Spring 2012 - Fowler Rodriguez

FOWLER
RODRIGUEZ
VALDES-FAULI
Counselors at Law
EXPERTISE • ADVOCACY • REACH • SUCCESS
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joins
Fowler Rodriguez Valdés-Fauli
Former Assistant United States Attorney Peter Thomson has joined the firm as a partner
and leads the firm’s government investigations and criminal defense practice. Mr.
Thomson has an impeccable record spanning twenty-three years of service with the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Mr. Thomson will help navigate and defend businesses against a broad spectrum of
regulatory, environmental, and criminal enforcement actions related to maritime and
environmental offenses, health care fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, money
laundering, financial fraud, and corporate corruption, together with many other
regulatory and criminal statutes. Mr. Thomson, who has previous civil experience, will
be available for select civil litigation as well.
Between 1987 and 2011, Mr. Thomson served as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern
District of Louisiana where he handled hundreds of federal investigations and argued
appeals before the U.S. Fifth Circuit. He supervised and conducted numerous complex
investigations and prosecutions involving the RICO Act, white collar crime, crimes on the high seas, money
laundering, murder, narcotics trafficking, and public corruption. Mr. Thomson’s trial and litigation experience
is extensive. In 1986, as an Assistant District Attorney, he successfully tried approximately two-dozen cases in
state criminal district court. As a federal prosecutor, he tried nearly thirty criminal jury trials in federal court.
Impressively, in all cases, the U.S. Government prevailed and the defendants were convicted.
Serralles Seals Aviation Deal
Juan E. Serralles, IV represented a group of Venezuelan investors in
the purchase of a majority interest in a multi-jurisdictional Argentinean
aeronautical company. He also represents the company in negotiating
contracts relating to the modification, co-production, and logistical
maintenance support of freighter, passenger and multi-purpose aircraft
throughout the Latin American region.
Laviasa is a privately owned aircraft factory in Argentina. Recently Laviasa’s
president, Manuel Prieto, presented the newest version of the only aircraft
(Biplaza-Puelche) designed and manufactured in the Argentinean province
of Mendoza. The aircraft is multipurpose ~ suitable to constitute a basic
trainer to train civilian pilots (including those engaged in the fumigation,
glider towing, advertising, first actions against forest fires, monitoring of
pipelines, power lines, and photography, among other benefits).
The two-seater aircraft received certification from the National Administration of Civil Aviation and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) as the only training airplane to be commercialized in worldwide markets.
Argentinean authorities proudly gathered at the IV Brigada Aérea for a reception in Mendoza, Argentina
attended by high ranking government officials including representatives from the Department of Defense and
Juan Serralles. Aviation authorities concur that the certification is the most important in Argentina and all of
Latin America’s aviation industry.
In The News:
Successful Defense of Farm Stores Grocery Chain
Luis A. Espino, Esq. successfully represented the Farm Stores grocery store chain in its
defense of a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought against it by The H.T. Hackney Company.
Mr. Espino also obtained a default against Hackney in connection with the affirmative claims
brought by Farm Stores.
Farm Stores is a convenience store chain that has operated in the State of Florida since 1935.
In the late 1990’s, it entered into 3 exclusive distributorship agreements with the H.T. Hackney
Co. Several years into the relationship, Farm Stores discovered Hackney was overcharging for
its products. Farm Stores brought suit against Hackney in 2002. Hackney brought a separate
claim against Farm Stores in 2003 seeking damages in excess of $5 Million.
During the course of the litigation, Mr. Espino discovered that Hackney had destroyed certain critical documents
necessary to calculate the damages Farm Stores suffered. Mr. Espino brought a motion to strike Hackney’s
pleadings as a sanction for the intentional spoliation of evidence. The court granted the motion and entered
a default against Hackney on all counts. Shortly after the court’s ruling, Hackney claimed to have discovered
certain documents that could serve as a suitable replacement for the evidence it had destroyed. Hackney moved
for a rehearing on the basis of the “newly discovered evidence.” The court denied the motion for rehearing,
noting that Hackney did not use reasonable diligence in attempting to locate the substitute evidence. The
trial on damages will be limited to the losses Farm Stores is able to prove despite the absence of the evidence
Hackney destroyed.
