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Morrison Foerster named a leading firm by The Legal 500 Latin America 2023

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Morrison Foerster was recognized by The Legal 500 Latin America as a leading international law firm by including three of MoFo’s Latin America-focused practices in its newly released 2023 edition. Morrison Foerster’s Miami office received particular plaudits and was named a “Tier One” firm in the City Focus – Miami category.

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Morrison Foerster was recognized by The Legal 500 Latin America as a leading international law firm by including three of MoFo’s Latin America-focused practices in its newly released 2023 edition. Morrison Foerster’s Miami office received particular plaudits and was named a “Tier One” firm in the City Focus – Miami category.The firm’s other practice area recognitions include the following:<ul><li>Compliance and Investigations: International Firms</li><li>Corporate and M&A: International Firms</li></ul>Morrison Foerster lawyers also received significant recognition for their individual achievements. Ruti Smithline was named a “Leading Individual” for Compliance and Investigations and was also recognized as a top practitioner for Corporate and M&A, while Randy Bullard was highlighted as leading counsel for Corporate and M&A and City Focus – Miami. In addition, Charles Duross was highlighted as a top practitioner for Compliance and Investigations, while Ludovica Gardani was named a “Rising Star” for Corporate and M&A and a top practitioner for City Focus – Miami.The Legal 500 rankings are based on thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients, and provide a detailed qualitative assessment of various factors, including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically; experience and depth of teams; client service; commercial awareness; diligence; and commitment to clients.To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 Latin America, please visit <a href="https://www.legal500.com/latin-america/">the publication’s website</a>.

Morrison Foerster named a leading firm by The Legal 500 Latin America 2023

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Randy is the Managing Partner of Morrison Foerster’s Miami office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Latin America Desk. He advises multinational clients in connection with cross-border mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and other finance transactions throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the United States.Randy’s mergers and acquisitions work has focused on international cross-border mergers and acquisitions across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, technology and telecommunications, media, entertainment, agriculture, manufacturing and food and beverage.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Mergers and Acquisitions</h5><ul><li>SoftBank Latin America Fund in connection with a Series B funding round for Incode, a next-generation identity and authentication platform for global enterprises.</li><li>SoftBank Latin America Fund in connection with a Series C financing round in Addi, a fintech startup based in Bogota, Colombia that offers buy-now-pay-later technology.</li><li>SoftBank Latin America Fund in connection with a Series D financing round in Open Co, a Brazilian consumer credit company.</li><li>SoftBank Latin America Fund on leading a Series B financing round for Laika, a Colombia-based pet supplies e-commerce platform.</li><li>SoftBank, Riverwood Capital, Igah Ventures, and Volpe Capital in connection with their investments in CRM&BONUS’s R$280 million financing round.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series E financing round led by the SoftBank Latin America Fund totaling $190 million in MadeiraMadeira, a Brazilian online home goods platform.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series C financing round in JusBrasil, a platform that connects people to justice through lawyers and legal information.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series C financing round led by the SoftBank Latin America Fund in Contabilizei, a Brazilian online platform that offers affordable tax-filing and accounting SaaS for SMEs in Brazil.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series D financing round led by the SoftBank Latin America Fund in Olist, a Brazilian e-commerce platform.</li><li>SoftBank Latin America Fund in connection with a Series B $108 million financing round in Pismo, a technology company providing an all-in-one processing platform for banking, payments, and financial markets infrastructure.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with the Series C US$50 million financing round in GAIA, an e-commerce platform for the sale of furniture and design accessories in Mexico.</li><li>The management team of Wizeline, Inc., a global technology services provider that partners with clients to build high-quality digital products and platforms, in connection with the agreement under which Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a global investment group and one of Canada’s largest pension funds, will acquire majority ownership of Wizeline.</li><li>SoftBank in its investment of up to US$150 million into a subsidiary of Grupo Bursátil Mexicano (GBM), a leading investment platform in the Mexican stock market for over 35 years.</li><li>SoftBank in a joint venture with WeWork, the leading flexible space provider, that provides SoftBank Latin America Fund with the exclusive right to operate the WeWork brand in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.</li><li>Petlove, the largest digital ecosystem for pet owners in Brazil, on its acquisition of Porto Pet, a company in the Porto Seguro business group and a leader in the animal health plan segment.</li><li>Petlove, the largest digital ecosystem for pet owners in Brazil, in connection with its recent financing round with its existing major investors, Tarpon, SoftBank, L Catterton, Porto Seguro and Monashees, and a new initial investment by Riverwood Capital.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with the US$150 million (R$822 million) preferred equity investment in Afya Limited (Nasdaq: AFYA), the largest medical education group in Brazil.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with the US$84.5 million financing round in Descomplica, the first Brazilian EdTech company to enter the higher education market. Co-led by investment fund Invus Opportunities, the funding round represents the biggest investment to date in an EdTech company in Latin America. </li><li>Petlove, the largest digital ecosystem for pet owners in Brazil, in the expansion of its e-commerce into a pet ecosystem through the acquisition of DogHero, a pet services Brazilian company.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series C US $225 million financing round in Kavak, a Mexican online platform for buying and selling used cars.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series B US $108 million financing round in Acesso Digital, a Brazilian IDTech pioneer in ID protection solutions.</li><li>SoftBank in its sale of a majority stake in Brightstar Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank and the global leader of end-to-end device lifecycle solutions for carriers, retailers, and enterprise, managing mobile devices, to Brightstar Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management team.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series D US$225 million financing round in VTEX, a Brazilian global enterprise digital commerce platform.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series C financing round led by SoftBank’s Latin America Fund in Brazilian data science company Cortex.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series B US $125 million financing round led by SoftBank’s Latin America Fund in AlphaCredit, a technology-enabled financial platform in Latin America.</li><li>Inchcape, the leading global independent multi-brand automotive distributor and retailer, in its cash-free and debt-free £47 million acquisition of Autolider, a distributor of Daimler brands in both Uruguay and Ecuador.</li><li>Dolphin Entertainment, Inc., a leading independent entertainment marketing and premium content development company, in its acquisition of Shore Fire Media, Ltd., a public relations and media management firm based in Brooklyn, New York that specializes in music, entertainment and popular culture.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with a Series D US$250 million investment round in QuintoAndar, a São Paulo-based real estate leasing platform.</li><li>SoftBank in connection with its joint US$150 million Series C round investment with Tencent in Argentine fintech company Ualá.</li><li>SoftBank in its Series D $100M investment in Konfio, an online lending platform in Mexico.</li><li>SoftBank in its investment in Buser, Ltd., an intercity bus charter online booking service in Brazil.</li><li>Imperia Intercontinental, Inc. in its purchase of the consumer banking business and insurance business of Banco Citibank de El Salvador S.A., Citi Tarjetas de El Salvador, S.A. de C.V., Balboa Reinsurance Ltd. and Seguros e Inversiones S.A. </li><li>Liberty Latin America Ltd., a leading telecommunications company with operations in Chile, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and other parts of Latin America, and a subsidiary of Liberty Global plc (Nasdaq: LILA and LILAK), in its acquisition of an 80% stake in Cabletica, a leading Costa Rican cable operator, from Televisora de Costa Rica S.A. (Televisora), which will retain a remaining 20% interest, for approximately US$250 million.*</li></ul><h5>Finance</h5><ul><li>The Chilean, Peruvian, and Colombian operating companies of Andean Telecom Partners in a syndicated senior secured financing totaling approximately $170 million and a subsequent syndicated senior secured financing totaling $35 million.</li><li>Andean Tower Partners Colombia, operator and developer of wireless telecommunications infrastructure owned by Digital Bridge, in the US$55 million refinancing operation granted by Scotiabank Colpatria.</li><li>MesoAmerica Latam Opportunities Fund in its US$120 million revolving credit facility with Scotiabank. </li><li>Corporación América Airports S.A. in its US $485 million initial public offering (IPO) on the NYSE. Corporación América Airports manages and operates 52 airport facilities in Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia and Peru.</li></ul>

