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Board of Directors
Silvia Marchili
Chair
Silvia M. Marchili focuses on complex international arbitration cases involving investment and commercial claims. She handles international arbitration and litigation matters involving Latin America and Africa, and a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, power, construction, mining, air transportation, and infrastructure. Silvia is bilingual and trained in both civil and common law.
With more than 15 years of experience, Silvia represents parties in investment arbitrations before international tribunals under the World Bank’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes Convention, as well as under other arbitration rules. In recent cases, she has obtained some of the largest ICSID Bilateral Investment Treaty awards ever received by foreign investors. An expert in investment arbitration, Silvia co-authored, with R. Doak Bishop, the treatise Annulment Under the ICSID Convention (Oxford University Press).
In commercial arbitrations, Silvia has represented parties in cases under the International Chamber of Commerce, London Court of International Arbitration, UN Commission on International Trade Law, Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, and Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association rules.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Silvia is fluent in Spanish and English, and has working knowledge of Italian and French, along with a basic understanding of German. She is a frequent author and speaker on arbitration and dispute resolution.
White & Case LLP
1200 Smith Street, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 496 9728
Fax: (713) 496 9701
Silvia M. Marchili focuses on complex international arbitration cases involving investment and commercial claims. She handles international arbitration and litigation matters involving Latin America and Africa, and a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, power, construction, mining, air transportation, and infrastructure. Silvia is bilingual and trained in both civil and common law.
With more than 15 years of experience, Silvia represents parties in investment arbitrations before international tribunals under the World Bank’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes Convention, as well as under other arbitration rules. In recent cases, she has obtained some of the largest ICSID Bilateral Investment Treaty awards ever received by foreign investors. An expert in investment arbitration, Silvia co-authored, with R. Doak Bishop, the treatise Annulment Under the ICSID Convention (Oxford University Press).
In commercial arbitrations, Silvia has represented parties in cases under the International Chamber of Commerce, London Court of International Arbitration, UN Commission on International Trade Law, Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, and Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association rules.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Silvia is fluent in Spanish and English, and has working knowledge of Italian and French, along with a basic understanding of German. She is a frequent author and speaker on arbitration and dispute resolution.
White & Case LLP
1200 Smith Street, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 496 9728
Fax: (713) 496 9701
Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta
Chair Elect
Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta is a litigator who handles international disputes and is based in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Clients rely on her experience to represent them in international arbitration proceedings in English and Spanish, and in litigation matters before U.S. federal and state courts in New York and Florida.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta has handled international arbitrations applying the laws of New York, Florida, Illinois, Spain, France, U.K., Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Guatemala, among other jurisdictions, and administered by the main arbitral institutions, such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). She has acted as Administrative Secretary of arbitral tribunals, and was a representative for North America of the ICC's Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF) for its 2019-2021 mandate.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta's background includes practicing international arbitration and litigation at a leading Spanish law firm for several years. She is familiarized with the key differences between the common law and the civil law systems.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta's experience includes serving as the chief research assistant to Professor George A. Bermann (chief reporter) for two years on the Restatement of the Law, The U.S. Law of International Commercial and Investor-State Arbitration, at Columbia Law School in New York.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta has lectured on advocacy and legal skills at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE), Universidad Europea in Madrid, University of Miami School of Law and Florida International University (FIU), as well as presented seminars about advocacy skills in Latin America. She also has organized several events related to international arbitration with Columbia University Law School, the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA) and the Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (YICCA). She holds a B.S. in Finance from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Holland & Knight LLP
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3300 | Miami, Florida 33131
Katharine Menéndez de la Cuesta is a litigator who handles international disputes and is based in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Clients rely on her experience to represent them in international arbitration proceedings in English and Spanish, and in litigation matters before U.S. federal and state courts in New York and Florida.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta has handled international arbitrations applying the laws of New York, Florida, Illinois, Spain, France, U.K., Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Guatemala, among other jurisdictions, and administered by the main arbitral institutions, such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). She has acted as Administrative Secretary of arbitral tribunals, and was a representative for North America of the ICC's Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF) for its 2019-2021 mandate.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta's background includes practicing international arbitration and litigation at a leading Spanish law firm for several years. She is familiarized with the key differences between the common law and the civil law systems.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta's experience includes serving as the chief research assistant to Professor George A. Bermann (chief reporter) for two years on the Restatement of the Law, The U.S. Law of International Commercial and Investor-State Arbitration, at Columbia Law School in New York.
Ms. Menéndez de la Cuesta has lectured on advocacy and legal skills at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE), Universidad Europea in Madrid, University of Miami School of Law and Florida International University (FIU), as well as presented seminars about advocacy skills in Latin America. She also has organized several events related to international arbitration with Columbia University Law School, the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA) and the Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (YICCA). She holds a B.S. in Finance from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Holland & Knight LLP
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3300 | Miami, Florida 33131
Richard Lorenzo
Immediate Past Chair
Richard Lorenzo, managing partner of Hogan Lovells’ Miami office, uses creative and nuanced strategies to manage international commercial litigation and arbitration for foreign and domestic clients with interests throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Whether it's a dispute in English or Spanish, or before any of the most important tribunals or institutions — the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), or the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), to name a few — Richard effectively analyzes the matter and collaborates with clients to figure out the best strategy. Time spent living in Latin America attuned Richard to the civil law system and political landscape of Spanish-speaking jurisdictions, which complements his English-language arbitration practices and procedures.
Richard is actively involved in academia, extensively lecturing and publishing in his practice area. He is an adjunct professor of International Arbitration and Litigation at Florida International University. He also maintains a national and international media presence on topical international legal issues, and has appeared on CNN En Español and served as a guest commentator on Bloomberg Radio.
Hogan Lovells
600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 459 6652
Fax: (305) 459 6550
Richard Lorenzo, managing partner of Hogan Lovells’ Miami office, uses creative and nuanced strategies to manage international commercial litigation and arbitration for foreign and domestic clients with interests throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Whether it's a dispute in English or Spanish, or before any of the most important tribunals or institutions — the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), or the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), to name a few — Richard effectively analyzes the matter and collaborates with clients to figure out the best strategy. Time spent living in Latin America attuned Richard to the civil law system and political landscape of Spanish-speaking jurisdictions, which complements his English-language arbitration practices and procedures.
Richard is actively involved in academia, extensively lecturing and publishing in his practice area. He is an adjunct professor of International Arbitration and Litigation at Florida International University. He also maintains a national and international media presence on topical international legal issues, and has appeared on CNN En Español and served as a guest commentator on Bloomberg Radio.
Hogan Lovells
600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 459 6652
Fax: (305) 459 6550
Harout J. Samra
Vice Chair
Harout J. Samra is a Board Certified Specialist in International Law with the law firm of DLA Piper LLP. He concentrates his practice on international dispute resolution and arbitration matters, and has represented clients from both the public and private sectors, including foreign governments, government officials, and clients from a variety of industries. Harout has experience in international arbitrations administered under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), JAMS, Bogota Chamber of Commerce (CCB), Madrid Court of Arbitration, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) arbitration rules.
Harout currently serves as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission by appointment of Governor Ron DeSantis. He formerly served as the Chair of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission by appointment of former Governor Rick Scott. Harout is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. He also received B.A. (cum laude) and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Miami. Harout frequently writes and lectures on arbitration and litigation topics.
DLA Piper LLP
200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2500
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 423-8534
Fax: (305) 468-6348
Harout J. Samra is a Board Certified Specialist in International Law with the law firm of DLA Piper LLP. He concentrates his practice on international dispute resolution and arbitration matters, and has represented clients from both the public and private sectors, including foreign governments, government officials, and clients from a variety of industries. Harout has experience in international arbitrations administered under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), JAMS, Bogota Chamber of Commerce (CCB), Madrid Court of Arbitration, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) arbitration rules.
Harout currently serves as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission by appointment of Governor Ron DeSantis. He formerly served as the Chair of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission by appointment of former Governor Rick Scott. Harout is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. He also received B.A. (cum laude) and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Miami. Harout frequently writes and lectures on arbitration and litigation topics.
DLA Piper LLP
200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2500
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 423-8534
Fax: (305) 468-6348
Rudy Pittaluga
Treasurer (MIAS & MIAF)
Rudy has been admitted to practice law for more than 30 years, and over the course of his career, he has advised financial and other lending institutions before state and federal regulators, and represented same in complex commercial litigation, national and cross-border disputes, in courts (tribunals) in the USA and in other countries.
Before retiring from Deloitte Advisory LLP (f/k/a Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP - "Deloitte FAS") in late 2015, Rudy held various leadership positions within the firm, including serving as the leader of the Deloitte FAS Florida/Puerto Rico practice. In that capacity, Rudy was not only responsible for various areas of Deloitte’s FAS practice, including the Forensic & Dispute Services (Litigation & Arbitration Support), Corporate Restructuring, Valuation, Corporate Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions practices, but he also worked closely with the Latin American/Caribbean Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) member firms on their cross-border, financial advisory engagements in and throughout that region.
