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Four MoFo Lawyers Named 2026 Top Latino Lawyers

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Latino Leaders Magazine has named four Morrison Foerster partners to its 2026 list of Top Latino Lawyers. The publication aims to identify and profile the top Latino lawyers in the country. Our honorees are:<ul><li>Gerardo Gomez Galvis, a New York partner in our Investigations + White Collar Group who conducts internal and government-facing investigations and global compliance exercises, with particular experience in matters involving Latin America</li><li>Nathaniel R. Mendell, a Boston partner in our Investigations + White Collar Defense and Data, Cyber + Privacy groups and former Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts</li><li>David A. Perez, a Seattle partner and Trial and Appellate lawyer who represents technology companies, retailers, manufacturers, and individuals in high-stakes intellectual property and commercial disputes</li><li>Carlos Felipe Uriarte, a Washington, D.C. partner, co-chair of our Congressional Investigations practice, and former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice</li></ul>Learn more in the <a href="https://issuu.com/latinoleadersmagazine/docs/latino_leaders_september-october_2026" target="_blank">latest issue of Latino Leaders Magazine</a>.

Four MoFo Lawyers Named 2026 Top Latino Lawyers

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Gerardo Gomez Galvis is a partner in the firm’s Investigations + White Collar Group in the New York office who focuses on conducting internal and government-facing investigations, global compliance exercises, and related civil litigation, with particular experience in matters involving Latin America.Gerardo has deep experience representing multinational corporations, financial institutions, and business executives in investigations and white collar defense matters alleging Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, anti-money laundering violations, accounting and disclosure fraud, insider trading, manipulation of foreign exchange rates, misrepresentations and false statements, marketplace lending issues, and federal securities law violations, among other areas. He also regularly evaluates and enhances compliance programs related to the same. Gerardo’s investigations matters have included inquiries and enforcement actions led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), U.S. Commodity and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), state attorneys general offices, U.S. Congress, and a number of non-U.S. law enforcement agencies across Latin America, Europe, and Africa. His work on high-profile investigations and white collar defense matters has earned him recognition by Best Lawyers in the Criminal Defense: White Collar category, and he has also been named to the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2024 Top 40 Under 40 list and Crain’s New York Business’s 2024 Notable LGBTQ Leaders list for his significant contributions to LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace and larger legal community. He also has deep experience representing clients in administrative regulatory actions, securities class actions, and commercial litigation in both federal and state courts.Gerardo was born and raised in Colombia and is fluent in Spanish. He has conducted investigations in Spanish throughout Central and South America, including in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.Before joining Morrison Foerster, Gerardo worked for another international law firm, where he handled corporate investigations and securities litigation, and he also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. Gerardo graduated from New York University School of Law, where he was a recipient of an AnBryce merit scholarship and was active as an editor of the New York University Law Review. Prior to that, he received a B.A. summa cum laude from Florida International University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and the Honors College.<h4>Select Experience</h4><h5>FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption</h5><ul><li>Serving as a key team member for the independent compliance monitor as appointed by the DOJ and two separate multilateral development banks for Odebrecht S.A. (now known as Novonor) in the wake of a multijurisdictional resolution worth billions of USD. </li><li>Representation of a multinational consulting firm in a cross-border investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption in South Africa, which involves investigations on multiple continents by DOJ and the National Prosecuting Authority in South Africa, parliamentary inquiries, and a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in South Africa.</li><li>Representation of a privately held corporation in an investigation of potential FCPA violations concerning payments to government officials in Latin America, which included conducting an extensive internal investigation and assisting the company in self-reporting the matter to DOJ. DOJ is currently investigating the matter along with the U.S. Commodity and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).</li><li>Representation of an executive in a DOJ-led FCPA investigation involving allegations of bribery in Latin America.</li><li>Representation of a business executive in an investigation being led by DOJ and non-U.S. authorities into alleged money laundering and Travel Act violations involving Latin America.</li></ul><h5>SEC Accounting + Disclosure Fraud Investigations</h5><ul><li>Representation of a large private fund that invested in a publicly traded company in an SEC investigation into COVID-19-related insider trading, which resulted in successful negotiation with the SEC to narrow the fund’s production obligations.</li><li>Representation of a global technology company in an SEC accounting fraud investigation.</li><li>Representation of a senior employee of a private company in an accounting fraud investigation being led by SEC and DOJ.</li></ul><h5>Select Other Corporate Investigations + Compliance Counseling and Litigation Matters</h5><ul><li>Representation of an international consulting firm related to its work for opioid manufacturers, which involves complex, multidimensional work involving state attorneys general, DOJ, and congressional investigations, as well as more than 140 civil lawsuits that are now in a Multi-District Litigation.</li><li>Representation of a major consulting firm related to its pandemic work for the State of New York and certain government investigations including the EDNY and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and related investigations by the NYAG. </li><li>Representation of a global company in advising on compliance issues related to document preservation and collection. </li><li>Representation of a private equity fund in conducting various compliance-related due diligence exercises on investments involving Latin America, including complex anti-corruption, OFAC sanctions, and anti-money laundering assessments.</li><li>Representation of several offshore companies in litigation arising out of investments made with Bernard L. Madoff.</li><li>Representation of a Fortune 500 multinational company in conducting a post-acquisition risk assessment throughout Latin America in relation to its acquisition of a major agricultural company.</li><li>Parker v. United Industries Corp. (S.D.N.Y.) Won summary judgment for United Industries Corp. in a consumer class action concerning United Industries’ Cutter Natural Insect Repellent, where client sought nearly $100 million in damages. (2020)</li></ul><h4>Memberships</h4><ul><li>Federal Bar Council's Diversity Taskforce</li><li>Inaugural Board Member for the Brazil-U.S. 40 and Under White Collar Lawyers Initiative</li></ul>

