M aría José Pinillos Montaño

María José ‘s practice focuses mainly on the representation of insurers, reinsurers and other insurance related entities including brokers. Since 2005, she has extensively advised and assisted insurance companies in a broad array of matters including applications to obtain business licenses, M&A, corporate reorganizations, transfer of portfolio and liquidation, as well as day-to-day- regulatory compliance including the drafting of corporate resolutions and registration of insurance policies.

Ms. Pinillos has also advised insurers and reinsurers regarding the interpretation of insurance policies on coverage opinions and dispute resolutions.

María José has had a close involvement in the development, implementation and compliance of Solvency II Corporate Governance regulations (effective in Mexico as of April 2015 for insurance and surety companies).

Prior to joining the Firm in 2016, María José worked for two years as Head of the Legal  Department of the Mexican insurance affiliate of Pan-American Life Insurance Company, gaining inside knowledge of the insurance business. During that time, her responsibilities included: following up on regulatory compliance, including data protection; internal control and anti-money laundering oversight; review of claims; and the relationship with the legal departments of the National Insurance and Bonding Commission (Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas) (“CNSF”)  and the Protection and National Defense of the Financial Services’ Users Commission (Comisión Nacional para la Protección y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros). She also acted as secretary of the board of Directors and Secretary for the internal committees of the insurance company including the Audit Committee.

Her expertise allows her to combine her deep understanding of the insurance industry with a strong business oriented perspective providing bespoke solutions.

She has also been appointed as alternate independent member of the board of directors of insurance companies.

María José was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She received her law degree from Universidad Anáhuac México Norte with a merit scholarship and graduated with honors in 2005. She also has a Postgraduate Degree on Insurance and Surety Transactions from the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City in 2015. Since 2011se has been authorized to register insurance products with the National Insurance and Bonding Commission.

She is fluent in Spanish, English and speaks rudimentary Catalan.