Top Latino Lawyers of 2018

key: super lawyers listed in red; most powerful women in law: +

+SOFIA ADROGUE

Partner

Diamond McCarthy LLP | Houston, TX | Business Litigation, General Litigation, Health Cares

Sofia Adrogue is a business trial partner with the Houston office of Diamond McCarthy LLP. A litigator for more than 25 years, she has obtained favorable judgments and settlements on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in a myriad of complex business cases in state and federal courts and in ADR proceedings. She envisioned and created the Texas Business Litigation treatise (ALM 2015, 2016, 2017) and is the Chair of the Texas Business Litigation CLEs. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program, an alumna of the Harvard Business School, and received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif and Barons, and her B.A. from Rice University, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.

BENNY AGOSTO, JR.

Partner

Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend | Houston, TX | Workplace Accidents, Personal Injury, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Product Defects, Business Litigation, 18 Wheeler& Commercial Truck Accidents, Aviation Accidents, Brain Damage, among others.

Benny Agosto, Jr. is a partner at the Houston personal injury law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto, & Aziz. His areas of practice include, but are not limited to, medical malpractice, work place accidents, motor vehicle and 18-wheeler accidents, wrongful death, business litigation, environmental law, explosions, electrocutions, admiralty and maritime accidents. Benny is active in the community. He is a past President of both the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas. He is the Founder and President of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas Foundation and is the Co-Founder of the HNBA Legal Education Fund. He is currently the President-Elect of the Houston Bar Association, and chair of Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

GREGORY ALVAREZ

Principal

Jackson Lewis P.C. | Morristown, NJ | Employment Litigation, Class Actions and complex litigations

Gregory T. Alvarez is a Principal in the Morristown, New Jersey office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He focuses his practice on employment litigation, including class and collective action cases, as well as employment law counseling. He is a member of the firm’s Hispanic Attorney Resource Group and former Board Liaison to the firm’s Diversity Committee. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and rated by Super Lawyers. He is the Legal Officer for the North Jersey Rockland Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. He is a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, the Hispanic National Bar, the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association, and the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section.

DAMIAN ARGUELLO

Partner

Colorado Insurance Law Center | Westminster, CO

Damian J. Arguello, principal of Colorado Insurance Law Center, is one of Colorado’s preeminent policyholder insurance law attorneys. He drew from over twenty-five years of experience in the insurance industry when he founded Colorado Insurance Law Center, a private law firm. Damian represents businesses and business owners, in Colorado and nationally, enforcing their rights under their commercial insurance policies. He also serves as co-counsel for trial lawyers involved in litigation where insurance claims are an underlying issue and as an expert witness providing testimony regarding insurance law. In addition to practicing insurance law, Damian is a leader in the Colorado legal community. He is a Past-President of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, one of the largest minority bar associations in the state.

LUIS ARROYO

Partner

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Milwaukee, WI

Luis Arroyo is a partner in the Labor & Employment Relations practice at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and a member of the firm’s Higher Education and Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets teams. Luis represents employers in a range of traditional management-side employment matters regarding protected class discrimination, retaliation, and disability accommodation issues. Luis has developed a significant practice focusing on employee defection and recruitment, including litigating injunction and damage actions relating to: covenants not to compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements, unfair competition, trade secrets, duty of loyalty, the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act, and state trade secrets and unfair competition statutes.

DINO BARAJAS

Partner

Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld LLP | Los Angeles, CA

Dino Barajas is a member of the firm’s cross border transactions and corporate practice groups and focuses his practice on domestic and international project development and finance, with particular emphasis on Latin American infrastructure project financings, debt financings, and M&A. He has worked on transactions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Yemen. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles office’s diversity committee and has been recognized for four consecutive years by both Legal 500 Latin America in Projects and Energy and Latinvex as a top 100 Latin American Lawyer, and by A Word About Wind in 2018 for their Top 100 Legal Power List.

CARLOS BERMUDEZ

Partner

Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld LLP | Los Angeles, CA

Carlos M. Bermudez is a member of Akin Gump’s corporate practice and has more than 15 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities representations. Carlos advises a diverse array of clients in matters in Latin America, the U.S. and Asia. He also has broad experience in corporate finance, securities and general corporate matters and in the corporate aspects of financial restructurings. He’s currently a member of the firm’s diversity and pro bono committees and is recognized by IFLR1000’s 2019 US law firm rankings as a Notable Practitioner in M&A. Mr. Bermudez holds a B.A. from Princeton University (1998) and a J.D. from Stanford Law School (2002).

MANUEL BERRELEZ

Partner

Vinson & Elkins LLP | Dallas, TX | Commercial and business litigation

Manuel Berrelez is a partner in the Dallas office of Vinson & Elkins. He is a trial and regulatory enforcement lawyer whose practice focuses on fraud and fiduciary duty claims, contract disputes, trade secret claims, oil field services litigation, and other business torts. Manuel has particular experience representing financial institutions and their directors and officers during all phases of regulatory investigation and enforcement proceedings. He served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Raymond C. Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit before joining V&E. Manuel was selected to the Texas Rising Stars list from 2013-2017. Manuel is a board member of the Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation, Educate Dallas, and The Dallas Winds.