Rudy has maintained an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 2000. He was named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by the publication of the same name (2004 - 2006); and has been recognized as one of Florida Monthly magazine’s “Florida’s Top Lawyers” in (2005), one of Florida Trend‘s “Florida Legal Elite” (2005); and named a “Florida SuperLawyer” (2006).
He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle District of Florida (General and Trial Bars), and is a member of the Florida, Miami-Dade County, Bankruptcy Bar for the Southern District of Florida, and Cuban-American Bar Associations. In addition, he has been active in the United States Council for International Business [“USCIB” – the U.S. National Committee to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)], where he served as a member of the Arbitration Committee and USCIB Florida Sub-Committee and on the International Chamber of Commerce’s Task Force on Arbitration Involving States or State Entities; and currently serves as a member of the South Florida Group of Regional Counsel (Co-Chair, Advisory Committee), and on the Boards of Advisors to The Inter-American Dialogue’s Financial Advisor Services Newsletter and The Idea Center at Miami-Dade College.
An adjunct professor at Florida International University School of Law, he is a frequent lecturer and has authored materials (in English and Spanish) on variety of subjects, including US and International Bankruptcy Laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-Corruption in Latin America, diversity, inclusion, leadership, sponsorship, and mentoring. Rudy obtained his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (major in Economics) from the University of Miami (Dec. 1981), his Juris Doctor from Boston College (May 1985), and is fluent in Spanish.
Rodolfo (Rudy) Pittaluga, Jr., Managing Director
Berkeley Research Group ("BRG"),
1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2050, Miami, FL 33131
O 305.548.8546
C 305.343.6042
Rudy has been admitted to practice law for more than 30 years, and over the course of his career, he has advised financial and other lending institutions before state and federal regulators, and represented same in complex commercial litigation, national and cross-border disputes, in courts (tribunals) in the USA and in other countries.
Before retiring from Deloitte Advisory LLP (f/k/a Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP - "Deloitte FAS") in late 2015, Rudy held various leadership positions within the firm, including serving as the leader of the Deloitte FAS Florida/Puerto Rico practice. In that capacity, Rudy was not only responsible for various areas of Deloitte’s FAS practice, including the Forensic & Dispute Services (Litigation & Arbitration Support), Corporate Restructuring, Valuation, Corporate Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions practices, but he also worked closely with the Latin American/Caribbean Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) member firms on their cross-border, financial advisory engagements in and throughout that region.
Rudy has maintained an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 2000. He was named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by the publication of the same name (2004 - 2006); and has been recognized as one of Florida Monthly magazine’s “Florida’s Top Lawyers” in (2005), one of Florida Trend‘s “Florida Legal Elite” (2005); and named a “Florida SuperLawyer” (2006).
He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle District of Florida (General and Trial Bars), and is a member of the Florida, Miami-Dade County, Bankruptcy Bar for the Southern District of Florida, and Cuban-American Bar Associations. In addition, he has been active in the United States Council for International Business [“USCIB” – the U.S. National Committee to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)], where he served as a member of the Arbitration Committee and USCIB Florida Sub-Committee and on the International Chamber of Commerce’s Task Force on Arbitration Involving States or State Entities; and currently serves as a member of the South Florida Group of Regional Counsel (Co-Chair, Advisory Committee), and on the Boards of Advisors to The Inter-American Dialogue’s Financial Advisor Services Newsletter and The Idea Center at Miami-Dade College.
An adjunct professor at Florida International University School of Law, he is a frequent lecturer and has authored materials (in English and Spanish) on variety of subjects, including US and International Bankruptcy Laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-Corruption in Latin America, diversity, inclusion, leadership, sponsorship, and mentoring. Rudy obtained his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (major in Economics) from the University of Miami (Dec. 1981), his Juris Doctor from Boston College (May 1985), and is fluent in Spanish.
Rodolfo (Rudy) Pittaluga, Jr., Managing Director
Berkeley Research Group ("BRG"),
1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2050, Miami, FL 33131
O 305.548.8546
C 305.343.6042
Manuel Gomez
Secretary and
Academic, Ex-Officio
Manuel A. Gómez has years of law teaching experience, both in the U.S. and in Latin America, and professional practice in Latin America, Professor Gómez brings a valuable international scholarly experience to the College of Law. He currently serves at the College of Law’s Coordinator of International Legal Projects and leads the Global Legal Studies Initiative. Before joining FIU, Professor Gómez was a Lecturer in Law and a Teaching Fellow at Stanford Law School, where he had academic responsibility for the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies. Professor Gómez also led a working group on Law and Policy in Latin America sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University.
Since 1995 he has also been a member of the Faculty at the Universidad Central de Venezuela Law School (Caracas, Venezuela), and in different occasions, a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica del Táchira (1996), Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (2000-2001), Universidad Metropolitana Law School (2005), and Universidad Sergio Arboleda of Colombia (2009-present) Professor Gómez teaches, conducts research and writes academic papers in a variety of areas including the impact of social networks on dispute processing, private order, international arbitration, complex litigation in Latin America, legal and institutional reform in Latin America, legal education reform and the globalization of the legal profession.
In the Spring of 2011, Professor Gómez received FIU’s inaugural Bhagwan Mahavir Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship to conduct research on dispute resolution among Jain diamond merchants. Professor Gómez’s work has appeared in a number of prestigious publications in the U.S., South America and Europe, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Law and Society Association’s Dissertation Prize, the Richard S. Goldsmith Award in Dispute Resolution at Stanford University, as well as the annual prize awarded by the Venezuelan Studies Section of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA).
Professor Gómez’s latest book, Law in Many Societies (Stanford U. Press 2011, co-edited with Lawrence M. Friedman and Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo) has already received several accolades in the academic world. Professor Gómez has also served as expert in domestic and international arbitration proceedings, as well as in court proceedings involving foreign parties in the U.S. Professor Gómez has also been appointed as an international arbitrator under the rules of the ICC, and is a founding member of the Miami International Arbitration Society.
College of Law
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 2015
Miami, Florida 33199
Phone: (305) 348-1158
Academic, Ex-Officio
Manuel A. Gómez has years of law teaching experience, both in the U.S. and in Latin America, and professional practice in Latin America, Professor Gómez brings a valuable international scholarly experience to the College of Law. He currently serves at the College of Law’s Coordinator of International Legal Projects and leads the Global Legal Studies Initiative. Before joining FIU, Professor Gómez was a Lecturer in Law and a Teaching Fellow at Stanford Law School, where he had academic responsibility for the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies. Professor Gómez also led a working group on Law and Policy in Latin America sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University.
Since 1995 he has also been a member of the Faculty at the Universidad Central de Venezuela Law School (Caracas, Venezuela), and in different occasions, a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica del Táchira (1996), Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (2000-2001), Universidad Metropolitana Law School (2005), and Universidad Sergio Arboleda of Colombia (2009-present) Professor Gómez teaches, conducts research and writes academic papers in a variety of areas including the impact of social networks on dispute processing, private order, international arbitration, complex litigation in Latin America, legal and institutional reform in Latin America, legal education reform and the globalization of the legal profession.
In the Spring of 2011, Professor Gómez received FIU’s inaugural Bhagwan Mahavir Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship to conduct research on dispute resolution among Jain diamond merchants. Professor Gómez’s work has appeared in a number of prestigious publications in the U.S., South America and Europe, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Law and Society Association’s Dissertation Prize, the Richard S. Goldsmith Award in Dispute Resolution at Stanford University, as well as the annual prize awarded by the Venezuelan Studies Section of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA).
Professor Gómez’s latest book, Law in Many Societies (Stanford U. Press 2011, co-edited with Lawrence M. Friedman and Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo) has already received several accolades in the academic world. Professor Gómez has also served as expert in domestic and international arbitration proceedings, as well as in court proceedings involving foreign parties in the U.S. Professor Gómez has also been appointed as an international arbitrator under the rules of the ICC, and is a founding member of the Miami International Arbitration Society.
College of Law
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 2015
Miami, Florida 33199
Phone: (305) 348-1158
Don Hayden
Director, Past Chair
Don Hayden has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, particularly in the areas of international arbitration and dispute resolution. Don’s diverse practice involves all facets of multijurisdictional commercial litigation particularly for companies involved in cross border transactions. He represents multinationals, mid-size firms and high net worth individuals in commercial disputes. Don has a particular emphasis in international arbitration and alternative disputes resolution. He has successfully resolved significant multi-faceted matters that involving parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions and served as lead counsel in high profile national class litigation.
Mark, Migdal & Hayden
80 SW 8th Street Suite 1999
Miami, FL 33131
Don Hayden has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, particularly in the areas of international arbitration and dispute resolution. Don’s diverse practice involves all facets of multijurisdictional commercial litigation particularly for companies involved in cross border transactions. He represents multinationals, mid-size firms and high net worth individuals in commercial disputes. Don has a particular emphasis in international arbitration and alternative disputes resolution. He has successfully resolved significant multi-faceted matters that involving parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions and served as lead counsel in high profile national class litigation.