Randy, copresidente del Latin America Desk y socio del Departamento Corporativo de la firma, asesora a clientes multinacionales en relación con fusiones y adquisiciones transfronterizas, empresas conjuntas (joint ventures), y transacciones de valores y finanzas en toda América Central y del Sur, el Caribe, Europa y los Estados Unidos.Randy ha asesorado a numerosas corporaciones globales europeas en relación con el establecimiento y desarrollo de sus presencias en los Estados Unidos, así como en la gestión de sus operaciones en América Latina. También representa a emisores en ofertas de capital y de deuda y en cotizaciones de la bolsa.La experiencia de Randy en relación a fusiones y adquisiciones se ha centrado en fusiones y adquisiciones internacionales transfronterizas en una amplia gama de sectores, incluyendo servicios financieros, telecomunicaciones, medios de comunicación, entretenimiento, energía, agricultura, industria manufacturera, y alimentos/bebidas.<h4>Experiencia Representativa</h4><h5>Fusiones y adquisiciones</h5><ul><li>Representó a SoftBank en relación con una ronda de inversión Serie B dirigida por SoftBank Latin America Fund, por un total de US$ 125 millones en AlphaCredit, una de las plataformas de tecnología financieras de más rápido crecimiento en América Latina.</li><li>Representó a Inchcape, el principal distribuidor y minorista independiente de automóviles de múltiples marcas a nivel mundial, en su adquisición sin dinero en efectivo y deudas de £ 47 millones de Autolider, un distribuidor de las marcas de Daimler en Uruguay y Ecuador.</li><li>Representación de Dolphin Entertainment, Inc., una empresa independiente líder en mercadeo de entretenimiento y desarrollo de contenidos de primera calidad, en su adquisición de US$ 3 millones de Shore Fire Media, Ltd., una empresa de relaciones públicas y gestión de medios de comunicación con sede en Brooklyn, Nueva York, que se especializa en música, entretenimiento y cultura popular.</li><li>Representó a SoftBank en relación con una ronda de inversión Serie D por un total de US$ 250 millones en QuintoAndar, una plataforma de arrendamiento inmobiliario con sede en São Paulo.</li><li>Representó a SoftBank en su inversión conjunta con Tencent de US$ 150 millones en la ronda de financiación de la Serie C en la aplicación argentina de servicios bancarios digitales Ualá.</li><li>Representó a SoftBank en su inversión de US$ 100 millones en Konfio, una plataforma servicios financieros en México.</li><li>Representación de SoftBank en su inversión en Buser, Ltd., un servicio de reservas en línea de alquiler de autobuses interurbanos en Brasil.</li></ul><h5>Finanzas</h5><ul><li>Representó a Andean Tower Partners Colombia, operador y desarrollador de la infraestructura de telecomunicaciones inalámbricas propiedad de Digital Bridge, en la operación de refinanciamiento de US$ 55 millones otorgada por Scotiabank Colpatria. Se espera que Andean Tower Partners Colombia utilice los fondos para desarrollar y adquirir activos de infraestructura de telecomunicaciones.</li><li>Representación de Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. en su plan preestablecido de reorganización y emisión para una financiación de salida de US$ 325 millones de los pagarés de garantía preferente (senior secured notes), y ofertas de pagarés de seguimiento (follow-on note offerings).</li><li>Representó a emisores costarricenses y estadounidenses en el refinanciamiento de una instalación existente mediante la emisión y la colocación privada de US$ 250 millones en notas a filiales de un proveedor de seguros de los Estados Unidos.</li><li>Representó a Torres Unidas Chile SpA y Torres Unidas del Perú S.R.L., empresas de telecomunicaciones e infraestructura de Chile y Perú respectivamente, en el otorgamiento de préstamos a plazo con garantía cruzada de US$ 120 millones con Scotiabank Chile y Scotiabank Perú S.A.A., y en el refinanciamiento múltiple de dichos préstamos durante un período de seis años.</li><li>Representó a un inversionista líder de capital privado en los mercados en crecimiento de toda América Latina en su línea de crédito rotativo de US$ 120 millones con un banco multinacional prominente.</li><li>Representó a un operador de torres costarricense en su contrato de un préstamo a plazo con un banco comercial líder en Costa Rica.</li><li>Representó a una de las empresas de servicios financieros más grande del mundo en servicios de crédito sindicado, servicios de financiación de adquisiciones y otras operaciones de financiamiento en diversas industrias de toda América Latina, entre ellas las de Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panamá, República Dominicana y Nicaragua.</li><li>Representó a un minorista salvadoreño en relación con financiamientos en múltiples divisas por valor de US$ 300 millones garantizadas con activos en 11 jurisdicciones del Caribe. La adquisición se consumó en parte mediante ofertas públicas en Jamaica y Barbados.</li><li>Representó al administrador y operador de 52 instalaciones aeroportuarias de Argentina, Italia, Brasil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia y Perú en su oferta pública inicial (IPO) de US$ 485 millones en la Bolsa de Valores de Nueva York (NYSE).</li><li>Representó a emisores privados extranjeros alemanes en diversas industrias en relación con las ofertas públicas iniciales y las cotizaciones en el Nasdaq.</li><li>Representó a un asegurador en múltiples ofertas de seguimiento (follow-on offerings) para un fondo de inversión cerrado centrado en la nanotecnología.</li></ul>