+YESENIA CARDENAS

Partner

Bowman and Brooke LLP | Plano, TX

Yesenia Cárdenas is a litigator and trial attorney. She defends, and champions for, the state-of-the-art technology of product manufacturers and their engineers. For over a decade, Yesenia has dedicated her practice to the representation of U.S. and international vehicle manufacturers in individual civil cases and mass tort multi-district litigation. Her professional ethos also extends to written advocacy through the authorship of persuasive dispositive and discovery motions, the results of which have led to published opinions at the state and federal level. Yesenia also provides client support services through the development of litigation strategies, preparation of case evaluations, and litigation costs budgeting.

AL CARDENAS

Senior Partner

Squire Patton Boggs | Miami, FL

Al Cardenas chairs Squire Patton Boggs’ Latin America Practice and is widely recognized for his leadership in Latin America affairs. He was named one of “The Most Influential Leaders in the Latino Community Today,” one of the “Legal Impact Leaders,” one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business. His deep experience in Latin America includes having served on the President's Trade Policy Commission, where he participated in policy discussions and recommendations at the White House regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and subsequently represented the countries of Ecuador, Panama and the Dominican Republic in the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) negotiations. Ronald Reagan chose Al for his transition team, making him responsible for the transition of the United States Department of Commerce.

+TABATHA CASTRO

Managing Attorney

The Castro Firm, Inc. | Wilmington, DE

Tabatha Castro is the President and Managing Attorney of The Castro Firm, Inc., a minority and woman-owned law firm specializing in New Jersey and Delaware legal matters. She is licensed to practice law in the states of New Jersey and Delaware. She is admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, Federal District Court of Delaware, Delaware Supreme Court and New Jersey Supreme Court. She is the President of the Delaware Hispanic Bar Association and Board Trustee of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey. In 2013, she was awarded the Professional Latino of the Year Award by the Latin American Community Center.

HUGO CHAVIANO

Legal Consultant & Business Strategist, General Counsel, and Strategist Legal Partner to Businesses and Executives

Hugo Chaviano PC | Harlingen, TX

Hugo Chaviano’s legal career has encompassed private practice, leadership of not for profit organizations, government service and academia. He served as Secretary General of the Inter American Bar Association as well as President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. He is a recipient of Lexis-Nexis / Martindale Hubbell AV Pre-Eminent Rating. Hugo has been recognized for his work advocating diversity. Some of the awards and special recognitions he has received include the American Bar Association Spirit of Excellence Award, and the National Mercurio Award, the highest award given by the Cuban-American Chamber of Commerce to a Cuban.

WILLIAM DELGADO

Partner

Willenken Wilson Loh & Delgado LLP | Los Angeles, CA

Will Delgado is an experienced trial lawyer whose practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, class actions, and complex business litigation. Recognized in April 2012 by the Recorder as one of fifty young California lawyers “On the Fast Track”. Recognized in January 2014 as a "Top 20 Lawyer Under 40" by the Daily Journal. Recognized in February 2015 for securing one of the "Top 20 Defense Verdicts of 2014" by the Daily Journal. Recognized in February 2017 as a "Class Action Lawyer of the Year" for California by the International Advisory Experts organization. Recognized as a "Local Litigation Star" for 2018 and 2019 by Benchmark Litigation.

miguel dominguez

Attorney

Morgan and Morgan, PLLC | Atlanta, GA | Civil Rights, personal injury, medical malpractice

Miguel Dominguez began his career as a social worker serving the homeless and mentally-ill, later transitioning into the law as a criminal defense attorney. As a state prosecutor, he had the honor of serving as the first Latino prosecutor in the history of several metro Atlanta judicial circuits. Miguel serves as an advisor to Atlanta Mayor Bottoms as a member of her Progressive Agenda Working Group and as co-chairman of her Criminal Justice Reform Commission. Miguel provides pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence, as well as, to youthful offenders, using his experience as a prosecutor to provide them a second chance at becoming productive members of society by way of having their criminal records expunged.

juan dominguez

Founder, CEO & Managing Partner

The Dominguez Firm | Los Angeles, CA | personal injury, workers’ compensation, employment law

Juan J. Dominguez is a nationally recognized, award-winning, bilingual attorney. He is the founder, CEO and Managing Partner of The Dominguez Firm, LLP; a personal injury, workers' compensation and employment law practice based in Los Angeles. In 2013, he was honored with distinction by the Hispanic National Bar Association with the Attorney of the Year award. In 2014, the Mexican-American Bar Association honored Mr. Dominguez with the Special Recognition Award for his outstanding career accomplishments and contributions to the community. In 2015, The Los Angeles Business Journal awarded him the Latino Business Award for setting the example for excellence.