Ownership of Disputed Property
Affirmed
Recent Interpretation of Florida’s
Constitution Affirms a Foreigner
Can Claim Homestead Exemption
In a case argued by Edward “Bret”
LeBreton, James C. Rollings
prevailed in the United States
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals,
establishing ownership of disputed
property, including a valuable drum
shaft. The dispute began when RexTech International, LLC sought
to sell various items of oilfield
equipment on its lot. Mr. Rollings, a former employee,
claimed ownership of the disputed equipment. RexTech sought a declaration that, in fact, it owned the
property. The bankruptcy court and the district court
ruled in favor of Mr. Rollings, and Rex-Tech appealed.
Earlier this year, Miami partner
Guillermo Luis Dominguez took
up the cause of a widow and her
son who were about to lose their
home to the creditors of her
deceased husband. Guillermo
appealed the trial court’s denial
of homestead protection. The
ruling was based on the generally
accepted interpretation of the Florida Constitution
that an alien in the U.S. under a temporary visa is not
entitled to the homestead exemption from creditors.
On November 23, 2011 the court of appeals reversed,
and the decision potentially affects every foreigner
who owns residence in Florida and whose family, wife
or children, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
According to the appellate decision, all that the
property owner needs to show to qualify for homestead
protection is that a member of his family lives on the
property and that he intended that the property be
that family member’s permanent residence. Once this
is established, the property is exempt from execution
by the owner’s personal creditors.
The Fifth Circuit held that the presumption that the
possessor owned the disputed equipment did not
apply because ownership had been disputed from the
beginning. It further held that Mr. Rollings’ initial
bankruptcy schedules that did not include the disputed
equipment were not binding admissions because
they were superseded by subsequent filings. Finally,
the court held that there was sufficient evidence
for the bankruptcy court to credit the testimony of
Mr. Rollings over evidence presented by Rex-Tech,
particularly that Mr. Rollings had paid for the drum
shaft with a personal check.
2
In The News... (cont.)
Insurance Company Sanctioned Four Million Dollars Worth of
After Firm Discovered Rapper Assets Returned to Client
Mystikal Had Usufruct of Home
FRVF partners Daniel Lichtl and Wade Webster
obtained a court judgment holding a national title
insurance company liable for statutory penalties and
attorney’s fees under the Louisiana bad faith insurance
statutes after it failed to promptly remit payment under
a $350,000 title insurance policy for the client’s home
in the Country Club of Louisiana.
After purchasing the home, the Firm’s client discovered
that the nationally known rapper Michael Tyler, aka
“Mystikal,” had an undisclosed usufruct on the home,
and it was also subject to $1.1 million in IRS liens and
other judgments. These title defects thwarted a sale of
the client’s home, so the Firm submitted a claim under
the title insurance policy that was not promptly paid.
The title insurance company delayed payment for
seven months, claiming that it would cure the title
rather than remit payment. The failure to pay forced
the firm to file a lawsuit for our client. The court
found that the seven month delay of worthless efforts
to cure the title was unjustified under the Louisiana
statutes that require an insurance company to remit
payment within thirty days of receiving a proof of loss
and rendered a judgment in favor of the client. The
title insurance company appealed the judgment, but
our attorneys were successful on appeal. The Firm’s
client recovered the full amount of his $350,000 title
insurance policy, plus $80,000 in attorney’s fees and
penalties.
3
Peter Thomson won a substantial
victory for a firm client, the
surviving spouse of a nationally
recognized Restauranteur, when
the St. Tammany Parish District
Attorney and Sheriff’s Office
returned millions of dollars in
seized assets to the client’s rightful
possession. The Sheriff’s Office
sought forfeiture of approximately four million dollars
in tangible assets held by the client as investments
together with $217,000 in cash. Before the District
Attorney could file a formal forfeiture claim against the
non-cash assets, Mr. Thomson intervened and secured
the return of ninety-percent of the cash together with
all of the client’s seized assets.
The nightmare scenario began when detectives served
a search warrant on a residence owned by the client’s
son. When detectives found a letter indicating that
the son might have safe-deposit boxes at Hancock
bank, they obtained additional search warrants.
