Rebecca L. Castaneda

Practice Summary

Skilled in high-level negotiations and diplomatic relations, Attorney Castaneda represents clients, including politicians and government officials, in international business matters, federal criminal defense, asset seizure and forfeiture claims, civil litigation, and cryptocurrency compliance. Rebecca Castaneda is a former federal prosecutor and former special operations and maritime law attorney in the United States Coast Guard. As a federal prosecutor in the Middle District of Florida, Attorney Castaneda prosecuted over $2.3B in international drug trafficking and money laundering cases. Her areas of expertise include international law, foreign bilateral and multilateral agreements, treaty law, maritime law enforcement, international extradition, matters involving the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and mutual legal assistant treaties (MLATs). She is admitted to the List of Assistants to Counsel of the International Criminal Court, The Hague, The Netherlands, and is qualified to be chosen by defense counsel or legal representatives of victims in proceedings before the International Criminal Court. Attorney Castaneda represents those charged with federal crimes and those facing extradition to and from the United States. She advises those facing charges of war crimes including allegations of murdering the heads of state; participation in the Bosnian War; and participation in the Colombian conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Attorney Castaneda advises clients in international business matters and investments as well as in the areas of cryptocurrency investigations, compliance, regulation and project development. Attorney Castaneda served for six years on active duty and continues to serve as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. While on active duty, Attorney Castaneda served in the Office of Legal & Defense Services, the Office of Maritime & International Law, and on a special assignment with the Department of Justice. Attorney Castaneda was the primary legal advisor to the Offices of Cutter Forces, Boat Forces, Aviation Forces, Maritime Security Response, and the Office of Defense Operations-Counterterrorism, where she advised program management, senior leadership, Atlantic Area and Pacific Area Commands, and United States Coast Guard District offices regarding the legality of international agreements, and domestic and international authorities of United States Coast Guard operations.