CAMILO ECHAVARRIA

Partner

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP | Seattle, WA

Camilo Echavarria works with large and medium-sized employers in California to defend them in employment lawsuits — from single and multi-plaintiff litigation, to class action cases. Camilo has been recognized as one of the “Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles” by the Los Angeles Business Journal and as one of “California’s 75 Top Labor and Employment Lawyers” by the Daily Journal. A leader in both his profession and his community, Camilo is on the Board of Trustees for the Mexican American Bar Foundation, the Board of Directors for the California Minority Counsel Program, and is on the Board of Directors for Latino Kids Health. In the coming months, Camilo will take over as Partner in Charge of the firm’s Los Angeles office.

HON. ADAM ESPINOSA

Judge

Denver County Court | Denver, CO

Honorable Adam J. Espinosa is a Denver County Court Judge who has served in the Civil, Municipal Criminal, and State Criminal Divisions of that court and presided over two hundred trials. Prior to his appointment, he served as a senior trial attorney for the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel and as a deputy district attorney in several Colorado counties. Judge Adam is active in the community, having been appointed and served on numerous local, state, and national boards including the Denver Crime Prevention and Control Commission, the Colorado Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, the ABA Standing Committee on Client Protection, and the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association.

MANUEL FERNANDEZ

Partner

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP | Miami, Fl | Real estate transactions

Manuel Fernandez, a partner in Kasowitz Benson Torres’ Real Estate Transactions group, has played an instrumental role in some of Florida’s largest real estate transactions over the past two decades, including handling the purchase of the Southeast Financial Center in a deal exceeding $500 million, hailed by the Miami Herald as the largest single-building transaction in Miami’s history. He is regularly honored as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA and The Legal 500, among other publications. Manuel represents institutional and non-institutional investors, as well as financial institutions, in a variety of real estate matters, including real estate acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leases, distressed real estate transactions, and the formation of real estate joint ventures.

steve flores

Partner

Winston & Strawn, LLP | Chicago, Il | employee benefits

Steve Flores advises employers of all sizes on a broad array of matters involving employee benefit plans and executive compensation, including in the context of mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and lending transactions. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers, by Legal 500 for employee health and retirement plans, and by the Hispanic National Bar Association. He serves on Winston’s Hiring and Diversity Committees and chairs the firm’s Hispanic Affinity Group (Latina/o Lawyer Alliance at Winston). He has twice been appointed by the Mayor of Chicago to serve on the Chicago Police Board. A primary responsibility of the Police Board is to decide cases involving allegations of serious misconduct made against members of the Chicago Police Department.

PAULA GALHARDO

Of Counsel

Squire Patton Boggs | Dallas, TX

Paula Galhardo serves as Chair of the Squire Patton Boggs Brazil Country Desk and is a member of the Corporate Practice, based in Houston. Dual-qualified in New York and Brazil, Paula has more than 15 years’ of experience in Brazil and in the US on advising US, Latin America, Europe and Asia clients on corporate transactions in numerous jurisdictions. Paula serves as regional legal counsel for a US$5.5 billion chemical company in Latin America, which includes operations in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. She is in the board of the Brazil Texas Chamber of Commerce. Paula regularly donates her time to volunteer work such as The Beacon and LegalLine, a community service outreach program organized by the Bar Association that is designed to help the people of Houston receive free, simple legal advice.

PEDRO GAMUNDI

Partner

Squire Patton Boggs | Santo Domingo, DR

Pedro Gamundi focuses on international commercial and financial transactions, and on cross-border labor, litigious, reorganization and insolvency matters. With 30 years of experience, Pedro recently assisted a pool of banks in the $533 million refinancing of the senior bonds of airport concessionaire AERODOM. In 2016, our Santo Domingo office received the DR Client Services Award by Chambers Latin America. From 2000-2012, Pedro served as a member and then as President of the Board of Directors of Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo, a regional pioneer in adopting micro-financing as a tool for social promotion and economic development. Pedro is a founding member of the Georgetown Law Latin America Advisory Board.

DOMINGO GARCIA

Senior Partner

LULAC National President | Dallas, TX

Domingo Garcia started his own law practice in 1983 with his sister as the only staff and within just two years, the firm grew to four attorneys. Today, 35-years later, Domingo has established a thriving multi-million legal network with offices in Dallas, Houston, Tyler, and Odessa. Domingo’s first legal victory happened in in 1995 when a jury decided in favor of his client who was the victim of a drunk driver and awarded $1.1 million. In 2004, he won a six-million-dollar settlement on behalf of the family whose 14-year-old son was tragically electrocuted in the swimming pool of an apartment complex. In 2014, he achieved a $5.7 million-dollar victory for a Dallas police officer who was negligently struck by a van.