Upon opening the boxes the bank linked to the son,
detectives found and seized about four million dollars
worth of assets, including precious metals, jewelry,
and $217,000 in cash. Although the bank boxes and
assets actually belonged to the son’s mother, the State
produced evidence that the son had accessed the boxes
on occasions when he allegedly obtained shipments of
marijuana. The Sheriff’s Office vigorously attempted
to retain all of the assets under Louisiana’s repressive
forfeiture laws, arguing the valuables and cash were
related to the sale and purchase of illegal drugs.
Mr. Thomson contested the State’s forfeiture claim
in court, and then negotiated with the District
Attorney and Sheriff’s Office, both of which initially
maintained that the assets could be lawfully forfeited.
However, Mr. Thomson presented evidence and legal
arguments which ultimately persuaded the Sheriff’s
Office and District Attorney to return all of the seized
assets together with $197,000 of the cash to the client.
In The News... (cont.)
Limitation of Liability Successful
for Delta Towing, Inc.
Larry DeMarcay Speaks at Tulane
Larry DeMarcay Spoke at Tulane
University Law School’s 22nd
Annual CLE by the Hour on
December 29, 2011. The title of
his presentation was “The Effect
of Medicare Set Asides on Settling
Jones Act Personal Injury Cases.”
Anthony D’Alto II
Edward LeBreton
Plaintiff Seeking $3Mil Awarded
Nothing; Flint’s Successful Defense
Upheld for ENSCO
On January 12, 2011, Judge Rebecca Doherty of the
Western District of Louisiana granted limitation of
liability in favor of Delta Towing, Inc. The ruling
was obtained by Edward "Bret" LeBreton, Anthony
D'Alto II, and Delos “Dee” Flint and substantially
reduced the amount awarded against Delta.
The Limitation Act provides that the liability of a
vessel owner for a property damage claim shall not
exceed the value of the vessel and pending freight
if the negligent act causing the incident occurred
without the vessel owner's privity or knowledge.
Delta Towing's tugs, the Delta Owl and Delta
Mallard, were towing a barge rig owned by Basic
Energy Services. The flotilla struck the underside
of a bridge, causing damage to the barge. There
was obvious operational negligence on the part
of Delta Towing's captain. Mr. LeBreton and Mr.
D'Alto successfully proved at trial that the captain's
failure to execute a pre-tow questionnaire prior to
undertaking the voyage at issue was the cause of the
allision and not within the privity and knowledge of
Delta Towing's management.
Key to the ruling was that Delta Towing had an
adequate safety system in place, and that Delta
management had consistently enforced the
procedures required by the safety management
system. Accordingly, the failure of the captain to
execute the pre-tow questionnaire was not within
privity and/or knowledge of Delta Towing. Further,
the court found that both the Pennsylvania Rule and
the Oregon rule created only presumptions of fault
and that Delta has successfully shown that any other
faults for which it was responsible did not contribute
to causing the allision.
4
We previously reported on the significant defense
verdict obtained by Delos “Dee” Flint on behalf of
ENSCO Offshore Company, sending a personal injury
plaintiff seeking $3 million home to Pensacola, Florida
empty-handed. That verdict was recently upheld by
the United States Court of Appeals for Fifth Circuit.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the District Court’s decision
on both counts. Significantly, the Fifth Circuit found
that ENSCO adduced “ample evidence” at trial to
support a finding that any negligence was solely
attributable to plaintiff, citing to testimony elicited
from plaintiff’s co-workers and well as Flint’s crossexamination of plaintiff. The Fifth Circuit also
affirmed the trial court’s evidentiary ruling on the
post accident root-cause investigation report, noting
that appellant did not contravene the Court’s ruling
that the report was inadmissible hearsay and since the
author of the report testified at trial, plaintiff could
not show he suffered any prejudice as a result of the
exclusion of the report. Flint was assisted at trial and
with the appellate briefing by associate Jacob Gardner
and paralegal Pat Bridges.
FRVF Attorneys Speak Out:
Jacob Gardner Speaks at Admiralty
Law Institute
Dee Flint Speaks at 18th Annual
Admiralty Symposium
Jacob Gardner Spoke at the
2011 annual seminar of the
Southeastern
Admiralty
Law
Institute (“SEALI”) held in St.
Simon’s Island, Georgia.
Mr.