Gerardo Gomez Galvis

Partner

Nathaniel (Nate) Mendell is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Investigations + White Collar Defense and Data, Cyber + Privacy practice groups and was the former Acting U.S. Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. He represents companies, financial institutions, boards, and executives through all phases of investigation and litigation involving allegations of corporate healthcare fraud, securities and other financial fraud, public corruption, criminal intellectual property theft, data breach or disclosure, and international money laundering. Nate leverages his two decades of service in the U.S. Department of Justice to offer clients an invaluable insider perspective on white collar defense, internal investigations, cyber breaches, and government enforcement actions.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Nate served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel advising the U.S. Attorney. As Acting U.S. Attorney, Nate led over 135 prosecutors and reported directly to the Attorney General. Before serving as First Assistant, Nate was Chief of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit, where he led more than a dozen prosecutors investigating and prosecuting money laundering cases across the United States, Colombia, Europe, and the Middle East. He also contributed to the creation of the District Court’s RISE Program and was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida.Nate earned his B.A., cum laude, from Amherst College and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School where he served as the Editor in Chief of the Harvard Latino Law Review.  He has also served on the Law360 Massachusetts editorial board since 2024.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Defense Experience</h5><ul><li>Representation of a multinational holding company in a DOJ investigation arising from the client’s investment into a telehealth company under investigation for the unlawful prescription of controlled substances involving potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the False Claims Act (FCA).</li><li>Advising a pharmaceutical company seeking to mitigate Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) risk in supporting commercially insured patients in the transition to a new biosimilar therapy. While providing support to commercially insured patients and carving out federally insured patients is not prohibited, such arrangements can draw government scrutiny if they are intended to induce or “pull through” federally insured patients to use medical services or products. We are helping formulate practical parameters for a program that will assist commercially insured patients, meet business goals, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. </li><li>Advising pharmaceutical company whose trade secrets and confidential information were used as the basis for a patent application filed by a competitor and former employees.</li><li>Advising a commercial bank on the acquisition of a medical records company under investigation by DOJ for alleged violations of the FCA.</li><li>Advising an investment management company on the acquisition of a medical device manufacturer under investigation by the DOJ for alleged violations of the FCA.</li><li>Provided training to an online market place regarding the legal framework of the AKS, recent enforcement trends, and compliance best practices.</li></ul><h5>Government Experience</h5><ul><li>Violations of the AKS against a variety of major pharmaceutical companies, which culminated in settlements involving nearly $1,000,000,000 in fines and restitution to resolve the improper use of “patient assistance programs” to subsidize patient co-pays.</li><li>Violations of the CSA against the founder and chief executive officer of a publicly‑traded pharmaceutical company related to the opioids epidemic.</li><li>FCA matters involving improper inducements, insurance pull-through schemes, and improper billing and coding practices.</li><li>Fraud and tax fraud charges against a professor suspected of stealing trade secrets and intellectual property from U.S. interests for a foreign government.</li><li>Conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to computers and to commit wire fraud and securities fraud charges against a Russian businessman.</li><li>Charges of mail fraud, money laundering, bribery, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and racketeering conspiracy against coaches, administrators, and parents who fraudulently obtained test scores and college admissions for students related to the Varsity Blues scandal.</li><li>Six-week mail and wire fraud trial against an American businessman involved in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.</li></ul>