Randy, co-líder do Latin America Desk e sócio da área empresarial, assessora clientes multinacionais em fusões e aquisições internacionais, joint ventures e transações de valores mobiliários e financeiros no Caribe, Europa, Estados Unidos, América Central e do Sul.Randy assessorou várias empresas globais e européias no estabelecimento e desenvolvimento de suas atividades nos Estados Unidos, bem como na gestão de suas operações na América Latina. Representa também emissores em ofertas de ações e dívida.Sua experiência em fusões e aquisições é concentrada em fusões e aquisições internacionais em uma ampla gama de setores, incluindo serviços financeiros, telecomunicações, mídia, entretenimento, energia, agricultura, alimentos e bebidas.<h4>Casos Representativos (incluindo experiências em outros escritórios)</h4><h5>Fusões e aquisições</h5><ul><li>Representou SoftBank em uma rodada de investimentos Série B liderada pelo Latin America Fund do SoftBank no valor total de US$ 125 milhões na AlphaCredit, uma das plataformas de tecnologia financeira de maior crescimento na América Latina.</li><li>Representou a Inchcape, líder global independente na distribuição e varejo de carros multimarcas, na aquisição, por £ 47 milhões, da Autolider, distribuidora das marcas da Daimler no Uruguai e no Equador.</li><li>Representou a Dolphin Entertainment, Inc., uma empresa independente líder em marketing de entretenimento premium e desenvolvimento de conteúdo, na aquisição, por US$ 3 milhões de uma empresa de relações públicas e gerenciamento de mídia com sede no Brooklyn, Nova York, especializada em música, entretenimento e cultura popular.</li><li>Representou SoftBank em uma rodada de investimentos Série D, totalizando US$ 250 milhões na QuintoAndar, uma plataforma de leasing imobiliário com sede em São Paulo.</li><li>Representou SoftBank em seu investimento, em conjunto com a Tencent, no total de US$ 150 milhões, na rodada de financiamento Série C no aplicativo argentino de serviços bancários digitais Ualá.</li><li>Representou SoftBank em seu investimento de US$ 100 milhões na Konfio, uma plataforma de serviços financeiros no México.</li><li>Representou SoftBank em seu investimento na Buser, Ltd., um serviço de reservas on-line para aluguel de ônibus interurbanos no Brasil.</li></ul><h5>Financiamentos</h5><ul><li>Representou a Andean Tower Partners Colombia, operadora e desenvolvedora de infraestrutura de telecomunicações sem fio de propriedade da Digital Bridge, na operação de refinanciamento de US$ 55 milhões concedida pelo Scotiabank Colpatria. Espera-se que os fundos sejam utilizados pela Andean Tower Partners Colombia para desenvolver e adquirir ativos de infraestrutura de telecomunicações.</li><li>Representou Satélites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. em seu plano de reorganização e emissão pré-estabelecido para um financiamento de US$ 325 milhões em notas prioritárias garantidas e ofertas subsequentes de notas.</li><li>Representou emissores da Costa Rica e dos Estados Unidos no refinanciamento de uma instalação existente, por meio de uma emissão privada de US$ 250 milhões em notas a subsidiárias de um provedor de seguros dos Estados Unidos.</li><li>Representou a Torres Unidas Chile SpA e a Torres Unidas del Perú S.R.L., empresas de telecomunicações e infraestrutura do Chile e Peru, respectivamente, na concessão de empréstimos a prazo com garantia cruzada de US$ 120 milhões com o Scotiabank Chile e Scotiabank Perú S.A.A., e no refinanciamento múltiplo desses empréstimos por um período de seis anos.</li><li>Representou um investidor líder em private equity em mercados em crescimento na América Latina em sua linha de crédito rotativo de US$ 120 milhões com um importante banco multinacional.</li><li>Representou um operador de torres na Costa Rica em seu contrato de empréstimo com um banco comercial líder na Costa Rica.Z</li><li>Representou uma das maiores empresas de serviços financeiros do mundo em serviços de crédito sindicado, serviços de financiamento de aquisição e outras operações de financiamento em vários setores da América Latina, incluindo Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panamá, República Dominicana e Nicarágua.</li><li>Representou um varejista salvadorenho no financiamento de várias moedas no valor de US$ 300 milhões garantido com ativos em 11 jurisdições do Caribe. A aquisição foi parcialmente concluída por meio de ofertas públicas na Jamaica e Barbados.</li><li>Representou o administrador e operador de 52 instalações aeroportuárias na Argentina, Itália, Brasil, Uruguai, Equador, Armênia e Peru em sua oferta pública inicial (IPO) de US$ 485 milhões na Bolsa de Valores de Nova York (NYSE).</li><li>Representou emissores privados estrangeiros alemães em vários setores em relação a ofertas públicas iniciais na Nasdaq.</li><li>Representou uma seguradora em várias ofertas subsequentes para um fundo de investimento fechado focado em nanotecnologia.</li></ul>

