Pedro G. Soto is a senior associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the White Collar Defense and Investigations group, and his practice focuses primarily on anti-corruption, fraud, and cartel (competition) matters. He has more than 10 years of experience representing corporations and individuals under investigation by government authorities around the world. He has particular experience in Latin America, where he has worked on matters in fifteen (15) different countries. He also represents foreign governments and private claimants in significant litigation and arbitration matters.

Mr. Soto is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America as one of the 2022 “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in the area of Criminal Defense: White Collar.

Mr. Soto’s representative matters include:

White Collar Defense / Investigation Matters:

• Obtained a declination for a large European bank in an investigation by a foreign competition regulator.
• Successfully represented a global bank in a securities fraud investigation. All four regulators closed the investigation without action against client.
• Successfully represented a senior official of a Fortune 100 firm under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) for bribery of government officials in Latin America. DOJ closed the investigation without action against client.
• Successfully represented a senior manager of a Fortune 50 firm who was under investigation by DOJ for bribery of government officials in Europe. DOJ closed the investigation without action against client.
• Successfully defended a large public infrastructure firm in Asian Development Bank Integrity proceedings. The regulator closed the matter without charges against the client.
• Successfully represented a European construction/engineering firm in World Bank Integrity proceedings, obtaining a more than 80% reduction off the applicable sanctions guidelines.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a global energy firm, arising from an anonymous whistleblower report regarding the firm’s operations in Central America.
• Represented a global pharmaceutical company in an internal investigation into possible pay-to-prescribe schemes and public corruption in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a global hotel chain in connection with potential embezzlement.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a defense contractor in connection with potential procurement fraud in the Middle East.

Litigation and Arbitration Matters:

• Successfully defended the Government of Panama in an international arbitration brought by foreign investors seeking more than US$400 million in damages. Obtained full dismissal of all claims at the jurisdictional phase and an award of costs in favor of client.
• Successfully defended the Government of Costa Rica from an international arbitration claim seeking US$345 million in damages. Following a week-long trial, obtained dismissal of all claims against client.
• Successfully represented a large, Europe-based energy company in the annulment phase of an international arbitration proceeding against the Republic of Argentina. Obtained the dismissal of all claims for annulment, thus upholding the arbitral award of over US$200 million in favor of client.

Compliance and Due Diligence Matters:

• Conducted anti-corruption due diligence on behalf of a large technology company in connection with a multi-billion dollar investment in India.
• Conducted anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and trade sanctions/export controls due diligence on behalf of a global investment bank in connection with its acquisition of significant shipping ports in Latin America.
• Conducted pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition compliance integration on behalf of a global resources company in connection with the first-ever joint operating agreement with Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas company, PEMEX.

Mr. Soto writes frequently on white collar enforcement and compliance issues. Among his most recent publications, Mr. Soto is the co-author of: “Cooperating with Authorities: The U.S. Perspective” (published in Global Investigation Review’s The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations), “Channeling the Channel Partner Risk: Addressing Anti-Corruption Risk with Channel Partners in the Technology Sector,” (published in The FCPA Report) and “Anti-Corruption Compliance in Emerging Markets: A Resource Guide” (an e-book for compliance professionals).

A native Spanish speaker, Mr. Soto has worked on matters involving Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. He also has experience on matters throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Mr. Soto earned a Juris Doctor, with Honors, from the University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University.