Attorney Alfonso Cabanas

Alfonso Cabañas, the founding criminal defense lawyer of Cabañas Law Firm, practices criminal defense in the United States. His trial experience includes a variety of federal white-collar, drug, and state criminal defense cases. Complementing his United States practice is Mr. Cabañas' international criminal defense and international business cases. With a focus in Mexico and Latin America, Mr. Cabañas has become a highly-skilled attorney sought after by many international clients. His practice combines the attention to detail and insight of a business lawyer with the aggressive courtroom presence of an experienced criminal defense attorney in San Antonio. As a bilingual lawyer, he is prepared to represent English- and Spanish-speaking clients in both the U.S. and Mexico. Call today for a case consultation!

Education

St. Mary's University Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.) 2006
Baylor University BBA 2002

Associations

State Bar of Texas, International Law Section: Board Member 2015 – 2019
State Bar of Texas, Hispanic Issues Section: Board Member 2014 – 2019
State Bar of Texas, Immigration and Nationality Law Section: Board Member 2014 – 2019
Texas Young Lawyers Association Vice President: 2011 – 2012

Awards

Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers 2018
Best Lawyer in San Antonio Scene in SA Magazine 2012
Rising Star Scene in SA Magazine 2011

Attorney Profile

I represent domestic and international clients with their litigation and transactional legal issues. Additionally, I advise and represent corporate and individual clients (domestic and international) who are facing government investigations into their business practices. Moreover, if such government investigations turn into federal criminal complaints, I also represent the clients in federal courts. I have a team of bilingual and bi-cultural employees working with clients daily.

I have has litigated in the following federal and state courts:

• S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
• S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
• Bexar
• Caldwell
• Comal
• Dallas
• El Paso
• Frio
• Harris
• Hidalgo
• Hondo
• Kendall
• Maverick
• Potter
• Travis
• Webb

Litigation Practice

The following is a sample of representative litigation matters:

• Representing a Mexico-based supplier of automotive parts in pending litigation in the Northern District of New York.
• Represented a Mexico-based supplier of automotive parts in mandatory mediation in New York.
• Represented a U.S.-based client in their premises liability litigation in Hidalgo County.
• Represented and advised a Mexico-based copper broker during their U.S. government investigation into a tax-avoidance business scheme.
• Represented and advised a Mexican client during their U.S. government investigation into bank fraud and money laundering with former Mexican-state governors.
• Represented a Mexican client during preliminary federal forfeiture proceedings and was successful in reversing the government's $14 million dollars forfeiture.
• Represented and advised a Mexican client charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering with a former Mexican-state governor. Obtained a successful result for the client that avoided a federal jail sentence.
• Represented and advised a Mexican client charged with a $66 million-dollar money-laundering scheme. Worked with Mexican attorneys in devising a strategy for parallel civil and criminal proceedings in Mexico before la Procuraduria General de la Justicia.
• Represented and advised a Mexican individual client, along with Mexico-based counsel, in pending proceedings before the Subprocuraduria Juridica y de Asuntos Internacionales.

Transaction Practice

The following is a sample of representative transaction matters:

• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $2 million-dollar acquisition of a U.S.-based industry competitor located in Minnesota.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $3 million-dollar real estate purchase in Travis County. Worked alongside their Mexico-based attorneys in developing a favorable tax strategy for the purchase of the real estate.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $6 million-dollar real estate purchase in Bexar County.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $8 million-dollar real estate purchase in Bexar County.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $2 million-dollar real estate purchase in Bexar County.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based client entity in their $1.5 million-dollar real estate purchase in Maverick County.
• Represented and advised a Mexican-based media company in their negotiations with the FCC to obtain a must-carry license to broadcast in the United States.
• Represented and obtained investment visas (L and E) for executive clients in Mexico.

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