Jorge A. Mestre engages exclusively in a commercial-litigation practice and is Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration by the Florida Bar. In Chambers USA, he has been praised for “his strategic sense and creative thinking in critical litigation matters” and has been characterized as “a brilliant litigator with the creative edge; he sees a tactical advantage in what seems like an intractable problem.”
Among his many high-stakes matters, Mestre represented Dr. Craig Wright in a lawsuit that alleged David Kleiman had a partnership with Dr. Wright to invent and mine Bitcoin, thereby generating an alleged 50% stake in the cryptocurrency technology. The lawsuit sought approximately $600 billion in damages. After four years of intense litigation, four weeks of trial, and seven days of arduous jury deliberation, in a case that was widely thought to be unwinnable, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Dr. Wright. The jury found that Dr. Wright was not Kleiman’s business partner and that Kleiman’s estate was entitled to none of the multibillion-dollar Satoshi Nakamoto fortune.
Mestre also successfully represented a Chevron attorney in a case that was part of the $100 billion, 18-year litigation over Chevron’s alleged environmental damage in the Amazon. As part of the defense, a series of U.S. discovery proceedings were commenced that ultimately resulted in the Second Circuit ordering the production of more than 600 hours of outtakes (the most ever to be ordered produced in U.S. history) from “Crude”—a film about the litigation. The Wall Street Journal has called the case the “Legal Fraud of the Century.” Rivero Mestre was honored by the American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation for its work on the case.
Mestre represented six former directors and officers in FDIC v. Stipes, the FDIC’s lawsuit arising from its takeover of Westernbank Puerto Rico. The lawsuit, measured by the alleged loss, was the third largest brought by the FDIC during the recent financial crisis. Although the insurer denied coverage based on the “Insured v. Insured” exception, the District Court ordered advancement of defense costs—the first such order in this banking failure. Commentators have called the ruling “a significant victory for the individual directors and officers who hoped to be able to rely on the D&O insurance policies in order to be able to defend themselves against the FDIC’s claims against them.” In yet another high-profile matter, Mestre was appointed to serve as one of four members of the Plaintiffs Steering Committee in the multi-district litigation in the Southern District of New York in a case related to the massive Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Bernie Madoff.
A seasoned practitioner, Mestre has litigated cases through trial in federal district court and Florida state court and has handled appeals before numerous state and federal courts. He has also litigated domestic and international arbitration matters in both English and Spanish, including an arbitration victory in Spanish. He has served as a party-appointed arbitrator in cases administered by the International Chamber of Commerce, the American Arbitration Association, the International Center for Dispute Resolution, and in an ad hoc international arbitration—experiences that give him a valuable understanding of how arbitration tribunals work.
What’s more, Mestre has conducted internal investigations in the United States and in foreign countries, involving varied allegations of wrongdoing from securities fraud to accounting malpractice to Foreign Corrupt Practices. For example, he conducted an internal investigation related to procurement fraud for the United Nations (Office for Project Services).
Reflecting the excellent reputation he enjoys in the community, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Eleventh Circuit, Miami-Dade County. Florida state court judges have also appointed Mestre as a Receiver and as an Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors. Finally, he was recently appointed by the New York City Bar Association as a representative to the 74th session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Working Group II regarding dispute settlement.
Mestre has served in various leadership positions within the American Bar Association including presidential appointments to the Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, the Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice, and served as President of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation. He is a member of the Florida, New York, and Washington, D.C. bars, as well as many federal courts.
Professional Experience
Partner, Rivero Mestre LLP (and predecessor firm) (2001 – present)
Litigation Attorney, Office of the General Counsel to the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Palm Beach (1998-2001)
Litigation Attorney, Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson, P.A. (1996-1998)
Judicial Intern, Justice Major B. Harding, Supreme Court of Florida (1995)
Judicial Intern, The Honorable Donald L. Graham, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (1994)
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Law Professor, St. Thomas University School of Law, International Arbitration, Fall 2010
Adjunct Professor, University of Miami School of Business Administration, Business Law Department, Introduction to Business Law, Fall 2012
Appointments
Appointed by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga as a member of the Committee to Oversee Events Commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2022-present)
Appointed by the New York City Bar Association as a representative to the 74th session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Working Group II regarding dispute settlement (2021)
Appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County (2018-present).
Reflecting the excellent reputation he enjoys in the community, Florida state-court judges have appointed him as a receiver and as an assignee for the benefit of creditors.
