THE TEAM
USA
LUISA GAMBOA
PARTNER
Luisa Gamboa is a US and Colombian lawyer who founded Somos The Law Firm, a boutique law firm, which focuses on US immigration law; Colombian law; and, doing business in Latin America. Prior to establishing this firm, she was an in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, where for 15 years she served in different roles including Latin America General Counsel, Global Lead Counsel for Procurement and Supply Chain, and VP of legal. Before moving to the US, Luisa practiced law in Colombia, as an associate for three prestigious law firms.
She earned the title of Attorney-at-Law (JD equivalent) from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia. She has a master in law (LLM) in Common Law Studies from Georgetown University, and a Certification in Immigration Law from American University. Luisa is admitted to practice in New York State and in Colombia, and certified by the Florida Bar as a Foreign Legal Consultant for Colombia. Not admitted to practice Florida law.
A highly motivated professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, Luisa is passionate about helping companies and individuals achieve their goals. The teams she has led characterize themselves as being proactive, competitive, collaborative, and business oriented. She is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.
KATIA ROCHA
PARTNER
Katia Rocha is a US and Brazilian lawyer who serves as an advisor providing clients with compliance guidance, cultural awareness, and helping with customer suppliers and government relations. She also helps clients with different alternatives for their immigration needs, determining the best options and customized solutions throughout the entire immigration process.
Katia received her Masters (LLM) in US and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers from University of Miami School of Law, and the title of Attorney-at-Law (JD equivalent) from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Brazil. Katia is admitted to practice in New York State 3rd Division and in Brazil. Not admitted to practice Florida law.
For 10 years, she was a member of the legal department at Motorola Solutions, Inc. where she served as the Latin America General Counsel and was responsible for the entire legal function in the region. Before joining Motorola Solutions, Katia practiced law in her home country, Brazil, both as in-house counsel and private practice. She is fully bilingual in Portuguese and English, and fluent in Spanish and German. She utilizes her language skills, cross-cultural experience and business relationships in Latin America to help the firm and its clients.
ARIELLE BARRETO
LAWYER
Arielle Barreto is a US and Brazilian lawyer. She earned the title of Attorney-at-Law from Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Brazil. She completed her master (LLM) in US and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers at University of Miami School of Law.
Over the last 10 years, Arielle has acquired experience in international commercial law, being part of the legal department of large corporations such as Discovery Channel and Motorola Solutions, as well as through her work in private practice.
She is fully bilingual in Portuguese and English, and fluent in Spanish. Arielle is a member of the Missouri BAR. She is also admitted to practice law in Brazil. Not admitted to practice Florida law.
ARGENTINA
JULIETA PIEDRAFITA
LAWYER
Julieta Piedrafita is an Argentinean lawyer from Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), with a master’s in law (LLM) in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University.
Over the last 12 years, Julieta has acquired vast experience in international commercial law serving as the lead counsel for large renowned international companies with operations in Latin America such as Motorola and ARRIS, providing legal advice for the implementation of telecommunication projects. Prior, Julieta practiced litigation for a top Bank, and as an associate in one of the top Argentinean law firms.
Julieta is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. She is a member of Buenos Aires Bar Association, and currently is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
IGNACIO MASLLORENS
LAWYER
Ignacio Masllorens is an Argentinean lawyer from Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) specialized in commercial law and contract negotiations.
Before Joining the SOMOS team Ignacio has worked for 15 years in the legal corporate team of the Techint Group where he has acquired wide experience in contract negotiations, structuring and execution of industrial projects all over the world, with a particular focus on the Oil & Gas, Steel and Engineering and Construction industries. His experience also includes the negotiation of financial contracts, including project financing, loans with Multilateral Credit Agencies and syndicated loans from banks in multiple jurisdictions. Ignacio has also previously worked for two of the top law firms in Argentina.
Ignacio is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. He is a member of the Buenos Aires Bar Association, and currently is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
MARGARITA GONZALEZ CASARTELLI
LAWYER
Margarita Gonzalez Casartelli is an Argentinean lawyer and MBA who serves as a coordinator and advisor providing clients with a problem solving and project manager approach to legal matters. Margarita received her title of Attorney-at-Law from the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, Argentina and completed her Master’s in Business Administration in the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (IDEC) in Barcelona, Spain.
In a period of over 13 years, she has worked in law firms in Argentina and companies in different industries, including private banking, real estate, management consulting and consumer products. She has coordinated legal and investor relations activities, as well as acted as project manager for the Investment Promotion Agency in Argentina, advising companies on the “doing business” environment in Argentina and has been part of the management team (Business development and Legal and Compliance) in a fast-growing start-up.
Margarita is fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and can communicate orally and in writing in Portuguese. She is a member of the Buenos Aires Bar Association, and currently is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
GONZALO MARQUEZ
LAWYER
Over the last 21 years, Gonzalo has acquired vast experience in anti-corruption compliance, corporate law, international commercial transactions, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
He worked in-house as a corporate governance and compliance manager at a major telecommunications company based in the UK. Gonzalo also worked at the largest Argentinean law firm as a senior associate with a dual practice in Mergers and Acquisitions and in Compliance, Anti-corruption, and Investigations. Gonzalo also worked for three years at Real State and Corporate teams of one of the largest Brazilian law firms.
Gonzalo speaks fluently Spanish, English, and Portuguese. He is a member of the Buenos Aires Bar Association and currently is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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COLOMBIA
MARIA ROCIO ARJONA
IN MEMORIAM
MEXICO
RAUL CARDENAS
OF-COUNSEL
Raul Cardenas is a Mexican lawyer with over 28 years of experience practicing law. Raul has provided legal solutions to Fortune 500 companies and Small & Medium Size Enterprises (SIMEs).
He specializes in commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, antitrust and negotiating business transactions. He advises companies on their day to day legal needs to assure that their businesses are carried out mitigating the legal risks and maximizing their success in their operations. Prior to joining SOMOS, Raul founded RFCardenas Abogados in 2016 and before that he was partner of a major Mexican law firm for 16 years. He is currently a law professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he teaches civil and commercial law.
Raul is Attorney-at-Law from Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico with a certificate in commercial law and arbitration.