Debevoise & Plimpton LLP continues to demonstrate its longstanding commitment to white-collar crime cases, internal investigations and public investigations, building on its international profile in this area. It remains active in international corporate investigations involving Latin America, and in FCPA and other anti-corruption matters; it is also noted for anti-corruption due diligence connected to acquisitions. As a pioneer in Latin America, the firm has leveraged its extensive experience in Brazil to advise on matters throughout the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its headline experience includes Operation Lava Jato and the FIFA corruption scandal. Andrew Levine is a member of the white collar and regulatory defence group and co-head of its Latin America practice. David O"Neil is co-head of the the white collar and regulatory defence group and has a strong focus on Latin America. Bruce Yannett and Kara Brockmeyer are also key partners. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a global leader in white-collar defence and investigations with a significant focus on Latin America. It has an outstanding record in FCPA and anti-corruption investigations across multiple jurisdictions, including Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Chile. The firm has also worked intensively in compliance and investigation-related matters under consumer-protection and data-privacy laws administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and congressional committees. Joseph Warin is co-chair of the global white-collar defence and investigations practice, leading many of the firm’s key matters in Latin America. Los Angeles-based Michael Farhang has immense experience in Latin America investigations and M&A due diligence. Of counsel Bryan Parr is an experienced Latin America specialist with extensive knowledge of FCPA and anti-corruption matters in the region. Of counsel Pedro Soto is another Latin America expert with experience of investigations throughout the region, along with pre-acquisition due diligence. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Miller & Chevalier Chartered is a white-collar crime, investigations and compliance powerhouse with a major focus on the Latin American market. Its team includes a large number of native or fluent Spanish and Portuguese speakers. It handles a broad mix of anti-corruption, fraud, economic sanctions, anti-money laundering and corporate governance matters in key markets such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Peru. It has landed many of the biggest engagements in the market, including major FCPA settlements in the last couple of years. Through the Inter-American Development Bank, it also created anti-corruption integrity guidelines for the banking sector of Panama. Head of the Latin America practice, Matteson Ellis is a fluent Portuguese and Spanish speaker with a background in major FCPA investigations and compliance programmes. Alejandra Montenegro Almonte is another leading name in FCPA investigations and compliance matters, most notably in Central America. James Tillen also has extensive experience in Latin America, having represented clients in some of the biggest investigations in the region. Jeffrey Lehtman, Gregory Bates and William Barry are also key partners, along with emerging name Maria Elena Lapetina and newly-elected partner Leah Moushey. All are based in Washington DC.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's white-collar defence and investigations team has successfully leveraged the firm’s extensive history and deep commitment to Latin America. It remains active in white-collar and regulatory investigations, internal investigations and general compliance relating to M&A transactions or general business activities. With a background in large-scale investigations in Brazil, the team is now especially active in Mexico, Argentina and Chile. It has worked on a series of SEC investigations and internal investigations in Mexico, and continues to be noted for its work in the extractive industries, including the lithium, nickel and steel sectors. It has established links to sovereign governments and state-owned enterprises, along with Latin American businesses and US and Europe-based multinationals that have a presence in the region. Lisa Vicens has significant experience in Latin America-related FCPA investigations and other white-collar matters, including Brazil, Mexico and multiple other jurisdictions. Washington DC-based David Last is the former chief of the FCPA unit at the Department of Justice and naturally brings high-level expertise to defending clients in FCPA investigations. Senior attorney Andrés Felipe Sáenz is another key member of the team, along with Sao Paulo associate Pedro Martini. Jonathan Kolodner and Rahul Mukhi provide further partner-level expertise, particularly in relation to cyber security matters. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Covington & Burling LLP is a global force in anti-corruption and investigations with a large team that has a significant focus on Latin America. The group has developed extensive geographic coverage, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Argentina and Panama. It represented Arthur J Gallagher in connection with a Department of Justice (DOJ) action in Ecuador, one of a number of major engagements the firm has landed from large multinationals. Continuing to act for clients in numerous alleged FCPA violations, the team features former prosecutors and former senior officials from the DOJ and SEC. Veronica Yepez has 'a distinguished track record advising companies in Latin America on cross-border investigations', including DOJ investigations and internal investigations. Donald Ridings is another senior figure in the team, having worked on a series of investigations in Latin America, including alleged FCPA violations. Steven Fagell is co-chair of the white-collar defence and investigations practice, and has led teams in numerous Latin America cases, including representing multinationals such as Arthur J Gallagher and Stanley Black & Decker. Jennifer Saperstein is vice-chair of the anti-corruption practice group and is 'recognised for her expertise in regulatory compliance and sanctions'. Special counsel Leah Saris also impresses. All named individuals are based in Washington DC.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is a formidable global player in white-collar defence and investigations, and routinely lands major roles in large and complex enforcement and regulatory proceedings. The firm has achieved considerable success in Latin America where it has gained landmark results for a series of major clients, notably securing a coordinated resolution in 2023 for Grupo Aval in connection with FCPA investigations by the DOJ and SEC into allegations of corruption relating to a Colombian highway construction project. It also has an impressive record in achieving declinations for clients in prospective enforcement proceedings. Based in New York, Tatiana Martins is a former federal prosecutor, a Brazil native, and a leading figure in Latin America white-collar defence and investigations. The former head of the DOJ’s Criminal Fraud section, Washington DC-based Daniel Kahn has extensive experience in investigations involving Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. New York’s Antonio Perez-Marques is also noted for government and internal investigations relating to Latin American businesses and operations.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is noted for representing individuals, current and former government officials, and multinationals in large investigations. The firm has a highly-rated investigations, government enforcement and white-collar criminal defence practice, which has a sizeable focus on Latin America. It has extensive experience in defending clients against investigations by the DOJ, SEC, the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies. It also represented Trafigura in connection with an investigation by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission into a range of allegations, including that Trafigura had traded while in possession of material, non-public information obtained from a Mexican trading entity and engaged in market manipulation. The team features co-chair of the white collar and corporate investigations team Juan Morillo, a Colombia native; and Gabriel Soledad, a Mexican-American. William Burck is also co-chair of the team and continues to be active in Latin America cases. All named individuals are based in Washington DC.

