Negocios Now announces its inaugural list of 50 Powerful Latino Lawyers

Tifi Montero, Negocios Now

CHICAGO — Negocios Now announced today the selection of its 50 Powerful Latino Lawyers, a distinguished group of legal professionals who will be featured in the publication’s upcoming annual Who’s Who edition, to be unveiled during the traditional Who’s Who Gala, presented by Wintrust.

While Negocios Now has profiled Latino attorneys from the Chicago area on numerous occasions, this marks the first time the publication has brought together 50 of the region’s influential Latino lawyers in a single edition.

“We are proud to recognize an outstanding group of legal professionals, including judges, law firm partners, founders, and attorneys representing a wide range of practice areas,” said Clemente Nicado.  Their achievements, leadership, and commitment to their communities exemplify the growing impact of Latino attorneys throughout the region

Since its launch in 2014, the Who’s Who series has recognized hundreds of Latino leaders across a variety of industries, including business, corporate leadership, construction, real estate, finance, media, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and other sectors. The editions highlight the achievements and contributions of professionals who are making a significant impact in their fields and communities.

Meet the special honorees at Who’s Who Gala

The 50 Powerful Latino Lawyers edition will showcase attorneys whose leadership, professional accomplishments, and commitment to service have earned them recognition among the most respected members of the legal community.

The Who’s Who edition also profiles outstanding Latinos in Business, Construction, Corporate, Real Estate, Nonprofits, and Government. The complete list will be disclosed soon and published in the Who’s Who edition.

The special edition will be officially launched at the Negocios Now Who’s Who Gala, to be held on July 23 at Beau Chateau Banquet Hall. The event will bring together business leaders, legal professionals, community advocates, and supporters to celebrate the honorees and their achievements.

Below is the list of 50 Latino Lawyers:

1. Sergio Acosta | Akerman LLP | Co-Chair, White Collar Crime & Government Investigations
2. Geraldine Arruela | Arruela Law | Founder
3. Steve Avalos | Verano Holdings | VP and Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employee Relations
4. Karina Ayala Bermejo | Instituto del Progreso Latino | President & CEO
5. M. Mercedes Badia-Tavas | Barnes & Thornburg | Partner
6. Nora Becerra | K&L Gates | Healthcare Partner
7. Rocio Becerril | Law Office of RSB Ltd. | Immigration Lawyer
8. James Botana | Jackson Lewis P.C. | Partner
9. Ruben Castillo | Illinois Accountability Commission | Chair
10. Jorge Cazares | Tristan & Cervantes LLC | Partner
11. Salvador Cicero | THE CICERO LAW GROUP | Principal Attorney
12. Dora Cornelio | Tristan & Cervantes LLC | Senior Counsel
13. Marlen Cortez Morris | Abbott Laboratories | Labor & Employment Counsel
14. Julio Costa | Costa Ivone, LLC | Founding Partner – President, Hispanic Lawyer Association of Illinois
15. Alana De Leon | Law Office of Alana De Leon | Criminal Defense Attorney
16. John De Leon | John D. Leon and Associates | Attorney at Law
17. Eva Dina Delgado | Illinois General Assembly | Assistant Majority Leader & Co-Budgeteer
18. Pedro DeJesus | Tampico Beverages | EVP, General Counsel & Head of International Business
19. Gina Diaz | Diaz Case Law | Managing Attorney
20. Alexis Dominguez | Neal Gerber Eisenberg | Partner, Labor & Employment
21. Lisa Duarte | Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres | Partner & Co-Chair, Management Committee
22. Steve Flores | Cooley LLP | Partner
23. Marcelino Garcia | Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago | Commissioner & Chairman of Finance
24. Thomas Guzman | Sidley Austin LLP | Partner
25. Nicolas Guzman | Faegre Drinker | Partner, International Trade
26. Jose Isasi | Jones Day | Partner & Head of Litigation
27. Jorge Leon | Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Partner
28. Abad Lopez | Dykema | Partner
29. Elizabeth Lopez | United Airlines | Assistant General Counsel
30. Norma Manjarrez | Ogletree Deakins | Shareholder
31. Matthew Jorge | Marshall Gerstein | Partner
32. Cindy Medina Cervantes | Clyde & Co. | Senior Associate Attorney / HLAI Immediate Past President
33. Sulema Medrano | Dentons | Partner
34. Martin Montes | Barnes & Thornburg | Partner
35. Jorge Montes | Montes & Associates | Founder
36. Juan Morado Jr. | Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP | Partner
37. Noeli Serna | Serna Legal Services | Founding Attorney
38. Ernesto Palomo | Troutman Pepper Locke | Partner
39. Paulita Pike | Ropes & Gray | Managing Partner
40. Martin Quintana | Quintana Law Group | Managing Partner
41. Jesse Reyes | Illinois Appellate Court, First District | Justice
42. Juanita Rodríguez | JBR Law Group, LLC | Attorney & Founding Partner
43. Jesse Ruiz | Vistria Group | Partner, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer
44. Korina Sanchez | Third Coast Hospitality | Vice President & General Counsel
45. Brian Sanchez | Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP | Partner
46. Joseph Torres | Jenner & Block | Partner
47. Mario Treto | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | Secretary
48. Homero Tristan | Tristan & Cervantes LLC | Founding Partner
49. Estela Unzueta | Unzueta Law Group | Managing Partner
50. Diane Warner | Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP | Partner

For more information, email us at whoiswho@negociosnow.com

About Negocios Now is a leading Hispanic business publication based in Chicago, dedicated to highlighting the achievements, leadership, and impact of Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders across the United States. Founded in 2007, Negocios Now has become a trusted source of business news and professional recognition for the Latino community, with a strong focus on storytelling that elevates economic success, career advancement, and community contribution. The publication reaches a national audience through its print edition, digital platform, and signature programs, including the widely recognized Latinos 40 Under 40™ and Who’s Who series, which together have honored hundreds of influential Latino leaders across industries such as business, law, finance, healthcare, construction, media, and nonprofits. Through its editorial coverage, events, and multimedia platforms, Negocios Now continues to serve as a bridge between Latino professionals and the broader U.S. business ecosystem, amplifying the voices shaping the economy’s future.