Practice Areas

Within the general practice of criminal law, we represent individuals and legal entities in matters involving:

Crimes against physical integrity, such as injury or death resulting from road traffic accidents;
The so-called ?sex crimes?, including sexual assault, rape and others;
Crimes against freedom; home invasion and intrusion, invasion of privacy;
Property crimes, such as theft, burglary, misappropriation of property, commercial and industrial premises, damages in general, etc.;
Public safety crimes, including those where means of transport and/or the media are involved;
Crimes against public order, such as conspiracy;
Public trust crimes: forged or counterfeited documents in general, seals and trademarks;
Issuing non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks and false financial statements;
Breach of duty to provide family support;
Cases of intellectual property (IP) infringement;
Criminal liability for malpractice;
Crimes against honor: defamatory libel and slander.

We specialize in crimes related to trademark fraud, punishable under Law No. 22,362 and violations of Intellectual Property Law No. 11,723.

Companies engaged in the provision of Internet services or the creation of software and data base owners as well as individuals have placed their confidence in our lawyers to handle such cases.

We provide legal advice and represent companies and individuals in all matters related to the so called ?cyber crimes?, such as damage, burglary, and theft of signals; breach of confidentiality, and unlawful access to databases. We regularly advise companies that provide Internet, cable and satellite television services, thus enabling us to gain hands-on experience in this specialization field.

With a view to improving this practice, in June 2017, we merged with Vidal Albarrac?n law firm, with over thirty years of experience in legal and operational areas in Foreign Trade and Customs Law, thus expanding the services of our Criminal Customs Law Division, in charge of attorneys H?ctor Guillermo Vidal Albarrac?n, Guillermo Vidal Albarrac?n and Santiago Vidal Albarrac?n.

Current methods of foreign trade create new ways of committing crime that require, for defense purposes, interdisciplinary customs, foreign exchange, and tax-related knowledge.

Legal advisory services cover both individual and corporate criminal liability of importers, exporters, customs brokers or forwarders, and customs clearance agents, with respect to customs crimes and infringements, along with their disciplinary consequences. It also includes acting as legal representatives and counsel in order to challenge regulations and standards that are true limitations on foreign trade and hinder the operators? rights to engage in free trade.

Our firm provides preventive legal advisory services in criminal matters for the protection of the environment and we also take the defense of criminal suits filed with federal courts all over Argentina for infringements of Law No. 24,051 on Hazardous Waste. In addition, we provide legal representation to companies in misdemeanor cases involving environmentally hazardous behavior.

Durrieu Abogados has handled numerous judicial cases related to financial and capital market transactions. Moreover, we represent individuals and legal entities in cases pending before the Argentine Central Bank involving the so-called “foreign exchange crimes”.

We provide legal advice to individuals, foreign states as well as domestic and international companies regarding the production of evidence in criminal cases filed with foreign courts, extradition and international cooperation formalities, filings before the Inter-American Commission and Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court, and regarding the study of criminal jurisdiction to hear complex matters occurred in different territories.

We are also qualified to develop programs for the prevention of fraud crimes, corruption and justice administration, intended for governmental offices and international agencies, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In this regard, we have handled cases concerning political asylum or refuge.

We regularly work with consulates, acting in the defense of foreign individuals? or legal entities? interests. In this regard, we have been listed by the American and French Foreign Affairs Offices in Argentina as recommended lawyers.

In this field, Durrieu Abogados regularly represents individuals as well as domestic and international corporations. Moreover, our lawyers have attended congresses and have lectured at business organizations, audit groups, and professional associations in reference with topics in this special field.

Following the passage of Law No. 27,401, legal entities are attributed liability for corruption acts committed by any of their employees, third parties (e.g. suppliers or subsidiaries) and for acts committed by acquired companies.

Likewise, there is an increasing number of laws that are enforced in extraterritorial jurisdictions?such as the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)?. Therefore, companies doing business in Argentina must not only comply with domestic laws but also with those enacted in other countries.