Prominent local attorneys have appointed him as a mediator.
Have served as an arbitrator in cases administered by the International Chamber of Commerce, American Arbitration Association, International Centre for Dispute Resolution (the AAA’s international arm), and in an ad hoc international arbitration—experiences that provide a valuable understanding of how arbitration tribunals work.
Testimonials
“Jorge brings an unerring focus and a clear strategic vision to cases.” – Chambers USA 2024
“Jorge is a lawyer’s lawyer. When he digs into an issue, there is no one more knowledgeable about that issue.” – Chambers USA 2024
“Jorge is a personable lawyer who has the ability to connect with people to present his client’s position credibly and effectively. His experience makes him a savvy litigator who obtains results while maintaining his professional demeanor and reputation.” – Chambers USA 2024
“Jorge is not only a great attorney but he also has an excellent commercial aptitude, which benefits his clients.” – Chambers USA 2023
“He is great at distilling complex issues into understandable information which is digestible for a judge and jury.” – Chambers USA 2023
“Jorge has the ability to connect with and inspire confidence in his clients. He is also good at managing the overall strategy of a case.” – Chambers USA 2023
“A smart lawyer who will do whatever it takes to win.” – Chambers USA 2022
“An excellent litigator who also provides great advice on corporate, commercial and securities matters.” – Chambers USA 2022
“One of his strengths is articulating complex legal issues in a common-sense way.” – Chambers USA 2021
“He’s detail-oriented and one of the hardest-working lawyers I know.” – Chambers USA 2021
“Jorge Mestre is razor-sharp and quick-witted when it comes to solving high-stakes business problems for his clients.” – Chambers USA 2020
“Jorge Mestre enjoys a ‘tremendous reputation with the courts’ for his advocacy . . . .”
– Chambers USA 2019
Jorge Mestre is noted for his handling of a range of complex commercial disputes, including cross-border cases and multidistrict litigation. Sources note his “deep knowledge of the law” and report that he is “very client-focused.” – Chambers USA 2018
“The two things that stand out about Jorge are his attention to detail and his aggression in moving cases forward.” – Chambers USA 2017
“A brilliant litigator with the creative edge. He sees a tactical advantage to what seems like an intractable problem.” – Chamber USA 2014
“He’s very careful, very thorough, very considerate. Very calm and very methodical.” – Chambers USA 2014
“He’s extremely bright, very focused and extremely hard-working. Frankly he is an excellent strategic thinker. He has got a big picture for litigation so you don’t get mired in some of the minutiae. From a strategic perspective he does some of his best work there.” – Chambers USA 2014
“Sometimes you feel a lawyer is talking down to you that was not the case with these guys – they present it to you in a way you can understand.” – Chambers USA 2014
“I think Jorge is a great analytical lawyer… That is his strength. He’ll become the expert; if he has a hotel case, he’ll become the hotel expert and will know more about hotels than anybody else.” – Chambers USA 2014
Publications
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Fifteenth Edition, Chapter 4: Settlement, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, and Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, expected publication date of November 2024
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Fourteenth Edition, Chapter 4: Settlement, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, and Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, December 2021
International E-Discovery, A Global Handbook of Law and Technology, Second Edition, co-author of US E-discovery Chapter, Globe Law and Business, July 2021
Discovery across the Globe: Obtaining Evidence Abroad to Support U.S. Proceedings, American Bar Association Section of Litigation, January 2020
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 4: Settlement, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, and Chapter 28: Comparative Fault, December 2019
International Discovery Around the World, American Bar Association Section of Litigation, May 2019
International E-Discovery, A Global Handbook of Law and Technology, co-author of US E-discovery Chapter, Globe Law and Business, August 2018
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Twelfth Edition, Chapter 4: Settlement, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, and Chapter 28: Comparative Fault, December 2017
Remembrance of Rules Past: Rule 44.1 at Motion to Dismiss Stage, American Bar Association Section of Litigation: Commercial and Business, January 2017
A Bribe New World: The Federal Government Gets Creative in Chasing Foreign Officials for Taking Bribes, University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, Volume 26, 2015
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Eleventh Edition, Chapter 4: Settlement, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, and Chapter 28: Comparative Fault, October 2014