Nathaniel R. Mendell

David Perez is a trial and appellate lawyer who represents technology companies, retailers, manufacturers, and individuals in high-stakes intellectual property and commercial disputes across the country. Clients turn to David when a matter is fast-moving, reputationally sensitive, or strategically important to their business.A significant part of David’s practice focuses on trade secret, copyright, and technology-related litigation, including disputes involving artificial intelligence, source code, confidential business information, employee mobility, and unfair competition. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in these matters. David has tried trade secret cases to verdict, securing judgments that confirmed the misappropriation of his clients’ intellectual property, and has won complete defense victories against major IP claims, most recently defeating a trade secret claim seeking more than $1 billion and a copyright infringement claim seeking $250 million. David also has extensive experience defending consumer and commercial class actions. He represents brick-and-mortar and online retailers, manufacturers, and consumer brands in cases challenging pricing and promotional practices, advertised discounts and comparison prices, fees, product disclosures, and other consumer-facing practices. His work includes nationwide and multistate class actions involving consumer-protection statutes, false-advertising theories, contract claims, and related regulatory frameworks. He works closely with clients to understand how the challenged practices actually operate and to align the defense with their broader business and reputational objectives.David’s broader practice includes complex commercial and post-closing M&A disputes, First Amendment and civil rights claims, election-law matters, and real estate litigation. He also represents clients in investigations and enforcement matters before state and federal authorities. David is known for assembling focused teams that combine strategic judgment, a practical understanding of the client’s business, and readiness to take a case to trial.David is a recipient of the Washington State Bar Association’s Award of Merit, the Bar’s highest honor, awarded for a singular achievement that brings credit to the legal profession. He has also been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star, an honor based entirely on feedback from corporate counsel.<h4>Representative Experience </h4><ul><li>Led the successful defense of a global gaming company against a $250 million copyright infringement claim; all substantive claims were dismissed at summary judgment. </li><li>Led the successful defense of a Fortune 5 company in a major trade secret dispute alleging over $1 billion in damages; all substantive claims were defeated, and the case ultimately settled on very favorable terms. </li><li>Secured multiple First Amendment victories in federal courts in Delaware, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Washington, and represents clients in ongoing constitutional litigation. </li><li>Led a successful trade secret arbitration for a global investment company against former employees; obtained injunctive relief and an award of $6.7 million in attorneys’ fees. </li><li>Led the successful defense of a major real estate company in a $100 million lease dispute; defeated alter ego claims and ultimately resolved the case on very favorable terms. </li><li>Represented a Fortune 5 company in the successful defense of the validity of its global licensing agreement, including unanimous affirmance from the Ninth Circuit after oral argument. </li><li>Represented an airplane manufacturer in a merits briefing before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the scope of 28 U.S.C. § 1782(a) and discovery for use in private arbitration; the matter resolved favorably. </li><li>Successfully represented an aviation finance company on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; affirmed a $9 million jury verdict. </li><li>Represented media organizations and individuals, including dot.LA and Def Con, in defamation actions; obtained dismissal at the pleading stage, and complete victories at the summary judgment stage. </li><li>Led the successful defense of a multinational technology company in trade secret and breach of contract litigation; obtained dismissal of key claims and a favorable resolution. </li><li>Led the successful defense of a healthcare company in a trade secret dispute; defeated requests for a temporary restraining order and expedited discovery; and secured dismissal of all claims with prejudice. </li><li>Defended national retailers in consumer class actions challenging pricing, promotions, and tax practices; obtained dismissals or orders compelling arbitration. </li><li>Defended financial institutions and subsidiaries in putative class actions alleging violations of state and federal consumer protection laws. </li><li>Handled complex real estate litigation nationwide, including lease exit disputes, guarantor liability claims, construction disputes, and alter ego allegations, frequently achieving full lease exits and favorable settlements. </li><li>Represented tenants in multimillion-dollar allowance disputes in California, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, and the District of Columbia. </li><li>Serves as outside counsel to candidates for public office on communications, media, and election law compliance. </li><li>Represented civil rights plaintiffs and organizations in challenges to policing practices, voting rights restrictions, and equal protection violations. </li><li>Served as designated outside counsel to the Seattle Community Police Commission in matters relating to the City of Seattle’s compliance with a Department of Justice consent decree. </li><li>Represented a technology company in litigation brought by the Washington attorney general concerning election law issues; resolved the matter without protracted litigation. </li></ul><ul><li>Represented plaintiffs in nationwide class actions challenging executive actions and government programs alleged to violate constitutional protections. </li><li>Provided outside general counsel services to startups and high-growth companies in the technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate sectors, including companies valued at more than $6 billion.</li></ul>