Randy Bullard

Managing Partner, Miami

Ruti Smithline serves as global co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Litigation Department and co-chair of the firm's Latin America Desk, in addition to being a member of the firm's FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption Group. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on white collar criminal defense, SEC enforcement, and corporate internal investigations.Ruti regularly advises clients on cross-border investigations, global compliance programs and anti-corruption due diligence for acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. Ruti has represented individual and corporate defendants in cross-border criminal investigations, SEC enforcement matters, and other regulatory proceedings, including matters related to trade sanctions and anti-money laundering. She has experience conducting corporate internal investigations both domestically and internationally, often advising clients on remedial measures responsive to the issues investigated.Ruti was born and raised in Colombia and is fluent in Spanish. She has conducted investigations, seminars and anti-corruption training in Spanish throughout Central and South America.Ruti has been recognized by industry leading publications including Chambers & Partners, where she is ranked in the USA guide for Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations in New York and nationally for their FCPA category, in addition to being ranked in the Latin America guide for Corporate Crime & Investigations across the LatAm region. She has also been recommended by Legal 500 US in their Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense category, was recently selected by LatinVex as one of "Latin America's Top 100 Lawyers: FCPA & Fraud" for 2022, and has also been named to Global Investigations Review's "Women in Investigations" 2018 survey, which recognizes the top 100 leading female investigations specialists from around the world.Ruti formerly served as co-chair of the Investigations + White Collar Defense Group. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University School of Law, where she graduated with honors and as a member of the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A. degree cum laude from Cornell University. She is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