Mark, Migdal & Hayden
80 SW 8th Street Suite 1999
Miami, FL 33131
Luis O'Naghten
Director, Past Chair
Luis M. O’Naghten’s primary area of practice is international complex commercial litigation and arbitration. He has represented parties in disputes before United States courts and before international arbitration panels (under ICC, AAA/ICDR, and UNCITRAL rules) in a wide range of disputes, including matters in the United States, and several countries in Latin America and Europe. Mr. O'Naghten has provided advice to major international banks, United States and foreign multinational corporations, energy companies, foreign sovereigns and parties adverse to foreign sovereigns, and companies involved in maritime disputes. His practice focuses on international financial frauds, energy, construction and telecommunication disputes, and corporate commercial disputes.
Mr. O'Naghten is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, the ICC Task Force for the Revision of the ICC Rules, chair of the USCIB’s Arbitration Florida Sub-Committee, and is a fellow in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also teaches a course on Federal and State Arbitration at the University of Miami School of Law, and a class on International Arbitration at Universidad Panamericana (Mexico). He is fluent in Spanish and has handled arbitrations in that language.
Nelson Mullins
2 South Biscayne Blvd.
21st Floor
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 373 9413
Luis M. O’Naghten’s primary area of practice is international complex commercial litigation and arbitration. He has represented parties in disputes before United States courts and before international arbitration panels (under ICC, AAA/ICDR, and UNCITRAL rules) in a wide range of disputes, including matters in the United States, and several countries in Latin America and Europe. Mr. O'Naghten has provided advice to major international banks, United States and foreign multinational corporations, energy companies, foreign sovereigns and parties adverse to foreign sovereigns, and companies involved in maritime disputes. His practice focuses on international financial frauds, energy, construction and telecommunication disputes, and corporate commercial disputes.
Mr. O'Naghten is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, the ICC Task Force for the Revision of the ICC Rules, chair of the USCIB’s Arbitration Florida Sub-Committee, and is a fellow in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also teaches a course on Federal and State Arbitration at the University of Miami School of Law, and a class on International Arbitration at Universidad Panamericana (Mexico). He is fluent in Spanish and has handled arbitrations in that language.
Nelson Mullins
2 South Biscayne Blvd.
21st Floor
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 373 9413
Deborah Mastin
Director
Deborah Bovarnick Mastin mediates and arbitrates large complex and multi-party construction disputes in the USA and internationally. She is on the neutral panels of the American Arbitration Association (Mega Projects Panel, Large Complex Construction Panel, Master Mediator Panel, Dispute Board Panel, International Centre for Dispute Resolution Panel), International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (Construction Panel), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and Trinidad Dispute Resolution Centre. She is a faculty for the AAA and the ICDR, and is a tutor for international arbitration at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, the College of Commercial Arbitrators, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and the Dispute Board Federation. Deborah is a past president of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation Region 1 (USA and Canada).
As an Assistant County Attorney for Miami-Dade and Broward County, Deborah drafted contracts and litigated claims on public infrastructure projects, including $6 billion Miami International Airport expansion, $2 billion Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expansion, bridges, tunnels, museums, performing arts centers, stadiums, power plants, light rail, and information technology systems.
She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law and MIT School of Architecture and Planning.
Law Office of Deborah Mastin, PLLC
Miami, FL
Phone: (305) 505-7448
Deborah Bovarnick Mastin mediates and arbitrates large complex and multi-party construction disputes in the USA and internationally. She is on the neutral panels of the American Arbitration Association (Mega Projects Panel, Large Complex Construction Panel, Master Mediator Panel, Dispute Board Panel, International Centre for Dispute Resolution Panel), International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (Construction Panel), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and Trinidad Dispute Resolution Centre. She is a faculty for the AAA and the ICDR, and is a tutor for international arbitration at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, the College of Commercial Arbitrators, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and the Dispute Board Federation. Deborah is a past president of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation Region 1 (USA and Canada).
As an Assistant County Attorney for Miami-Dade and Broward County, Deborah drafted contracts and litigated claims on public infrastructure projects, including $6 billion Miami International Airport expansion, $2 billion Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expansion, bridges, tunnels, museums, performing arts centers, stadiums, power plants, light rail, and information technology systems.
She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law and MIT School of Architecture and Planning.
Law Office of Deborah Mastin, PLLC
Miami, FL
Phone: (305) 505-7448
José Ferrer
Director
José has been a trial lawyer for more than two decades, representing clients in their most important disputes, both domestically and internationally. He has tried countless cases, many to verdict, in state and federal court, and before various domestic and international arbitration tribunals. José has represented clients throughout the world across a variety of industries, including real estate, manufacturing, media and entertainment, talent management, banking and financial services, and telecommunications. He has represented those clients in matters such as shareholder disputes, deceptive and unfair trade practices litigation, the enforcement of non-competition agreements, commercial and real estate disputes, international tax controversies, the prosecution and defense of business torts, contract disputes, civil asset forfeitures, and civil RICO claims.
José is board certified by The Florida Bar in International Arbitration and Litigation and has served as an arbitrator in numerous international arbitration disputes pending before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Regardless of the forum, Jose’s varied litigation experience allows him to tailor his legal strategies to achieve each client’s particular litigation goals. Jose takes the time to learn every aspect of his clients’ businesses. He knows who his clients’ customers are, who their competitors are, and what challenges their industries are facing. He doesn’t just focus on the issues in dispute, but also on how those issues will affect his clients, both today and in the future. Armed with that nuanced understanding, he then works with his clients to put a winning strategy in place, and relentlessly pursues it until he meets his clients’ strategic objectives.
A native Spanish speaker, Jose’s practice has a strong Latin American emphasis. He is regularly regarded among the top litigation practitioners in civil litigation by various legal ranking institutions and publications, including Chambers, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers. He received his J.D. from Tulane School of Law.
Mark Migdal & Hayden
80 SW 8th St.
Suite 1999
Miami, FL 33130
305-374-6959
José has been a trial lawyer for more than two decades, representing clients in their most important disputes, both domestically and internationally. He has tried countless cases, many to verdict, in state and federal court, and before various domestic and international arbitration tribunals. José has represented clients throughout the world across a variety of industries, including real estate, manufacturing, media and entertainment, talent management, banking and financial services, and telecommunications. He has represented those clients in matters such as shareholder disputes, deceptive and unfair trade practices litigation, the enforcement of non-competition agreements, commercial and real estate disputes, international tax controversies, the prosecution and defense of business torts, contract disputes, civil asset forfeitures, and civil RICO claims.
José is board certified by The Florida Bar in International Arbitration and Litigation and has served as an arbitrator in numerous international arbitration disputes pending before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Regardless of the forum, Jose’s varied litigation experience allows him to tailor his legal strategies to achieve each client’s particular litigation goals. Jose takes the time to learn every aspect of his clients’ businesses. He knows who his clients’ customers are, who their competitors are, and what challenges their industries are facing. He doesn’t just focus on the issues in dispute, but also on how those issues will affect his clients, both today and in the future. Armed with that nuanced understanding, he then works with his clients to put a winning strategy in place, and relentlessly pursues it until he meets his clients’ strategic objectives.
A native Spanish speaker, Jose’s practice has a strong Latin American emphasis. He is regularly regarded among the top litigation practitioners in civil litigation by various legal ranking institutions and publications, including Chambers, Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers. He received his J.D. from Tulane School of Law.
Mark Migdal & Hayden
80 SW 8th St.
Suite 1999
Miami, FL 33130
305-374-6959
Ricardo Puente
Director
Rick Puente is a Board Certified International Litigation and Arbitration lawyer focused on leading cross-border trial and arbitration teams in high-stakes cases. Rick has litigated and tried complex commercial and investment cases before courts and international arbitration tribunals involving issues of fraud, money laundering, financial products, shareholder disputes, and treaty claims tied to the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Rick's notable cases include: successfully defending a major airline in federal court cases involving economic claims under the Helms-Burton Act related to the Havana International Airport and hotels in Varadero, Cuba; representing an oil company in U.S./LatAm fraud proceedings; representing a Chilean national in asset recovery relating to an international Ponzi scheme; advising a Canadian company in relation to a $4.1 billion Chilean mining dispute; securing a favorable settlement for an investment bank in a $60 million securities arbitration; representing a philanthropist in a Hague Convention and federal RICO lawsuit in Texas and a $500 million ICC arbitration in New York involving a multibillion dollar company; and representing a Latin American lawyer and businessman whose funds were frozen by the United States government (secured return of millions of dollars).
Rick has lectured and moderated on international arbitration and litigation topics at universities and in conferences in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. He served as chairman of a Florida Bar Judicial Grievance Committee (2011) and is president of the Florida Chapter of Club Español del Arbitraje (CEA), a leading international arbitration organization based in Madrid, Spain. He received his JD from Loyola University.
Jones Day
600 Brickell Avenue
Suite 3300
Miami, FL 33131
305-714-9726
Rick Puente is a Board Certified International Litigation and Arbitration lawyer focused on leading cross-border trial and arbitration teams in high-stakes cases. Rick has litigated and tried complex commercial and investment cases before courts and international arbitration tribunals involving issues of fraud, money laundering, financial products, shareholder disputes, and treaty claims tied to the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Rick's notable cases include: successfully defending a major airline in federal court cases involving economic claims under the Helms-Burton Act related to the Havana International Airport and hotels in Varadero, Cuba; representing an oil company in U.S./LatAm fraud proceedings; representing a Chilean national in asset recovery relating to an international Ponzi scheme; advising a Canadian company in relation to a $4.1 billion Chilean mining dispute; securing a favorable settlement for an investment bank in a $60 million securities arbitration; representing a philanthropist in a Hague Convention and federal RICO lawsuit in Texas and a $500 million ICC arbitration in New York involving a multibillion dollar company; and representing a Latin American lawyer and businessman whose funds were frozen by the United States government (secured return of millions of dollars).
