Inspiring Women in Law: a conversation with Julissa Reynoso  

"The ability to understand others’ perspectives—whether as a lawyer or diplomat—is crucial for effective leadership"

As part of our Inspiring Women in Law series, we spotlight Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón—an attorney, diplomat, and trailblazer whose career spans the highest levels of public service and international legal practice.

Julissa´s path from the Dominican Republic to diplomatic and legal leadership is a testament to resilience, intellect, and purpose. As a partner at Winston & Strawn and former U.S. Ambassador to both Spain and Uruguay, Reynoso has seamlessly navigated the worlds of international law, diplomacy, and public policy. In this exclusive interview, she reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her worldview, the challenges and rewards of her diplomatic roles, and her continued passion for justice and advocacy through law.
Reynoso speaks candidly about her early life, her transition from public service back into private practice, and how her multicultural, multilingual background informs her leadership and legal strategy. From promoting diversity in diplomacy to navigating complex arbitration cases across Latin America, her story is one of breaking barriers and creating space for others to lead. This conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring lawyers, diplomats, and changemakers alike.

Latin Counsel: Julissa, what motivated you to pursue a career in law?

Julissa Reynoso: I have always been passionate about justice and the rights of people. I have always tried to promote what I consider justice, so I thought that the best way – and the best course– to do that, would be to attend law school and become a lawyer.

Latin Counsel: You grew up in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States as a child. How would you describe your early life, and what experiences do you think have most influenced your professional path?

Julissa Reynoso: I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. when I was seven years old. I grew up in a very large family, within a strong, robust, and supportive community—one where people took care of each other and responded to the needs of the neighborhood. There was a lot of sharing, collaboration, and mutual support. But there were also many challenges. There was poverty, and—at least in the Bronx—a high level of crime, along with a broader sense of injustice. All of those experiences shaped my childhood and influenced my interest in the work I ultimately chose to pursue.

Latin Counsel: Had you not pursued a career in law, what other path do you think you might have followed—and why?

Julissa Reynoso: I wanted to be a scientist! I was very good at math, so as a young person, I thought that might be my path.

Latin Counsel: You made history as the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Spain. What were the most significant challenges you faced in that role?

Julissa Reynoso: Spain was a very welcoming environment for me. I was working for President Biden, and that administration was deeply committed to promoting representation of the country in all its forms, so I felt very much at home working for the State Department. I had served at the State Department before, and the embassy community was very welcoming. Spain—the country and the government—was also extremely warm and thoughtful, so I honestly can’t think of any major problems.

Latin Counsel: You also served in Uruguay. How did that experience shape your perspective?

Julissa Reynoso: Yes, under President Obama I was Ambassador in Uruguay. It was a valuable experience that broadened my understanding of international diplomacy.

Latin Counsel: After working for the Biden administration, you returned to Winston & Strawn. What motivated you to re-join the firm?

Julissa Reynoso: I was at Winston before I joined the Biden Administration, so it was really a return to my roots and to my home. I literally have the same office I had before, I knew the partners, I knew the calibre of the lawyering, I knew the type of clients that we had, so it was a very natural and seamless transition because I was returning to a familiar environment.

Latin Counsel: How do you think your background in diplomacy and policy has influenced the way you approach legal challenges today?

Julissa Reynoso: Everything adds to your problem-solving capabilities. As a policy person and a government official—both as a policymaker and a diplomat or negotiator—you draw on all of these experiences. The brain works in a way that allows you to see problems from a much more multifaceted and nuanced perspective.

Everything I’ve done adds to my problem-solving skills. Diplomacy and policy work require seeing problems from multiple perspectives, which makes you a better lawyer and strategist. Plus, I still use my legal skills daily, whether in negotiations or legal analysis.

I was a lawyer, I am a lawyer, and I was also a lawyer while serving as a diplomat. You can’t stop being a lawyer, whether you’re practicing law or doing something else in your day-to-day life, your position, or your profession. So, as a diplomat, I definitely used my legal skills and way of thinking to hopefully be a better diplomat, a better administrator, and a better government official.

Latin Counsel: Now that you’re back at your law firm, do you feel a greater sense of freedom compared to your time in diplomacy?