ISABELA GARCIA

Senior Partner

Garcia-Windsor | Dallas, TX

Isabela Amie Garcia on fulfilling her dream to play and win on the professional tennis tour, traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Mexico, and the United States. After achieving her goals on tour she soon realized that her true calling was the law. She enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with honors in the studies of philosophy and business. She then went on to the University of Oxford at which she studied International Tax Law, European Union Law, and International Constitutional Law. She earned her Juris Doctorate at Southern Methodist University School of Law with emphasis on Sports Law, Corporate Law and International Law.

+steffi gascon hafen

Senior Attorney

Snell & Wilmer LLP | Costa Mesa, CA | estate planning & probate, tax: business, estate & trust litigation

Steffi Gascón Hafen is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. Steffi is a member of Snell & Wilmer’s Private Client Services and General Federal Tax practice groups and works in the Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Steffi's practice is concentrated in tax, trust, and estate matters with emphasis in estate planning, trust and probate administration and litigation, and estate and gift taxation. She also advises clients regarding succession planning for closely held businesses, and represents clients in state and local taxation matters, including income taxation, sales and use taxation, and property taxation, as well as matters regarding residency and domicile. Steffi represents clients in front of the California taxing authorities and the IRS.

jason gavejian

Principal

Jackson Lewis PC | Morristown, NJ | General Employment Litigation, Privacy,e-Communication and Data Security

Jason C. Gavejian is a Principal in the Morristown, New Jersey office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice focuses on privacy, data security, and labor and employment law. Jason is Co-Chair of Jackson Lewis’ Hispanic Attorney Resource Group (HARG), a group of attorneys specializing in providing assistance to organizations with large Hispanic workforces. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/ US). Jason also represents clients in all aspects of litigation, including restrictive covenants and class actions, as well as employment claims related to harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and wage and hour. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

RUFINO GAYTAN

Attorney

Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. | Milwaukee, WI

Rufino Gaytan is a member of Godfrey & Kahn’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He counsels clients in every aspect of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on discrimination claims, unfair labor practice charges, union election petitions, collective bargaining, safety and health issues, and Indian tribe employment matters. Rufino represents clients in federal and state courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, and other administrative agencies. For his commitment to pro bono work, the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Wisconsin named Rufino to the Pro Bono Honor Society in 2015.

RAED GONZALEZ

Founder, CEO & Senior Partner

Gonzalez Olivieri LLC | Houston, TX

Raed Gonzalez is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gonzalez Olivieri, LLC, a nationally recognized litigator whose firm has been named one of the best Immigration Law Firms in Houston, Texas. He leads a large team of attorneys and staff devoted to providing top-notch legal services to Houston’s diverse and growing immigrant community. His record includes four victories before the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous other published Circuit Court precedential decisions. He routinely lectures at both the national and international levels with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Texas State Bar, UT LAW, the ABA and the Federal Bar Association midst others. Raed’s work for his community extends well-beyond his private practice and tireless work advocating for his clients.

ARNULFO HERNANDEZ

Managing Partner

Hernandez & Associates | Denver, CO

Arnulfo D. Hernández is one of the top Latino attorneys in Colorado. He is the founder and managing partner of Hernández & Associates, P.C., the largest immigration law firm in Denver. He is one of the most respected Latino lawyers in the Rocky Mountain area and in 2017 was named President of Region XIII of the Hispanic National Bar Association (covering Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming). This follows his service as President of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association in 2016 and his continued work as Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association's Immigration Committee. In 2019, his professionalism and dedication to the Latino/a legal community will be honored with the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association’s prestigious Chris Miranda Outstanding Hispanic Lawyer Award.

+CHRISTINE HERNANDEZ

Partner

Hernandez & Associates | Denver, CO

Christine M. Hernández is an immigration litigator and appellate attorney based in Denver, Colorado. Her bilingual practice covers nearly all aspects of immigration law including removal defense, family-based immigration, and asylum. She also has years of experience with consular processing, U Visas, VAWA, and SIJS. Her practice includes "crimmigration” cases, which require knowledge of both immigration and criminal law. Christine is Chair of Hispanic National Bar Association’s Immigration Section and President-Elect of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association. She received the “40 Under 40 Award” by the Hispanic National Bar Association and has been named a Rising Star by Colorado Super Lawyers Magazine since 2015.

JORGE LEON

Partner, Chair of Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Co-Group Leader of Employee Benefits

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Chicago, IL

Jorge is a proven lawyer, leader and influencer in Chicago. Jorge advises the leaders of major clients, including the largest Spanish-language college, global food and beverage companies, insurers and manufacturers. Jorge secures the retirement of over 100,000 individuals. Jorge chairs the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee where his leadership and policies help over 500 workers throughout the U.S. feel welcome and included. His diversity efforts help our most vulnerable friends and neighbors in underserved communities nationwide. Whether it’s providing STEM coaching to Hispanic children in Chicago, providing dignity to children in D.C.’s foster care system or battling elder loneliness among Milwaukee’s Hispanic neighborhoods, Jorge helps where and when he can. Jorge donates countless hours, improving Hispanic children and families’ lives.