Rick has lectured and moderated on international arbitration and litigation topics at universities and in conferences in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. He served as chairman of a Florida Bar Judicial Grievance Committee (2011) and is president of the Florida Chapter of Club Español del Arbitraje (CEA), a leading international arbitration organization based in Madrid, Spain. He received his JD from Loyola University.
Jones Day
600 Brickell Avenue
Suite 3300
Miami, FL 33131
305-714-9726
Harry Burnett
Director
Harry Burnett focuses on international commercial and investor-state arbitration matters, along with general domestic and international litigation. A partner in the international arbitration practice, he represents clients in a broad array of disputes and frequently serves as arbitrator.
With more than 25 years of litigation and arbitration experience, he represents clients in arbitration of international commercial disputes under rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), JAMS International and the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, and in investor-state arbitrations under the rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the ICSID Additional Facility, the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the ICC related to claims under bilateral investment treaties, the Energy Charter Treaty, multilateral investment instruments and local investment laws.
In addition, Harry frequently serves as a mediator as well as arbitrator in international disputes, whether as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator or chair. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Harry has been ranked in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Chambers Latin America and Legal 500 for International Arbitration. He has also been recognized by The International Who’s Who of Oil & Gas Lawyers and The International Who’s Who of Energy Lawyers and is an Approved Leading Private Practitioner in Arbitration – Latin American Corporate Counsel Association
A frequent speaker and author, Harry is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
King & Spalding LLP
200 S. Biscayne Blvd.
#4700
Miami, FL 33131
305-462-6012
Harry Burnett focuses on international commercial and investor-state arbitration matters, along with general domestic and international litigation. A partner in the international arbitration practice, he represents clients in a broad array of disputes and frequently serves as arbitrator.
With more than 25 years of litigation and arbitration experience, he represents clients in arbitration of international commercial disputes under rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), JAMS International and the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, and in investor-state arbitrations under the rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the ICSID Additional Facility, the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the ICC related to claims under bilateral investment treaties, the Energy Charter Treaty, multilateral investment instruments and local investment laws.
In addition, Harry frequently serves as a mediator as well as arbitrator in international disputes, whether as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator or chair. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Harry has been ranked in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Chambers Latin America and Legal 500 for International Arbitration. He has also been recognized by The International Who’s Who of Oil & Gas Lawyers and The International Who’s Who of Energy Lawyers and is an Approved Leading Private Practitioner in Arbitration – Latin American Corporate Counsel Association
A frequent speaker and author, Harry is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
King & Spalding LLP
200 S. Biscayne Blvd.
#4700
Miami, FL 33131
305-462-6012
Giovanni Angeles
Director
Giovanni focuses his practice on international arbitration and complex business litigation. He represents individuals, corporations and sovereign governments in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under major arbitration rules.
He has experience in all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigations through final adjudication, including trial work. He has represented clients in a range of industries, including luxury consumer goods, hospitality, banking and financial services, food and beverage, and technology and telecommunications.
Before becoming an attorney, Giovanni worked for Bellsouth Communications and AT&T, and while there worked as a special services liaison between hurricane-affected customers and FEMA. Before joining Shook, he was an associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in Miami.
Shook Hardy & Bacon
201 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Suite 3200
Miami, FL 33131
305- 358-5171
Giovanni focuses his practice on international arbitration and complex business litigation. He represents individuals, corporations and sovereign governments in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under major arbitration rules.
He has experience in all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigations through final adjudication, including trial work. He has represented clients in a range of industries, including luxury consumer goods, hospitality, banking and financial services, food and beverage, and technology and telecommunications.
Before becoming an attorney, Giovanni worked for Bellsouth Communications and AT&T, and while there worked as a special services liaison between hurricane-affected customers and FEMA. Before joining Shook, he was an associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in Miami.
Shook Hardy & Bacon
201 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Suite 3200
Miami, FL 33131
305- 358-5171
Elisabeth Eljuri
Director
Elisabeth Eljuri is an independent arbitrator and energy specialist. She regularly sits as arbitrator in major international arbitrations related to Latin America. With over 30 years of experience in the region, she is considered a leading authority in the areas of energy, natural resources and major projects. Her experience covers an extensive international disputes practice as well as a world-class transactional practice, which she complements with her role as executive in an oil company. This provides her with an integral and sophisticated understanding of the industries and cases she is involved in at the highest level that can be achieved in legal practice. Other areas of practice include political risk management, public international law, and mergers & acquisitions,
Ms. Eljuri is part of the executive team of Westlawn Americas Offshore, a Houston-based company investing in offshore oil and gas projects located in the US Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Prior to that, Ms. Eljuri was with Sierra Oil & Gas until 2019 where she was the Vice President, Chief Negotiator and Chief Legal Counsel. Sierra was a private equity- backed oil upstream company which was created by three major US funds to capture opportunities in the Mexican energy market. She remained there until the successful exit and sale of the company to a large European energy company. Ms. Eljuri was one of two lead negotiators of such sale.
Before venturing into private equity and her executive role, she spent 25 years in legal practice at two of the world’s largest law firms. Until December 2015, Ms. Eljuri was the Head of Latin America of Norton Rose Fulbright where she was a senior partner of the Firm focusing in the areas of international arbitration, energy and natural resources and projects/infrastructure for nearly 18 years.
Ms. Eljuri is both a common law and a civil law lawyer. She graduated from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela in 1991 (cum laude, valedictorian) and then attended Harvard Law School where she obtained an LL.M. degree in 1992. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Venezuela (she is not admitted in Florida).
Elisabeth Eljuri, P.A.
202-251-1023
Elisabeth.eljuri@outlook.com
Elisabeth Eljuri is an independent arbitrator and energy specialist. She regularly sits as arbitrator in major international arbitrations related to Latin America. With over 30 years of experience in the region, she is considered a leading authority in the areas of energy, natural resources and major projects. Her experience covers an extensive international disputes practice as well as a world-class transactional practice, which she complements with her role as executive in an oil company. This provides her with an integral and sophisticated understanding of the industries and cases she is involved in at the highest level that can be achieved in legal practice. Other areas of practice include political risk management, public international law, and mergers & acquisitions,
Ms. Eljuri is part of the executive team of Westlawn Americas Offshore, a Houston-based company investing in offshore oil and gas projects located in the US Gulf of Mexico and Latin America. Prior to that, Ms. Eljuri was with Sierra Oil & Gas until 2019 where she was the Vice President, Chief Negotiator and Chief Legal Counsel. Sierra was a private equity- backed oil upstream company which was created by three major US funds to capture opportunities in the Mexican energy market. She remained there until the successful exit and sale of the company to a large European energy company. Ms. Eljuri was one of two lead negotiators of such sale.
Before venturing into private equity and her executive role, she spent 25 years in legal practice at two of the world’s largest law firms. Until December 2015, Ms. Eljuri was the Head of Latin America of Norton Rose Fulbright where she was a senior partner of the Firm focusing in the areas of international arbitration, energy and natural resources and projects/infrastructure for nearly 18 years.
Ms. Eljuri is both a common law and a civil law lawyer. She graduated from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela in 1991 (cum laude, valedictorian) and then attended Harvard Law School where she obtained an LL.M. degree in 1992. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Venezuela (she is not admitted in Florida).
Elisabeth Eljuri, P.A.
202-251-1023
Elisabeth.eljuri@outlook.com
Juan Carlos Castillo
Director
Juan Carlos is the managing partner of Aguilar Castillo Love’s Guatemala office and co-managing partner of the firm. Consistently ranked as one of Guatemala’s best M&A, finance and energy practitioners, Juan Carlos’ acumen in the business and financial world allows him to add value to any transaction.
Juan Carlos has participated in some of the most significant and first-of-its-kind transactions in Guatemala across M&A and finance, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Empresa Electrica de Guatemala for more than US$500 million; the acquisition of all downstream assets owned by Shell in Central America; and the first-ever dollar-denominated loan guaranteed with bonds issued in local currency. After serving for more than eight years as president of the board of directors of the largest Guatemalan exchange he is particularly equipped to deal with capital markets issues, including bond issuances, IPOs, swaps or other derivative transactions.
In addition, Juan Carlos is recognized as one of the leading energy specialists in Guatemala. He was President of the Guatemala Stock Exchange from 1999 – 2007. Juan Carlos is a member of the Guatemalan Bar Association and the International Bar Association. Juan Carlos received his law degree (magna cum laude) from the Universidad Francisco Marroquin and earned his LLM from Harvard University, Law School.
