Cristina Pérez Soto, the head of litigation for the Miami Office, is an experienced trial lawyer with over 20 years of experience representing companies in complex litigation in federal and state courts. She also practices in all areas of cross-border investigations and disputes before international arbitration institutions.
A first-chair trial lawyer, Cristina regularly advises companies across industries in consumer class actions, complex commercial disputes, and related regulatory proceedings. She has significant experience in matters related to financial institutions, including actions brought by government regulators. Cristina also has first-chair experience advising and defending companies in government and regulatory investigations and related litigation. She also regularly leads internal investigations, with particular experience defending against corruption and fraud allegations.
Cristina served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida for several years. During this time she focused on major fraud cases, including securities, investment, tax, and other large-scale fraud matters, and tried more than 15 jury cases to verdict.
Cristina also has significant experience in international litigation and arbitration, including enforcement proceedings, representing clients in the United States and abroad. Cristina has experience managing international arbitration matters under different arbitration rules, including matters that have been conducted entirely in Spanish.
She maintains an active pro bono practice, including multiple representations related to Jones Day's Border Project. Cristina is a co-leader of Jones Day's Hispanic Lawyers Group and a member of the Firmwide Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement Committee.
Experience
The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.
Represented a Fortune 500 company in multiple state and federal actions related to lease agreements for telecommunication services throughout the United States alleging fraud in the inducement, breach of contract, and unfair trade practices.
Represented a multisystem cable operator in a carriage and distribution dispute with a channel operator.
Represented a South American client in a multimillion dollar dispute in connection with a stock purchase agreement involving the sale of an interest in a financial and insurance group of companies.
Represented a multinational company in a criminal investigation regarding allegations of noncompliance with audit guidelines.
Represented a foreign corporation whose takeover tender offer was challenged in a federal securities action seeking to halt the takeover bid.
Represented a major accounting firm in an SEC investigation.
Represented a sovereign government in an intellectual property dispute with United States licensees.
Speaking Engagements
- February 21, 2019
Tips for Young Lawyers in the Courtroom: A Panel Discussion - September 26, 2018
Calling in the cavalry for corporate investigations, Latin America Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA) Regional Meeting - 20 junio, 2018
La creciente importancia de las investigaciones internas al amparo de la FCPA y su impacto en la empresa española - May 10, 2018
Women in Business, moderator, MDFAWL Fifth Annual Leadership Summit - April 26, 2018
Corruption and Arbitration: What have we learnt so far?, speaker, Second Annual Arbitration Summit, Latin Lawyer - February 21, 2017
Moderator, the Grit Project CLE - October 18, 2016
FCPA Investigations and the New National Anticorruption System in Mexico, speaker - February 26, 2016
Emergency and Interim Measures in International Arbitration, moderator, Florida Bar ILAT Conference - February 14, 2016
Speaker, "ICC Young Arbitrators Forum: Arbitration and Technology," VII International Arbitration Congress - November 5, 2015
Moderator, "What Practitioners Need to Know: Upcoming Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida" - November 1, 2014
Speaker, "ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, A Discussion of Theoretical and Practical Issues Facing Young Practitioners"
- University of Pennsylvania (J.D. 2001); Princeton University (A.B. 1998)
- Florida and New York; U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Eleventh Circuits; and U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, Southern District of New York, and District of Puerto Rico
- Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida (Miami office) (2007-2011)
Named in The Best Lawyers in America for 2023
Named among the Daily Business Review's "Most Effective Lawyers" of 2017
Named to Latin America's Rising Legal Stars for 2018 by Latinvex
Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Leader in the Law, 2017
Recipient of Outstanding Service and Performance Award, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Law Clerk to: Judge Juan R. Torruella, U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit (2003-2004) and Judge Juan M. Pérez-Giménez, U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico (2001-2002)
- Spanish and Italian