Winston & Strawn LLP

International Arbitration/White Collar & Government Investigations

Marcelo is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, and government investigations. He has particular expertise advising clients with cross-border issues and has been recommended for international litigation and arbitration by The Legal 500 US.

Marcelo advocates for clients in U.S. federal and New York state courts, in international arbitration (ICC, AAA/ICDR, and LCIA), and in government investigations (DOJ, SEC, and CFTC). His practice encompasses a broad range of sectors, including oil and gas, infrastructure projects and financial services.
Commercial Litigation and International Disputes
Marcelo regularly represents clients in commercial disputes, including those that involve contract breaches and business torts. A fluent Spanish speaker, Marcelo also has been recognized by Latinvex as one of Latin America’s “Rising Legal Stars” for his work advising clients on cross-border issues, including the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and the Act of State doctrine, and by The Legal 500 US for international litigation and arbitration.
Government and Internal Investigations
Marcelo has advised clients in a number of significant investigations by the DOJ, SEC, and CFTC, including those involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the securities laws, and commodity regulations. He has also represented clients in confidential internal investigations of accounting, internal controls, and other compliance issues.

Commercial Litigation and International Disputes

Represented a state-owned oil and gas company in connection with its claims under U.S. law against one of the world’s largest commodity traders for manipulation of commodity prices. Represented a U.S.-based buyer of steel products in an ICDR arbitration against a European-based supplier arising from the delivery of defective products. Represented a U.S. television sports channel in federal court litigation arising out of its competitors’ bribery of South American soccer officials to obtain the broadcasting rights to international soccer tournaments. Represented a large energy company in an LCIA arbitration of a natural gas contract dispute. Represented a Mexican company in connection with an ICC arbitration involving pipeline infrastructure. Represented a Chilean company in connection with a commercial dispute with a New York-based company in New York state court. Represented a Japanese multinational financial services company, as the collateral agent for a group of secured lenders, in a case involving the breach of a long-term contract to purchase the energy generated by a wind power project. Represented Argentina’s leading energy company in securities class actions and various breach of contract cases arising from Argentina’s 2012 expropriation of a majority interest in the company. Represented officers and directors of a public company in securities fraud class action litigation and shareholder derivative lawsuits. Represented the shareholder and officers of a Venezuelan bank in U.S. litigation arising out of the Venezuelan government’s intervention and liquidation of the bank. Represented a leading Argentinean natural gas producer in connection with a cross-border dispute involving a long-term natural gas supply contract. Represented a Latin American joint venture in the ICC arbitration of a contract dispute with a major petroleum company.

Government and Internal Investigations

Represented a large Latin American company in connection with various DOJ and SEC FCPA investigations. Represented a large energy company in connection with a CFTC investigation. Represented a large Latin American company in connection with an internal investigation of its internal controls. Represented a Houston-based energy company in connection with an internal investigation of its relationship with a counter-party. Represented an investment firm in connection with DOJ, SEC and CFTC investigations into cryptocurrency-related matters. Represented officers and directors of a China-based company in connection with an SEC investigation of its audited financial statements.

Bankruptcy-related Litigation

Represented Puerto Rico’s largest city in connection with a variety of cases arising out of Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring process under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Represented various investors in the defense of fraudulent transfer claims brought by the receiver appointed in the largest Ponzi scheme in Connecticut history. Represented various investors in claims arising from a Ponzi scheme conducted by a New York brokerage firm and affiliated entities.

Pro Bono

Obtained reversal of a criminal conviction on behalf of an individual appellant. Represented a number of individuals in successful asylum applications.

English and Spanish

Admissions

New York

Marcelo received his J.D. from Yale Law School in 2004 and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Baylor University in 2000. Clerkships

USDC - District of Connecticut for the Honorable Alvin W. Thompson

The Legal 500 Latin America International Firms: Recognized for International Arbitration and Compliance and Investigations (2024-2025) The Legal 500 US Recognized for International Arbitration (2018) and as a “Key Lawyer” (2025) Recognized for International Litigation (2021–2025) and as a “Key Lawyer” (2023) Latin Lawyer 250: Recognized for Arbitration (2024) Lawdragon: Recognized as one of the “500 Leaders in Crisis Management” (2025) Recognized as one of the “500 Leading Global Litigators” (2023–2024) Recognized as one of the “100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America”  for International Arbitration, Disputes, Investigations, and Energy (2025) Latinvex: Latin America: Recognized as “Rising Legal Stars” (2015)

New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), Inter-American Affairs Committee New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC), Alternate Director International Bar Association (IBA), Litigation Committee and Latin American Regional Forum