White & Case LLP has deep experience in white-collar criminal defence and investigations in Latin America, primarily through its Miami and Mexico City offices. Along with internal and government investigations, the firm is active in pre-acquisition due diligence, compliance programmes and sanctions-related matters. The Latin America-focused team is also noted for its expertise in the cryptocurrency and fintech field. The group features a number of native Spanish speaking partners, along with other team members. Much of the practice centres on large multinationals and their Latin American subsidiaries; the firm’s Mexico City team is particularly active in compliance programmes for major multinationals. With its strong focus on Mexico, the team is increasingly active in connection with the US government's designation of certain cartels as terrorist organisations. Miami partner Maria Beguiristain focuses on internal investigations, white-collar criminal defence and white-collar crime. Enrique Espejel is co-head of the disputes practice in Mexico and has an extensive record in white-collar defence and compliance programmes. Mexico City’s Fernando García Gómez is another compliance specialist. Michael Garcia left the firm in January 2025.

The Miami-based Diaz Reus International Law Firm has strong connections to Latin America, frequently representing individuals and former government officials in connection with government declinations of criminal prosecutions through pre-indictment resolution strategies. It is also noted for asset recovery litigation, including in relation to bank failures in Puerto Rico. The firm has an extensive background in cases linked to Venezuela and the broader region; it recently represented Hector Nuñez, a former PDVSA official and oil trade manager, in an active FCPA investigation by the Eastern District of New York and the DOJ FCPA Division. The firm is further noted for its expertise in Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) matters and for the defence of money laundering charges. Global managing partner Michael Diaz has an outstanding record in defending businesses, executives and government officials against allegations of corruption and money laundering. Robert Targ is another senior practitioner in anti-corruption and money laundering cases, while Marta Colomar-Garcia is also a recognised anti-money laundering specialist. Javier Coronado is an additional emerging talent in white-collar cases and investigations. All named individuals are based in Miami.