Our team of lawyers has a long track record in providing advice on corruption acts committed in Argentina along with international expertise on the application of extraterritorial rules.

We at Durrieu Abogados are familiar with rules on minor offenses and misdemeanors, involving penalties such as fines, closure of premises and debarment from business, among others. Minor offenses and misdemeanor regulations in the City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Buenos Aires have greatly increased over the last years due to the delegation of powers to investigate on certain crimes.

Durrieu Abogados represents clients in the prevention and litigation of all and any cases of fraud. The law firm is a member of ICC Fraudnet, a network of lawyers specializing in fraud and asset recovery.

We also represent corporations that undergo leaks in confidential information, fraudulent management and other crimes committed by disloyal employees, providers or distributors, to name a few.

We coordinate internal investigations in compliance with procedure protocols in the strictest confidence. We work in collaboration with a team of accounting investigators and information technology specialists to adequately preserve collected evidence. We also conduct background checks on the parties involved, among other private investigation activities.

Once a crime is committed, we have a skilled team of experts in place to conduct internal investigations in strictest confidence while striving to respect the employees? or providers? guarantees. For such purpose, we work in collaboration with a team of accounting and information technology experts in the forensic area for the purposes of preserving, recovering, and processing collected evidence.

As we are specialist lawyers in criminal matters we are in a better position to identify those criminal risks (fraud, corruption, etc.) to which companies are subject and how to deal with them.

In this regard, Partner Nicol?s Durrieu advised the Argentine Senate on the final drafting of Law No. 27,401 on criminal liability of legal entities for acts of corruption.

He was Co-Director of the Book of Compliance and Anti-Corruption and Corporate Criminal Liability published by La Ley/ Thomson Reuters in 2018. In this regard, the Anti-corruption Office generally relied on this document when upon issuing the implementing rules of Law No. 27,401.

He published “Corporate Investigations in Argentina 2019” in the ICLG journal. Partner Nicolas Durrieu is currently Co-Director of the Compliance Program of La Ley / Thomson Reuters.

We have been involved in significant precedents in this matter, including domestic and international cases, as money laundering often has transnational connections.

We file criminal complaints and act as defense counsel in proceedings involving this crime, which is frequently associated to the crime of corruption and fraud as predicate offenses.

Likewise, we defend parties subject to the imposition of sanctions by the Argentine Financial Information Unit (UIF), pursuant to Law No. 25,246 (as amended by Law No. 26,683).

At Durrieu Abogados we believe that the legal practice is a useful tool to ensure access to justice and to promote greater social equality. For that reason, our pro bono activities are one of the core values of our firm.

Pro Bono Commission and Federal Network

In May 2017, we joined the Pro Bono Work and Public Interest Commission of the Lawyers’ Association of the City of Buenos Aires (www.probono.org.ar). Through the Commission, we have participated in criminal suits referred to us by the Centers for Access to Justice (CAJ) of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, located inside the 31 and 21-24 settlements and La Boca neighborhood.

Moreover, within the framework of this Commission, Durrieu Abogados is part of the Pro Bono Federal Network which operates as a link between individuals and entities in need of pro bono services and the professionals who provide them throughout Argentina.

Durrieu Abogados is a member of ICC-Fraudnet, the oldest and most prestigious international network of lawyers specialized in recovery of assets which derive from criminal conduct. This represents a competitive advantage as we are able to promptly take action for recovery of assets in foreign jurisdictions.

For illustrative purposes, below is a list of the services provided:

We conduct national and international investigations to detect the assets and straw persons.
We request the relevant precautionary measures for asset freezing, both in Argentina and abroad, through the Fraudnet network.
We claim for civil damages in criminal proceedings.
We have broad experience in dealing with prosecutor?s offices, security forces and controlling bodies specialized in this field.

