The IBA’s 27th Annual Transnational Crime Conference in Santiago
Jean-Luc Putz
Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg
From 14 to 16 May 2025, the Transnational Crime Conference, now in its 27th edition, took place in the vibrant city of Santiago, Chile. Organised and co-presented by the IBA Criminal Law Committee and the Business Crime Committee, supported by the Latin American Regional Forum, the event brought together leading practitioners, regulators, academics and corporate counsel from across the globe to discuss key developments and challenges in the fight against transnational crime.
This year’s conference was Co-Chaired by Adriana de Buerba from Pérez-Llorca and Cristián Francos from Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss.
The conference kicked off ‘in style’ on Wednesday evening, just as the programme promised, with a reception on the rooftop of the Ritz-Carlton, the conference hotel. For the occasion, the veranda, normally home to the relaxation area and pool, was transformed into an elegant reception venue. Thankfully, no guests ended up in the pool!
The first jealous glances occurred when some attendees shared that they had arrived several days earlier to explore Tierra del Fuego, the Andes, the Atacama Desert and even Easter Island.
The next morning, the conference opened with a keynote address by Matías Vicente Walker Prieto, Senator of the Republic of Chile. He presented the challenges his country is facing in regard to the fight against economic crime and the recent related legislative changes.
From the first panel of the morning, on corruption in sports, the mood in the room was set, as Saverio Lembo from Bär & Karrer, in his role as panel moderator, was gifted a jersey from his favourite football club, which he immediately put on (over his shirt).
The panels were progressively more interesting. The coffee breaks were also well attended and offered a great opportunity to exchange views and experiences in the fight against cross-border crime (or on other subjects).
Shuttles then took the attendees to the Host Committee Welcome Reception at Viña Santa Carolina.
A few words on culture and history: the historic Viña Santa Carolina estate, nestled in the Macul district of Santiago, was founded in 1875. The iconic winery is one of Chile’s oldest and is recognised as a national monument. Its cellars and gardens provided a unique setting to enjoy some of the finest wines that reflect Chile’s rich viticultural heritage.
What was once a vineyard on the outskirts of the city is now engulfed by the ever-expanding Santiago city area. Nevertheless, the place has lost none of its magic and charm. The host committee truly spoiled us with a wine tasting, followed by a dinner fit for a royal wedding.
During the second day, the panel sessions continued, covering topics including instances in which lawyers have been prosecuted simply for practicing their profession. We had the honour of welcoming Angel Valencia Vásquez, Head of the Chilean Public Prosecutor’s Office, as a keynote speaker.
By 15:00, except for the lucky ones who had extended their stay, it was already time to say goodbye.
As always, the conference combined serious legal debate with outstanding networking opportunities. This year’s edition confirmed once again the unique spirit of the Transnational Crime Conference: global in scope, pragmatic in tone and enriched by a genuine sense of collegiality.
With a warm thanks to all speakers, sponsors and attendees who helped make this edition a success.
2025 panel sessions held at the 27th Transnational Crime Conference
A huge thanks to our outstanding moderators, panel chairs and speakers!
First day (Thursday)
Corruption in sports
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Saverio Lembo Bär & Karrer, Geneva
Ben Ticehurst HCR Law, London
Speakers
Flávia Leardini Mattos Filho, São Paulo
Cristián Mir Diaz Comité Olímpico de Chile, Santiago
Adam Pennock SportsRadar, London
Ruiz-Ayucar FIFA, Zürich
Supply chain and criminal offences
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Ross Dixon Hickman & Rose Solicitors, London
Margot Laporte Dorsey & Whitney, Washington, DC
Speakers
Yoab Bitran Albagli Zaliasnik Abogados, Santiago
Chirag Naik MZM Legal, Mumbai
Michael Polak Church Court Chambers, London
Oliver Pragal Pragal & Prinzenberg, Hamburg
Economic crimes laws and corporate criminal liability
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Diana Czugler Peters & Peters, London
Daniel Praetorius Lembeye Abogados, Santiago
Speakers
Robert J Cleary Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, New York
Filippo Ferri Cagnola & Associati Studio Legale, Milan
Isadora Fingermann TozziniFreire Advogados, São Paulo
Andrés O’Farrell Marval O’Farrell Mairal, Buenos Aires
Navigating legal challenges in the prosecution of encrypted messaging service providers: recent cases and emerging trends (breakout session)
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Manavendra Mishra Khaitan & Co, Mumbai
Simone Nadelhofer Schellenberg Wittmer, Zürich
Speakers
Ricadro Andres Cacho Garcia Von Wobeser & Sierra, Mexico City
Jason Linder Mayer Brown, Los Angeles
Alex Swan Greenberg Traurig, London
Lightning bolt cooperation: when cooperation between criminal lawyers is faster and more efficient than mutual legal assistance (breakout session)
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Kateryna Gupalo Arzinger, Kyiv
Emmanuel Moyne Bougartchev Moyne Associes, Paris
Speakers
Felix Ka-ho Ng Haldanes, Hong Kong
Jeffery A Lehtman Miller & Chevalier Chartered, Washington DC
Juan Palomino Segura Pérez-Llorca, Madrid
Fabyola En Rodrigues Demarest & Almeida Advogados, São Paulo
Second day (Friday)
Lawyers being prosecuted for being lawyers or, more specifically, for being defence lawyers
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Sabine ten Doesschate Sjöcrona van Stigt, Rotterdam
Matt Kaiser Kaiser, Washington DC
Speakers
Shaul Brazil BCL Solicitors, London
Ignacio Castillo Specialised Unit on Organized Crime and Drugs, Santiago
Juliana Sá de Miranda Miranda Arcentales Advogados, São Paulo
Stefanie Schott Kipper Durth Schott Rechtsanwälte, Darmstadt
Corporate investigations: navigating new risks for outside counsel
Session Co-Chairs/Moderators
Maia Cohen-Lask Corker Binning, London
Andrea Puccio Puccio Penalisti Associati, Milan
Speakers
Nicholas Braganza Holman Fenwick Willan, Dubai
Alexandra J Marinzel Davis Wright Tremaine, Washington DC
Andreas Pfister Wessing & Partner, Düsseldorf
Gonzalo Smith Falabella SA, Santiago