+ELISA MANZANARES

Partner

Akerman, LLP | Dallas, TX

Elsa Manzanares advises clients on global and U.S. regulations relating to the import and export of goods, technology, software, and services. She represents companies before the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of State on matters pertaining to violations of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). She also represents clients on U.S. sanctions and embargoes before the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the import regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), national security reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and anti-corruption compliance.

+traci martinez

Partner, Global Board Member

Squire Patton Boggs | Columbus, OH | Civil Litigation, Employment Litigation

Traci L. Martinez is a partner and member of the Global Board at global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. A champion of empowering diverse lawyers, Traci has focused her energies in taking leadership roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. An experienced trial, civil litigation, and labor and employment lawyer, Traci advises public and private sector clients across various industries. She regularly counsels employers on compliance with federal and state laws impacting the employer/employee relationship. Traci was active in developing the first local National Hispanic Bar Association chapters in Region X (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana) and led fundraising efforts for their first-ever Gala event.

+ERICA MASON

Partner

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete | Atlanta, GA

Erica Mason is a partner in the Atlanta office of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete and the immediate past president of the Hispanic National Bar Association. She serves as regional and national employment counsel to large and medium-sized companies throughout the United States, primarily in the hospitality, retail and manufacturing sectors, as well as hospitals and physician's groups. She has extensive experience successfully defending enforcement actions brought by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as private class and collective actions. In addition to assisting clients in litigation, Erica also advises employers on litigation avoidance techniques and compliance issues.

+JESSICA MASSEY

Senior Associate Counsel

Associate General Counsel Global Security, Aviation/Travel & Ethics | Bentonville, AR

Jessica A. Massey is Senior Associate Counsel at Walmart Inc., where she conducts legally privileged, internal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and financial integrity investigations worldwide, and provides daily legal advice to Walmart’s Global Ethics & Compliance Department. Jessica currently serves as National Vice-President of Regions & Affiliates for the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) and Director At Large for the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). She was named an HNBA Top Lawyer Under 40 in 2016 and a Top Latino Lawyer in the U.S. by Latino Leaders Magazine in 2017.

ALVARO MESTRE

Partner

Squire Patton Boggs | Washington, DC

Alvaro J. Mestre is a Partner at Squire Patton Boggs and Chair of the Firm’s Mexico Country Desk. Alvaro represents clients on infrastructure development, corporate structuring and compliance matters, with a regional focus on the Americas and an industry focus on Energy and Natural Resources. Additionally, Alvaro often advises his clients on compliance matters and has specific experience in connection with the preparation and implementation of compliance programs focused on the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Recognizing his high-profile work, reputation and engagement in the Mexican market, The Legal 500 has named Alvaro twice to its US/Mexico Private Practice Powerlist, and he is consistently listed as a “Leading Lawyer” by IFLR1000.

JORGE A. MESTRE

Managing Partner

Rivero Mestre LLP | New York, NY

Jorge A. Mestre engages exclusively in a commercial-litigation practice, including international arbitration and litigation. Among his many high-stakes matters, Mestre successfully represented a Chevron attorney in a case that was part of the $100 billion, 18-year litigation over Chevron’s alleged environmental damage in the Amazon. Mestre also successfully represented six former directors and officers in FDIC v. Stipes, the FDIC’s lawsuit arising from its takeover of Westernbank Puerto Rico. Mestre is also currently representing Cardinal Health in a case brought by the Government of Puerto Rico (the case is being litigated in Spanish) related to the current opioid crisis. Mestre also serves the interests of the Hispanic community in his role as President of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation.

+CHRISTINE MONTENEGRO

Partner

Kasowitz Benson Torres, LLP | New York, NY

Christine Montenegro, partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, is one of the leading Latina lawyers handling high-stakes litigation in the nation. Notably, she played an integral role in developing a unique litigation strategy for Harbinger Capital Partners, a majority shareholder of LightSquared, in its lawsuit against Dish Chairman Charles Ergen. Christine represents investment and hedge funds, financial institutions, and corporations in commercial disputes, securities fraud, RICO, antitrust, constitutional law and defamation. A strong advocate for the advancement of women lawyers, Christine spearheads the firm’s Women’s Initiative Committee, which mentors and advises women professionals on career and professional development opportunities.

RICHARD MONTES

Partner

Mauro Lilling Naparty, LLP | Woodbury, NY

Richard J. Montes is a partner of Mauro Lilling Naparty LLP, the largest firm in the Northeast that handles appeals and litigation strategy. Since joining MLN fifteen years ago, Rich has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts. His expansive practice includes medical and other professional malpractice. He is a frequent lecturer for in-house counsel, insurance companies and hospitals, and he has also published extensively in a wide variety of practice areas. Richard has been dedicated to advancing and protecting the legal rights of the Hispanic community on Long Island.