Jones Day's investigations and white-collar practice has large teams in Miami, Mexico City and Sao Paulo, bringing a sizeable focus on Latin America. It has an established record in anti-corruption, money laundering, fraud and environmental crime, with notable experience in government enforcement, internal investigations and M&A due diligence. Miami based Cristina Pérez Soto is an experienced trial lawyer with a background in investigations and white-collar defence; she continues to be heavily involved in internal investigations, and SEC and DOJ investigations into alleged bribery and money laundering. Sao Paulo of counsel Fernando Pastore is another experienced figure in cross-border disputes and investigations. Mexico City-based Guillermo Larrea left the firm in December 2024.

Sidley Austin LLP has an impressive reputation for FCPA investigations and successful resolutions. It continues to be noted for its representation of Stericycle in achieving a FCPA resolution during the Biden administration, which involved its operations in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and created a precedent for the DOJ’s redesigned approach to white-collar cases; it continued to advise Stericycle in 2024 in connection with the prosecution of two former executives who were charged with corruption crimes in the Southern District of Florida. Much of the firm's work centres on investigations and white-collar crime cases involving multinationals that have significant operations in Latin America. Dallas partner Paige Holden Montgomery has an established record in Latin America anti-corruption and white-collar cases, including alleged FCPA violations. New York-based Michael Mann and Dallas's David Silva are also prominent names. Timothy Treanor left the firm in January 2025.

Winston & Strawn LLP has a large team of government investigations, enforcement and compliance specialists within its ranks, and - coupled with the firm’s strong focus on Latin America - it has a sizeable practice in the region. Much of this centres on Mexico, the Central American isthmus and Argentina. The firm represents a mixture of local companies along with foreign investors, and is noted for its links to state-owned enterprises in the region. In Mexico, the firm has experienced an uptick in engagements linked to cartels being designated as terrorist organisations. It is also active in sanctions-related matters thanks to the presence of Washington DC’s Cari Stinebower and others within its ranks. Also based in Washington DC, Abbe Lowell is a hugely experienced practitioner and former head of the government investigations, enforcement and compliance team. Recognised as a real Latin America specialist, Julissa Reynoso returned to the firm in 2024, having served as United States Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, and in senior positions in the White House; she has strong connections to state-owned enterprises in Mexico. Marcelo Blackburn also has extensive experience in government and internal investigations in Latin America, while Seth Farber is another key figure in white-collar criminal defence and internal investigations. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Arnold & Porter has a long history with Latin America and brings its extensive expertise in FCPA and anti-corruption investigations, compliance and white-collar cases to the region. The firm’s white-collar defence and investigations team features a large number of former DOJ and SEC officials. Concurrently, many of its key engagements involve global businesses with a Latin America presence; it recently represented three former Glencore employees in relation to DOJ’s and the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO)’s concurrent investigations into operations in Nigeria, Venezuela, Russia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. New York partner Marcus Asner co-chairs the white-collar defence and investigations practice (with Deborah Curtis) and has extensive experience in anti-corruption and FCPA compliance matters, along with internal and government investigations in Latin America.

DLA Piper LLP (US) is an emerging force in white-collar crime and corporate investigations with a number of former prosecutors with extensive FCPA investigations experience in its ranks. Team members have conducted investigations in almost every country across Latin America, with Mexico, Brazil and Central America constituting its primary focus areas. The practice is particularly known for life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy sector investigations. It is also noted for antitrust investigations in Brazil and Mexico, including price fixing cases. The team represents both companies and individuals subject to investigations. In Puerto Rico, Sonia Torres Pabón and Nereida Melendez-Rivera co-lead the Latin America white-collar practice; both are former prosecutors. New York's Amadeu Ribeiro and Washington DC-based Carsten Reichel are noted for antitrust investigations and cases.

