CORAL GABLES, Fla. (March 15, 2022) – The University of Miami School of Law's Inter-American Law Review has named Wifredo A. Ferrer, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and chair of Holland & Knight's Global Compliance and Investigations Team and the executive partner of the firm's Miami office, as the Annual Lawyer of the Americas.
"Wifredo Ferrer was an easy choice for the Lawyer of the Americas Award,” said Alexa Garcia, editor in chief of the law review. “A son of Cuban immigrants, Mr. Ferrer's extensive experience and commitment to public service is truly inspiring. The Inter-American Law Review is excited to honor this brilliant and kind individual."
Each year, the editors of the Inter-American Law Review single out for the honor a prominent and respected member of the legal community who has made significant contributions in the burgeoning field of international and inter-American law. Judge Adalberto Jordan, J.D. '87, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, will present the award.
Ferrer focuses his practice primarily on internal corporate investigations, corporate compliance and training, and white-collar criminal defense. He counsels and defends corporations and individuals in a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters, including allegations involving bribery and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, complex fraud, financial improprieties, securities law violations, healthcare fraud, false claims, cybercrime, and government contract fraud.
Ferrer served for nearly seven years as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. President Barack Obama nominated Ferrer, who received unanimous U.S. Senate confirmation in April 2010.
As U.S. Attorney, Ferrer supervised some of the most complex and noteworthy prosecutions handled by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under his leadership, the U.S. Attorney's Office brought more than 11,000 cases and charged more than 18,000 defendants for their alleged roles in criminal schemes. His office prosecuted a wide range of financial fraud, including investment fraud, securities fraud, fraud against the U.S. government, and Medicare fraud. He also supervised cases involving international and domestic terrorism, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, violent crime, identity theft, tax fraud, and human trafficking.
The Wednesday, March 30, 2022, event will be at 6:30 p.m. on the Coral Gables campus at the Kislak Center, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida.
The event is free and open to the public with preregistration.
Masks are no longer required in indoor spaces on the Coral Gables campus. Individuals who wish to wear a mask for their protection are encouraged to do so. For the latest COVID-19 guidance at the University of Miami, visit https://coronavirus.miami.edu/index.html.
For more information, contact Farah Barquero at fbarquero@law.miami.edu.