RUBEN MUÑOZ

Partner

Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld LLP | Philadelphia, PA

Ruben Muñoz has represented companies in litigations involving a wide array of technologies, including medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Ruben heads the PTAB practice at Akin Gump and has been counsel of record in over 50 IPRs—more than half of them as lead counsel. He has also made significant contributions to the firm’s pro bono efforts, particularly on human rights, veterans, and asylum cases. He is heavily involved in the community, advising minority students and entrepreneurs on career choices and business decisions, including through the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and holds a certificate in business and public policy from the Wharton School.

JOSEPH NUNEZ

Partner & Attorney

Vantage Law Group PLLC | Minneapolis, MN

Joseph Nunez joined Vantage Law Group as a partner in 2015 after almost 20 years as a Senior Group Counsel in the Target Corporation Law Department. He currently serves as a Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and member of the Cuban-American Bar Association. Considered one of the most experienced practitioners of shopping center law in the United States, recognized as a top lawyer by Best Lawyers™, 10 Best Lawyers™ in Minnesota for Real Estate, and the Minnesota Journal of Law & Politics. Joseph regularly presents at International Council of Shopping Center business and law conferences, as well as at the Minnesota Real Estate Institute and Minnesota State Bar Association.

ANDRES OLIVEROS

Partner & Attorney

Oliveros Law Firm | Tampa, FL

Andres N. Oliveros is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in administrative, criminal, and civil matters before federal courts, state courts, and other tribunals in Florida and abroad. He has litigated cases for the United States in Japan and other countries, and now exclusively represents real people in motor vehicle negligence actions before Florida courts. With offices in Sebring and Tampa, Andres represents injured individuals from across the state of Florida in their quest for justice. A two-time past president of the Highlands County Bar Association, Andres is currently President of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, Director of the Highlands County Bar Foundation and serving a second term on the Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion of The Florida Bar.

JOSE A. OLIVERI

Managing Partner

Michael Best | Milwaukee, WI

José Olivieri is the managing partner of Michael Best’s Milwaukee office. He is also the co-chair of the Higher Education Industry Group, the founder of the firm’s immigration law practice, and the former chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Relations Practice Group. Clients also depend on José’s deep knowledge of and experience with U.S. immigration law and employment-based immigration matters. He has been recognized as a leading immigration lawyer by Chambers USA since 2008, was named 2018 Best Lawyers in America®, “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law – Management in Milwaukee and received the 2016 Executive Leadership Award from the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee.

+YVETTE OSTOLAZA

Partner, Managing Partner of Dallas Office, Co-Leader of Securities and Shareholder Litigation Practice

Sidley Austin, LLP | Dallas, TX

Yvette Ostolaza, managing partner of Sidley’s Dallas office, member of the firm’s Management Committee, Executive Committee, and global co-head of the firm-wide litigation practice, has developed a national reputation as a versatile lawyer who excels in all aspects of complex disputes and investigations. She is fluent in Spanish and regularly advised Latin American clients. Yvette litigates matters in U.S. state and federal trial and appellate courts on behalf of sophisticated, global clients. She coordinates and tries proceedings in a variety of arbitration venues, serves on the Roster of Neutral Arbitrators for the AAA for commercial litigation matters and on CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals as an arbitrator for the International Institute of Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

javier perez

Partner

Scott Perez LLP | Dallas, TX | employment litigation

Javier Perez attended The University of Texas School of Law where he served as President of the Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association and worked in the Transnational Workers Rights Clinic at the Austin-based Equal Justice Center. Javier represents clients in employment discrimination cases, including race/color, national origin, age, sex/gender, religious, disability, as well as retaliation and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). He also handles unpaid wages/overtime pay claims. Javier is the incoming President of the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (DHBA) and is currently a fellow in the Latino Center for Leadership Development Leadership Academy. He was selected as a Thomson Reuters Rising Star for 2018 and 2019 and received DHBA’s Estrella award in 2015.

michael perez

Managing Partner

Warshauer Law Group, PC | Atlanta, GA | personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, birth injury, wrongful death

Michael E. Pérez focusing on medical malpractice, birth injury and wrongful death cases. He is well-known for fighting for his clients’ rights both in and out of the courtroom. Michael holds an AV Preeminent rating, the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. Michael received one of the Top 20 Verdicts in Georgia in 2017 and was named a Super Lawyer. Michael was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia after his parents and 4 sisters emigrated from Cuba in 1970. he gives back to his community by volunteering at several organizations including the Brighter DeKalb Foundation and the Interfaith Children’s Movement.

+pamela peynado stewart

Partner

Lee & Peynado Immigration Law | Alpharetta, GA | immigration

Pamela Peynado Stewart is a Partner of Lee & Peynado Immigration Law Group. At the age of 29, Pamela became the youngest and only female partner in the history of the firm. With over twelve years of experience in the field, she has successfully represented individuals in their immigration matters, aggressively defended immigrants in deportation and removal proceedings in numerous states. Pamela is currently involved with various organizations, including the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Multi-Bar Leadership Council, Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, Latin American Association and the American Immigration Lawyer Association.

