Jessica L. Soto
Counsel
Jessica Soto is counsel in Ropes & Gray’s Litigation and Enforcement practice group. She focuses on internal and government investigations and risk assessments for multinational companies. Her clients include medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, educational and religious institutions, financial services companies, portfolio companies, and individuals. Jessica advises her clients on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), U.S. Bankruptcy Code, state consumer protection statutes, and federal and state laws pertaining to sexual misconduct and workplace harassment. Jessica also advises clients regarding advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Jessica has been a member of several criminal and civil trial teams. In this role, she manages discovery, engages in motion practice, prepares clients and witnesses for interviews and testimony, takes and defends depositions, and develops trial strategy. Jessica also assists clients with alternative dispute resolution, including mediation.
Jessica maintains an active pro bono practice representing indigent defendants in federal criminal cases, survivors of child sex trafficking, and asylum seekers. In 2018, she traveled to the Texas border to meet immigrant families separated pursuant to the “zero tolerance” policy and continues to represent them through their immigration proceedings. Additionally, Jessica serves on multiple boards, including as Vice-Chair of Por Cristo, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health and well-being of underserved children and mothers in Ecuador.
During law school, Jessica was an extern at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, Domestic Violence Bureau and served as a research and teaching assistant for the Bureau Chief, Scott E. Kessler. Prior to attending law school, Jessica was a middle school teacher for three years.
Experience
- Conducted comprehensive review of non-profit association of journalists and photographers, including policies, membership processes, operations, and governance. Also reviewed the organization’s alignment with industry best practices in various areas, including racial inclusion. Work informed implementation of comprehensive, multi-year, diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.
- Represented organizations and individuals challenging government policies designed to rollback progress on inclusion at federal agencies and their contractors, securing a preliminary injunction against the government.
- Secured a dismissal with prejudice of a $30 million lawsuit against global venture capital firms.
- Advised a U.S.-based financial services company on tax matter and corresponding criminal investigation by foreign authorities into allegations of bribery and collusion. Tax matter resolved favorably and investigation closed without criminal charges.
- Conducted an internal investigation for a Chilean salmon farming company following accusations that it had reported false data and caused environmental damage.No criminal action taken against company.
- Represented a medical device manufacturer in federal investigations of compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. Resolved without penalties.
- Represented a pharmaceutical company in state consumer protection investigations related to direct-to-consumer advertisements. Favorable settlement reached.
- Represented health care company in qui tam action alleging violations of FCA and AKS. Favorable settlement reached.
- Represents multinational medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies in an FCPA investigation by domestic and international regulators. Favorable resolutions reached.
- Advising a multinational pharmaceutical company regarding allegations involving a clinical study site in Latin America.
- Conducting an internal investigation for a global life sciences company following seizure by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
- Advising a global life sciences company on ongoing investigations by Brazilian authorities into public tenders.
Publications
- Co-author, “DOJ & SEC FCPA Enforcement Developments in 2022,” Bloomberg (January 2, 2023)
- Co-author, “Updates to DOJ Corporate Enforcement Policies,” Bloomberg Law (October 21, 2022)
- Quoted, “Equity Audits Address Racism in the Workplace,” SHRM (August 9, 2022)
- Featured, “Equity Audits Address Racism in the Workplace,” Society of Human Resources Management (August 9, 2022)
- Profiled, “Law360’s 2022 White Collar Advisory Board,” Law360 (April 29, 2022)
- Co-author, “Racial Equity Audits Can Help Bridge the Gap Between Words and Actions,” New York Law Journal (March 23, 2022)
- Author, “The COVID-19 Landscape in Latin America, Over a Year Later,” Anti-Corruption Report (October 13, 2021)
- Co-author, “FCPA Resource Guide Second Edition in Practice,” The Anti-Corruption Report (January 20, 2021)
- Featured, “Ropes & Gray and Lambda Legal Secure Preliminary Injunction in Case Challenging Trump Administration Ban on Diversity Trainings,” Ropes & Gray Alert (December 23, 2020)
- Co-author, “The Controversial Conviction of the Citgo 6: a New Wave of Anti-Corruption Enforcement in Venezuela?” Ropes & Gray Alert (December 4, 2020)
- Co-author, “Cracks in the Foundation: Sargeant Marine Inc. Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Pay $16mm for Bribery Schemes,” Ropes & Gray Alert (September 23, 2020)
- Co-author, “Four Years and Almost $4 Billion: Airbus Corruption Investigations End with Sky-High Fine,” Ropes & Gray Alert (January 31, 2020)
Presentations
- Moderator, “On the Ropes: Enforcement Risk Roundtable—Argentina’s Foreign Exchange Controls and the Regulatory Risk to Companies in Argentina,” Ropes & Gray Podcast (May 18, 2022)
- Panelist, “Beyond Email: Fact Development in the Digital Age,” Boston Bar Association Webinar (April 12, 2022)
- Panelist, “COVID-19 Landscape of Latin America, One Year Later,” Cafecito con Ropes & Gray Virtual Roundtable Series (May 26, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, “Unconscious Bias: Understanding and Interrupting Its Effects,” Annual Women in Law & Leadership Summit (May 16, 2018)
- Keynote Speaker, “Healing, Hope and Justice: An Advanced Conversation,” Annual Massachusetts Children’s Alliance Conference (May 1, 2018)
- Panelist, I am Jane Doe, Screening in Massachusetts (August 1, 2017)
- Panelist, I am Jane Doe, Screening in Wisconsin (May 23, 2017)
Education
- JD, Columbia University School of Law, 2011; editor, Columbia Law Review
- BA, cum laude, honors in both majors, Yale University, 2005
Admissions / Qualifications
Qualifications
- Massachusetts, 2011
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 2015
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 2014
Awards
- Hispanic National Bar Association – Top Lawyers Under 40 (2023)
- Latinvex – Latin America Rising Star (2022)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Ones to Watch in Criminal Defense: White Collar & Commercial Litigation (2021 – 2023)