Gardner’s paper and presentation
examined significant admiralty
cases pending in the Fifth, Ninth,
and Tenth Circuits during the past
year. The presentation covered the LHWCA, COGSA,
seaman’s status, the causation standard in Jones Act
claims, and limitation of liability.
Raúl J. Valdés-Fauli Speaks at the
Spain-Florida Law Firms Forum
On September 30, 2011, Dee Flint Spoke at the
Louisiana State Bar Association’s 18th Annual
Admiralty Symposium. His topic was “Maritime
Legislative Developments, Proposed Changes,
Congressional Hearings and DOSHA Overview”
arising from the Deepwater Horizon casualty. Mr.
Flint presented a paper which he co-authored with
Lauren McCulloch, a new associate at the firm. He
put together a PowerPoint presentation with the
aid of Patricia Bridges, his paralegal, which was well
received by the audience.
Raúl J. Valdés-Fauli was the featured
Speaker in the SPAIN-FLORIDA
LAW FIRMS FORUM held in Miami
on November 2nd.
The Forum
was sponsored by the Consejo
Nacional de la Abogacía in Spain,
the National Spanish Official Bar
Association, which includes the 99
local bar associations of Spain. The
Spanish Trade Commissioner in Miami co-sponsored
the event. Fifteen of the most prestigious law firms from
Spain participated in the presentations. Mr. ValdésFauli’s presentation focused on the “Relationship
and Collaboration between North American and
European Law Firms.”
Highlights of the presentation included a review of
the laws that were in effect on April 20, 2010 when
the Deepwater Horizon casualty occurred, a review of
the legislation that was initiated, the legislation still
outstanding and a discussion of why a vast majority
of the proposals have vanished.
“Skipper” Chenault Speaks at
Tulane Admiralty Law Institute
Alanson “Skipper” Chenault was
a Speaker at theTulane Admiralty
Law Institute and Maritime Law
Conferences. Every other year
in March, hundreds of lawyers,
converge on the Tulane campus
for the Admiralty Law Institute,
the oldest (since 1966) and
largest continuing legal education
program devoted to maritime law. The Institute lasts
for three days, and the papers and presentations that
it produces are published in the Tulane Law Review.
The speech then turned to a recent decision of
Judge Barbier in the Deepwater Horizon litigation
and the effect it will have going forth prospectively.
Finally, Mr. Flint concluded his presentation
by discussing Secretary of the Interior Salazar’s
dismantling MMS and the formation of the Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety
and Environmental Enforcement and the Office of
Natural Resources Revenue. Copies of the paper are
available upon request.
5
New Hires:
Michael B. Smith joined
the Houston office of
Fowler Rodriguez ValdésFauli as counsel in 2011.
Mr. Smith practices in
the areas of oil and gas
law, general litigation,
and environmental issues
associated with exploration,
production, and pipeline
operations. His experience
includes representing oil
and gas operators in property disputes, facility audits,
and HSE compliance matters. Mr. Smith also defends
claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
regarding spills and permitted discharges from vessels,
fixed facilities and Department of Transportation
(DOT) regulated pipelines.
Sabrina G. Stone Kadas
joined the Houston office
of Fowler Rodriguez ValdésFauli as an associate in 2011.
Ms. Kadas specializes in
litigation.
Ms. Kadas graduated cum
laude from Baylor University
in December 2007 with a
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
She was also a member of
Phi Beta Kappa honors fraternity. Ms. Kadas then
attended South Texas College of Law, where she
graduated magna cum laude in December 2010. She
was admitted into the Texas Bar in 2011.
While at South Texas College of Law, Ms. Kadas was
a member of the South Texas Law Review, where
she served as an Assistant Articles Editor, and was a
member of Phi Delta Phi honors fraternity. Ms. Kadas
was also a Varsity Moot Court Advocate and Brief
Writer, where she won numerous awards, including
First Place at the 19th Annual National Health Law
Moot Court Competition and the 2010 American
Society of Writers on Legal Subjects Scribes National
Brief-Writing Award.
Mr. Smith has represented complex property damage
claims as well as regulatory and enforcement cases. Mr.
Smith has resolved property contamination lawsuits at
former refinery and marketing terminal sites totaling
more than $135 million in cleanup liabilities.