Growing Diversity & Inclusion: ABA INT. Energy & Resources Committee, Diversity Global—The Many Faces of Diversity, The American Bar Association Section of International Law, Spring/Summer Edition, 2014
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Tenth Edition, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Chapter 21: Injunctions, Chapter 26: Third-Party Practice, and Chapter 28: Comparative Fault, 2013
Liberty, Equality, Arbitration: Is Too Much of a Good Thing Heading Us Towards Waterloo?, DRI Today, Volume 11, No. 25, June 27, 2012
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Ninth Edition, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, 2011
The Art of War: Competing as a Minority-Owned Law Firm in the Global Marketplace, American Bar Association Section of Litigation: Minority Trial Lawyer, Winter 2010
The Florida Bar’s Civil Practice Before Trial Manual, Eighth Edition, Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, 2009
A Comity of Errors: Understanding the International Abstention Doctrine, University of Florida Journal of International Law, Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2005
International Arbitration in Miami, CABA Briefs, September 2005
Deposing Nonhumans: Corporate Representative Depositions in Florida, The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 79, No. 1, January 2005
Representative Speaking Engagements
Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Speaker, Best Legal Practices and Their Impact on Financial Decisions, November 2024
ABA 2024 Annual Meeting (Chicago), Speaker, Latinos in the United States: Overcoming Legal Obstacles, Engaging in Civic Life, August 2024
Georgetown University Global Business Executive Leadership Program, Speaker, Legal Implications in Global Business, August 2024
Legalink ESG Practice Group Seminar (Stockholm), Speaker, US/LATAM ESG Litigation and Arbitration Trends, June 2024
St. Thomas University School of Law Cryptocurrency Symposium, Panelist, Litigation Panel, March 2023
ABA 2023 Corporate Counsel CLE Seminar (Orlando), Panelist, Navigating Turbulent Waters: Effective Strategies for Advising Corporate Clients in Politically Sensitive Times, February 2023
Young ITA North America, Panelist, Transnational Litigation & Arbitration: Managing Parallel Proceedings, April 2022
Columbia Law School’s International Arbitration Association, Panelist, Investment Arbitration and Constitutional Law: How Do Constitutional Writs and Due Process Claims Hinder Arbitration Procedure? April 2022
Fordham University School of Law, Transnational Litigation and Arbitration, Guest Lecturer, Chevron’s Litigation in Ecuador: A Case Study, March 2022
Fordham University School of Law, Litigation Management for the International Lawyer, Guest Lecturer, Nuts and Bolts of 1782 Applications, March 2022
Bench & Bar Conference, Panelist, A Discussion with the Judicial Nomination Commission, February 2022
New York City Bar Association and Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, Speaker, Compliance Challenges facing U.S. Businesses in the Northern Triangle and Central America, October 2021
ABA 2021 Virtual Business Law Section Annual Meeting, Speaker, Litigating and Settling Cases Across Borders and Cultures, September 2021
New York International Arbitration Center Webinar, Speaker, NYIAC + New York City Bar Virtual Talks The Great Tension: Electronic Discovery in International Arbitration – Is It Here to Stay?, June 2021
ABA 2021 Virtual Litigation Section Annual Conference, Speaker, Diversifying Experts: Identifying Implicit Bias in the Selection of Expert Witnesses and Strategies for Retaining a Diverse Team of Experts, May 2021
National Latina/o Law Student Association National Conference, Speaker, Starting from Scratch, March 2021
ABA Latin America & the Caribbean Committee e-Meeting, Speaker, Update on 28 USC 1782–Obtaining Discovery in Aid of Foreign Proceedings, February 2021
Legalink Members’ General e-Meetings, Speaker, Resolving Technology Disputes Through Arbitration And The Use Of Technology In Arbitral Proceedings, November 2020
The Litigation Room: Where it Happens Podcast, Speaker, Diversity and Inclusion: Why is D&I a game changer?, October 2020
American Association for Justice Rapid Response Webinar, Speaker, Status of the Zantac Litigation, January 2020
HarrisMartin’s Zantac Litigation Conference (Miami Beach), Speaker, Class Actions for Consumers & TPPs, January 2020
ABA Section of Litigation & Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division CLE Conference (New York), Speaker, International Discovery: Around the World in Sixty Minutes, May 2019
HarrisMartin’s Valsartan & Losartan Recall Litigation Conference (Philadelphia), Speaker, Third-Party Payor Cases, April 2019
Legalink Interview Series, April 2019
International Litigation Panel (Guatemala City, Guatemala), Speaker, Managing Complex International Investigations, January 2019
University of Miami Business School, Guest Lecturer, Cross-Border Fraud Investigations (Forensic Accounting/Fraud Investigations Graduate Course), January 2019