MIGUEL POZO

Member

Cozen O'Connor | Minneapolis, MN

Miguel Pozo is a nationally known litigator, bar association leader and respected Latino trailblazer. Returning to private practice in July 2018 as a partner with Cozen O’Connor, Miguel represents Fortune 500 companies in the luxury, consumer/retail good and automobile sectors in high-stakes internal investigations as well as complex employment and intellectual property litigation. As President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (2009 -2010) and President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (2013-2014), Miguel represented the interests of more than 50,000 Hispanic lawyers, judges and law students in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

ANGELA QUILES NEVAREZ

Of Counsel

Jackson Lewis PC | Philadelphia, PA

Angela Quiles Nevarez is Of Counsel in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses on employment litigation in state and federal courts. She defends employers in actions involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation. She conducts training seminars in both English and Spanish on equal employment opportunities, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, diversity and inclusion, and unconscious bias. Angela is Co-Chair of Jackson Lewis’ Hispanic Attorney Resource Group (HARG). Angela is a member of the American Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the National Employment Law Council.

VERONICA QUINONEZ

Principal

Veronica Quinonez Law, PLLC | Seattle, WA

Verónica Quiñónez is the owner of Veronica Quiñónez Law, PLLC. Her practice focuses on providing legal representation and mediation services in the area of family law. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Seattle University School of Law, and her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at El Paso. Verónica is also a 2017 graduate of the UW Law Washington Leadership Institute. She is the current Latina/o Bar Association of Washington's President and the current Hispanic National Bar Association Deputy President for Region XVI. Veronica has also been an Adjunct Professor at University of Washington School of Law.

FLORENTINO A. RAMIREZ

Attorney

Ramirez & Associates PC | Dallas, TX

Florentino A. Ramirez joined Ramirez & Associates in upon being admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1995. He is an experienced immigration attorney and is also skilled in issues of international transactions and all aspects of doing business abroad. Florentino practices a broad range of international business, leading the firm’s Latin American practice. Florentino also counsels on the establishment of business entities both domestic and abroad, related labor issues, cross-border trade and transactions, distributorships and marketing relationships. Florentino served on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas from 2013 – 2016, and presently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Bar Foundation.

ANGEL REYES

President/Owner

Reyes Browne Reilley | Dallas, TX

Angel L. Reyes & Associates, PC is the parent company of Reyes / Browne / Reilley a personal injury litigation, business litigation, and mortgage default servicing law firm. The firm has worked with executives, business owners, and individuals to resolve over 30,000 cases. Additionally, the firm has tried 300 cases to a jury verdict. These cases include business disputes, life-altering personal injury, defective products, and dangerous prescription drugs, contract disputes, partnership disputes, and other business related disputes. Angel was named to the Super Lawyers® list for 2008 - 2018, by Law & Politics magazine, a supplement to Texas Monthly. This honor is bestowed upon the top 5% of all lawyers in Texas

+ENEIDA ROMAN

Founder, Principal

Roman Law | Boston, MA

Eneida Roman is a nationally recognized leader, and for over a decade, she has been a risk-taking entrepreneur providing a breadth of legal services for her clients through the boutique legal practice she founded in Boston, MA. She is a licensed psychologist, a certified mediator, and attorney. Her law practice is focused around estate planning, family, real estate & small business transactions. She served in prominent leadership roles for the American Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Currently serving on the HOPE National Taskforce, Big Sister Boston’s Board of Directors, and Eastern Bank’s Board of Corporators. Eneida was appointed by Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker, in 2018 to serve on the Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board.

JESSE RUIZ

Partner

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP | Chicago, IL

Jesse Ruiz is a partner in Drinker Biddle’s Corporate and Securities Group and serves as the relationship partner for several major clients. He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a one of the Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago, and by Diversity and the Bar as one of “15 Rainmakers Who Always Shine.” Jesse concentrates his practice on middle-market mergers and acquisitions andcommercial transactions. Jesse is the 1st vice president of the Chicago Bar Association and was recently elected to the inaugural class of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois Lincoln Juarez Honor Society. For 16 years he has served as pro bono legal counsel to the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation. He is president of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners.

ZAIRA SOLANO

Owner

Solano Law Firm | Atlanta, GA

Zaira Solano founded Solano Law firm in 2011 with only $100. Solano Law Firm focuses on immigration law. Zaira earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Georgia College & State University. While earning her degree, she worked in the office of a solo practitioner in the metro Atlanta area. She gained valuable, hands-on experience in family law, criminal law, and worker’s compensation law prior to her legal education. Zaira worked for several firms throughout the Atlanta area while earning her law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She discovered her passion for immigration during law school. Later in her training, she clerked at an immigration firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Zaira also worked in the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office in the Complex Case Division.