Julissa Reynoso: It’s different, you know? As an ambassador, you are a diplomat, but you also have to manage an operation with many different components. It’s very diverse, ranging from issues involving agriculture and drug enforcement to the United Nations—it’s all over the map. So, you’re constantly learning about various topics and working to ensure that you’re advancing U.S. interests. It’s a very dynamic role. It´s very diverse.
Here at our firm, you’re also dealing with diverse cases, questions, and clients, but you’re not the principal. You’re not the ambassador, and you’re not in charge of an entire operation. Essentially, you’re servicing clients, offering advice rather than making the decisions.

Latin Counsel: Speaking of diversity, what changes have you observed regarding women’s participation in diplomacy and the legal sector, especially in Latin America?

Julissa Reynoso: I truly believe that, as a nation, we should represent and provide opportunities for all people, so we can reach a point where we are reflecting the country’s diverse experiences and viewpoints. I believe our way of thinking has evolved so much that it’s going to be very difficult to structurally return to any past time that some people may think we should go back to—and I don’t believe that’s the majority of people, especially not the majority of Americans.

The majority of Americans welcome integration, promotion, and the creation of opportunities. It’s not only the right thing to do, it also creates a richer environment, fostering great ideas, competition, and robust abilities. Now, you have more people with the capacity and the tools to be at the table. The more people who have those ideas and tools, the better the results you’ll achieve. It’s math—it’s a numbers game.

Latin Counsel: How has working in multicultural, multilingual environments impacted your leadership style?

Julissa Reynoso: I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to be in different environments and engage with people who have diverse ideas and experiences. I believe that it has helped me develop the ability to converse with all types of people, allowing me to be thoughtful, considerate, and better understand where they are coming from—so that I don’t judge. I strive to listen and learn from others’ experiences. The ability to understand others’ perspectives—whether as a lawyer or diplomat—is crucial for effective leadership.

Latin Counsel: Do you think that a common thread between being a lawyer and a diplomat is the ability to listen—whether it’s a client or someone from the broader community?

Julissa Reynoso: Yes, you definitely need to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, be thoughtful, and understand where they’re coming from. This allows you to either try to convince them to change their mind or genuinely learn from them and grow.

Latin Counsel: Do you think gender and cultural diversity enrich public policy and international diplomacy?

Julissa Reynoso: I hope so! I believe people’s identities are shaped by their experiences, and through those experiences, they can become more informed about their positions, ideas, and viewpoints. This, in turn, influences how we can solve complex problems.

Latin Counsel: Turning to your work as a disputes lawyer in Latin America, how crucial is international arbitration in resolving commercial disputes in the region, and what do you foresee for its future?

Julissa Reynoso: There are many opportunities and significant economic activity in Latin America, particularly in commercial sectors. As the world has become much more global, transactional, and transnational, there are many more contractual relationships. Given the differences in viewpoints and legal realities between investors, corporate partners, and shareholders, arbitration has increasingly become the preferred venue for resolving disputes. I believe that, for those of us in the arbitration world, there will always be work as long as global questions and transactions continue to arise.

Latin Counsel: Which jurisdictions are you currently most active in?

Julissa Reynoso: I currently have a lot going on in Mexico, where we are strategic partners, and there is a great deal happening there. We also work extensively with Central America and the Southern Cone. These regions have a vibrant legal and commercial landscape.

Latin Counsel: Do you believe it is still more challenging for women than for men in the legal profession, even when they possess the same talent and work ethic?

Julissa Reynoso: The numbers speak for themselves. We see that law school graduates are roughly equally distributed between men and women, yet many women choose to leave or not continue on the same career path. This isn’t always due to challenges; sometimes it’s a conscious decision to pursue other interests. That said, there are still perceptions that certain roles should be held by specific types of people. While we’ve made significant progress, there’s still work to be done.

Latin Counsel: To wrap up, what advice would you offer to young women aspiring to lead in traditionally male-dominated fields, particularly those working in the legal sector or with Latin America?

Julissa Reynoso: I think it’s essential to be open to creating your own path. Don’t feel compelled to follow the same route others have taken. Building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences is key because these connections can open doors and create opportunities. Also, be open to experiences that may not be the typical or expected path—sometimes those are the most rewarding.

Latin Counsel: Thank you, Julissa, for sharing your insights and experiences. It’s inspiring to hear how your background and career trajectory have shaped your impactful work.

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