Cryptocurrencies and Regulation Forum (Mexico City, Mexico), Speaker, Litigation Experiences in the Unregulated Crypto Space, November 2018
NAMWOLF Annual Meeting (Chicago), Speaker, International Arbitration & Cross-Border Litigation – Highlighting the Differences , September 2018
Legalink Members’ General Meeting (Lisbon, Portugal), Speaker, IT and New Business Opportunities, May 2018
Legalink International Litigation & Arbitration Practice Group Meeting (Lisbon, Portugal), Speaker, Class Actions in the United States as Compared with Other Foreign Jurisdictions , May 2018
Legalink Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Practice Group Meeting (Lisbon, Portugal), Speaker, Issues and Developments in Latin America, May 2018
NAMWOLF Business Meeting, Financial Services Litigation (San Diego), Speaker, Secured Transactions, UCC v. Hague Securities Convention, February 2018
Prudential MWOLF Conference (Newark), Speaker, Internal Investigations, November 2017
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Mid-Year CLE Seminar & Webinar, Speaker, Opportunity at the Crossroads: Using Authentic Leadership Presence to Interrupt Unconscious Bias, June 2017
American Bar Association, Latin America & Caribbean Committee Meeting, Speaker, The Practical Implications of De Fontbrune v. Wofsy as it Relates to Rule 44.1 at the Motion to Dismiss Stage, January 2017
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder Meeting, Speaker, Law Firm Economics, October 2016
University of Miami School of Business Administration, Guest Lecturer about Cross-Border Fraud Investigations (Forensic Accounting/Fraud Investigations Graduate Course), August 2016
American Bar Association Annual Meeting (San Francisco), Speaker, International Discovery: Around the World in Seventy-Five Minutes, August 2016
Florida International University, Guest Lecturer regarding cross-border fraud litigation (Fraud Examination Course), May 2016
Derecho Procesal Civil de Los EE.UU. y Arbitraje Internacional (Lima, Peru), Moderator, March 2016
The American Bar Association International Discovery Webinar, Speaker, March 2016
The International Chamber of Commerce (San José, Costa Rica), Speaker, Advanced PIDA training on the ICC Rules of Arbitration (Entire program in Spanish), May 2015
The American Bar Association, Section of International Law Spring Meeting (Washington D.C.), Program Chair, Litigating in an Evolving Landscape: A Survey of Data Privacy Laws in Latin American Countries, April 2015
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows Regional Roundtable, Speaker, “The Effect a Diverse Background Has on a Career Path,” March 2015
The American Bar Association’s Center for Professional Development Webinar, Speaker, International Discovery: Obtaining Foreign Evidence for Use in a US Trial, January 2015
The American Bar Association’s Commercial and Business Litigation Committee Roundtable, Speaker, A Guide to Cross-Border Discovery, November 2014
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Membership Meeting (Phoenix), Speaker, “What’s Working,” September 2014
Cuban-American Bar Association’s 2013 Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the Americas Conference, Speaker, Business Disputes Know No Boundaries: Emerging Trends and Important Things to Consider in Litigation that Spans Across Borders, November 2013
American Bar Association Annual Meeting (San Francisco), Speaker, Shakespeare and Professionalism—What Shakespeare’s Lens Reveals about Perceptions of the Bar—Then and Now, August 2013
University of Miami School of Business and Administration, Global Executive MBA Program, Guest Lecturer regarding Discrepancies, Incongruities, and Surprises that Latin American Clients Face When Doing Business or Litigating in the United States (Legal and Ethical Implications in Executive Decision Making Spanish-language course), May 2013
University of Chicago Law School, Sponsored by the Latino/a Law Students Association and the Law Women’s Caucus, Panelist, Doing Business in Latin America: Myths and Realities, May 2013
Florida International University College of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding Complex Commercial Litigation (Complex Commercial Litigation Course), April 2013
Defense Research Institute’s Annual Meeting (New Orleans), Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Speaker, Is the Supreme Court Marching Arbitration to Waterloo?, October 2012
Hispanic National Bar Foundation 2012 Annual Awards Dinner, Speaker, July 2012
11th Annual Minority Corporate Counsel Association Chicago CLE Expo, Faculty, Decidedly Supreme: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions that Warrant Further Review, March 2012
Florida International University College of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding Multi-District Litigation (Complex Commercial Litigation Course), February 2012
University of Miami School of Business Administration, Business Law Department, Guest Lecturer regarding Cross-Border Litigation Issues (International Business Law Course), October 2011
Florida International University College of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding Private Securities Class Action Litigation (Securities Enforcement Law Course), September 2011