Ruti Smithline exerce funções de copresidente global do Departamento de Contencioso da Morrison Foerster e de copresidente do Latin American Desk, a área da sociedade dedicada à América Latina, sendo também membro da área da sociedade FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption Group, dedicada à legislação dos EUA sobre práticas anticorrupção (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) e ao grupo global anticorrupção. A prática profissional de Ruti Smithline centra-se no contencioso complexo, com especial incidência na defesa em matéria de criminalidade económica (colarinho branco), processos sancionatórios da SEC (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários dos EUA) e investigações internas corporativas.Presta assessoria regular a clientes em investigações transfronteiriças, programas de conformidade global e auditorias jurídicas (due diligence) anticorrupção no âmbito de aquisições, joint ventures e transações de private equity. Tem representado arguidos, quer particulares quer empresas, em investigações criminais transfronteiriças, processos sancionatórios da SEC e outros procedimentos regulatórios, incluindo matérias relacionadas com sanções comerciais e branqueamento de capitais. Detém experiência na condução de investigações internas corporativas, tanto em âmbito nacional quanto internacional, prestando assessoria frequente a clientes relativamente a medidas corretivas decorrentes das matérias investigadas.Ruti Smithline nasceu e cresceu na Colômbia, sendo fluente em espanhol. Tem conduzido investigações, seminários e ações de formação anticorrupção em espanhol por toda a América Central e do Sul.Tem sido reconhecida pelas publicações líderes do setor, incluindo a Chambers & Partners, onde se encontra destacada no guia dos EUA em Contencioso: Criminalidade Económica e Investigações Governamentais em Nova Iorque e, no âmbito nacional, na categoria de FCPA. Adicionalmente, está classificada no guia da América Latina para a área de Crime Corporativo e Investigações em toda a região LatAm. Foi também recomendada pelo Legal 500 US na categoria de Investigações Corporativas e Defesa em Criminalidade Económica, tendo sido recentemente selecionada pela LatinVex como uma das «Melhores 100 Advogadas da América Latina: FCPA e Fraude» para 2022. Adicionalmente, foi incluída no estudo «Women in Investigations» (Mulheres em Investigações) de 2018, da agência Global Investigations Review, que reconhece as 100 melhores especialistas mundiais na área de investigações.Anteriormente, exerceu funções de copresidente do Investigations + White Collar Defense Group, o grupo de investigações e defesa de crimes de colarinho branco. Obteve o diploma Juris Doctor pela Faculdade de Direito da Universidade George Washington, onde se licenciou com distinção e enquanto membro da Order of the Coif, uma sociedade de honra académica exclusiva de algumas universidades americanas. Obteve a licenciatura com a distinção cum laude pela Universidade de Cornell. Está inscrita na Ordem dos Advogados nos estados de Nova Iorque e Nova Jérsia.<h4>Casos Representativos de FCPA</h4><ul><li>Comércio varejista global. Representou um executivo sênior de um comerciante de varejo global em uma investigação do Departamento de Justiça, da SEC e de outras agências sobre possíveis violações do FCPA no México, Brasil e outros países.</li><li>Empresa Fortune 500. Conduziu uma investigação interna sobre possíveis violações do FCPA em uma subsidiária estrangeira de uma corporação multinacional Fortune 500. Conduziu mais de 60 entrevistas com funcionários, revisou linhas de negócios e relacionamentos com os principais clientes e canais de distribuição, e realizou análise forense de registros contábeis e controles internos. A pesquisa incluiu uma análise de unidades de negócios em mais de 15 países para avaliar os riscos de FCPA.</li><li>Empresa Fortune 50. Representou uma empresa multinacional Fortune 50 com sede nos EUA em uma investigação interna sobre supostas violações de FCPA e compliance na região Ásia-Pacífico. Após a conclusão da investigação e compliance, nem a SEC nem o Departamento de Justiça tomaram medidas contra nosso cliente.</li><li>Comitê de Auditoria de Empresa Internacional. Representou o comitê de auditoria de um fornecedor internacional de produtos agrícolas em sua investigação interna, oriunda de uma denúncia de irregularidades alegando violações de FCPA no Oriente Médio. Esse assunto foi um dos primeiros casos a serem relatados à SEC sob suas regras de denúncia decretadas em maio de 2011. Após concluir a investigação e relatar o resultado à SEC, a SEC desistiu de conduzir sua própria investigação e arquivou o caso.</li><li>Empresa de investimento global. Representou uma empresa de investimento global com a due diligence anticorrupção com operações no Japão, China, Tailândia e México. Com base nos resultados da devida diligência, aconselhamos a empresa sobre a implementação de um programa de conformidade pós-aquisição.</li><li>Empresa Fortune 500. Representou uma empresa Fortune 500 em due diligence anticorrupção relacionada à aquisição de uma empresa estrangeira de telecomunicações com operações substanciais na África, América Latina, Sudeste Asiático e Oriente Médio.</li><h4>Outros casos representativos</h4><li>OFAC e BSA/AML. Conduziu a investigação interna de um grande banco estrangeiro sobre possíveis violações de sanções da OFAC e de práticas de combate à lavagem de dinheiro.</li><li>BSA/AML. Representou várias pessoas na América do Sul que trabalham para um Banco com sede na União Europeia em uma investigação do Departamento de Justiça dos Estados Unidos sobre possíveis violações da Lei de Sigilo Bancário e leis sobre lavagem de dinheiro.</li><li>Ex-executivo de hipoteca. Representou o Diretor Financeiro de um dos maiores emissores nacionais de hipotecas, agora falido, em uma investigação da SEC e em litígios relacionados aos seus acionistas decorrentes da crise de crédito.</li><li>Investigação multifacetada de bolsas universitárias. Assessorou uma importante universidade de pesquisa nos EUA em uma investigação criminal e civil sobre alegações falsas relacionadas a subsídios e contratos federais de pesquisa.</li></ul>

