Meet the Team

Luisa Gamboa

Partner

Luisa Gamboa is a U.S. and Colombian lawyer who established Somos The Law Firm in 2017. Her career journey has been remarkable; for 15 years, she worked in-house for a Fortune 500 company, taking on various roles such as Latin America General Counsel, Global Lead Counsel for Procurement and Supply Chain, and VP of Legal. She began her legal career in Colombia, working as an associate at three prestigious law firms.

Her academic accomplishments are equally notable, holding a Juris Doctor equivalent degree from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia. She continued her education with a Master of Laws (LLM) in Common Law Studies from Georgetown University and earned a Certification in Immigration Law from American University. Luisa is licensed to practice law in New York State and Colombia. She holds certification from the Florida Bar as a Foreign Legal Consultant for Colombia, yet she does not practice Florida law.

Luisa is a highly motivated professional with an entrepreneurial spirit. She is passionate about helping both companies and individuals reach their goals. Her leadership style is marked by creating proactive, competitive, collaborative, and business-oriented teams. Being fluent in both Spanish and English, Luisa's bilingual proficiency and her bicultural background enhance her ability to provide comprehensive legal support.

Katia Rocha

Partner

Katia Rocha, a dual-qualified lawyer proficient in both U.S. and Brazilian law, specializes in immigration, corporate law, cultural awareness, and government relations. Her academic credentials include a master’s degree (LLM) from the University of Miami School of Law, and she is licensed to practice law in both New York State and Brazil. With a decade-long tenure as Latin America Counsel at a Fortune 500 company, Katia has acquired invaluable corporate legal experience.

Beyond her corporate role, Katia has excelled in private practice in Brazil, enhancing her expertise and showcasing exceptional negotiation skills. Her proficiency in drafting and analyzing various contracts and commercial agreements makes her a trusted business partner. Additionally, her linguistic versatility in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and German enables her to navigate cross-cultural contexts effectively, providing clients with a unique and valuable perspective.

In summary, Katia Rocha's dual qualifications, extensive experience, and focused expertise in employment-based immigration law make her a highly skilled and adaptable legal advisor. Her proficiency in navigating the complexities of immigration matters, combined with a collaborative and innovative approach, positions her as a valuable asset to clients seeking comprehensive legal guidance.

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 and holds a certification from the Florida Bar as a Foreign Legal Consultant for Brazil. Not admitted to practice Florida law.

Raul Cardenas

OF-Counsel

Raúl Cárdenas, a seasoned corporate lawyer with over three decades in Mexican law, is distinguished for his instrumental role in facilitating major joint ventures. His distinguished career highlights a consistent commitment to excellence, positioning him as a key driver behind collaborative efforts involving major companies from Europe, the United States, and Mexico. Raúl's expertise has proven invaluable in navigating the intricate legal landscape and fostering successful partnerships across borders.

For more than two decades, Raúl has served as a trusted legal advisor to a Fortune 100 company, offering expert counsel and strategic guidance on legal matters within the Mexican context. His enduring partnership with this company underscores his unwavering dedication to addressing their legal needs, protecting their interests, and ensuring compliance in the dynamic legal environment. Raúl's role has become integral to the company's legal strategy, reflecting his reliability and proficiency in handling complex legal challenges.

In 2022, Raúl made a strategic move, joining Somos The Law Firm as of-counsel in Mexico. This transition reflects his ongoing commitment to providing top-tier legal expertise and underlines the firm's dedication to excellence, recognizing Raúl's exceptional contributions to the legal field. Raúl's unique value lies in his innate understanding of a company's day-to-day legal requirements, ensuring their operations not only thrive but also effectively manage legal risks, ultimately contributing to their overall success. Holding a bachelor's law degree from the esteemed Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City and being proficient in both English and Spanish, Raúl navigates the global legal landscape with ease, solidifying his role as an invaluable asset to clients and colleagues alike.

Julieta Piedrafita

Lawyer

Julieta is an Argentinean business lawyer with more than 15 years of experience practicing law in Latin America. She developed her professional career at technology companies, negotiating complex agreements for the business, analyzing contractual and transactional structures and their associated risks, providing support to finance, operations, and collections, and leading the legal department for Latin America.

She graduated with a bachelor’s law degree from Universidad of Buenos Aires Law School in 2004, obtained the Business and Economic Law Certification from Universidad Católica Argentina School of Law in 2006, and has an LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. in 2009. She is a member of the Bar Association of the City of Buenos Aires.

Julieta is fluent in English and Spanish, and she contributes to developing excellent relationships with decision-makers, advising on contractual risks, and bringing solutions to critical legal and complex issues, with a business-oriented approach.

Margarita Gonzalez

Lawyer

Margarita Gonzalez Casartelli, a seasoned corporate lawyer with over fifteen years of diverse experience, brings a business-oriented perspective to legal practice. Her expertise spans inside and outside legal counsel, project management, business development, and investor relations across a range of industries.

Having worked in two Top 10 law firms in Argentina and various sectors, including private banking, real estate, management consulting, and consumer products, Margarita has demonstrated adaptability and proficiency. She has excelled in roles such as coordinating legal and investor relations activities, acting as a project manager for the Investment Promotion Agency in Argentina, and contributing to the management team of Kavak Argentina, a unicorn startup.

Margarita holds a bachelor's law degree from the Universidad Torcuanto Di Tella and a Master's in Business Administration from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. As a member of the Bar Association of the City of Buenos Aires and fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she is well-equipped to navigate international legal landscapes, emphasizing her commitment to professional excellence.

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.

CLICK THE COUNTRY TO MEET OUR CONSULTANTS

  • Luisa Gamboa

    Partner

  • Katia Rocha

    Partner

  • Arielle Barreto

    Lawyer

  • Raul Cardenas

    OF-Counsel

  • Luisa Gamboa

    Partner

  • Arielle Barreto

    Lawyer

  • Julieta Piedrafita

    Lawyer

  • Margarita Gonzalez

    Lawyer

  • Gonzalo Marquez

    Lawyer

In memoriam

Photo

Maria Rocio Arjona

Colombia

(1966 - 2021)

I'm a cultural and legal bridge.”

Luisa G.