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  1. Professionals

Gustavo J. Membiela

Partner

Miami

+1 305-910-0717

New York

Washington, DC

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Gus is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and multi-national disputes, including arbitration and investigations.

Gus has over 20 years of experience handling a wide variety of commercial dispute matters around the world, with a particular focus on Latin American disputes. Gus represents clients in litigations, arbitration, multi-national investigations, and sanctions compliance. He has successfully represented financial institutions, infrastructure & owners/contractors, and consumer product companies in multi-jurisdictional disputes. He also counsels clients both pre- and post-litigation on matters of corporate significance, which includes advising boards and other business leaders.

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

Financial Institutions 
  • Represented a top European financial institution in connection with lawsuits and International Centre for Dispute Resolution and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitrations filed on behalf of bank customers seeking recovery from the estate of Madoff’s brokerage firm related to an alleged international Ponzi scheme
  • Representing a top Spanish financial institution in connection with subpoena and commercial litigation matters
  • Representing a top European financial institution in connection with subpoena and commercial litigation matters
  • Represented Fintech companies in connection with inquiries related to government investigations and related subpoena response matters
  • Represented Fintech payment company on breach of contract claim with service provider
  • Advised multiple financial institution clients in connection with claims related to the garnishment of assets
  • Regularly represents financial institutions on claims related to disputes arising out of lending activity, investment portfolios, and other commercial relationships with clients and other financial institutions
  • Routinely develops sanctions compliance programs for international financial institutions and corporations, covering the Office of Foreign Assets Control, anti-money laundering, and sanctions
  • Advised a European public industrial and commercial institution organized under the laws of France with respect to understanding the applicability of the Helms-Burton Act 
infrastructure/Real Estate 
  • Representing developer of a resort project in Central Florida on design-build claims
  • Represented a real estate investment trust in a Florida state court action involving claims of breach of note and foreclosure of property in connection with a self-storage warehouse facility
  • Representing a client in an ICC arbitration related to the purchase of land in Honduras
  • Represented several renewable energy companies in disputes arising out of their development activities
  • Represented a consortium in numerous international arbitration proceedings arising out of expansions of the Panama Canal
  • Representing Spanish energy company on infrastructure dispute related to joint venture claims in Puerto Rico
  • Representing French infrastructure company of claims related to infrastructure development in Dominican Republic
  • Representing Spanish infrastructure company on claims related to major bridge project in North America
  • Representing property owner on claims of expropriation and abuse of process related to land in Venezuela 
  • Represented international private bank in connection with claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty by client of the bank
  • Representing mining company on expropriation claims in Panama
Consumer Goods/Products 
  • Representing a Latin American consumer goods group in multiple ICC arbitration matters related to investment disputes
  • Represented a leading beverage company in a Florida state court action through a two-week jury trial and appeal on claims related to the termination of distribution agreements in the Dominican Republic
  • Represented a leading logistics provider in multiple Florida state court actions involving claims related to termination of agreements with clients and collection on open invoices
  • Advised a Spanish consumer goods company interested in understanding the applicability of U.S. sanctions toward Cuba and the Helms-Burton Act
  • Represented an Argentine company operating online marketplaces dedicated to e-commerce and online auctions with respect to commercial claims

  • Latin Lawyer 250, Arbitration (2024)
  • Benchmark Litigation US, “Future Star,” 2024–2025
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial – Florida, 2019–2024
  • Legal 500 US, “Key Lawyer,” Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration, 2023–2024
  • Legal 500 Latin America, City Focus: Miami, 2021–2024
  • Legal 500 Latin America, International Arbitration, 2023–2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Arbitration, 2025
    • Commercial Litigation, 2023–2025
    • International Arbitration - Commercial, 2024–2025
    • International Trade and Finance Law, Florida, 2017–2022
    • Litigation - Real Estate, 2025
  • Lawdragon
    •  “500 Leading Global Litigators” for International Litigation & Arbitration, 2023–2024
    • “100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America” for International Arbitration, Disputes, and Investigations, 2025
  • AV-Rated and named among South Florida’s “Top Rated Lawyers” and “Top Rated Litigators” in Legal Leaders by Martindale-Hubbell and ALM, 2015–present
  • Super Lawyers – Florida; “Top Rated Lawyers”  2023–2024 and “Rising Star” 2009–2016
  • South Florida Legal Guide; “Top Lawyer;” 2015, 2016, 2021
  • South Florida Business & Wealth, “Up & Comer for Law” for Miami-Dade County, 2016
  • Daily Business Review, “Rising Star,” 2014
  • South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Up and Comers,” 2012–2014
  • South Florida Business & Wealth, “Up & Comer Law” for Miami-Dade County (finalist), 2014
  • Brickell Magazine, “Top 20 Professionals Under 40,” June 7, 2013
  • Daily Business Review, “Most Effective Lawyer” (finalist), Dec. 12, 2012
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, South Florida Chapter, “40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers” of Miami-Dade County, June 19, 2012
  • South Florida Business Journal, “Up & Comer” – South Florida, 2006

Gus maintains an active pro bono practice and currently serves on the board of Amigos for Kids. He is also a member of the International Bar Association. Gus previously served as the Chair for Area Stage Company and received Florida Theater Guild, Remy Award for Outstanding Board Member in 2020.