Within the general practice of criminal law, we represent individuals and legal entities in matters involving:

Crimes against physical integrity, such as injury or death resulting from road traffic accidents;
The so-called ?sex crimes?, including sexual assault, rape and others;
Crimes against freedom; home invasion and intrusion, invasion of privacy;
Property crimes, such as theft, burglary, misappropriation of property, commercial and industrial premises, damages in general, etc.;
Public safety crimes, including those where means of transport and/or the media are involved;
Crimes against public order, such as conspiracy;
Public trust crimes: forged or counterfeited documents in general, seals and trademarks;
Issuing non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks and false financial statements;
Breach of duty to provide family support;
Cases of intellectual property (IP) infringement;
Criminal liability for malpractice;
Crimes against honor: defamatory libel and slander.

We specialize in crimes related to trademark fraud, punishable under Law No. 22,362 and violations of Intellectual Property Law No. 11,723.

Companies engaged in the provision of Internet services or the creation of software and data base owners as well as individuals have placed their confidence in our lawyers to handle such cases.

We provide legal advice and represent companies and individuals in all matters related to the so called ?cyber crimes?, such as damage, burglary, and theft of signals; breach of confidentiality, and unlawful access to databases. We regularly advise companies that provide Internet, cable and satellite television services, thus enabling us to gain hands-on experience in this specialization field.

With a view to improving this practice, in June 2017, we merged with Vidal Albarrac?n law firm, with over thirty years of experience in legal and operational areas in Foreign Trade and Customs Law, thus expanding the services of our Criminal Customs Law Division, in charge of attorneys H?ctor Guillermo Vidal Albarrac?n, Guillermo Vidal Albarrac?n and Santiago Vidal Albarrac?n.

Current methods of foreign trade create new ways of committing crime that require, for defense purposes, interdisciplinary customs, foreign exchange, and tax-related knowledge.

Legal advisory services cover both individual and corporate criminal liability of importers, exporters, customs brokers or forwarders, and customs clearance agents, with respect to customs crimes and infringements, along with their disciplinary consequences. It also includes acting as legal representatives and counsel in order to challenge regulations and standards that are true limitations on foreign trade and hinder the operators? rights to engage in free trade.

Our firm provides preventive legal advisory services in criminal matters for the protection of the environment and we also take the defense of criminal suits filed with federal courts all over Argentina for infringements of Law No. 24,051 on Hazardous Waste. In addition, we provide legal representation to companies in misdemeanor cases involving environmentally hazardous behavior.

Durrieu Abogados has handled numerous judicial cases related to financial and capital market transactions. Moreover, we represent individuals and legal entities in cases pending before the Argentine Central Bank involving the so-called “foreign exchange crimes”.

We provide legal advice to individuals, foreign states as well as domestic and international companies regarding the production of evidence in criminal cases filed with foreign courts, extradition and international cooperation formalities, filings before the Inter-American Commission and Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court, and regarding the study of criminal jurisdiction to hear complex matters occurred in different territories.

We are also qualified to develop programs for the prevention of fraud crimes, corruption and justice administration, intended for governmental offices and international agencies, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In this regard, we have handled cases concerning political asylum or refuge.

We regularly work with consulates, acting in the defense of foreign individuals? or legal entities? interests. In this regard, we have been listed by the American and French Foreign Affairs Offices in Argentina as recommended lawyers.

In this field, Durrieu Abogados regularly represents individuals as well as domestic and international corporations. Moreover, our lawyers have attended congresses and have lectured at business organizations, audit groups, and professional associations in reference with topics in this special field.

Following the passage of Law No. 27,401, legal entities are attributed liability for corruption acts committed by any of their employees, third parties (e.g. suppliers or subsidiaries) and for acts committed by acquired companies.

Likewise, there is an increasing number of laws that are enforced in extraterritorial jurisdictions?such as the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)?. Therefore, companies doing business in Argentina must not only comply with domestic laws but also with those enacted in other countries.

Our team of lawyers has a long track record in providing advice on corruption acts committed in Argentina along with international expertise on the application of extraterritorial rules.

