U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra rejoins Winston & Strawn

Winston & Strawn has announced the return of Julissa Reynoso to the law firm, where she will assume the position of partner in the New York office and will be part of the Litigation team. The lawyer, politician and diplomat had been a partner at the firm from July 2017 through December 2020.

Julissa Reynoso

Julissa returns to the firm following her tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, a role she held from January 2022 to July 2024, the first woman to hold that position.

In her role as ambassador, Julissa managed U.S. economic, political, and security and defense affairs in Spain and Andorra, working closely with multiple U.S. federal agencies. She was also a strong advocate for U.S. companies in Spain and promoted Spanish business investment in the U.S., achieving record numbers. During her tenure, Spain hosted the 2022 NATO summit and chaired the Council of the European Union from July to December 2023.

Prior to her appointment as Ambassador, Julissa held senior positions in the White House, including as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden. In these roles, she managed a variety of domestic and international affairs. In addition, she served as co-chair of the Gender Policy Council, the first council in the Executive Office of the President dedicated to gender equity and equality policymaking.

During Obama’s presidency, Julissa served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and later as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay.

Transnational matters

Julissa will focus on complex commercial litigation, enforcement of regulations issued by state authorities, international arbitration and cross-border disputes. She will also provide strategic advice and risk analysis to U.S. and international clients in the management of transnational matters.

“Julissa’s exceptional track record in international relations will provide significant value to Winston’s clients,” said Peter Crowther, managing partner and head of international affairs. He added, “Julissa’s network of international contacts will be critical in providing advice to their businesses internationally, including in the United States.”

Steve D’Amore, president of Winston, said, “It is with great pride that we have followed Julissa’s success in the public sector, and we are proud to welcome her back to Winston. Continuing with his statement, D’Amore emphasized: “Julissa is a clear example of the global talent that Winston cultivates, thanks to a culture that promotes cooperation between the different teams of the firm, the implementation of mentoring programs and specialized attention to client needs”. Finally, he concluded: “Winston’s main objective is to think and act as a global unit and Julissa will be a key player in achieving this”.