Mr Francisco Zavalía > Beccar Varela > Buenos Aires, Argentina > Lawyer Profile

Beccar Varela displays skill in helping companies take preventative measures to prevent bribery and corruption, such as performing risk assessments and audits, understanding their risk exposure, and recommending a strong compliance framework. In addition, the team aids clients with internal investigations and fact-finding exercises in cases of allegations of corporate fraud by executives or other employees. The practice also defends companies before regulatory authorities such as the Financial Information Unit, and the criminal courts. Firm managing partner Maximiliano D’Auro and white-collar crime specialist Manuel Beccar Varela head the compliance and investigations department. Gustavo Papeschi also assists companies with aligning their internal policies with anti-bribery, corruption, whistleblower, and data privacy laws. White-collar crime practitioner Francisco Zavalía is knowledgeable in cybercrime and regulatory matters and often handles criminal cases involving corporate fraud and smuggling allegations. The practice is bolstered by senior associate Francisco Grosso, who advises on compliance and anti-money laundering regulations.

The market-leading Beccar Varela was the first Argentine firm to create a dedicated white-collar crime and compliance team, combining preventative compliance advice with defence in criminal proceedings. The department is co-led by Manuel Beccar Varela and Francisco Zavalía, both of whom have significant experience in complex criminal litigation. They are supported by advisory partner Jorge Rassó, whose extensive experience as a clerk in the administrative and appeal courts spans more than 40 years, and associate Pedro Noceti Achaval, who plays a key role in managing complex investigations. The team acts on a broad range of matters including bribery, corruption, fraud, money laundering, smuggling and workplace misconduct cases. It conducts internal investigations and represents companies and senior executives across all levels of the Argentine courts. The firm also prosecutes on behalf of clients victimised by economic crimes, offering a dual perspective in white-collar matters. In addition to contentious work, the practice advises on compliance programme development, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policies, as well as ESG-related issues.