Diego Durán de la Vega’s practice focuses on international disputes, including white-collar defense matters, internal investigations, commercial litigation, and international arbitration cases. He mainly advises and represents non-U.S. clients in U.S. litigation, and U.S. clients that are facing litigation abroad. Diego is Co Chair of the firm’s Latin America Disputes Practice.
Diego’s experience as a litigator in Mexico and the U.S., his academic work in Europe, Mexico and the United States, and his cultural capabilities enable him to easily navigate complex cross-border legal issues. He has ample experience coordinating legal teams and local counsel in different jurisdictions. Diego also has experience assessing compliance exposure, and designing and implementing compliance programs.
He has represented governmental agencies, international corporations, and high-profile/high-net worth individuals. Furthermore, he has argued cases before U.S. courts and all levels of the Mexican judiciary, including the Mexican Supreme Court, and participated in cases before the Inter-American Human Rights Commission and its Court of Justice.
Diego is also experienced in Mexican criminal and constitutional law. Before establishing his practice in the U.S., he was a successful litigator at one of the top criminal law firms in Mexico, where he defended and helped prosecute dozens of cases.
Professional Activities
Member, International Bar Association, Litigation and Arbitration Committees, 2017-present
Member, American Bar Association, International Law Section, 2014-present
Member, New York State Bar Association, 2014-present
Member, Mexican Bar Association, 2011–present
Speaking Engagements
“Constituting the Right Tribunal: Different Voices for Optimal Results,” American Bar Association, Section of International Law, Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., April 2019
“The Past, the Present and the Future of Global Anti-Corruption Enforcement,” Universidad Panamericana and International Chamber of Commerce Mexico Chapter, Anti-Corruption Diploma, Mexico City, Mexico, October 2017
“The FCPA and its Current Trends,” Universidad Panamericana and International Chamber of Commerce Mexico Chapter, Anti-Corruption Diploma, Mexico City, Mexico, November 2016
“Enforcement Trends in the US,” Mexican National Association of Tax Specialists, Fifth International Tax Seminar, Washington, D.C., June 2016
“Tax Felonies Under Mexican Law,” Instituto Mexicano Autónomo de México, Tax Law II Course, Mexico City, Mexico, February 2013
Highlighted Matters
Representative Criminal Experience
High-Profile Criminal Defense (SDTX). Represented a former governor of a state in Mexico who was indicted for racketeering, drug trafficking, money laundering and bank fraud
High-Profile Criminal Defense (EDNY). Currently advising a client in connection with the NXIVM scandal, in which Keith Raniere is facing charges for sex trafficking, forced labor and RICO violations
High-Profile Criminal Defense (EDNY). Represented another former governor of a state in Mexico who was under investigation by the DOJ for racketeering, drug trafficking and money laundering
Representative Enforcement Experience
Walmart FCPA Investigation (DOJ and SEC). Represented a high-level employee of Walmart Mexico in the worldwide FCPA investigation that DOJ and SEC conducted into Walmart from 2012 to 2018
Stock Manipulation Investigation (SEC). Represented a U.S. former publicly-traded company, now owned by Mexican individuals, in connection with a SEC investigation into stock manipulation, and books and records violations
Other Cross-Border White Collar Experience
Extradition Proceedings (U.S.). Represented another former governor of a state in Mexico who was seeking political asylum in the U.S. and defending against an extradition request from Mexico based on several arrest warrants for embezzlement of public funds, corruption, racketeering and money laundering
Extradition Proceedings (U.S.). Represented a Mexican businessman who was seeking political asylum in the U.S. and defending against an extradition request from Mexico based on an arrest warrant for embezzlement of public funds
Legal Malpractice (Florida). Represented a U.S. former publicly-traded company against its former lawyers for legal malpractice
Commercial Litigation (New York and California). Advised and represented one of the largest chain of movie theaters in the world in several pre-litigation contractual disputes with U.S. entities
Commercial Litigation (New York). Currently advising and representing the Mexican subsidiary of a leading multinational renewable energy engineering company in a pre-litigation contractual dispute against a British company
Civil Rights Pro Bono (EDVA). Represented undocumented families in a case of first impression for violations to the federal Fair Housing Act based on discrimination on a disparate impact/treatment theory
Representative Arbitration Experience
Investor-State Arbitration (ICSID – UNCITRAL). Represented a Singaporean multinational company against Mexico in connection with the Oceanografia scandal, one of the largest frauds in the history of Latin America
Commercial Arbitration (ICDR – New York Law). Represented the Mexican subsidiary of a Spanish engineering and construction multinational in a commercial dispute arising out of a renewable energy project in Mexico
Commercial Arbitration (Ad hoc – New York Law). Represented a Mexican company, the largest asphalt distributor in southeast Mexico, in a contractual dispute against a Swiss company
