Santiago Carregal: Latin Lawyer Law Firm Leader of the Year

Latin Lawyer is delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Law Firm Leader of the Year Award: Santiago Carregal of Argentine Elite firm Marval O'Farrell Mairal.  

Carregal became the chairman of Marval in 2017 and held the role until December 2025, when he passed the baton to IP partner Gustavo Giay.   

During his eight-year tenure at Marval, Carregal steered the firm through several challenging periods for Argentina’s economy, while also playing a pivotal role in democratising the firm's management election process and rolling out innovative technology.

Carregal helmed the firm throughout the covid-19 pandemic – a time during which the country experienced significant market downturn. Nonetheless, the partner spearheaded the outfit as it embraced more flexible fee structures and transitioned to remote working. Meanwhile, the former chairman also faced the difficult challenge of maintaining profitability at the firm whilst converting the outfit’s foreign currency fees at official exchange rates – often for a fraction of their real value.  

Under his tenure, Carregal also succeeded in steering the firm’s pivot between transactional and countercyclical work following Argentina’s 2020 foreign debt default, during which he presided over significant expansion efforts across multiple practice areas. Those expansion efforts have gained momentum in recent years. In 2025 alone, Marval bolstered its disputes, administrative law, IP, tax, regulatory and M&A practice groups through organic growth and strategic hiring.  

In a landmark move, Carregal democratised the firm’s governance whilst serving as chairman. Until 2023, Marval's management committee selected its own members. However, under a new system introduced by Carregal, all members of the partnership get a vote when electing its chairman, managing partner and committee representatives in firm-wide elections.  

The former leader of the firm was also instrumental in rolling out innovation across its offices. Not only did Carregal help build out marketing, business development and human resources capabilities from the ground up, but under his lead, the firm rolled out a comprehensive technology strategy incorporating AI and other digital tools, alongside management systems to enhance operational efficiency. 

Carregal also championed gender diversity heavily throughout his eight-year tenure. Between 2017 and 2025, the number of female partners doubled, with two joining the board. He also introduced maternity coaching programmes and raised awareness about women’s career advancement. 

The partner oversaw a successful expansion strategy under his leadership, growing Marval’s local and international footprint. Over the course of his tenure, the firm launched an IP-focused office in Uruguay and also formed a partnership with Salta-based Argentine firm Saravia Toledo Abogados to expand its presence into northwestern Argentina –  hiring Federico Saravia Toledo as an external consultant in 2024. Marval's former chairman also strengthened the firm’s global network through platforms including Lex Mundi, the Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género (ELA), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA).  

First arriving at Marval as a partner in 1997, Carregal joined after a two-year stint at the Buenos Aires office of global banking titan JP Morgan, where he held several in-house roles. His legal career began in 1979 at Carregal & Funes de Rioja, while he also spent time as a foreign attorney for A&O Shearman under its former name of Shearman & Sherling LLP. 

Carregal has a stellar reputation among clients and peers, who consider him one of Argentina’s leading corporate lawyers. Beyond his work in Argentina, he is a highly respected figure in the Latin American legal market. The former chairman’s ability to anticipate market trends and adapt to regulatory shifts proved pivotal in positioning Marval as trusted counsel for both local and international businesses operating in the country.  

Latin Lawyer will present Carregal with his award at its annual awards ceremony at the Rosewood Hotel in São Paulo on 7 May.