Aguilar Castillo Love
6a avenida 12-24 zona 10
HQ Fontabella, Nivel 9, Oficina 910
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
+502 2495-7272
jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com
Juan Carlos is the managing partner of Aguilar Castillo Love’s Guatemala office and co-managing partner of the firm. Consistently ranked as one of Guatemala’s best M&A, finance and energy practitioners, Juan Carlos’ acumen in the business and financial world allows him to add value to any transaction.
Juan Carlos has participated in some of the most significant and first-of-its-kind transactions in Guatemala across M&A and finance, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Empresa Electrica de Guatemala for more than US$500 million; the acquisition of all downstream assets owned by Shell in Central America; and the first-ever dollar-denominated loan guaranteed with bonds issued in local currency. After serving for more than eight years as president of the board of directors of the largest Guatemalan exchange he is particularly equipped to deal with capital markets issues, including bond issuances, IPOs, swaps or other derivative transactions.
In addition, Juan Carlos is recognized as one of the leading energy specialists in Guatemala. He was President of the Guatemala Stock Exchange from 1999 – 2007. Juan Carlos is a member of the Guatemalan Bar Association and the International Bar Association. Juan Carlos received his law degree (magna cum laude) from the Universidad Francisco Marroquin and earned his LLM from Harvard University, Law School.
Aguilar Castillo Love
6a avenida 12-24 zona 10
HQ Fontabella, Nivel 9, Oficina 910
Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala
+502 2495-7272
jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com
Ines Calderon
Executive Director
Academic Board Members
Sandra Friedrich
Academic, Ex-Officio
Professor Sandra Friedrich is the Director of the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Graduate Program and a Lecturer in Law at the University of Miami School of Law. Previously, she practiced law at Latham & Watkins in New York, focusing on complex commercial and investment arbitration proceedings, as well as related litigation. She teaches courses on international arbitration, and has taught courses on International Business Transactions, European Union Law and German Law at Miami. She is co-author of several publications on international commercial and investment arbitration, including an article on Disclosure in International Arbitration Proceedings in the United States published in the American Review of International Arbitration, an article on Investment Arbitration in East Asia and the Pacific published in the Journal of World Investment and Trade, and a book chapter on Witnesses, Subpoenas, Documents and the Relationship Between the FAA and State Law published by Wolters Kluwer.
Professor Friedrich is admitted to the New York Bar. Before she obtained her J.D. from Miami Law, she received a maîtrise en droit from the Université Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and then an LL.M. degree with a specialization in international economic law from the University of Cologne and the Université Paris I.
Director, White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Graduate Program; Lecturer in Law
University of Miami School of Law.
1311 Miller Road,
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Phone: (305) 284-1965
Professor Sandra Friedrich is the Director of the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Graduate Program and a Lecturer in Law at the University of Miami School of Law. Previously, she practiced law at Latham & Watkins in New York, focusing on complex commercial and investment arbitration proceedings, as well as related litigation. She teaches courses on international arbitration, and has taught courses on International Business Transactions, European Union Law and German Law at Miami. She is co-author of several publications on international commercial and investment arbitration, including an article on Disclosure in International Arbitration Proceedings in the United States published in the American Review of International Arbitration, an article on Investment Arbitration in East Asia and the Pacific published in the Journal of World Investment and Trade, and a book chapter on Witnesses, Subpoenas, Documents and the Relationship Between the FAA and State Law published by Wolters Kluwer.
Professor Friedrich is admitted to the New York Bar. Before she obtained her J.D. from Miami Law, she received a maîtrise en droit from the Université Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and then an LL.M. degree with a specialization in international economic law from the University of Cologne and the Université Paris I.
Director, White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. Graduate Program; Lecturer in Law
University of Miami School of Law.
1311 Miller Road,
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Phone: (305) 284-1965
Manuel A. Gomez
Secretary and
Academic, Ex-Officio
Manuel A. Gómez has years of law teaching experience, both in the U.S. and in Latin America, and professional practice in Latin America, Professor Gómez brings a valuable international scholarly experience to the College of Law. He currently serves at the College of Law’s Coordinator of International Legal Projects and leads the Global Legal Studies Initiative. Before joining FIU, Professor Gómez was a Lecturer in Law and a Teaching Fellow at Stanford Law School, where he had academic responsibility for the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies. Professor Gómez also led a working group on Law and Policy in Latin America sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University.
Since 1995 he has also been a member of the Faculty at the Universidad Central de Venezuela Law School (Caracas, Venezuela), and in different occasions, a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica del Táchira (1996), Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (2000-2001), Universidad Metropolitana Law School (2005), and Universidad Sergio Arboleda of Colombia (2009-present) Professor Gómez teaches, conducts research and writes academic papers in a variety of areas including the impact of social networks on dispute processing, private order, international arbitration, complex litigation in Latin America, legal and institutional reform in Latin America, legal education reform and the globalization of the legal profession.
In the Spring of 2011, Professor Gómez received FIU’s inaugural Bhagwan Mahavir Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship to conduct research on dispute resolution among Jain diamond merchants. Professor Gómez’s work has appeared in a number of prestigious publications in the U.S., South America and Europe, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Law and Society Association’s Dissertation Prize, the Richard S. Goldsmith Award in Dispute Resolution at Stanford University, as well as the annual prize awarded by the Venezuelan Studies Section of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA).
Professor Gómez’s latest book, Law in Many Societies (Stanford U. Press 2011, co-edited with Lawrence M. Friedman and Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo) has already received several accolades in the academic world. Professor Gómez has also served as expert in domestic and international arbitration proceedings, as well as in court proceedings involving foreign parties in the U.S. Professor Gómez has also been appointed as an international arbitrator under the rules of the ICC, and is a founding member of the Miami International Arbitration Society.
College of Law
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 2015
Miami, Florida 33199
Phone: (305) 348-1158
Academic, Ex-Officio
Manuel A. Gómez has years of law teaching experience, both in the U.S. and in Latin America, and professional practice in Latin America, Professor Gómez brings a valuable international scholarly experience to the College of Law. He currently serves at the College of Law’s Coordinator of International Legal Projects and leads the Global Legal Studies Initiative. Before joining FIU, Professor Gómez was a Lecturer in Law and a Teaching Fellow at Stanford Law School, where he had academic responsibility for the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies. Professor Gómez also led a working group on Law and Policy in Latin America sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford University.
Since 1995 he has also been a member of the Faculty at the Universidad Central de Venezuela Law School (Caracas, Venezuela), and in different occasions, a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica del Táchira (1996), Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (2000-2001), Universidad Metropolitana Law School (2005), and Universidad Sergio Arboleda of Colombia (2009-present) Professor Gómez teaches, conducts research and writes academic papers in a variety of areas including the impact of social networks on dispute processing, private order, international arbitration, complex litigation in Latin America, legal and institutional reform in Latin America, legal education reform and the globalization of the legal profession.
In the Spring of 2011, Professor Gómez received FIU’s inaugural Bhagwan Mahavir Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship to conduct research on dispute resolution among Jain diamond merchants. Professor Gómez’s work has appeared in a number of prestigious publications in the U.S., South America and Europe, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Law and Society Association’s Dissertation Prize, the Richard S. Goldsmith Award in Dispute Resolution at Stanford University, as well as the annual prize awarded by the Venezuelan Studies Section of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA).
Professor Gómez’s latest book, Law in Many Societies (Stanford U. Press 2011, co-edited with Lawrence M. Friedman and Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo) has already received several accolades in the academic world. Professor Gómez has also served as expert in domestic and international arbitration proceedings, as well as in court proceedings involving foreign parties in the U.S. Professor Gómez has also been appointed as an international arbitrator under the rules of the ICC, and is a founding member of the Miami International Arbitration Society.
College of Law
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 2015
Miami, Florida 33199
Phone: (305) 348-1158
Joan Stearns Johnsen
Academic, Ex-Officio
Joan Stearns Johnsen is a skills professor specializing in areas related to alternative dispute resolution. Professor Johnsen has been mediating and arbitrating large complex commercial cases primarily in the areas of securities, general corporate, and employment law for over twenty years. Professor Johnsen is on the arbitration and mediation panels of the American Arbitration Association , the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the American Health Lawyers Association and mediation panels of The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and for the New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division. Professor Johnsen’s legal experience includes as a trial attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C., and as Corporate Counsel for Smith Barney and as Associate General Counsel for the Commodity Exchange, Inc. both in New York. Professor Johnsen was also a visiting assistant clinical professor and the director of the securities arbitration clinic at Albany Law School.
Professor Johnsen also is in the leadership of the American Bar Association’s sections of Dispute Resolution and Litigation. She serves as the Dispute Resolution section’s continuing legal education officer and as a member of that section’s executive committee. She is also co-chair of the Mediation Subcommittee of the Section of Litigation’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. She also serves on the New York State Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee, and on the Banking and Financial Services Committee for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. She is also a member of the Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution where she sits on the Banking and Financial Services Committee. Professor Johnsen is Vice Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute (CIArb) and has been certified by the International Mediation Institute (IMI).
