Miriam González Durántez

Of Counsel, London, Washington, D.C.

+44 (0) 20 8037 2354

Miriam González Durántez advises clients on international trade and regulation, with a particular focus on European Union law and more recently issues arising globally from the possible departure of the UK from the EU (Brexit). Her practice also includes international sanctions, export control, and cross-border investigations. Miriam will work in Cohen & Gresser’s London and Washington, D.C. offices.

Miriam has been recognized by The Legal 500 UK for her work related to international trade law policy, Brexit, and investigations. The European Women in Business Law Awards 2017 named Miriam “Best in International Trade,” and she was recognized as one of the Financial Times & HERoes “Top 100 Female Champions” in 2018. Miriam was also listed in Euromoney’s Expert Guides in the Women in Business Law and International Trade categories.

Miriam is a frequent writer for British and Spanish publications including The Financial Times, the Times, The Independent, and El Confidential. She is a Member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and former Honorary President of Canning House.

Prior to joining C&G, Miriam served as co-chair of the International Trade and Government Regulation practice at Dechert in London. Previously, she spent seven years at the European Commission as a Senior Member of the Cabinet for EU External Relations Commissioners Chris Patten and Benita Ferrero-Waldner and as an EU negotiator to the World Trade Organization.

Miriam graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Valladolid in Spain and received a master’s degree in European Policy from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. She is the founder of Inspiring Girls International, a global organization which connects girls with female role models. Miriam is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

LESS

Miriam González Durántez advises clients on international trade and regulation, with a particular focus on European Union law and more recently issues arising globally…

Education

University of Oxford, St. Antony’s College (Senior Associate Member, 2006); College of Europe, Brügge, Belgium (M.A., 1993); University of Valladolid, Spain (Law, 1991)

Bar Admissions

England & Wales (Solicitor); Spain;
Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia, license pending

Activities and Affiliations

Member, European Council on Foreign Relations

Independent Member of the Supervisory Board and Vice Chair of the Board, UBS Europe SE

Member of the International Advisory Board, Instituto de Empresa

Member of the Board, ESADE Centre for Economic Policy and Political Economy

Member of the International Advisory Board, Duesto World Affairs and Strategic Issues

Member of the Editorial Board, Política Exterior

Chair, Founder, and Leader, Inspiring Girls International

Cohen & Gresser Recognized for Financial Services Strength and Extensive Trial Experience in The Legal 500 U.S. 2021 Guide

June 30, 2021 | News

International law firm Cohen & Gresser has been once again recognized in The Legal 500 United States. The 2021 guide highlights C&G for its financial services strength – emphasizing the firm’s “understanding of complex financial products and the operations of the financial services sector” – and its “extensive experience in jury and bench trials at the federal and state level.”

Client commentary highlights C&G as “a cut above” and “very effective at knowing their audience, staying on message, and telling a persuasive and winning story.”

The Legal 500 has recognized C&G in both the Advice to Individuals category and Advice to Corporates category of the Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense section. The guide notes the practice’s deep bench that “includes former federal and state prosecutors, and former in-house attorneys, many of whom are active litigators, and have unique experience of federal enforcement bodies.”

C&G has also been recognized in the General Commercial Disputes category. The practice stands out for its capacity to handle “a diverse range of commercial disputes across numerous industries, including finance, software, technology and healthcare” and its ability to “handle complex, sophisticated matters in a cost-effective manner.”

For the ninth consecutive year, C&G has been recognized by The Legal 500 in the Securities Litigation: Defense category for its “work on the defense of broker-dealers, investment advisors, hedge funds, and private equity funds in securities litigation and FINRA arbitrations.”

In addition, Mark S Cohen is once again ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” for Securities Litigation: Defense. One client describes Mark as “one of the best trial lawyers I have seen” and goes on to recognize him for his professionalism, responsiveness, excellent judgment, and high-quality work.

Recognized Practices:

Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
General Commercial Disputes
Securities Litigation: Defense

Recognized Individuals:

Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense

General Commercial Disputes

Securities Litigation: Defense

Miriam González Durántez Speaks to Law360 Regarding New Brexit Developments

March 20, 2019 | News

Miriam González is quoted in Law360 regarding the latest Brexit developments, noting that "sympathy appears to be growing in the EU for a longer postponement."

Coverage of the Addition of Miriam González Durántez

January 9, 2019 | News

Miriam González's move to Cohen & Gresser is featured in the following articles:

“Cohen & Gresser Takes on Another High-Profile Lawyer,” Global Investigations Review
“Ex-Dechert Trade, EU Law Pro Joins Cohen & Gresser,” Law360.com
“Ex-Dechert Int’l Trade Co-Chair Lands at Cohen & Gresser,” The American Lawyer
“Miriam González Durántez on Leaving London for Future-Facing California,” The Evening Standard
“Dechert’s Miriam González Finds a New Home After Exiting Firm," The Lawyer
“Clegg’s Wife Connects With Cohen & Gresser,” The Times
“González Brings Star Quality to Transatlantic Firm,” The Times
“Miriam González se incorpora al despacho Cohen & Gresser,” Expansión

Leading International Trade and Sanctions Attorney Miriam González Durántez Joins C&G

January 7, 2019 | News

Cohen & Gresser announces the expansion of its White Collar Defense & Regulation group with the appointment of leading international trade and sanctions attorney, Miriam González Durántez. Miriam will work in the London and Washington, D.C. offices and advise clients on international trade, with a particular focus on European Union regulation, including the departure of the UK from the EU (Brexit). Miriam’s practice also includes international sanctions, export controls, and cross-border investigations.

Brexit Means Brexit: No Agreement on Financial Services Equivalence

March 31, 2021 | Publication

Following several years of negotiations and political posturing, the United Kingdom left the European Union at the end of 2020. Throughout the negotiations, two issues, in particular, proved the most complicated: First was the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and second was the treatment and recognition of regulations in the Financial Services industry. So what’s next for Financial Services in the UK? This C&G client alert examines the phrase “Brexit means Brexit” and explores its implications to answer what’s next for Financial Services firms operating in both the UK and EU. The authors look at the requirements for both international and UK-based firms and offer guidance for potential next steps.

Brexit and Financial Services

January 20, 2021 | Publication

Although a detailed Brexit agreement has been reached between the UK and the EU on trade in goods and certain services, further work remains on the treatment of financial services. The EU must determine which UK financial rules and their applications will be deemed “equivalent” to EU rules, and therefore to what extent UK-based financial services firms will be able to operate in Europe.

EU Must Act to Profit from the UK’s Brexit Losses

January 12, 2021 | Publication

In this article for the Financial Times, Miriam González Durántez explains how the Brexit trade agreement could serve as a powerful catalyst for the European Union to become an accelerator of European businesses, not just a regulator of them, as it looks to compete with the United Kingdom post-Brexit. (Subscription required.)

UK and EU Strike Brexit Trade Deal

December 24, 2020 | Publication

On December 24, 2020, the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) reached a Brexit trade and partnership agreement after months of negotiations. The agreement avoids the possibility of a ‘chaotic Brexit’, but falls well short of ensuring the continuity of frictionless trade between the EU and the UK. In this C&G client alert, we briefly consider the regulatory impact this deal will have on various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, energy, education, and security and defense.

If Biden Wins, Boris Johnson Will Be Out in the Cold

October 27, 2020 | Publication

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez explores the current state of Brexit and the impact that the upcoming U.S. and French elections could have on a trade agreement between the UK and the EU.

This Negotiation Is Stacking Up to Be a Lose-Lose Game

February 20, 2020 | Publication

In an article for The Times, Miriam González Durántez argues that Brexit trade talks between the UK and the EU risk resulting in a lose-lose game. She notes that, while most trade negotiations typically benefit both sides, both parties in this case will unavoidably end up with worse market and regulatory access than they currently have.

After the Election, Spain Needs Political and Economic Reform

April 29, 2019 | Publication

Miriam González Durántez writes about the upcoming Spanish election in an article for the Financial Times.

Rethinking Our Sanctions Regime

March 4, 2019 | Publication

Miriam González Durántez and John W Gibson discuss the deal and no-deal implications for finance and sanctions following a “Brexit” in The Law Society Gazette.

UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation Issues First Fine

March 1, 2019 | Publication

John W Gibson and Miriam González Durántez discuss the parallels between the early enforcement of the Bribery Act 2010 and the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's first monetary penalty.