Fridman Fels & Sotos PLLC has a primary focus on white-collar criminal defence and government investigations, with a substantial element being Latin America-related business. The firm features a number of Spanish speaking lawyers that represent an array of Latin American individuals and businesses in white-collar cases and investigations. It has an established record in money-laundering cases and fraud claims against US-based businesses. The firm has a multitude of cases in Argentina, along with Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. Michael Garcia joined the firm from White & Case LLP in January 2025, bringing a leading reputation in SEC financial fraud and accounting fraud investigations, along with other government enforcement and internal investigations. Garcia now works alongside the firm’s founding partner Daniel Fridman, also a former White & Case LLP partner, who specialises in Latin America white-collar criminal defence and government investigations; hs former roles additionally include as a senior counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the US and as a special counsel for Health Care Fraud at the DOJ. The firm has a number of former federal prosecutors within its ranks.

King & Spalding LLP is an emerging force in internal, regulatory and government investigations, along with white-collar criminal defence matters in Latin America. It continues to represent a number of multinationals that have operations in Latin America in connection with both FCPA and internal investigations. The firm’s growing presence in Miami has helped it establish greater connections to the Latin America region. It remains noted for its experience in Mexico’s oil-and-gas sector, and in relation to anti-corruption due diligence in connection with private equity investments across Latin America. Houston partner Brandt Leibe has an established reputation in representing corporate clients in connection with government investigations, including numerous matters in Latin America. New York’s Gary Adamson and Washington DC-based Raphael Larson are also key members of the team.

Latham & Watkins LLP's prominent white-collar defence and investigations department has made significant inroads in Latin America, thanks in part to the firm’s strength in the region. The group has worked alongside the corporate and M&A team to advise on a series of deals and has continued to represent clients in large-scale enforcement and investigations matters, including achieving significant DOJ declinations and SEC resolutions. Accounting fraud, money laundering and corruption cases are particular strengths for the team. Spanish speaker Daniel Dominguez is local co-chair of the Washington DC litigation and trial department, and has advised clients on a series of internal and government investigations in Latin America. Los Angeles-based Manuel Abascal is a former prosecutor with a background in representing clients in government investigations. Washington DC counsel Katherine Sawyer is another key member of the team.

Morrison Foerster has a highly rated white-collar defence and investigations practice, which features numerous native or fluent Spanish and Portuguese speakers. The team includes several former members of the DOJ’s FCPA Unit, including Charles Duross, the former head of the unit, who has extensive experience in Latin America cases. Sanctions expert John Smith is the former head of OFAC and is another key member of the Latin America practice. The firm’s white-collar and investigations work is also complemented by its prominent privacy team and in-house forensic accounting group. The Latin America team remains especially active in internal investigations, government investigations, compliance programmes and transaction due diligence. New York partner Ruti Smithline is co-chair of the Latin America desk and former co-chair of the white-collar defence and investigations practice. James Koukios is another key member of the team. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has an established record in white-collar and enforcement matters in Latin America. Julie Bédard, the head of the international litigation and arbitration group for the Americas, splits her time between New York and Sao Paulo, and is a fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaker; she is a recognised specialist in white-collar defence and investigations. Her team frequently represents Latin American businesses and multinationals with Latin American operations in connection with internal and FCPA investigations, along with claims under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.

Steptoe LLP fields a substantial team that has strong connections to Latin America in relation to anti-corruption, fraud and sanctions matters. The white-collar defence and investigations group has a number of Latin American clients, along with multinationals with Latin American operations and individuals that are under investigation. It is particularly noted for internal investigations into potential fraud and corruption, along with large-scale FCPA investigations and compliance programmes. Iris Bennett has more than 20 years' experience in cross-border investigations, including FCPA matters. Brigida Benitez also has vast experience in internal investigations and anti-corruption cases. Fernando Merino is a true Latin America specialist with a substantial focus on compliance and investigations.