University of Florida Levin College of Law
Box #117626
Gainesville FL 32611
Phone: (617) 549-0742
Joan Stearns Johnsen is a skills professor specializing in areas related to alternative dispute resolution. Professor Johnsen has been mediating and arbitrating large complex commercial cases primarily in the areas of securities, general corporate, and employment law for over twenty years. Professor Johnsen is on the arbitration and mediation panels of the American Arbitration Association , the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the American Health Lawyers Association and mediation panels of The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and for the New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division. Professor Johnsen’s legal experience includes as a trial attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C., and as Corporate Counsel for Smith Barney and as Associate General Counsel for the Commodity Exchange, Inc. both in New York. Professor Johnsen was also a visiting assistant clinical professor and the director of the securities arbitration clinic at Albany Law School.
Professor Johnsen also is in the leadership of the American Bar Association’s sections of Dispute Resolution and Litigation. She serves as the Dispute Resolution section’s continuing legal education officer and as a member of that section’s executive committee. She is also co-chair of the Mediation Subcommittee of the Section of Litigation’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. She also serves on the New York State Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee, and on the Banking and Financial Services Committee for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. She is also a member of the Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution where she sits on the Banking and Financial Services Committee. Professor Johnsen is Vice Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute (CIArb) and has been certified by the International Mediation Institute (IMI).
University of Florida Levin College of Law
Box #117626
Gainesville FL 32611
Phone: (617) 549-0742
Directors Emeritus
Burt Landy
Founding Chairman & Director
Burton A. Landy is Senior Counsel with the Harper Meyer law firm. He is one of Florida's pre-eminent international lawyers and has been at the forefront of Florida's development into a leading international trade and finance center.
His practice spans over a period of more than fifty years and involves both counseling foreign firms and investors on structuring their U.S. operations and investments and U.S. companies on their worldwide operations and investments. He travels frequently to Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe and is fluent in Spanish.
Mr. Landy is the Founding Chairman of the Miami International Arbitration Society and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. He actively serves as both a sole arbitrator and as Chairman and member of tribunals in a wide variety of transborder arbitrations under ICSID, ICC, ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules.
He has served as President of the Inter-American Bar Association and is Founding General Counsel to the Florida International Bankers Association. Mr. Landy is a past Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Agency for International Development's Latin American Business Promotion Advisory Council as well as the City of Miami's International Trade and Development Board.
A two-term president of the World Trade Center in Miami, he has also chaired the Florida Council of International Development, and the Beacon Council, Greater Miami's Economic Development organization. He currently serves as Honorary Consul General to the Republic of Korea for the State of Florida, is founding, chairman of the Southeast US/Korea Economic Committee. He was awarded the Heung-In Medal (Order of Diplomatic Service Merit) by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan.
Mr. Landy earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and has also studied at the National University of Mexico and the University of Havana. He lectures frequently, has taught graduate courses on Latin America Commercial Law at the University of Miami and has published articles on international aviation law, foreign trade zones, aquaculture, tax planning for foreign investors and related topics. Mr. Landy has received numerous awards, among which are the University of Miami School of Law's "Lawyer of the Americas," and the Inter-American Bar Association's "Diploma de Honor."
Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O'Connor Albert & Dribin LLP
201 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 577-3443
Burton A. Landy is Senior Counsel with the Harper Meyer law firm. He is one of Florida's pre-eminent international lawyers and has been at the forefront of Florida's development into a leading international trade and finance center.
His practice spans over a period of more than fifty years and involves both counseling foreign firms and investors on structuring their U.S. operations and investments and U.S. companies on their worldwide operations and investments. He travels frequently to Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe and is fluent in Spanish.
Mr. Landy is the Founding Chairman of the Miami International Arbitration Society and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. He actively serves as both a sole arbitrator and as Chairman and member of tribunals in a wide variety of transborder arbitrations under ICSID, ICC, ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules.
He has served as President of the Inter-American Bar Association and is Founding General Counsel to the Florida International Bankers Association. Mr. Landy is a past Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Agency for International Development's Latin American Business Promotion Advisory Council as well as the City of Miami's International Trade and Development Board.
A two-term president of the World Trade Center in Miami, he has also chaired the Florida Council of International Development, and the Beacon Council, Greater Miami's Economic Development organization. He currently serves as Honorary Consul General to the Republic of Korea for the State of Florida, is founding, chairman of the Southeast US/Korea Economic Committee. He was awarded the Heung-In Medal (Order of Diplomatic Service Merit) by the Government of the Republic of Korea, and the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan.
Mr. Landy earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and has also studied at the National University of Mexico and the University of Havana. He lectures frequently, has taught graduate courses on Latin America Commercial Law at the University of Miami and has published articles on international aviation law, foreign trade zones, aquaculture, tax planning for foreign investors and related topics. Mr. Landy has received numerous awards, among which are the University of Miami School of Law's "Lawyer of the Americas," and the Inter-American Bar Association's "Diploma de Honor."
Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O'Connor Albert & Dribin LLP
201 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 577-3443
Jose I. Astigarraga
Director Emeritus
Described as "a major figure for Latin American litigation and arbitration [who] represents large U.S., European and South American corporations" by Chambers Global Guide to the World's Leading Business Lawyers, Jose Astigarraga has accumulated broad experience in international business disputes in his 30 years of practice. Recently given the "Lawyer of the Americas" award by the University of Miami School of Law Interamerican Law Review for distinguished contribution to the field of international law, Astigarraga has handled business disputes emanating from most countries in Latin America.
The U.S. Government appointed him as one of 10 representatives to the tri-partite committee advising the NAFTA commission on international arbitration and alternative means of resolving private commercial disputes as well as an expert to the international law conference of the Organization of American States. His experience goes beyond Latin America - he serves as vice president of the 35-member London Court of International Arbitration. Recently he was recognized as one of the year's "Most Effective Lawyers" by a legal journal for leading the team that won an arbitral award of U.S. $52 Million plus attorneys' fees in a claim over international licensing rights in the Mercosur region that included parallel litigation proceedings in the U.S. , Brazilian and Argentine courts.
As Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Law Center for Interamerican Free Trade, he is active in efforts to promote commercial law reform and modernization in the Americas.
Reed Smith LLP
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Floor 9
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0201
Fax: (305) 372-8202
Described as "a major figure for Latin American litigation and arbitration [who] represents large U.S., European and South American corporations" by Chambers Global Guide to the World's Leading Business Lawyers, Jose Astigarraga has accumulated broad experience in international business disputes in his 30 years of practice. Recently given the "Lawyer of the Americas" award by the University of Miami School of Law Interamerican Law Review for distinguished contribution to the field of international law, Astigarraga has handled business disputes emanating from most countries in Latin America.
The U.S. Government appointed him as one of 10 representatives to the tri-partite committee advising the NAFTA commission on international arbitration and alternative means of resolving private commercial disputes as well as an expert to the international law conference of the Organization of American States. His experience goes beyond Latin America - he serves as vice president of the 35-member London Court of International Arbitration. Recently he was recognized as one of the year's "Most Effective Lawyers" by a legal journal for leading the team that won an arbitral award of U.S. $52 Million plus attorneys' fees in a claim over international licensing rights in the Mercosur region that included parallel litigation proceedings in the U.S. , Brazilian and Argentine courts.
As Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Law Center for Interamerican Free Trade, he is active in efforts to promote commercial law reform and modernization in the Americas.
Reed Smith LLP
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Floor 9
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0201
Fax: (305) 372-8202
Adolfo Jimenez
Past Chair, Director Emeritus
Adolfo E. Jimenez is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Mr. Jimenez practices in litigation with emphasis in international disputes. He is the practice group leader for Holland & Knight's South Florida Litigation Group and the team leader for the firm's International Arbitration and Litigation Team. He also practices in the areas of media law, maritime and transportation with extensive litigation and trial experience. In addition to his civil litigation practice, Mr. Jimenez has represented clients in arbitrations administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the China International Trade and Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and cases administered under the UNCITRAL Rules. He has also served as an arbitrator in ICC and ICDR cases.
Holland & Knight
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-789- 7720
Fax: 305-789-7799
Adolfo E. Jimenez is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Mr. Jimenez practices in litigation with emphasis in international disputes. He is the practice group leader for Holland & Knight's South Florida Litigation Group and the team leader for the firm's International Arbitration and Litigation Team. He also practices in the areas of media law, maritime and transportation with extensive litigation and trial experience. In addition to his civil litigation practice, Mr. Jimenez has represented clients in arbitrations administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the China International Trade and Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and cases administered under the UNCITRAL Rules. He has also served as an arbitrator in ICC and ICDR cases.
Holland & Knight
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-789- 7720
Fax: 305-789-7799
Cristina Cárdenas
Director Emeritus
Cristina Cárdenas focuses her practice on international litigation and arbitration. Her experience includes the representation of U.S. and Latin American corporate clients in a variety of business related disputes. She serves as counsel in US courts and in arbitral tribunals in the US and abroad.
Cárdenas has been recognized as an “Up and Coming Individual” by both Chambers Latin America and Chambers USA. She has also been named a 2012 and 2013 “Florida Rising Star” by the publication Super Lawyers, and was named in “20 Under 40” by the publication Poder 360, which highlighted 20 people under age 40 who have exerted influence over the arts, business, education and media in Miami.
Cárdenas serves as chair of the Disputes Division of the ABA’s Section of International Law. She also served as Vice Chair to the 2014 ICCA Congress host committee. She has lived, studied, and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America. She has native professional fluency in Spanish.
