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  1. Professionals

Mariana Pendás Fernández

Of Counsel

Washington, DC

+1 202-282-5726

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Mariana advises clients on U.S. and European economic sanctions, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery/anti-corruption laws and regulations. Mariana also has extensive experience conducting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering (AML) internal investigations and participating in international commercial arbitrations. Her civil and common law legal experience and her multilingual skills make her an ideal attorney to represent and advise clients on international matters.

Mariana is a dual-qualified lawyer and admitted to practice in Spain, New York, and Washington D.C., and holds a Master in Swiss Law (Swiss Juriste). She has a background and experience in civil and common law that helps multinational clients navigate U.S., E.U., and Swiss economic sanctions, as well as AML and anti-corruption/anti-bribery laws and regulations. Mariana’s practice has a special focus on Latin America, and she has been recognized as a “Rising Star” and named to “Top 100 Female Lawyers” for international trade matters and international arbitration by Latinvex. She has particular expertise in compliance with the full range of U.S. regulations regarding international trade—including economic sanctions, anti-corruption and anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, and export controls. Mariana has further experience in developing internal programs to ensure company compliance with these regulations and leading complex cross-border internal investigations.

Prior to joining, Mariana worked in international arbitration for a well-regarded international law firm in Paris and a well-known law firm in Madrid. Mariana was a key member of the arbitration practice, where she participated in several arbitrations before the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Mariana also has experience preparing and conducting Spanish national court and arbitration proceedings before Spanish and International arbitration institutions.  

Additionally, Mariana maintains an active pro bono practice. She has represented clients in asylum cases requiring Spanish and French language capabilities and is currently representing a U.S. foundation for the enhancement of the performing arts in Cuba.

Key Matters

Mariana’s representative experience includes:

  • Assisting clients on regulatory compliance with U.S. and E.U. economic sanctions, Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations, export controls, and anti-corruption/anti-bribery laws and regulations
  • Conducting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act related internal investigations for multinational’s subsidiaries in India and Argentina conducting witness interviews, factual investigations and eDiscovery
  • Advising financial institutions in internal investigations in the U.S. and Asia related to AML and other financial crimes
  • Participating in two commercial ICDR arbitrations arising from breach of contracts as a consequence of the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Russia
  • Conducting numerous pre-acquisition due diligences representing an investment group in potential worldwide merger and acquisitions relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations, economic sanctions and export controls
  • Assisting several U.S. clients regarding exploration of the Cuban market by ensuring compliance with U.S. laws and providing background on the laws of both jurisdictions
  • Drafting license requests to the Office of Foreign Assets Control and Bureau of Industry and Security on behalf of U.S. clients that request to conduct business transactions involving sanctioned parties or countries
Recent Experience
Arthur J. Gallagher (NYSE: AJG) carveout acquisition of M&T Insurance Agency from M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB).
ACON Investments' Acquisition of Vitalis Group
Arbor Investments' Acquisition of Oregon Freeze Dry
Terold Acquisition of Majority Stake in WX Brands
The Jordan Company, LP's Acquisition of the Spartech Group
EVE Partners' Minority Interest in Integrity Express Logistics
Hudson Ferry Capital's Sale of ALCOM

  • Lawdragon
    • Named in the “500 Leading Global Litigators” guide for International Arbitration & Litigation (esp. Global Trade) (2024) 
    • Named among the “100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America” for International Trade, Investigations, Regulation, and International Arbitration (2025)
  • Legal 500 US—Recognized as a “Leading Associate” for International Litigation (2023–2024)
  • Latinvex—Named to the “Top 100 Female Lawyers” List (2019–2024)
  • Latinvex—Recognized as a “Rising Legal Star” (2018)

  • Member, ACI Women in Sanctions Network
  • Participant of the Sources of Success Program of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Capabilities

International Trade
Compliance Programs
Financial Services Transactions & Regulatory
Government Investigations, Enforcement & Compliance
Financial Services
Financial Crimes Compliance

Key Matters

Mariana’s representative experience includes:

