Ms. Montenegro Almonte's compliance practice focuses on the design and implementation of risk-based internal compliance programs for a wide range of companies. She designs and performs compliance audits and assessment, performs compliance due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic partnerships, and advises companies on the design of safeguards to mitigate compliance risks arising from complex business transactions and third-party engagements. Currently, Ms. Montenegro Almonte serves as an Independent Compliance Monitor on behalf of a regulatory agency in Massachusetts and recently served in a leadership role in a monitorship team in an FCPA disposition.
Before joining Miller & Chevalier, Ms. Montenegro Almonte was General Counsel for the North American and Latin American Division of gategroup, a global provider of products, services, and solutions related to the onboard experience of airline and rail passengers. In that role, she oversaw all legal affairs for eight of gategroup's subsidiaries and was the strategic advisor to the senior and executive management teams of the United States, Canada, and Latin America on all legal, regulatory, and employment matters arising in North America and Latin America. While at gategroup, Ms. Montenegro Almonte developed and implemented compliance programs across her Division, including on anti-corruption and employment. As Chair of gategroup's North American and Latin American Business Compliance Committees, she led a cross-functional management team to proactively manage compliance matters across the Americas.
Ms. Montenegro Almonte's roles as in-house and external counsel provide her unique experience and a broad perspective. She has first-hand experience in advising legal and business teams across multiple business lines, corporate functions, and jurisdictions, and swiftly triaging situations to minimize client exposure. Ms. Montenegro Almonte understands crisis management and protecting her clients' interests vis-a-vis multiple stakeholders.
Ms. Montenegro Almonte began her career as a litigation associate at two Am Law 100 firms. While at Harvard Law School, she served as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau.
Currently serving as Independent Compliance Monitor for Wynn Resorts/Encore Boston Harbor. Appointed in August 2019, pursuant to the April 13, 2019 Masachusetts Gaming Commission Decision & Order, In the Matter of Wynn MA, LLC, which mandates a full review and evaluation of Wynn's human resources policies and procedures, with a focus on sexual harassment and discrimination.
From 2017 to 2019, served in a leadership role on a compliance monitorship for an FCPA disposition, which mandated the review and assessment of hte company's anti-corruption compliance program, internal controls, record-keeping, and financial reporting policies and procedures as they relate to compliance with the anti-bribery, books and records, and internal accounting controls provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
2016 - Present: Miller & Chevalier, Member
- 2019-2023: Vice Chair & Member International Department
- 2023-Present: Chair, International Department; Practice Co-Lead, Workplace Culture & Conduct
2011 - 2016: Gate Gourmet, Inc., General Counsel, North America and Latin America
2010-2011: Gate Gourmet, Inc., Corporate Counsel, North America and Latin America
2003-2010: Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Associate
2001 - 2003: Arnold & Porter, Associate
Harvard Law School -- JD 2001
Columbia College, Columbia University -- BA 1998
Hispanic National Bar Association
Admitted to the NY and DC Bars