Cárdenas received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Political Science and Latin American Studies. Cárdenas obtained her J.D. from the University of Florida, where she also served as Assistant Editor in Chief of the Florida Journal of International Law. Following her graduation from law school, Cárdenas obtained an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Miami.
She is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and all Florida state courts.
Reed Smith LLP
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Floor 9
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0204
Fax: (305) 372-8202
Cristina Cárdenas focuses her practice on international litigation and arbitration. Her experience includes the representation of U.S. and Latin American corporate clients in a variety of business related disputes. She serves as counsel in US courts and in arbitral tribunals in the US and abroad.
Cárdenas has been recognized as an “Up and Coming Individual” by both Chambers Latin America and Chambers USA. She has also been named a 2012 and 2013 “Florida Rising Star” by the publication Super Lawyers, and was named in “20 Under 40” by the publication Poder 360, which highlighted 20 people under age 40 who have exerted influence over the arts, business, education and media in Miami.
Cárdenas serves as chair of the Disputes Division of the ABA’s Section of International Law. She also served as Vice Chair to the 2014 ICCA Congress host committee. She has lived, studied, and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America. She has native professional fluency in Spanish.
Cárdenas received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Political Science and Latin American Studies. Cárdenas obtained her J.D. from the University of Florida, where she also served as Assistant Editor in Chief of the Florida Journal of International Law. Following her graduation from law school, Cárdenas obtained an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Miami.
She is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and all Florida state courts.
Reed Smith LLP
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Floor 9
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0204
Fax: (305) 372-8202
Daniel E. González
Director Emeritus
Daniel E. González serves as Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ international arbitration practice. Dan dedicates his full-time practice to international commercial litigation and arbitration, representing clients' interests in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. With a focus on construction and infrastructure, as well as energy, financial services, securities, and telecommunications, Dan provides deep acumen into industry matters involving commercial, distributorship, technology, engineering, procurement, construction, and design/build contracts, among others. He helps clients handle issues arising during projects, as well as dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution. These include mediation, expert determination, adjudication, dispute boards, arbitration, and court proceedings. He provides fully bilingual (English and Spanish) counsel in both common and civil law jurisdictions to effectively provide strategy and analysis in achieving favorable results. As lead trial and arbitral counsel in multijurisdictional disputes, Dan has tried matters from inception through to judgment or confirmation of the award.
As a leading practitioner in the field of international arbitration, he has also been appointed as arbitrator in numerous matters. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to arbitration in emerging markets and is currently a professor at the University of Miami School of Law where he is teaching Forensics of Advocacy in International Arbitration. In addition to teaching and speaking, he serves on the board of several industry organizations including the Miami International Arbitration Society, the Institute for Transnational Arbitration, and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Technology in International Arbitration.
Hogan Lovells US LLP
600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 459-6649
Fax: (305) 459-6550
Daniel E. González serves as Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ international arbitration practice. Dan dedicates his full-time practice to international commercial litigation and arbitration, representing clients' interests in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. With a focus on construction and infrastructure, as well as energy, financial services, securities, and telecommunications, Dan provides deep acumen into industry matters involving commercial, distributorship, technology, engineering, procurement, construction, and design/build contracts, among others. He helps clients handle issues arising during projects, as well as dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution. These include mediation, expert determination, adjudication, dispute boards, arbitration, and court proceedings. He provides fully bilingual (English and Spanish) counsel in both common and civil law jurisdictions to effectively provide strategy and analysis in achieving favorable results. As lead trial and arbitral counsel in multijurisdictional disputes, Dan has tried matters from inception through to judgment or confirmation of the award.
As a leading practitioner in the field of international arbitration, he has also been appointed as arbitrator in numerous matters. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to arbitration in emerging markets and is currently a professor at the University of Miami School of Law where he is teaching Forensics of Advocacy in International Arbitration. In addition to teaching and speaking, he serves on the board of several industry organizations including the Miami International Arbitration Society, the Institute for Transnational Arbitration, and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Technology in International Arbitration.
Hogan Lovells US LLP
600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: (305) 459-6649
Fax: (305) 459-6550
John H. Rooney Jr.
Director Emeritus
Prior to starting his private practice, John Rooney was a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen. He was a member of the firm's International Litigation and Arbitration Practice Group, and is admitted to practice law in Florida, Texas and Louisiana (the only state of the United States with a civil law as opposed to common law system of private law). As an arbtirator, Mr. Rooney has arbitrated under the rules of the Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, and the International Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, he has served as counsel in arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and the rules of other institutions, and represented clients in arbitration-related litigation. He is the Chair of the International Arbitration Law Committee of the Inter-American Bar Association, and represents the IABA in the meetings of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Working Group. Mr. Rooney conducts the International Commercial Arbitration Seminar at the University of Miami School of Law, and is the coach of the University of Miami Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot team.
He speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish (and is presently chairing an arbitration conducted in Spanish), and has written and spoken extensively on the subject of international arbitration both in the United States and abroad.
John H. Rooney, Jr., P.A.
3250 Mary Street, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33133
Phone: (305) 804-4084
Fax: (786) 220-8361
Prior to starting his private practice, John Rooney was a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen. He was a member of the firm's International Litigation and Arbitration Practice Group, and is admitted to practice law in Florida, Texas and Louisiana (the only state of the United States with a civil law as opposed to common law system of private law). As an arbtirator, Mr. Rooney has arbitrated under the rules of the Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, and the International Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, he has served as counsel in arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and the rules of other institutions, and represented clients in arbitration-related litigation. He is the Chair of the International Arbitration Law Committee of the Inter-American Bar Association, and represents the IABA in the meetings of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Working Group. Mr. Rooney conducts the International Commercial Arbitration Seminar at the University of Miami School of Law, and is the coach of the University of Miami Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot team.
He speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish (and is presently chairing an arbitration conducted in Spanish), and has written and spoken extensively on the subject of international arbitration both in the United States and abroad.
John H. Rooney, Jr., P.A.
3250 Mary Street, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33133
Phone: (305) 804-4084
Fax: (786) 220-8361
Edward Mullins
Director Emeritus
Ed Mullins is the Managing Partner of the Reed Smith Miami office and focuses his trial, arbitration, and appellate commercial litigation practice on international commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration, and complex commercial litigation. He brings to this practice broad experience as a commercial litigator, having handled an array of commercial disputes over the years, including contract, business tort, media, intellectual property, shareholder, and class action disputes. He also serves as arbitrator and mediator, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Commercial Arbitrators and is a member of the commercial panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association. He has served as arbitration counsel and trial counsel in international and trial disputes throughout the country. Ed has served as appellate counsel, having appeared in almost 100 appeals and appellate proceedings in federal and state courts including the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
Reed Smith
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, 9th Floor
Miami, FL, 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0203
Fax: (786) 747-0299
Ed Mullins is the Managing Partner of the Reed Smith Miami office and focuses his trial, arbitration, and appellate commercial litigation practice on international commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration, and complex commercial litigation. He brings to this practice broad experience as a commercial litigator, having handled an array of commercial disputes over the years, including contract, business tort, media, intellectual property, shareholder, and class action disputes. He also serves as arbitrator and mediator, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Commercial Arbitrators and is a member of the commercial panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association. He has served as arbitration counsel and trial counsel in international and trial disputes throughout the country. Ed has served as appellate counsel, having appeared in almost 100 appeals and appellate proceedings in federal and state courts including the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
Reed Smith
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, 9th Floor
Miami, FL, 33131
Phone: (786) 747-0203
Fax: (786) 747-0299
C Ryan Reetz
Director Emeritus
C. Ryan Reetz is the managing partner and co-founder of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's Miami office. He represents clients as trial counsel in international and domestic commercial and regulatory disputes, including investor-state arbitration, international commercial arbitration, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, foreign sovereign immunity litigation, class actions, complex commercial litigation, and administrative proceedings. In addition to acting as counsel, he serves as an arbitrator in international commercial disputes.
Mr. Reetz frequently writes and lectures on arbitration and litigation topics. He teaches transnational civil litigation and arbitration as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law, and taught the same subject at the University of Miami School of Law from 2003 to 2010. He also serves as a visiting professor at the University of Navarra School of Law in Pamplona, Spain. Mr. Reetz is also an instructor for the Florida Regional Program of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and has lectured at the Swiss Arbitration Academy and at a number of law schools, including Doshisha University, Marmara University, Istanbul Bilgi University and Istanbul Kültür University. He is the co-author (with Pedro J. Martinez-Fraga) of Public Purpose in International Law: Rethinking Regulatory Sovereignty in the Global Era (Cambridge University Press 2005).
Mr. Reetz served as chair of the Florida Bar’s International Law Section from 2013-14, and he is currently active in several other professional organizations, including the American Law Institute, where he serves on member consultative groups for the Restatement (Third), The U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration and the Restatement (Fourth), The Foreign Relations Law of the United States.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., #400
Miami, Florida 33131
Phone: (786) 322-7370
Fax: (786) 322-7470
C. Ryan Reetz is the managing partner and co-founder of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's Miami office. He represents clients as trial counsel in international and domestic commercial and regulatory disputes, including investor-state arbitration, international commercial arbitration, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, foreign sovereign immunity litigation, class actions, complex commercial litigation, and administrative proceedings. In addition to acting as counsel, he serves as an arbitrator in international commercial disputes.