In the oil and gas domain, Mr. Smith has drafted and
negotiated gas transportation and storage agreements
on behalf of mineral owners and counseled gas
processing plants on compliance with air quality, preconstruction requirements and emission rules. He
participated in a successful FERC application to build
an interstate pipeline to supply CO2 gas to Chevron’s
largest gas field in the Rocky Mountains.
Christopher L. Schmidt is
an associate at the Gulfport
office of Fowler Rodriguez
Valdés-Fauli. Mr. Schmidt
began his legal career in
1995 after graduating from
The University of Mississippi
School of Law. Mr Schmidt
was admitted in 1995 to
practice in Misssissippi, shortly
thereafter, he was appointed
Assistant District Attorney
in the Second Circuit of Mississippi and began his
practice as a prosecutor in one of the busiest criminal
courts in the state. His trial experience includes
approximately one-hundred jury trials to verdict, as
well as dozens more jury trials which settled prior to
verdict. Of all the convictions he obtained, only one
case has been reversed on appeal. His experience
also includes complex forensic evidence and expert
witness preparation.
Mr. Smith served as Chair of the Environmental Law
Committee of the Texas Oil and Gas Association
(TXOGA) from 2000-2002. He was also Chair of the
American Petroleum Industry (API) Environmental
Litigation Committee for Offshore Oil and Gas
Exploration and Production from 1994 to 1996.
Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts from
University of Texas at Austin in 1975 with honors. He
then obtained his Master’s degree in City Planning
and Land Use and Industrial Siting from University
of California at Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from
University of California, Hastings College of the Law,
where he was an editor of the Constitutional Law
Quarterly. Mr. Smith was admittted to the Texas bar
in 1983.
6
New Hires:
Michael J. Thompson joined
the Firm as an associate in the
Gulfport office in 2010. Mr.
Thompson earned his B.S.
in Marine Transportation
from
Texas
AandM
University at Galveston in
1999, where he also served
as an officer in the Corps
of Cadets. After graduation,
he began his career in the
marine industry, serving as
a deckhand, a mate and a captain. Mr. Thompson
owned and operated a successful inshore fishing
guide service. Mr. Thompson earned his J.D. from
Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law.
Lewie G. “Skip” Negrotto,
IV joined the Gulfport office
in September 2010.
He
attended Louisiana State
University,
where
he
graduated in 1986 with a
Bachelor of General Studies Pre-medicine.
Mr.
Negrotto
obtained
his Juris Doctor from the
University of Mississippi in
1995. He was the winner of
the annual University of Mississippi Law School SteenReynolds Trial Competition, member of the Ole Miss
National Trial Competition Team, and a Moot Court
Board member. In 1995, Mr. Negrotto was admitted to
practice in the state of Mississippi. He was a successful
sole practitioner for sixteen years prior to joining the
firm. He concentrates in the areas of contract, real
estate, family, personal injury, business and criminal
defense law.
Mr. Thompson was admitted to practice in Mississippi
in 2010 and in Louisiana in 2011. Mr. Thompson’s
practice focuses on admiralty and maritime law,
including: personal injury defense, collision cases,
property damage and loss of use claims, as well as
charter parties, ship construction and repair contracts.
Lauren Ann McCulloch joined
Fowler Rodriguez Valdés-Fauli
as an associate specializing in
areas of Maritime and Energy.
Ms. McCulloch was born in
Houston, Texas. She attended
Davidson College, where she
graduated with a B.S. degree
in Biology. Ms. McCulloch
obtained her J.D. from Tulane
University, graduating magna
cum laude with a maritime
law certificate. She was Senior Managing Editor of the
Tulane Maritime Law Journal and on the Moot Court
Board. Ms. McCulloch received the Ray Forrester
Award for excellence in Constitutional Law.
Caitlin R. Byars joined Fowler
Rodriguez Valdés-Fauli as an
associate specializing in areas
of admiralty and maritime
law. Ms. Byars was born in
New Orleans, Louisiana.
She
attended
Louisiana
State University, where she
graduated with a B.A. degree
in Business Marketing, with
a Minor in Italian. Ms. Byars
obtained her J.D. from Loyola
University where she was a member of the Moot Court
Board and obtained a Common Law Certificate and an
International Law Certificate. She also was selected to
membership in the Order of Barrister Honor Society.
