Juan C. Gonzalez Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Mastercard, specializing in intellectual property law, patents, and litigation.
Arghemar Pérez Sanguinetti Compliance professional at Mastercard focused on regulatory compliance, diversity, and Latino representation in the legal profession.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [02:10] Juan Gonzalez shares his journey from Ecuador to New York and his career as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Mastercard.
- [03:28] How Mastercard supports Latino legal professionals through its involvement with the Hispanic National Bar Association.
- [04:56] Why mentorship, representation, and paying it forward are essential to the next generation of Latino attorneys.
- [06:50] A humorous look at corporate brand loyalty and the competition between Mastercard and Visa.
- [09:30] Why trust, cybersecurity, and consumer protection are central to Mastercard’s mission.
- [10:41] How young attorneys can pursue in-house legal careers at global corporations.
- [12:05] How Mastercard connects banks, merchants, and consumers through a worldwide payment network.
- [14:25] The technology behind digital payments and how transactions happen in seconds.
- [15:41] How tokenization and cybersecurity help protect digital transactions and prevent fraud.
- [17:04] Why HNBA conferences create meaningful opportunities for Latino attorneys to connect and share experiences.
- [19:34] The guests’ closing advice: trust your instincts, follow your dreams, and learn from others.
In this episode…
Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Juan C. Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Mastercard, and Arghemar Pérez Sanguinetti, a compliance professional at Mastercard, for a conversation about corporate leadership, legal careers, diversity, and innovation.
Juan shares his journey from Ecuador to New York City, beginning his career as an engineer before attending law school at night. With nearly two decades at Mastercard, he reflects on his experience in intellectual property law, the importance of cultural perspectives, and the opportunities available to Latino attorneys in corporate legal departments.
The conversation also explores Mastercard’s global payment network, the technology behind digital transactions, and the growing importance of cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Both guests highlight Mastercard’s commitment to supporting the Hispanic National Bar Association and creating opportunities for the next generation of Latino legal professionals.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- David Arreguin on LinkedIn
- Mastercard
- Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)
Quotable moments
- “We believe in the mission. We believe in what they’re trying to accomplish.”
- “It’s a space where you can pay it forward.”
- “That’s really critical for young generations to see and actually have somebody to look up to.”
- “Trust is our north star.”
- “Having different perspectives from different countries and different cultures always adds value.”
- “Sometimes when you feel isolated in the workplace, you come here and you see people like you.”
- “It’s an enrichment of the culture coming together in the legal profession.”
- “Trust your gut.”
- “Follow your dreams. Learn and be inspired by what you see.”
Action steps
- Explore in-house legal careers. Research opportunities at global corporations and understand the qualifications needed to transition into corporate law.
- Use your unique background as a strength. Different cultures, experiences, and professional perspectives can bring valuable insights to legal teams.
- Build relationships through professional organizations. Participate in conferences and networking opportunities to connect with experienced attorneys and corporate leaders.
- Pay it forward. Share your knowledge, mentor younger professionals, and help create opportunities for future generations.
- Develop expertise in emerging technologies. Learn about intellectual property, cybersecurity, digital payments, and other growing areas of corporate law.
- Understand the business behind the law. Effective corporate attorneys need to understand how their companies operate, compete, and manage risk.
- Prioritize trust and consumer protection. Recognize the importance of compliance, security, and ethical practices in building strong businesses.
- Seek diverse perspectives. Collaborate with professionals from different backgrounds to strengthen decision-making and problem-solving.
- Trust your instincts and pursue your goals. Stay open to learning, take advantage of opportunities, and follow a career path that reflects your interests.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.