Mr. Reetz frequently writes and lectures on arbitration and litigation topics. He teaches transnational civil litigation and arbitration as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law, and taught the same subject at the University of Miami School of Law from 2003 to 2010. He also serves as a visiting professor at the University of Navarra School of Law in Pamplona, Spain. Mr. Reetz is also an instructor for the Florida Regional Program of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and has lectured at the Swiss Arbitration Academy and at a number of law schools, including Doshisha University, Marmara University, Istanbul Bilgi University and Istanbul Kültür University. He is the co-author (with Pedro J. Martinez-Fraga) of Public Purpose in International Law: Rethinking Regulatory Sovereignty in the Global Era (Cambridge University Press 2005).
Mr. Reetz served as chair of the Florida Bar’s International Law Section from 2013-14, and he is currently active in several other professional organizations, including the American Law Institute, where he serves on member consultative groups for the Restatement (Third), The U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration and the Restatement (Fourth), The Foreign Relations Law of the United States.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., #400
Miami, Florida 33131
Phone: (786) 322-7370
Fax: (786) 322-7470
David Orta
Director Emeritus
David Orta is Chair of the U.S. International Arbitration Practice and of the Latin America International Arbitration Practice. He is a trial lawyer and arbitration advocate with many years of experience successfully representing clients all over the world in complex international arbitrations (including investor-state (treaty) arbitrations and complex, international commercial arbitrations) and complex, commercial transnational litigations.
His clients and cases have spanned most continents, including North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and he represents both governments and investors in international arbitration matters. His experience spans many sectors, including energy, oil and gas, transportation, infrastructure, construction, power plant, telecommunications, mining, and post-merger and acquisition disputes.
David has handled numerous investor-state arbitrations under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties administered under the auspices of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and has represented clients in treaty and commercial ad hoc arbitrations administered under UNCITRAL Rules and international commercial arbitrations administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR/AAA). He has received various accolades for his work, including being named consistently as a Leading International Arbitration Advocate by Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, Legal 500, Euromoney’s Expert’s Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration
Most recently in 2021, David was selected as one of 500 litigators selected from around the world by Lawdragon 500 for Global Litigation. He was also named a Top 100 Lawyer for Arbitration & Litigation by Latinvex for 2018-2020. He has been named on two separate occasions (once by the National Law Journal and once by Washingtonian Magazine) as one of the Top 40 Lawyers under 40 in Washington, DC and selected numerous times for inclusion in Super Lawyers—Washington, D.C. for international arbitration. He regularly lectures on topics of international arbitration and public and private international law all around the world and has published numerous articles on topics of interest within the international arbitration community.
He holds a B. A. from Tulane University and a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from Stetson University College of Law.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
1300 I Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005
Office: 202-538-8000
Direct: 202-538-8129
David Orta is Chair of the U.S. International Arbitration Practice and of the Latin America International Arbitration Practice. He is a trial lawyer and arbitration advocate with many years of experience successfully representing clients all over the world in complex international arbitrations (including investor-state (treaty) arbitrations and complex, international commercial arbitrations) and complex, commercial transnational litigations.
His clients and cases have spanned most continents, including North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and he represents both governments and investors in international arbitration matters. His experience spans many sectors, including energy, oil and gas, transportation, infrastructure, construction, power plant, telecommunications, mining, and post-merger and acquisition disputes.
David has handled numerous investor-state arbitrations under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties administered under the auspices of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and has represented clients in treaty and commercial ad hoc arbitrations administered under UNCITRAL Rules and international commercial arbitrations administered by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR/AAA). He has received various accolades for his work, including being named consistently as a Leading International Arbitration Advocate by Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, Legal 500, Euromoney’s Expert’s Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration
Most recently in 2021, David was selected as one of 500 litigators selected from around the world by Lawdragon 500 for Global Litigation. He was also named a Top 100 Lawyer for Arbitration & Litigation by Latinvex for 2018-2020. He has been named on two separate occasions (once by the National Law Journal and once by Washingtonian Magazine) as one of the Top 40 Lawyers under 40 in Washington, DC and selected numerous times for inclusion in Super Lawyers—Washington, D.C. for international arbitration. He regularly lectures on topics of international arbitration and public and private international law all around the world and has published numerous articles on topics of interest within the international arbitration community.
He holds a B. A. from Tulane University and a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from Stetson University College of Law.
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
1300 I Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005
Office: 202-538-8000
Direct: 202-538-8129
William K Hill
Director Emeritus
William K. Hill A seasoned business advocate, litigator and trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, William Hill continuously strives to resolve complex disputes in and out of court throughout the country. William focuses on representation that reflects his perseverance and determination to resolve matters quickly, efficiently and thoroughly.
William is the first and only lawyer to be Florida Bar Board Certified in both Business Litigation and International Litigation & Arbitration. He represents businesses in a variety of industries such as banking and financial services, behavioral health and health care, technology, real estate, aviation, manufacturing, retail and government. William has also advised large public companies.
William represents clients in complex cases, including class actions and international arbitrations. His experience ranges from commercial disputes of all kinds to intellectual property, real estate, securities, product liability and RICO cases. He also advises clients on a national scale in the area of non-compete enforcement and defense.
William is committed to practicing with integrity and devising compelling arguments on behalf of clients. His goal is to take complicated issues and distill them into viable, cogent and persuasive positions.
Notably, William clerked for highly respected Judge William Hoeveler of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.
He holds a B.S. from St. John’s College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Gunster
Brickell World Plaza, 600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3500
Miami, FL 33131
P 305-376-6093
F 305-376-6010
William K. Hill A seasoned business advocate, litigator and trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, William Hill continuously strives to resolve complex disputes in and out of court throughout the country. William focuses on representation that reflects his perseverance and determination to resolve matters quickly, efficiently and thoroughly.
William is the first and only lawyer to be Florida Bar Board Certified in both Business Litigation and International Litigation & Arbitration. He represents businesses in a variety of industries such as banking and financial services, behavioral health and health care, technology, real estate, aviation, manufacturing, retail and government. William has also advised large public companies.
William represents clients in complex cases, including class actions and international arbitrations. His experience ranges from commercial disputes of all kinds to intellectual property, real estate, securities, product liability and RICO cases. He also advises clients on a national scale in the area of non-compete enforcement and defense.
William is committed to practicing with integrity and devising compelling arguments on behalf of clients. His goal is to take complicated issues and distill them into viable, cogent and persuasive positions.
Notably, William clerked for highly respected Judge William Hoeveler of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.
He holds a B.S. from St. John’s College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Gunster
Brickell World Plaza, 600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3500
Miami, FL 33131
P 305-376-6093
F 305-376-6010
Carlos F. Concepcion
Director Emeritus
Carlos Concepción is Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. His practice concentrates on international litigation and arbitration involving financial services, construction disputes involving audit and defect claims, and transnational disputes involving parties and witnesses from multiple jurisdictions. He has substantial trial experience with multilingual and multicultural teams that provide a strategic advantage in dealing with parties and evidence from different legal systems, especially in South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Carlos also has extensive experience in international corporate investigations and special litigation committees. He led an internal investigation and litigation team representing a special litigation committee in the failure of a major bank in Puerto Rico and a related shareholder derivative action. In addition, Carlos was lead counsel for several Canadian investors in a multidistrict litigation dispute regarding a time-share resort in the Dominican Republic.
Carlos also represents parties in international arbitrations in a number of industries. He has worked with all the leading arbitration organizations and has conducted proceedings in Spanish and English in which the seat of the arbitration and governing laws has been in multiple countries. He also has experience under the UNCITRAL Rules and the International Bar Association Rules. Carlos is a member of numerous organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), which is the highest level of arbitration training and experience recognized by that institution.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Citigroup Center
201 South Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33131-4332
Phone: (305) 755-8975
Carlos Concepción is Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. His practice concentrates on international litigation and arbitration involving financial services, construction disputes involving audit and defect claims, and transnational disputes involving parties and witnesses from multiple jurisdictions. He has substantial trial experience with multilingual and multicultural teams that provide a strategic advantage in dealing with parties and evidence from different legal systems, especially in South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Carlos also has extensive experience in international corporate investigations and special litigation committees. He led an internal investigation and litigation team representing a special litigation committee in the failure of a major bank in Puerto Rico and a related shareholder derivative action. In addition, Carlos was lead counsel for several Canadian investors in a multidistrict litigation dispute regarding a time-share resort in the Dominican Republic.
Carlos also represents parties in international arbitrations in a number of industries. He has worked with all the leading arbitration organizations and has conducted proceedings in Spanish and English in which the seat of the arbitration and governing laws has been in multiple countries. He also has experience under the UNCITRAL Rules and the International Bar Association Rules. Carlos is a member of numerous organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), which is the highest level of arbitration training and experience recognized by that institution.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Citigroup Center
201 South Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33131-4332
Phone: (305) 755-8975
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