David Perez

Carlos Felipe Uriarte, former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice (DOJ), is co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Congressional Investigations practice.Carlos has seen congressional investigations from every side of the table—running them as a congressional investigator, managing the executive branch’s response as the DOJ’s chief liaison to Congress, and engaging with government regulators as a senior in-house compliance executive. He draws on that perspective to help clients anticipate where an inquiry is headed, protect their reputations, and manage parallel DOJ investigations, regulatory scrutiny, and enforcement risks. He represents companies and senior executives across financial services, artificial intelligence, technology, digital infrastructure, government contracts, and energy in DOJ and congressional investigations.Following his nomination by the president and unanimous confirmation by the Senate, Carlos served as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs from 2022 to 2025, leading a team of approximately 50 legal professionals responsible for all aspects of the DOJ’s critical and high-stakes relationship with Congress. A member of the Attorney General’s senior leadership team, Carlos set legislative strategy for the Department, regularly advised DOJ leadership on complex legal and policy objectives, and orchestrated the Department’s responses to major congressional oversight and investigative requests. In this role, Carlos testified before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, met regularly with lawmakers on the Intelligence, Financial Services, Banking, and Commerce committees on both sides of the Capitol, and negotiated high-stakes matters directly with congressional leadership.Carlos has played a pivotal role in many of the highest profile congressional inquiries over the past two decades. His career in Congress included serving as Chief Counsel for Investigations on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, as Counsel on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and as judiciary and oversight counsel to Representative Judy Chu. Carlos also held significant roles in the executive branch, where he served as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General at the DOJ, and as Senior Counsel in the Office of the Secretary of the Interior. During law school, Carlos was a law clerk to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter.Carlos also brings an in-house perspective to every engagement, drawing on his experience building and leading internal compliance functions and engaging with government regulators. Before rejoining the DOJ in 2022, Carlos served as a senior compliance executive at a Fortune 100 financial institution and led the legal and regulatory teams at an innovative,  venture-backed, healthcare technology startup.Carlos clerked for the Honorable Juan R. Sánchez of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was a James Wilson Fellow in Law and Technology.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Advised a global e-commerce and technology company in a House committee inquiry into its pricing practices.</li><li>Advises a global technology investment holding company on political and congressional risks.</li><li>Advised a leading AI developer in connection with congressional oversight and political risks of a confidential strategic transaction.</li><li>Represents a publicly traded critical minerals company in a House committee inquiry.</li><li>Advises a leading data analytics and AI software company in regard to recurring congressional scrutiny of its government contracts.</li><li>Represented a former senior White House official in a high-profile House oversight investigation into presidential decision-making and executive authority.</li><li>Represented a former cabinet-level Biden administration official in a Senate subcommittee inquiry concerning the prior administration.</li><li>Represents the co-founders of a leading political fundraising technology platform in a multi-committee House investigation.</li><li>Advises an international human rights organization in connection with congressional oversight, DOJ, and national-security-related risks facing global nonprofits.</li><li>Represented a media and advertising firm in parallel House and Senate inquiries into its widely publicized federal contracts.</li><li>Represents a global digital rights organization in a House Judiciary Committee investigation into alleged foreign influence on online content moderation.</li><li>Advises a nationwide nonprofit coalition in connection with developing its affirmative congressional strategy as nonprofits face escalating government scrutiny.</li><li>Advises a UK-headquartered AI infrastructure company in resolving its congressional and political risks tied to confidential cross-border data center investments.</li><li>Represents a multinational e-commerce platform in a bipartisan Senate inquiry into online marketplace compliance with ongoing counsel on mounting congressional scrutiny of consumer data and pricing practices across the sector.</li><li>Represented a key witness in a House Oversight Committee transcribed interview in a high-profile investigation of a prominent federal criminal matter.</li></ul>