JUAN AZEL

PARTNER AND CHAIR OF THE FINTECH GROUP, WINSTON & STRAWN, MIAMI

Winston & Strawn is an international law firm with 14 offices in North America, South America and Europe. Azel joined Winston’s then-fledgling Miami office in 2022 and drove significant local and national growth by co-founding and co-chairing the firm’s FinTech, Banking and Payments Group. In May 2025, he was appointed as the group’s sole chairperson. “Digital banking has transformed the way consumers bank today and, perhaps most importantly, has significantly increased financial inclusion for many consumers who were previously ‘underbanked,’” he says.

EDUCATION: Florida International University (BS), University of Miami (JD)

FIRST JOB: Throughout my undergrad studies at Florida International University (FIU), I worked in the family business — duty-free retail and wholesale operations.

MENTEE IMPACT: In one particular mentee, I awakened a love for regulatory law. Not exactly the number one reason young people go to law school! However, this mentee understood that when enacted with the proper purpose, regulations — particular banking regulations — are there to protect us, the consumer and our country.

HOBBY: I love all things marine. Boating, fishing, scuba diving — you name it.