Georgetown University Law Center, Guest Lecturer regarding International Business Litigation in U.S. Courts, September 2011
American Bar Association Annual Convention (Toronto), Speaker, Cross-border Practice in a Shrinking Global Economy, August 2011
American Bar Association, Section of Litigation Annual Convention, Speaker, International Discovery in US Courts: An Analysis of the Use of 28 U.S.C. § 1782, April 2011
American University Washington College of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding 28 U.S.C. § 1782 (Obtaining Discovery in Aid of a Foreign Proceeding), March 2011
10th Annual Minority Corporate Counsel Association Chicago CLE Expo, Faculty, U.S. Supreme Court Docket and its Growing Influence on Corporate Board Policies, March 2011
Georgetown University Law Center, Guest Lecturer regarding International Litigation and Arbitration, October 2010
American University Washington College of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding Multidistrict Securities Litigation, March 2010
9th Annual CLE Chicago Expo 2010, MCCA, Parallel Proceedings and Collaborative Enforcement Efforts Between State, Federal, and International Enforcement Agencies, March 2010
8th Annual International Litigation and Arbitration Conference, Developments in International Litigation, February 2010
St. Thomas University School of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding the International Chamber of Commerce Rules of Arbitration, October 2009
Federal Bar Association, Bench and Bar Conference, Moderated Roundtable Discussion with various Federal District Court and Magistrate Judges, November 2008
St. Thomas University School of Law, Guest Lecturer regarding International Arbitration, November 2008
Florida Association of Managing Partners, Discussion leader about electronic discovery and going paperless, July 2008
Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Strategies for Professionalism and Professional Development Panel Discussion, October 2008
The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, Practicing with Professionalism Panel Discussion, May 2008
Florida International University, College of Business Administration Graduate Program, Guest Lecturer, Domestic and International Arbitration, Summer 2007
International Center for Dispute Resolution, 5th Annual Miami International Arbitration Conference, Human Rights Litigation Panel, February 2007
Professional and Community Membership
State of Florida
Judicial Nominating Commission, Eleventh Circuit, Gubernatorial Appointment (2018-2022)
American Bar Association
Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Presidential Appointment (2013-2014, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025)
Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice, Presidential Appointment (2010-2013)
Georgetown University
College of Arts & Sciences, College Board of Advisors (2023-present)
McDonough School of Business, Latin America Leadership Program (LALP) Advisory Committee (2023-present)
ABA Section of Litigation
Commercial and Business Litigation Committee
Co-Chair, International Litigation Subcommittee (2010-2011)
Co-Chair, Minority Trial Lawyers (2012-2015)
ABA International Law Section
Latin America & Caribbean Committee
Vice-Chair (2011-2014) (2021-2025)
Programming Subcommittee (2021-2022)
Publications Subcommittee (2022-2025)
Diversity Committee, Member (2021-present)
Florida Bar
Civil Procedure Rules Committee (2005-2011)
Dade County Bar Association
Director (2001)
Vice-Chair, Civil Litigation Committee (2007)
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Belen Alumni Lawyers, Professional Chapter of Alumni Association
Executive Committee Member (2007-2009)
Legalink International Legal Network
Deputy Leader, International Litigation and Arbitration Practice Group (2017-present)
Hispanic National Bar Association
President Region VIII 2009-2010
Deputy President Region VIII 2007-2009 and 2010-2011
London Court of International Arbitration, Member
Cuban-American Bar Association
Director (2001-03); Treasurer (2001); Vice-President (2002)
CABA on Cuba Committee (2005-2010)
Co-drafter:
Petition for Immediate Relief Against Human Rights Violations Committed by the Republic of Cuba filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (2003)
Co-drafter:
Amicus Curiae Brief of CABA in Support of the United States of America filed in United States of America v. Guerrero, et al. (“Cuban Spy” case), United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Case Nos. 01-17176-BB and 03-11087-BB (2006)
Hispanic National Bar Foundation
President (2018-2023)
Immediate Past-President (2023-2024)
Director (2011-2018)
Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners
Founder, Miami Chapter (2021)
Catholic Relief Services
Professional Advisors Group, Member (2021)
The Catholic University of America
Alumni Association Board of Directors (2023-2025)
Recognitions and Honors
Recognized in Florida Trend Legal Elite’s inaugural edition of NOTABLE for 2023
