Focusing on international arbitration and cross-border litigation, Marcus Quintanilla partners with in-house counsel and business teams to successfully advance client interests in commercial disputes worth billions of dollars. Combining seasoned counseling and targeted, cost-effective advocacy, Marcus helps businesses achieve long-term strategic objectives through proceedings with the leading arbitral institutions and in the courts, both in the United States and abroad. Clients praise his results-driven approach to disputes that arise out of the technology deals, energy and commodities transactions, joint ventures, and construction projects that link the United States, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim.
Marcus's clients are energy majors, leading integrated circuit developers and electronics manufacturers, and global leaders in mining, infrastructure, and consumer brands. His representative arbitrations include disputes over nuclear fuel supply contracts, intellectual property licenses, international distributorships, and alleged failures of complex industrial facilities.
Marcus is a former member of the Executive Committee of the International Law Section of the State Bar of California and is actively involved in the Northern California International Arbitration Club, the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center, and the St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco. He has lectured on international arbitration at Berkeley Law School, the University of California, Irvine, and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico.
Experience
The following represents experience prior to joining Jones Day.
Arbitration
Provided strategic counseling in successful BIT arbitration by Spanish infrastructure conglomerate arising out of Mexico’s de facto expropriation of the company’s hazardous waste disposal facility in Zimapán, Hidalgo.
Defended infrastructure engineering company against claims stemming from an allegedly catastrophic systems failure in a power generation plant constructed in Araucária, Brazil. Led team in development and presentation of technical evidence.
Provided strategic counseling to a U.S. investor on a treaty dispute arising out of violations of international law protections of its investment in a Honduran electric power utility.
Defeated claimants' demand under Swedish law for price renegotiation on long-term nuclear fuels contract. Led team in presentation of expert testimony and expert cross-examination on issues related to nuclear fuels industry and Swedish law.
Enforced commodities trader's option rights valued at $1 billion under supply contract for enriched uranium. Led drafting of written submissions and team in presentation of fact and legal experts in London and Stockholm.
FCPA Investigations
Led the internal investigation for an international consumer goods company related to allegations that a local agent had bribed officials of the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Conducted internal investigation into alleged corruption by local representatives of an international development bank in connection with reconstruction efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake of January 2010.
Led anticorruption due diligence efforts on behalf of an oil field supply firm regarding the operations of potential corporate acquisitions in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Conducted investigation on behalf of a potential U.S. investor to determine that target lottery company's successes in major litigation were obtained without undue influence or corrupt practices.
Led multinational energy company's investigation into allegations that its local agents in Mexico bribed government officials to expropriate land planned for development as a competing liquefied natural gas terminal.
Litigation
Defended international electronics company against claims of patent infringement involving LCD display technology. Led litigation team on international supply chain and damages-related issues.
Speaking Engagements
- June 26, 2020
Working with Dragons: Tech Companies Plan Ahead for Disputes with Business Partners in the Pacific Rim, Client CLE Workshop, Santa Clara - January 23, 2020
When There is Trouble South of the Border: Strategies for Success in Business Disputes in Mexico Jones Day University, Silicon Valley - July 16, 2017
"Nuts and Bolts of International Arbitration," Bar Association of San Francisco - October 26, 2016
Pathways to Private International Law Careers, Berkeley Law School - May 9, 2014
Strategies and considerations in the appointment of international arbitrators, panelist, Third Annual Joint Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) International Arbitration Conference - July 2013
Estipulaçoes para a resolução de disputas nos contratos internacionais: Estratégias na redação, Presentation to Visiting Scholars of Fundacao Gertulio Vargas, University of California, Irvine. - January 2013
Avoiding Corruption Abroad and Prosecution at Home: What Every Business Lawyer Should Know about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Presentation to the Orange County Bar Association, Business and Corporate Law Section - November 2012
The Life of a Start-Up: From Initial Financing to IPO/Exit -- Legal and Regulatory Strategies (Moderator), IBA Conference - September 2010
Ley Contra Prácticas de Corrupción en el Extranjero ("FCPA") y Legislación Relativa, Presentation to Mexico's Comisión Federal de Electricidad
- Harvard University (J.D. cum laude 1999; M.A. 1996; Graduate Prize Fellow); Georgetown University (B.A. magna cum laude 1993)
- California, District of Columbia, and New York
- Super Lawyers "Rising Star"
- Law Clerk to the: Honorable Pamela Ann Rymer, U.S. Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit (2001-2002) and Honorable Alicemarie H. Stotler, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (1999-2000)
- Spanish (fluent), French (proficient), and Portuguese (working knowledge)