  • Assisting clients on regulatory compliance with U.S. and E.U. economic sanctions, Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations, export controls, and anti-corruption/anti-bribery laws and regulations
  • Conducting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act related internal investigations for multinational’s subsidiaries in India and Argentina conducting witness interviews, factual investigations and eDiscovery
  • Advising financial institutions in internal investigations in the U.S. and Asia related to AML and other financial crimes
  • Participating in two commercial ICDR arbitrations arising from breach of contracts as a consequence of the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Russia
  • Conducting numerous pre-acquisition due diligences representing an investment group in potential worldwide merger and acquisitions relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations, economic sanctions and export controls
  • Assisting several U.S. clients regarding exploration of the Cuban market by ensuring compliance with U.S. laws and providing background on the laws of both jurisdictions
  • Drafting license requests to the Office of Foreign Assets Control and Bureau of Industry and Security on behalf of U.S. clients that request to conduct business transactions involving sanctioned parties or countries
Recent Experience
Arthur J. Gallagher (NYSE: AJG) carveout acquisition of M&T Insurance Agency from M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB).
ACON Investments' Acquisition of Vitalis Group
Arbor Investments' Acquisition of Oregon Freeze Dry
Terold Acquisition of Majority Stake in WX Brands
The Jordan Company, LP's Acquisition of the Spartech Group
EVE Partners' Minority Interest in Integrity Express Logistics
Hudson Ferry Capital's Sale of ALCOM

Credentials

Education

Mariana graduated cum laude in law from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and validated her law degree in Spain. She received an L.L.M. from the College of Europe where she focused on European law, including E.U. international trade, World Trade Organization law, and E.U. competition law. Mariana also received an L.L.M. in international business regulation, litigation, and arbitration from New York University School of Law.

    Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    Languages
    • French
    • Spanish

    Related Insights & News

    Speaking Engagements
    • “Trump 2.0: What a New Trump Administration Means to White Collar and Corporate Criminal Enforcement,” Hispanic National Bar Association 2025 Corporate Counsel Conference, Co-panelist, Mar. 20, 2025
    • “Value and Challenges of Sanctions and the Risks of Doing Business in the Region,” FIBA AML Conference 2024, Co-panelist, Mar. 18, 2024
    • “Newly Emerging High-Risk Jurisdictions: Best Practices to Identify & Mitigate Risk in China, Latin America, UAE, Oman, Turkey, and the Former Soviet Union,” ACI Women in Sanctions Network Webinar, Co-presenter, Oct. 25, 2023
    • “Fireside Chat with U.S. Department of State,” Cuba 2023 – Navigating Opportunities in the Current Business and Regulatory Environment,” Moderator, May 5, 2023
    • “Complying with OFAC Sanctions,” FIBA LATAM FINCRIME 2022 Conference, Co-panelist, Dec. 6, 2022
    • “International Trade: 2021 Year End Review and Predictions for 2022,” Winston & Strawn Webinar, Co-panelist, Jan. 20, 2022
    • “The State of Play in Venezuela,” Podcast, Feb. 2019
    Publications
    • “Guide to Monitorships: “Succeeding Across a Monitor’s Audiences,” Global Investigations Review, Co-author, April 2022
    • “Russia Sanctions and Considerations in Building a Sanctions Compliance Programme,” Journal of Financial Compliance, Volume 4, Number 4, Co-author, Summer 2021
    • “Trump Administration Follows Through on Plans to Tighten Cuban Sanctions,” Lexblog, Author, June 6, 2019
    • “White House Hints It May Allow Lawsuits Over Cuban-Confiscated Properties,” Lexblog, Author, Jan. 24, 2019
    • “TPP and Investor-State Dispute Settlement: An Intertwined Spectrum of Options for Investors?,” Issue 4, pp. 157-164, Global Trade and Customs Journal, Co-author, 2016
    Sponsorship
    Winston & Strawn Sponsors, Attorneys Speak at FIBA AML Conference 2025

    March 24, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America List

    March 21, 2025

    Blog
    President Trump’s Iran-Related Memo and Key Takeaways

    March 18, 2025

    Blog
    Executive Order 14148: Impact on Sanctions and Trade

    March 3, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Named to Latinvex’s 2024 Top 100 Female Lawyers List

    September 30, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston Lawyers Featured on the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators List

    July 25, 2024

    Sponsorship
    Winston Sponsors ACI’s Women in Sanctions Network

    June 24, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 U.S. 2024

    June 12, 2024

    Article
    Succeeding Across a Monitor’s Audiences

    May 21, 2024

    Sponsorship
    Winston & Strawn Sponsors, Attorneys Speak at FIBA AML Conference 2024

    March 18, 2024

    Sponsorship
    Winston & Strawn Sponsors ABA ILS Energy Conference

    February 27, 2024

    Webinar
    International Trade 2023 Year In Review and Predictions for 2024

    January 4, 2024

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    International Trade
    Compliance Programs
    Financial Services Transactions & Regulatory
    Government Investigations, Enforcement & Compliance
    Financial Services
    Financial Crimes Compliance
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