Ruti Smithline es copresidenta global del Departamento de Litigios de Morrison Foerster y copresidenta del grupo para América Latina del despacho, así como miembro del grupo de FCPA y Anticorrupción Global del despacho.Su práctica se centra en litigios complejos, con especial énfasis en la defensa penal en materia de delitos de cuello blanco, las actuaciones de la SEC y las investigaciones internas corporativas.Ruti asesora periódicamente a clientes en investigaciones transfronterizas, programas globales de cumplimiento y procesos de diligencia debida en materia de anticorrupción para adquisiciones, empresas conjuntas (joint ventures) y operaciones de capital privado (private equity). Ruti ha representado a personas físicas y jurídicas demandadas en investigaciones penales transfronterizas, actuaciones de la SEC y otros procedimientos regulatorios, incluidos asuntos relacionados con sanciones comerciales y prevención del blanqueo de capitales. Tiene experiencia en la realización de investigaciones internas corporativas tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, y asesora con frecuencia a clientes sobre medidas correctivas para abordar las cuestiones investigadas.Ruti nació y creció en Colombia y habla español con fluidez. Ha llevado a cabo en español investigaciones, seminarios y actividades de formación en materia de anticorrupción en Centroamérica y Sudamérica.Ruti ha sido reconocida por destacadas publicaciones del sector, entre ellas Chambers & Partners, que la incluye en su guía de EE. UU. en la categoría de "Litigios: Delitos de cuello blanco e investigaciones gubernamentales" en Nueva York y, a nivel nacional, en FCPA, así como en su guía de América Latina en la categoría de "Delitos corporativos e investigaciones para toda la región". También ha sido recomendada por Legal 500 US en la categoría de "Investigaciones corporativas y defensa penal de delitos de cuello blanco". Además, fue seleccionada recientemente por LatinVex como una de entre "Los/as 100 mejores abogados/as de América Latina: FCPA y fraude" en 2022. Asimismo, fue incluida en la encuesta "Women in Investigations" de Global Investigations Review en 2018, que reconoce a las 100 principales profesionales de investigaciones a nivel mundial.Anteriormente, Ruti fue copresidenta del grupo de investigaciones y defensa de delitos de cuello blanco. Obtuvo el título de Juris Doctor (J.D.) en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad George Washington, donde se graduó con honores y fue miembro de la Order of the Coif. Asimismo, obtuvo su licenciatura cum laude por la Universidad de Cornell. Está habilitada para ejercer la abogacía en Nueva York y Nueva Jersey.<h4>Asuntos Representativos de la FCPA</h4><ul><li>Comerciante al por menor global. Representó a un alto ejecutivo de un comerciante al por menor global en relación con una investigación realizada por el Departamento de Justicia, la SEC y otras agencias sobre posibles violaciones de la FCPA en México, Brasil y otros países.</li><li>Compañía Fortune 500. Llevó a cabo una investigación interna sobre posibles violaciones de la FCPA en una subsidiaria extranjera de una corporación multinacional Fortune 500. Realizó más de 60 entrevistas a empleados, revisó líneas de negocios y relaciones con clientes clave y canales de distribución, y realizó análisis forenses de registros contables y controles internos. La investigación incluyó una revisión de las unidades de negocio en más de 15 países para evaluar los riesgos de la FCPA.</li><li>Compañía Fortune 50. Representó a una compañía multinacional Fortune 50 con sede en E.E.U.U. En una investigación interna de presuntas violaciones de la FCPA y el auto-trato en la región de Asia y el Pacífico. Tras la conclusión de nuestra investigación y autoinforme, ni la SEC ni el Departamento de Justicia tomaron ninguna medida contra nuestro cliente.</li><li>Comité de Auditoría de Empresa Internacional. Representó al comité de auditoría de un proveedor internacional de productos agrícolas en su investigación interna resultante de una denuncia de irregularidades alegando violaciones de la FCPA en el Medio Oriente. Este asunto fue uno de los primeros casos en ser reportados a la SEC bajo sus reglas de denuncia de irregularidades promulgadas en mayo de 2011. Después de completar la investigación e informar el resultado a la SEC, la misma se negó a realizar una investigación propia y cerró el archivo.</li><li>Empresa de inversión global. Representó a una empresa de inversión global con la debida diligencia anticorrupción de un objetivo estadounidense con operaciones en Japón, China, Tailandia y México. En base a los resultados de la diligencia debida, asesoramos a la compañía con respecto a la implementación de un programa de cumplimiento posterior a la adquisición.</li><li>Compañía Fortune 500. Representó a una compañía Fortune 500 con la debida diligencia anticorrupción en relación con la adquisición de una compañía de telecomunicaciones extranjera con operaciones sustanciales en África, América Latina, Sudeste de Asia y Medio Oriente.</li></ul><h4>Otros Asuntos Representativos</h4><ul><li>OFAC y BSA / AML. Llevó a cabo una investigación interna de un gran banco extranjero con respecto a posibles violaciones de las sanciones de la OFAC y las prácticas contra el lavado de dinero.</li><li>BSA / AML. Representó a varias personas en Sudamérica que trabajan para el Banco con sede en E.E.U.U. en una investigación del Departamento de Justicia sobre posibles violaciones de la Ley de Secreto Bancario (Bank Secrecy Act) y las leyes contra el lavado de dinero.</li><li>Ex ejecutivo hipotecario. Representó al Director Financiero de uno de los mayores emisores de hipotecas nacionales, ahora en bancarrota, en una investigación de la SEC y litigios relacionados con los accionistas que surgieron de la crisis crediticia.</li><li>Investigación multifacética de subvenciones universitarias. Asesoró a una importante universidad de investigación de E.E.U.U. en una investigación penal y civil de presuntas afirmaciones falsas relacionadas con subvenciones y contratos federales de investigación.</li></ul>