Rivero Mestre recognized by the Daily Business Review’s Florida Legal Awards as a finalist in the Cross-Border Disputes category for 2024
Honored by the Daily Business Review’s Florida Legal Awards as a Distinguished Leader for 2023
Rivero Mestre honored by the Daily Business Review’s Florida Legal Awards as Litigation Department of the Year for 2022
Rivero Mestre ranked in the Legal 500 Latin America guide as a Top Tier Firm in the City Focus category for Miami for 2023
Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a finalist for National Boutique / Specialty Litigation Department of the Year for 2022
Rivero Mestre recognized by Chambers USA in The Elite in Florida category in Band 1
Recognized in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America Guide for 2023, 2024, and 2025
Recognized in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Litigators Guide for 2021, 2023, and 2024
Rivero Mestre shortlisted by Benchmark Litigation as Florida Firm of the Year for 2022 and 2023
Rivero Mestre honored by Benchmark Litigation as Florida Firm of the Year for 2021
Honored by the ABA International Law Section’s Latin America and Caribbean Committee with the Outstanding Committee Newsletter Award for sharing engaging and valuable coverage of the committee’s interests throughout the year for 2022
Rivero Mestre honored by Chambers and Partners as the winner of its 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Award for Outstanding Firm for Furthering Diversity and Inclusion (USA Private Practice Firm category)
Rivero Mestre honored by the Daily Business Review in the 13th Annual Most Effective Lawyers special report in the category of Class Actions
Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation
Ranked in the 2014 through 2024 edition of Chambers USA in General Commercial Litigation as a Leader in his Field (Florida)
Rivero Mestre honored by Chambers and Partners as a finalist for the 2016 Diversity & Inclusive Award for Most Inclusive Firm for Minority Lawyers
Rivero Mestre ranked in Benchmark Litigation in Dispute Resolution as a “Highly Recommended Firm” in Florida, 2021-present
Ranked in Benchmark Litigation as a “Litigation Star” in General Commercial (2021-2025) and International Arbitration (2022-2025)
AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Lexis-Nexis Martindale Hubbell
Rivero Mestre ranked by Best Lawyers® as a Tier 1 law firm in “Best Law Firms” for White-Collar Governmental Investigations and White-Collar Litigation, 2013; Criminal Defense: White-Collar, since 2014; Commercial Litigation, since 2019; Litigation – Securities, since 2020; Litigation – Banking & Finance, 2021; International Arbitration – Commercial, since 2023; International Trade and Finance Law, since 2025
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© in various categories including International Trade and Finance Law, Litigation—Securities, Commercial Litigation, and International Arbitration (Commercial) since 2013 and named International Trade and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” for 2023 in Miami
Rivero Mestre recognized by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity as a Top Performer, 2014 through 2016
Recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine as a Top Latino Lawyer, 2018, 2020, and 2022
Consistently recognized as among Florida Super Lawyers since 2011 (voted for by members of the Florida Bar)
Rivero Mestre ranked by South Florida Legal Guide as a Top Law Firm, 2021
Consistently ranked by South Florida Legal Guide as a Top Lawyer in International Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Complex Business Litigation
Recognized as among Florida Legal Elite many times since 2007 by Florida Trend Magazine (voted for by members of the Florida Bar)
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation, with distinction and Dean’s List
Florida State University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1996 Recipient, Local Government Law Book Award Articles and Notes Editor, Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law
Catholic University of America, B.A., 1993 Concentration: Financial Management Sub-concentration: Political Science
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, 1989
Admissions
Florida Bar, 1996
New York State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
United States District Court, Southern District of New York
United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
United States District Court, District of Colorado
United States District Court, District of Columbia
United States Court of Appeals, Second Judicial Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Third Judicial Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Judicial Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States
London Court of International Arbitration
Certifications
Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration, The Florida Bar, 2020
Certificate, International Chamber of Commerce, Seminario PIDA Avanzado, Arbitraje Comercial Internacional (Advanced PIDA Seminar, International Comercial Arbitration), Paris, June 2010
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