Capabilities

Litigation/Trials
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
International Arbitration
Class Actions & Group Litigation
International Trade
Financial Services Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Financial Services
Energy
Financial Crimes Compliance

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

Financial Institutions 
  • Represented a top European financial institution in connection with lawsuits and International Centre for Dispute Resolution and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitrations filed on behalf of bank customers seeking recovery from the estate of Madoff’s brokerage firm related to an alleged international Ponzi scheme
  • Representing a top Spanish financial institution in connection with subpoena and commercial litigation matters
  • Representing a top European financial institution in connection with subpoena and commercial litigation matters
  • Represented Fintech companies in connection with inquiries related to government investigations and related subpoena response matters
  • Represented Fintech payment company on breach of contract claim with service provider
  • Advised multiple financial institution clients in connection with claims related to the garnishment of assets
  • Regularly represents financial institutions on claims related to disputes arising out of lending activity, investment portfolios, and other commercial relationships with clients and other financial institutions
  • Routinely develops sanctions compliance programs for international financial institutions and corporations, covering the Office of Foreign Assets Control, anti-money laundering, and sanctions
  • Advised a European public industrial and commercial institution organized under the laws of France with respect to understanding the applicability of the Helms-Burton Act 
infrastructure/Real Estate 
  • Representing developer of a resort project in Central Florida on design-build claims
  • Represented a real estate investment trust in a Florida state court action involving claims of breach of note and foreclosure of property in connection with a self-storage warehouse facility
  • Representing a client in an ICC arbitration related to the purchase of land in Honduras
  • Represented several renewable energy companies in disputes arising out of their development activities
  • Represented a consortium in numerous international arbitration proceedings arising out of expansions of the Panama Canal
  • Representing Spanish energy company on infrastructure dispute related to joint venture claims in Puerto Rico
  • Representing French infrastructure company of claims related to infrastructure development in Dominican Republic
  • Representing Spanish infrastructure company on claims related to major bridge project in North America
  • Representing property owner on claims of expropriation and abuse of process related to land in Venezuela 
  • Represented international private bank in connection with claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty by client of the bank
  • Representing mining company on expropriation claims in Panama
Consumer Goods/Products 
  • Representing a Latin American consumer goods group in multiple ICC arbitration matters related to investment disputes
  • Represented a leading beverage company in a Florida state court action through a two-week jury trial and appeal on claims related to the termination of distribution agreements in the Dominican Republic
  • Represented a leading logistics provider in multiple Florida state court actions involving claims related to termination of agreements with clients and collection on open invoices
  • Advised a Spanish consumer goods company interested in understanding the applicability of U.S. sanctions toward Cuba and the Helms-Burton Act
  • Represented an Argentine company operating online marketplaces dedicated to e-commerce and online auctions with respect to commercial claims

Credentials

Education

Gus received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2001. He received his B.S. from Villanova University in 1998.

    Admissions
    • Florida
    • District of Columbia
    • New York

    Related Insights & News

    Events
    • “Arbitraje en ICDR, Spain,” U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Speaker, June 26, 2019
    • “Arbitraje internacional en Miami,” ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, Speaker, March 20, 2019
    • “Cuba Opportunities,” FELABAN, Speaker, Nov. 16, 2015
    Publications
    • “OFAC Settles With Digital Currency Services Provider for Apparent Violations of Multiple Sanctions Programs,” Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law, Co-author, Jul.–Aug. 2021
    • “Cuba: Amazon Wins Helms-Burton Case,” Latinvex, Co-author, Feb. 24, 2021
    • “Helms-Burton Lawsuits: A Status Overview ̶ A year and a half of Helms-Burton claims: “Where do things stand?” Latinvex, Co-author, Oct. 14, 2020
    • “Cuba: Carnival Loses Attempt to Dismiss Lawsuit,” Latinvex, Co-author, Sept. 23, 2020
    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Noted by Latin Lawyer as One of the Most Popular International Law Firms in 2024 in Latin America

    April 10, 2025

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

    March 21, 2025

    Sponsorship
    Winston Sponsors the 13th ITA-IEL-ICC Joint Conference on International Energy Arbitration

    January 16, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 Latin America 2025

    October 24, 2024

    Seminar/CLE
    U.S. Election Insights Series

    October 10, 2024 - October 22, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston & Strawn Recognized in 2025 Benchmark Litigation

    October 3, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston’s Latin America Practice Recognized in Latin Lawyer’s 250 2025

    September 11, 2024

    Pro Bono In Action
    Winston Helps Political Prisoners Expelled from Nicaragua to File for Asylum

    August 29, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025

    August 15, 2024

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

    July 25, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized as Best Law Firm: Miami – Special Distinction by Leaders League

    July 8, 2024

    In the Media
    Gus Membiela Discusses Miami Summer Associate Program with Daily Business Review

    June 21, 2024

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Litigation/Trials
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    International Arbitration
    Class Actions & Group Litigation
    International Trade
    Financial Services Litigation
    Insurance Litigation
    Financial Services
    Energy
    Financial Crimes Compliance
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