Ruti Smithline

Partner

Charles (Chuck) Duross serves as co-head of Morrison Foerster’s FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption practice. With more than twenty-nine years of experience principally focused on white collar cases, Chuck’s practice has an emphasis on complex white collar criminal matters, including internal corporate investigations, representing special committees, compliance counseling, due diligence regarding third parties and business transactions, and defense of clients before government enforcement agencies and multilateral investment banks. Chuck has handled cases and overseen investigations in dozens of countries. As a veteran trial attorney, Chuck has a proven track record in the courtroom in high-profile, high-stakes trials. Dubbed “Mr. FCPA” in The Washington Post, Chuck is routinely recognized in various rankings and publications, including Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and Legal 500 as a leading attorney in white collar criminal defense, with a particular specialty in FCPA and foreign corruption cases.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Serving as the DOJ-appointed independent corporate compliance monitor for a large South American company in the wake of a multi-jurisdictional resolution of one of the largest bribery schemes in history</li><li>Representing a leading U.S. company in a high-profile multi-jurisdictional government-facing bribery investigation in Africa</li><li>Representing multinational European company in a high-profile bribery investigation involving multiple jurisdictions</li><li>Representing a major manufacturing company in an emissions-related investigation</li><li>Representing a technology company before DOJ and SEC regarding a whistleblower employee alleging FCPA violations</li><li>Representing a Japanese company before DOJ and SEC in an FCPA investigation</li><li>Representing a leading U.S. company before DOJ regarding allegations of improper hiring issues</li><li>Represented former telecom executive before DOJ and SEC regarding conduct in China</li><li>Representing a former executive regarding allegations of misconduct in Latin America</li><li>Secured declinations on behalf of multiple corporate clients and individuals before DOJ and SEC</li><li>Secured a victory for a Chinese company before the Sanctions Board of the World Bank</li><li>Lead an internal investigation for a leading South American company concerning bribery allegations in Asia</li><li>Conducted pre-investment and pre-acquisition enhanced FCPA/anti-corruption due diligence in numerous multi-billion dollar deals in Africa, Asia, and Latin America</li><li>Assisting numerous companies, from start-ups to Fortune 50 corporations, with drafting codes of conduct and compliance procedures, conducting risk assessments, gap analysis and compliance benchmarking, and enhancing existing compliance programs</li><li>Go-to outside FCPA and anti-corruption legal and compliance counsel to leading Global 500 multinational corporations across industries and regions</li></ul>Chuck previously served as Chief of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Unit in the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he was in charge of all of the DOJ’s FCPA investigations, prosecutions and resolutions in the United States. Chuck is internationally recognized for his leading role in developing and implementing the government’s FCPA enforcement strategy, and he is widely credited with developing the current enforcement regime. Under his leadership, the FCPA Unit resolved more than 40 corporate cases resulting in approximately $1.9 billion in monetary penalties and prosecuted dozens of business executives and money launderers. As the head of the FCPA Unit, Chuck oversaw countless voluntary disclosures, decided which matters would be declined, administered DOJ’s FCPA Opinion Release Procedure and was responsible for interviewing, selecting and reviewing the work of nearly 20 independent corporate monitors.In investigating and prosecuting transnational bribery cases, Chuck worked with every major U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agency in the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), law enforcement counterparts around the world and numerous multi-lateral development banks, including the World Bank. For example, Chuck worked with the Australian Federal Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris, Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Commission, the Tokyo Public Prosecutor’s Office, Mexico’s Procuraduría General de la República, Norway’s Økokrim, the Swiss Attorney General’s Office, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the United Kingdom’s City of London Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Metropolitan Police and Serious Fraud Office.While in the Fraud Section, Chuck led the development of a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) template for FCPA cases, which formed the basis for a DPA template later adopted for use by the entire Criminal Division, and he also led the effort to update and restructure the enhanced compliance components used in resolving FCPA cases. As a recognized expert, Chuck was consulted by UK officials prior to the adoption of legislation permitting deferred prosecution agreements.Chuck’s tenure was also marked by his efforts to make FCPA enforcement more transparent and compliance with the statute more understandable to the business community. Working closely with his counterparts at the SEC, Chuck was one of the principal authors of the DOJ and SEC’s joint publication A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which followed a series of consultations with business and compliance leaders. The Guide has received wide praise from the business community, compliance and ethics professionals and private practitioners, and has been described as a “landmark document,” an “FCPA hornbook,” and a “must-read for compliance officers.”Chuck also served as DOJ’s principal representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Working Group on Bribery for many years and helped develop the OECD’s acclaimed Good Practice Guidance on Internal Controls, Ethics and Compliance. Besides his involvement in the OECD Phase 1 of Russia and Phase 2 of South Africa, Chuck’s leadership during the OECD Phase 3 of the United States earned him the Assistant Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award, the Criminal Division’s highest award for employee performance.Prior to being appointed Chief, Chuck served as Assistant Chief of the FCPA Unit from October 2008 to April 2010, and as a line prosecutor with the Fraud Section from December 2006 to October 2008. Beyond FCPA enforcement, Chuck has supervised and tried all manner of white collar cases, including healthcare fraud, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, public corruption, securities fraud and tax evasion. A veteran trial attorney, Chuck is a recipient of the prestigious Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, the second-highest department-wide award for employee performance, as one of the lead prosecutors who secured the conviction of Congressman William Jefferson following a nearly nine-week trial.Chuck has been recognized for his work on FCPA matters by Law360, the Legal 500 US, the Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, and also by Chambers USA where a market commentator praises him as “a sage counselor, who is calm under pressure and solutions-oriented.” Who’s Who Legal also recognizes Chuck for his investigations work. In recognition of his contributions to the firm’s “Top Ten International Anti-Corruption Developments” monthly newsletter, Chuck has also been repeatedly honored with JD Supra’s “Reader’s Choice Top Author” award.Chuck earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1996 and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan in 1993. After beginning his career as a litigation associate at an international firm in 1996, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in 2001, where he prosecuted a variety of white collar cases, including bank fraud, embezzlement, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, securities fraud and trademark violations. Chuck rose to the position of Deputy Chief in the Major Crimes Section in Miami before moving to Washington, D.C., in 2006 to join the Fraud Section. Chuck has been an adjunct professor for seven years at Georgetown University Law Center, where he has taught trial advocacy, has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School’s Program on the Legal Profession, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the University of Michigan Law School and Ross School of Business. As an internationally recognized expert on transnational bribery, white collar crimes, and compliance issues, Chuck is a sought-after speaker, and he routinely speaks at conferences across the United States and around the world. He is admitted to practice in Michigan and the District of Columbia.