In 2011, Ms. McCulloch was admitted to practice
law in Louisiana. Prior to joining the firm, she was a
summer law clerk with Judge Lance Africk.
Ms. Byars was admitted in 2011 to practice law in all
district courts in Louisiana and in the 5th Circuit
Court of Appeal in 2011. Ms. Byars is also a member
of the YLC, the YLSBA, the NOBA, and the ABA. Prior
to joining the firm she clerked with the Louisiana
Department of Economic Development and Fowler
Rodriguez Valdés-Fauli.
7
FRVF Community Outreach :
FRVF’s Gulfport Office Gave Back During Thanksgiving
The FRVF Gulfport office fried 150 turkeys to raise money for Hope Haven
Children’s Services in Hancock County. The fryer that was used holds 300 gallons
of cooking oil. Attorneys from the firm worked on an assembly line to prepare the
turkeys for the over-sized cooking vat. “This allows us to take a moment and just
be thankful that we have an opportunity to work in a community like Hancock
County to help a charity,” explained Garner. The turkeys were sold for $25 each.
“This is going to put some money in our coffers that we will spend every cent
giving out to needy families and helping kids in Hancock County,” said Terry
Latham, Director of Hope Haven. The attorneys said it’s their chance to give
back. “I think it’s important for us to step away from a difficult job, be respective
of the fact that other people are in need and do something for them,” explained
Garner. The fundraiser raised more than $3,000.
Harowski Spearheads YLC’s Where Ya’ Rack Program
Amid all of the city's new developments, you may have seen the new green bike racks
popping up around the Greater New Orleans area with a fleur-de-lis emblem. Our
own Michael Harowski spearheaded the effort to provide these racks for local bikers
after noticing there were not enough places for bikers to secure their bikes when
visiting numerous locations throughout the city. Mr. Harowski is part of a special
Leaders Development Series for the Young Leadership Council, which created the
“Where Ya’ Rack” program in an effort to create alternative forms of sustainable public
transportation. There are already over 100 racks installed, and soon that number
will double. Many local and community invested businesses, including FRVF, have
sponsored the racks at $300 each, and more continue to join in the effort. Sponsored
racks feature a dedication decal on the bottom of the bike lock cut-out that honors
the donation. Mr. Harowski states that the program is "an excellent way to recognize
individuals, organizations or businesses in the community,” and he hopes more will
continue to do so. To learn more about the program or to make a contribution go to
www.whereyarack.com.
Cuban Study Group for the New Orleans Bar Association Co-Chaired by
Fowler & Cot
by Rolando Alberto Anillo-Badia (Cuban Law Expert)
George Fowler (FRVF) and Jose Cot are co-chairing a steering committee composed of members of the New Orleans
Bar Association to study the constitutions, laws and regulations of Cuba. The group will study Louisiana and Cuban
legal systems, recognizing their early roots in Civil law tradition. They plan to host programs to stimulate thinking
about current and future regulations regarding the island.
FRVF has in-house legal expertise on Cuba including:
• How to best position clients should government regulations over Cuba change;
• Business practices related to the U.S.–Cuba embargo;
• Transactions covered by the Helms-Burton law and to other applicable U.S. laws and regulations;
• Advice on OFAC and BIS compliance issues and mitigating risks on complex multinational transactions;
• Acts before the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the
U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) as required by the Cuban
Assets Control Regulations (CACRs);
• Positioning our clients in a new Cuba to obtain compensation for expropriated properties.
8
FRVF Community Outreach:
Breast Cancer Awareness House of Pink
Pink Pigeons Project
FRVF partner Philip Brickman and Mullady Voelker Alford
(Gifted Nurses) at the House of Pink, which was held at the
House of Blues, to raise funds for Breast Cancer awareness.
Timothy W. Strickland (FRVF), John Tschirhart (ATP), James
Wells (ATP), Neil Crawford (Blue Ocean Subsea), and Jeff
Boettiger (Schlumberger) participated in the The Pink Pigeons
Sporting Clay Tournament in Texas.
Casa Argentina’s Tango Event
Young Leadership Council
Todd Crawford (FRVF) and Candice Reagle put on their dancing
shoes for Casa Argentina’s ‘Tango Celebration,’ a fundraiser
sponsored by FRVF. Casa Argentina is a nonprofit organization
providing local, national, and international philanthropic aid.