LUIS A. SOSA

Attorney

Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Ryles | West Palm Beach, FL

Luis A. Sosa was born in Ciego De Avila, Cuba, and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He currently serves as the President of the St. Lucie County Bar Association (SLCBA), where he started as the bar association’s Treasurer. In addition, Luis is the youngest President the SLCBA has had. He has been named Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers and was accepted into The Florida Bar's WM. Reece Smith Jr. Leadership Academy, Class VI. He has fought in numerous trials where he has successfully obtained verdicts in excess of $900,000. Luis has been a volunteer with the Hispanic Human Resource Center in West Palm Beach and strongly believes that being involved in the community is just as important as representing it.

+YOLANDA V. TORRES

Principal

Yolanda V. Torres Law | Santa Ana, CA

Yolanda Victoria Torres is the Principal of her Family Law firm in Orange County, California. Her cases include divorces, child custody and visitation, child/ spousal support, property division, step-parent adoptions and domestic violence actions. Yolanda has practiced Family Law for the past 17 years and has been a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization for 11 years. Because so many courts are impacted and there is a shortage of judicial officers, Yolanda expanded her practice to include mediation where her clients are very satisfied with the efficiency of the process and amicable resolution. On March 9, 2019, she will be sworn in as the President of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association.

frank torres

Trial Attorney and Department Head

Duffy & Duffy | Uniondale, NY | medical malpractice, nursing home litigation, general liability law

Frank Torres was born and raised in Brooklyn of Latino immigrant parents. Went to St. Francis College, from which he graduated summa cum laude, and later Columbia University School of Law. He has worked the past 36 years in the field of medical malpractice, nursing home, products liability, premises liability and general personal injury, as a trial attorney, for the last 19 years solely on behalf of plaintiffs. Since 2010, he has been with Duffy & Duffy, PLLC. He is active in several Latino Bar Associations, and is the immediate past President of the Long Island Bar Association (LIHBA), he has mentor a number of young, up and coming, Latino/a lawyers, and as a bilingual attorney he takes pride in representing a many Latino/a clients, throughout the New York metropolitan region.

hector torres

Co-Founding Partner

Kasowitz | New York, NY | commercial litigation, antitrust litigation, securities litigation

Hector Torres is a name and co-founding partner of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and one of the country’s preeminent lawyers for antitrust, securities and complex commercial cases. He represents major U.S. and foreign corporations in a variety of actions, including antitrust, securities fraud, product liability and contract matters in both U.S. courts and international arbitration. He established a mentoring program at his former elementary school that connects students with Latino lawyers to encourage post-secondary education and goals. He also contributes to the St. Luke’s Education Foundation. Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Hector spearheaded a major firm fundraiser in New York City to raise funds for Puerto Rico.

PEDRO JAIME TORRES DIAZ

Principal

Jackson Lewis PC | Miami, FL

Pedro Jaime Torres-Díaz is a Principal in the San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Miami, Florida offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice concentrates in employment discrimination, wage and hour counseling, international employment issues, and litigation exclusively on behalf of employers. He is a Past President of the Hispanic National Bar Association; a Commissioner on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession; and a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, The Florida Bar, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida.

STEPHEN ZACK

Partner

Bois, Schiller & Flexner | Miami, FL

Stephen N. Zack is an Attorney and Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP. He was nominated in 2013 by President Barack Obama for the position of Alternate U.S. Representative to the Sixty-eighth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and he served as Senior Advisor to the United States Department of State. From 2010 to 2011, he served as the first Hispanic President of the American Bar Association. Stephen is a Federal Judicial Nominating Commission member, and Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He served as Chair of the ABA House of Delegates, Chair of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, and the ABA Latin American Law Initiatives. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Law Institute.

RAFAEL ZAHRALDDIN

Director

Elliot Greanleaf | Wilmington, DE

Rafael Zahralddin is a Shareholder, Director, and Practice Chair at Elliott Greenleaf. He founded the Elliott Greenleaf Delaware office in 2007, which specializes in business law. He is a litigator and advises businesses in compliance, corporate formation, corporate governance, insolvency, distressed M&A, commercial transactions, cyber law, regulatory actions, and cross border issues. He regularly represents a variety of Fortune 500 companies, with experience as national bankruptcy counsel and in complex commercial litigation. He received the Delaware State Bar Association’s MJL “Excellence in Community Service Award” in 2016. He is a National Association of Corporate Directors Governance Fellow and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

+STEPHANIE ZAPATA MOORE

EVP & General Counsel

Vistra Energy Corp | Irving, TX

Stephanie Zapata Moore is executive vice president and general counsel of Vistra Energy Corp. Since 2016, Stephanie has advised Vistra’s leadership team on legal, regulatory and corporate governance matters, in addition to overseeing the corporate secretary’s office and leading the company’s legal and compliance team. Stephanie also serves as a member of the board of directors of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas and is a past chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the Dallas Bar Association. She received her undergraduate degree in English from Duke University and her law degree from William & Mary School of Law.