Nereida Melendez-Rivera

Practice Overview 

• Internal Investigations & White-Collar Defense
• Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Energy Industry Investigations, including False Claims Act matters
• Government Investigations & Enforcement
• Subpoena Response (Administrative & Grand Jury)
• Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance
• Cross-Border Investigations (Latin America, Central America & Caribbean)

Nereida Meléndez is a seasoned investigations lawyer and former federal prosecutor, currently serving as the Latin America regional co-leader of DLA Piper's Internal Investigations and White-Collar Defense practice, including healthcare investigations and defense in government enforcement matters. She brings extensive experience leading complex, high-stakes investigations across Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with a focus on helping multinational corporations navigate legal exposure in high-corruption and high-risk environments.

Fluent in English and Spanish, and with working knowledge of Portuguese, Nereida is skilled at managing cross-border matters that require cultural fluency, strategic judgment, and regulatory sensitivity. Over her career, she has successfully directed hundreds of internal investigations involving anti-corruption (FCPA), healthcare fraud, False Claims Act matters, fraud, money laundering, and other white-collar issues, often in coordination with enforcement authorities. She is also experienced in responding to administrative and federal Grand Jury subpoenas.

Clients consistently commend her ability to uncover critical insights and translate them into clear, actionable reports for both legal and business stakeholders. With her prosecutorial precision, regional expertise, and trusted leadership, Nereida is widely regarded as a go-to advisor for companies with operations throughout the region. She also represents individuals and entities in white collar criminal defense matters involving healthcare and government program fraud.