2020 Latin American Compliance Conference

Benton (Ben) Curtis is a former federal prosecutor and accomplished trial lawyer who serves as the co-head of McDermott Will & Schulte's global white-collar and government investigations practice. He draws upon his experience to advise clients on regulatory enforcement and white-collar criminal matters, internal investigations, and due diligence regarding third-party and business transactions. Ben’s efforts touch on both US and cross-border matters, and they often entail providing contemporaneous guidance as to the design, testing, and implementation of compliance programs.

Ben regularly represents clients before, and in litigation against, government agencies, including clients accused of healthcare fraud, kickback violations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, money laundering, and securities fraud. He likewise regularly helps corporate and individual victims seek redress through civil litigation and, when appropriate, the criminal justice system.

Over his career, Ben has tried more than 25 federal jury trials in district courts around the country, and he leans into that experience when counseling his clients in high-stakes matters. Ben’s capabilities stem, in large part, from his previous 10 years with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which included extended stints in Miami, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. In his last position, Ben served for almost five years as an Assistant Chief in DOJ’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, where he supervised numerous large-scale healthcare fraud investigations and prosecutions around the country. He also oversaw significant FCPA investigations related to the entertainment and gaming industries in Asia and a number of insider trading and high-yield investment matters.

Michael Silva focuses his practice on international tax law, with an emphasis on US investment structures, cross-border transactions, tax treaty planning and US activities of foreign banks. He has significant experience forming investment funds and advising family offices. Michael currently serves as head of the Miami Tax practice and co-head of the Latin America practice.

Michael also advises Brazilian and Asian investors on investments in US real estate projects, and assists multinational corporations on establishing a business presence in the United States.

Maintaining an active private client practice, Michael regularly advises families on trusts and private trusts companies and other techniques to transfer wealth and business assets. Michael advises foreign clients on the US income, estate and gift tax consequences of alternative inbound investment structures while utilizing income, estate and gift tax treaties to minimize tax and regulatory burdens. He coordinates the formation of foreign trusts, corporations and advises clients the US reporting requirements imposed on foreign trusts with US beneficiaries. Michael also assists international banks and trustees on dealing with US clients.

Michael represents financial institutions, insurers, broker-dealers, custodians, funds, fund advisers and managers, trust companies and other financial intermediaries in connection with the requisite protocols and procedures to validate compliance with FATCA requirements.

Michael is board-certified by the Florida Bar in Tax Law and in International Law, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Michael previously served as adjunct professor of Law in the University of Miami Law School Graduate Tax Program.