who has committed much of his time to representing Latin American corporates and individuals. David O’Neil, a former senior figure at the US Department of Justice, and Bruce Yannett, chair of the white-collar and regulatory defence practice group are also senior names with plenty of Latin America experience. Kara Brockmeyer, is a former chief of the SEC enforcement division’s FCPA unit, and is another key player in Latin America matters.

The Miami-headquartered Diaz Reus International Law Firm & Alliance is highly rated for white-collar crime, financial fraud and FCPA investigations, and is particularly noted for its experience in money-laundering and OFAC violation investigations. The firm frequently acts for foreign governments, state-owned enterprises and public officials. It also routinely helps clients avoid criminal indictments and has a history of negotiating with US law enforcement agencies; this includes pre-indictment resolution strategies in criminal investigations by the US Attorney’s Office in Miami, New York and Houston, and the US Department of Justice and its law enforcement agencies. Global managing partner Michael Diaz is a prominent name in the sector, as is Robert Targ. Of counsel Juan Vargas and administrative managing partner Marta Colomar-Garcia are also notable names. All are based in Miami.

Jones Day's extensive Latin America footprint and deep Latin America-facing resources in the US, provide the basis for an outstanding investigations and white-collar defence practice. Team members include a number of native Spanish and Portuguese speakers. It has developed an impressive record in bribery and corruption investigations, including FCPA and SEC investigations, representing both corporates ad individuals; it has a particularly strong record on behalf of US and Europe-based multinationals facing investigations involving their Latin American operations. New York partner Eric Snyder is an experienced figure in FCPA investigations and previously acted for a US energy company in connection with an alleged bribery payment to a senior Petrobras official as part of the Lava Jato investigation in Brazil. San Diego's Karen Hewitt is also noted for multi-jurisdictional FCPA investigations and FCPA due diligence in relation to projects and transactions.

Ropes & Gray LLP's anti-corruption and international risk team handles a steady pipeline of matters emanating from Latin America. It has worked on 460 anti-corruption matters ranging from due diligence reviews, compliance and sanctions counselling, to internal investigations and regulatory inquiries. It is active throughout Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Colombia. The firm is making a particular impression in compliance monitor engagements. Chicago partner Nicholas Berg specialises in anti-corruption investigations. He co-chairs the Latin America practice with María González Calvet, who has a successful record in FCPA investigations and previously served as executive counsel for global investigations at General Electric. Colleen Conry is also well regarded for Latin America investigations and enforcement actions, along with Boston partner James Dowden, Alexandre Rene and Chicago's Ryan Rohlfsen. Boston associate Daniela Manrique Escobar is also recommended by clients. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Vinson & Elkins LLP has gained significantly greater prominence in this segment through a series of lateral hires. Palmina Fava joined from Paul Hastings LLP in September 2019, bringing weighty experience in Latin America investigations, including FCPA, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery matters, particularly in the technology sector. Washington DC-based Ephraim Wernick joined the firm in June 2019 having spent 11 years as a federal prosecutor - most recently as Assistant Chief of the DOJ’s criminal fraud section; he has notable experience in the financial services segment and is pivotal to the firm's aspirations in Latin America anti-corruption work. The firm has strong links to Mexico, although these new hires bring it much broader geographic credibility. San Francisco partner Matthew Jacobs is co-head of the firm’s government investigations and white collar criminal defence practice group and is also active in Latin America investigations.

White & Case LLP's Miami office has a strong focus on Latin America, including conducting internal investigations and securities enforcement defence matters for businesses in the region. It is best known for representing Brazilian and Mexican businesses, in part thanks to the firm's sizeable presence in both jurisdictions. The firm's Latin America fraud and corporate investigations practice features four native Spanish speaking partners and a number of team members are proficient in Portuguese. The group advised Brazilian meat and protein giant, JBS, with the implementation of its global compliance programme; this relates to a leniency agreement executed by JBS's parent company following a corruption investigation involving the former president of Brazil. Michael Garcia has a principal focus on Latin America, notably regarding FCPA, financial reporting, accounting and disclosure matters. Maria Beguiristain is well regarded for anti-corruption compliance in Latin America; while New York's Virginia Chavez Romano is noted for fraud-related matters, in particular, government investigations and enforcement proceedings. Enrique Espejel is a key name in Mexico City. Named partners are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Greenberg Traurig LLP significantly enhanced its white-collar defence and special investigations practice with the hire of Daniel Pulecio-Boek, as a partner, from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in January 2020. He represents a range of high-net worth individuals and families, senior executives, government officials and multinationals in white-collar matters in Latin America. This includes representing Erick Archila-Dehesa, the owner of Guatemalan conglomerate Grupo A and the former Minister of Mines and Energy of Guatemala, in connection with a money laundering prosecution by the Guatemalan government.

Hogan Lovells US LLP's deep regulatory credentials, coupled with its extensive commitment to Latin America, has seen it land a series of headline engagements in the region. The firm has been closely associated with the Lavo Jato criminal investigation, including FCPA investigations involving Centrais Electricas Brasileiras (Eletrobrás) and Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex). Rafael Ribeiro in Miami and Washington DC's Peter Spivack are experienced figures in FCPA investigations involving Latin American businesses.

Winston & Strawn LLP's highly developed Latin America practice features a substantial disputes and investigations component. It represents some of the biggest corporates and public officials in the region. New York partner Julissa Reynoso leads the practice, which includes Washington DC's Abbe Lowell who has an outstanding reputation for investigations, including a number of key engagements in Latin America. San Francisco partner Pamela Davis is noted for FCPA and global investigations, including those involving Brazil.