Charles Duross

Ludovica Gardani is an associate in the firm’s Corporate Practice. She advises clients in the United States and Latin America on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities and capital market transactions, and public and private offerings.Ludovica works with public and private companies on strategic investments, financings, and cross-border licensing in a wide range of industries, including technology, retail, infrastructure, and fintech. She also represents companies in connection with a wide range of securities matters such as public and private offerings, SEC reporting obligations, and offerings pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S.Ludovica graduated from University of Miami School of Law where she was Executive Editor of the Business Law Review.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Represented Petlove&Co. in connection with its financing round with existing major investors, Tarpon, SoftBank, L Catterton, Porto Seguro and Monashees, and a new initial investment by Riverwood Capital. This is the largest financing round in Petlove&Co’s history.</li><li>Represented SoftBank Latin America Fund in connection with a Series C funding round in Addi, a fintech startup based in Bogota, Colombia that offers buy-now-pay-later technology.</li><li>Represented Inchcape, the leading global independent multi-brand automotive distributor and retailer, in its cash-free and debt-free £47 million acquisition of Autolider, a distributor of Daimler brands in both Uruguay and Ecuador.</li></ul>

Ludovica Gardani é associada da área empresarial. Ela assessora clientes nos Estados Unidos e na América Latina em fusões e aquisições, joint ventures, transações de valores mobiliários e de mercado de capitais e ofertas públicas e privadas.Ludovica trabalha com empresas públicas e privadas em investimentos estratégicos, financiamentos e licenciamentos cross-borders em uma ampla gama de indústrias, incluindo tecnologia, varejo, infraestrutura e tecnologia financeira. Ela também representa empresas em relação a uma ampla gama de questões sobre valores mobiliários, como ofertas públicas e privadas, obrigações de reporte da U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) e ofertas de acordo com a Regra 144A e o Regulamento S.Ludovica se formou na Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Miami, onde foi editora executiva da Business Law Review.<h4>Experiência Representativa</h4><ul><li>Representou a Inchcape, líder global independente na distribuição e varejo de carros multimarcas, na aquisição, por £ 47 milhões, da Autolider, distribuidora das marcas da Daimler no Uruguai e no Equador.</li></ul>

Ludovica Gardani es asociada en el Departamento Corporativo de la firma. Asesora a clientes en los Estados Unidos y América Latina sobre fusiones y adquisiciones, empresas conjuntas (joint ventures), transacciones de valores y mercado de capitales, y ofertas públicas y privadas.Ludovica trabaja con empresas públicas y privadas en inversiones estratégicas, financiamientos y licencias transfronterizas en una amplia gama de industrias, que incluyen tecnología, comercio minorista, infraestructura y tecnología financiera. También representa a empresas en relación con una amplia gama de asuntos de valores, tales como ofertas públicas y privadas, obligaciones de informes de la SEC y ofertas de conformidad con la Regla 144A y el Reglamento S.Ludovica se graduó de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Miami, donde fue Editora Ejecutiva del Business Law Review.<h4>Experiencia Representativa</h4><ul><li>Representó a Inchcape, el distribuidor y comerciante automotriz independiente líder a nivel mundial, en su adquisición de Autolider, un distribuidor de las marcas Daimler en Uruguay y Ecuador por £ 47 millones.</li></ul>