We at Durrieu Abogados are familiar with rules on minor offenses and misdemeanors, involving penalties such as fines, closure of premises and debarment from business, among others. Minor offenses and misdemeanor regulations in the City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Buenos Aires have greatly increased over the last years due to the delegation of powers to investigate on certain crimes.

Durrieu Abogados represents clients in the prevention and litigation of all and any cases of fraud. The law firm is a member of ICC Fraudnet, a network of lawyers specializing in fraud and asset recovery.

We also represent corporations that undergo leaks in confidential information, fraudulent management and other crimes committed by disloyal employees, providers or distributors, to name a few.

We coordinate internal investigations in compliance with procedure protocols in the strictest confidence. We work in collaboration with a team of accounting investigators and information technology specialists to adequately preserve collected evidence. We also conduct background checks on the parties involved, among other private investigation activities.

Once a crime is committed, we have a skilled team of experts in place to conduct internal investigations in strictest confidence while striving to respect the employees? or providers? guarantees. For such purpose, we work in collaboration with a team of accounting and information technology experts in the forensic area for the purposes of preserving, recovering, and processing collected evidence.

As we are specialist lawyers in criminal matters we are in a better position to identify those criminal risks (fraud, corruption, etc.) to which companies are subject and how to deal with them.

In this regard, Partner Nicol?s Durrieu advised the Argentine Senate on the final drafting of Law No. 27,401 on criminal liability of legal entities for acts of corruption.

He was Co-Director of the Book of Compliance and Anti-Corruption and Corporate Criminal Liability published by La Ley/ Thomson Reuters in 2018. In this regard, the Anti-corruption Office generally relied on this document when upon issuing the implementing rules of Law No. 27,401.

He published “Corporate Investigations in Argentina 2019” in the ICLG journal. Partner Nicolas Durrieu is currently Co-Director of the Compliance Program of La Ley / Thomson Reuters.

We have been involved in significant precedents in this matter, including domestic and international cases, as money laundering often has transnational connections.

We file criminal complaints and act as defense counsel in proceedings involving this crime, which is frequently associated to the crime of corruption and fraud as predicate offenses.

Likewise, we defend parties subject to the imposition of sanctions by the Argentine Financial Information Unit (UIF), pursuant to Law No. 25,246 (as amended by Law No. 26,683).

At Durrieu Abogados we believe that the legal practice is a useful tool to ensure access to justice and to promote greater social equality. For that reason, our pro bono activities are one of the core values of our firm.

Pro Bono Commission and Federal Network

In May 2017, we joined the Pro Bono Work and Public Interest Commission of the Lawyers’ Association of the City of Buenos Aires (www.probono.org.ar). Through the Commission, we have participated in criminal suits referred to us by the Centers for Access to Justice (CAJ) of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, located inside the 31 and 21-24 settlements and La Boca neighborhood.

Moreover, within the framework of this Commission, Durrieu Abogados is part of the Pro Bono Federal Network which operates as a link between individuals and entities in need of pro bono services and the professionals who provide them throughout Argentina.

Durrieu Abogados is a member of ICC-Fraudnet, the oldest and most prestigious international network of lawyers specialized in recovery of assets which derive from criminal conduct. This represents a competitive advantage as we are able to promptly take action for recovery of assets in foreign jurisdictions.

For illustrative purposes, below is a list of the services provided:

We conduct national and international investigations to detect the assets and straw persons.
We request the relevant precautionary measures for asset freezing, both in Argentina and abroad, through the Fraudnet network.
We claim for civil damages in criminal proceedings.
We have broad experience in dealing with prosecutor?s offices, security forces and controlling bodies specialized in this field.

MEMBERSHIP

CONTACT

Av. Córdoba 1309, Floor 6B
C1055AAD Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tel: 54 11 4811 8008
Emergency contact: 54 9 11 5000 0101

durrieu@durrieu.com.ar