Asst. U.S. Attorney Barbara Martinez Brings Human Trafficking Prosecution Experience to Holland & Knight
MIAMI (March 30, 2020) – After nearly 20 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, Barbara Martinez has joined Holland & Knight as a senior consultant. She will be a member of the firm’s Global Compliance and Investigations Team, which advises clients on white collar legal issues and includes a focus on advising companies on compliance with federal and state human trafficking laws.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Barbara on our team,” said Wifredo Ferrer, Executive Partner of Holland & Knight’s Miami office and leader of the firm’s Global Compliance and Investigations Team. “Her substantial work in prosecuting human trafficking has distinguished her internationally, and she brings enormous credibility and gravitas to the subject. Her arrival fortifies our increasingly busy and thriving practice.”
Ms. Martinez was the chief of the Special Prosecutions Section for the U.S. Department of Justice, Miami U.S. Attorney's Office, Criminal Division. In this role she supervised a group that specializes in prosecuting child exploitation, human trafficking and violent crimes cases. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, where she teaches about human trafficking.
Prior to this position, Ms. Martinez worked as a deputy chief in the Special Prosecutions and Major Crimes Section and as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Economic Crimes Section. She has also worked for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and as an attorney in Texas. She received her J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
At Holland & Knight, Ms. Martinez will help companies create compliance plans that will detect and prevent their participation in human trafficking and other criminal schemes. She will participate in investigations and represent clients needing assistance in preventing, identifying and defending criminal and ethical matters.
“I’m delighted to join my former colleague, Willy, and the other members of Holland & Knight’s impressive Global Compliance and Investigations practice,” said Ms. Martinez. “I’m confident that I can bring significant value to the firm’s clients, especially those in the hospitality, tourism, agricultural and financial services industries, while continuing to fight the spread of human trafficking.”
Holland & Knight’s Global Compliance and Investigations Team is a multidisciplinary group of attorneys experienced in the laws and regulations affecting anti-corruption/anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, human trafficking, economic sanctions, anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, internal investigations and whistleblower retaliation protection. Its members include numerous former assistant U.S. attorneys and former senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice.