Bar Admissions

• Texas
• Pennsylvania

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Texas
• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Education

Juris Doctor, summa cum laude,
Widener University School of Law, Delaware, 2008

B.A. Political Science, summa cum laude, California State University-Bakersfield, California, 2004

Representative Experience

Represented client in multi-million dollar M&A technology deal involving multiple parties from multiple jurisdictions.

Represented Latin American software company in its expansion to the United States market, counseling the client in connection with formation of legal entity, regulatory matters, and general business law and contractual issues.

Served as General Counsel to middle-market professional services company with affiliates and subsidiaries in every continent of the world.

Acted as U.S. general counsel to an international software company, assisting the company with all of its contractual needs, including drafting, revising, and editing the company’s contracts.

Counseled a U.S.-based outsourcing company in connection with regulatory aspects of international data transfers.

Counseled U.S. company in connection with acquisition of majority stake in Mexican telecom company.

Counseled U.S. company in connection with negotiation of contractor agreements in Mexico.

Represented U.S. company in critical negotiations involving Latin American affiliate employee matters, working closely with local counsel.

Negotiated commercial leases on behalf of clients leasing space from major U.S. real estate companies.
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Drafted Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Corporate Ethics policies for companies involved in international business transactions.
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Assisted multiple international companies in connection with commercial disputes involving U.S. parties and foreign parties.

Additional Experience

Gabriela started her career as an associate at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, where she represented clients, among other cases, in high profile federal court litigation (including multi-district litigation), taking and defending depositions, and arguing motions in court. She also counseled clients in connection with cross-border agreements and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. At Stradley Ronon, Gabriela was a founding member of the firm’s Spain and Latin America Practice Group, dedicated to serving clients involved in the U.S. and Latin America.

Gabriela also worked as Project Counsel to several Dallas area companies, assisting them in projects involving analysis of international company data, negotiation of international contracts, and regulatory aspects of doing business abroad.

Professional Recognition

Chair’s Award, International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas – Houston, Texas (2016 and 2018).​

Immigrant Professional Excellence Award in Professional Services Category – Dallas, Texas (2017).​

Pacesetter Quality and Excellence Award 2016, awarded by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Dallas, TX.​

La Cima Award, Entrepreneur Leader 2016, awarded by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Dallas, TX.​

Chair’s Award, 2016, awarded by the State Bar of Texas International Law Section.

Nominee for the Telemundo 2015 Hispanic Business Salute Award, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Dallas, TX.

Nominee for the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

First Judicial District of Pennsylvania “Roll of Honor” (2008-2010) – Philadelphia, PA.

Academic Credentials

Gabriela graduated summa cum laude from Widener University School of Law, ranking in the Top 2% of her class (4/273). While in law school, Gabriela was Senior Editor of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law and obtained a number of achievements, including being Vice President of the Latin American Law Student Association and achieving Honors in various courses. At Widener Law, Gabriela was the recipient of the “Dean’s Award,” which is awarded to the graduating student who demonstrated “outstanding legal aptitude, exemplary service, significant leadership skills, and the potential to become an outstanding member of the legal community.”

While in law school, Gabriela was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition and achieved excellence certificates in numerous courses.

Prior to law school, Gabriela obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, graduating summa cum laude from California State University—Bakersfield. At Cal-State, Gabriela was a recipient of the Hispanic Excellence Scholarship and was elected “Outstanding Graduating Senior” in Political Science. Gabriela also completed one year of law school coursework at Universidad Catolica Boliviana in Cochabamba, Bolivia, completing numerous civil law foundational courses.

Memberships and Activities

Secretary, International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (2018-2019)

Advisory Board Member, 4word Women (Non-Profit 2018-2019)

Council Member, International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (2016-2018)

Board of Directors, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2017)

Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee, Secretary, Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (2016-2018)

International Concierge Committee, Richardson Chamber of Commerce (past)

Corporate Advisory Council, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (past)

Board Member, Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (past)

Board Member, Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania – Legal Education Fund (past)

Recent Presentations

Intellectual Property Rights in Mexico, Moderator, Annual Trip of State Bar of Texas International Law Section, Mexico City, Mexico (2019)

Entrepreneurship, Panelist, Latina Style Magazine Business Series Dallas, Texas (2019)

FCPA Compliance, Presenter, Annual Institute, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, Houston, Texas (2018)

International Business in Europe and Latin America, Panel Moderator, Nuts and Bolts of International Law – Dallas, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, Dallas, Texas (November 2017).

FCPA: Compliance and Ethical Obligations of Lawyers, Nuts and Bolts of International Law – Dallas, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, Dallas, Texas (November 2017).

Money Making Licensing, Dallas Start-Up Week, Dallas, Texas (April 2017).

Story of a Latina Lawyer in the U.S., Newcomer Academy, Irving, Texas (January 2017)

The Pillars of a Successful International Deal (Panelist), Fourth Annual Nuts and Bolts of International Law-Dallas, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, Dallas, Texas (November 2016).

TX LEAD: Multi generational-Multicultural Panel (Millennial Panelist), Yum Brands Plano HQ, Plano, Texas (August 2016).

What Type of License do You Need for Your Next Software Deal? Why One–Size-Fits-All is Not for You, Dallas Startup Week, Dallas TX (April 12, 2016).

Money, Business, and Globalization: FCPA Basics for Small Business, UT Arlington (February 2016).

Legal Tips for Successful Contract Negotiations with U.S. Customers in 2016 (Webinar), Dallas, Texas (January 26, 2016).

International Lawyer Panelist, Baylor Law School, Waco, Texas (January 2016)

Conducting Business in Foreign Markets: An Overview of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Richland College, Dallas, Texas (November 2015)

Regulatory Aspects of International Data Transfers, SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, Texas (October 2015)

Exporting Software to the United States (Spanish) Fundacion ExportAr & Ministerio de Industria de la Republica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina (August 2015)

Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the U.S. (Spanish), La Plata HUB & Distrito Informatico del Gran La Plata, La Plata, Argentina (July 2015)

Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the U.S. (Spanish), Camara de Empresas de Software & Servicios Informaticos de la Republica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina (July 2015)

Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Texas, Accion Texas, Dallas, Texas (July 2014)

Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Texas, Accion Texas (Spanish) Dallas, Texas (November 2014)

Professional Publications

Gordon, Benjamin and Arce de Smith, Gabriela, The Good, the Bad, and the Northern Andes: Current International Arbitration Trends in Latin America, Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation, Vol. 30, No. 5, May 2012, at 106.

Arce de Smith, Gabriela, The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: What Your Business Needs to Know, Metro. Corp. Counsel, Nov. 2010, at 10.

About Gabriela

Gabriela’s passion for international legal work stems from her personal background and experiences in several countries. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she lived until her early teen years. During most of her teenage years, she lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, where she graduated from Tiquipaya High School and completed three semesters at the law program of Universidad Catolica Boliviana in Cochabamba. In 2001, Gabriela moved to the U.S. and completed her higher education.

Gabriela is fluent in Spanish and is conversant in Portuguese. She is an active member of the community and enjoys volunteering at Gateway Church in Frisco, Texas.