Michael Harowski(FRVF), Christy Harowski, and Philip
Brickman(FRVF) attended the YLC’s Role Model Awards Gala.
Offshore Marine Service
Association Fishing Rodeo
United Maritime Group’s
Annual Cookout
FRVF attorney Eve S. Reardon attended the 2011 OMSA fishing
rodeo at the Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle, Louisiana.
FRVF attorneys Todd G. Crawford and John A. Scialdone at the
United Maritime Group’s annual cookout in Tampa, Florida.
9
FRVF Proudly Supports:
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
FRVF attorney Cristi F. Chauvin (Chamber Board Member)
hosted New Orleans Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional
Night; pictured here with co-hosts: Serina Phoenix (left-Chamber
staff) Cristi Chauvin (FRVF attorney), Mullady Voelker Alford
(owner of Gifted Nurses), and Melissa Gibbs (far right-Gibbs
Construction).
Propeller Club Golf Tournament
Christian Sauce, Philip Brickman, and Michael Harowski played
in the FRVF sponsored Propeller Club Golf Tournament.
FRVF sponsored New Orleans Chamber of Commerce’s Annual
Meeting. Susan Tranchina, Cristi Chauvin, Eve Reardon, Jennifer
L. Dippel, Sofia P. Bellini, Mark N. Stich, Peter Thomson,
Michael Harowski, and Andrew R. Brown attended for FRVF.
Loyola Moot Court Golf
Tournament
Christian Sauce and Philip Brickman attended the Loyola Moot
Court Golf Tournament sponsored by FRVF. Christian Sauce won
the longest drive price in the competition.
Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
Loyola Law School Alumni Lunch
The New Orleans Chamber hosted LOGA’s President Don
Briggs to speak on the state of the industry. Pictured here:
Ben Johnson (NOCC), Don Briggs (LOGA President), Cristi
Chauvin (FRVF), Bob Nolan (Adams and Reese), Chris N.
Wilson, and Christian Chauvin (Bowen, Miclette and Britt).
FRVF sponsored the Loyola Law School Alumni Lunch. Pictured
here are attendees Christian Sauce, Stuart Ponder, Antonio J.
Rodriguez, Mark N. Stich and Caitlin Byars.
10
FRVF Proudly Supports:
GNO Inc.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Edward F. LeBreton, III, Stuart Ponder, Andrew Brown, Caitlin
Byars, Peter Thomson, and Lauren McCulloch attended the
GNO annual meeting which FRVF sponsored.
Christian Sauce, Luis Llamas and BedeMoore Udechukwu
attended the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting where
FRVF was a Table Sponsor.
Pan American Life
ENSCO
Frank Purvis, Jose Suquet, and John Kelly Celebrate Pan
American’s 100th Anniversary.
Fowler Rodriguez will travel anywhere for its clients as Delos
Flint did in Dubai.
Ellis Henican and the Bureau of
Governmental Research
Ellis Henican(top center), a Pulitzer prize winning columnist at
New York’s Newsday and the co-author with Saint’s coach Sean
Payton of the NYT’s best seller “Home Team,” is pictured here
with Susan Keller-Garcia, Lauren McCulloch, Jennifer Dippel,
Eve Reardon (seated), Stuart Ponder, LeMoyne Joseph, Wade
Webster, Gene Preaus, and Peter M. Thompson (standing) at
BGR’s annual meeting.
Bryan A. Garner and Antonin Scalia
FRVF attorneys A. T. Chenault, Caitlin Byars, Andrew Brown,
Christian Sauce, and Lauren McCulloch attended Bryan A.
Garner’s seminar(pictured in white). Garner co authored
“Making your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges,” with Justice
Antonin Scalia.
11
FRVF Findings:
Satisfying Physical Damage Requirements of Economic Loss Rule
by Philip C. Brickman
In Luera v. M/V Alberta, 635 F.3d 181 (5th Cir. 2011), the United States Court of Appeals for
the Fifth Circuit examined whether in rem claims (claims against vessels themselves) asserted
under admiralty jurisdiction in the same complaint as in personam claims (claims asserted
against vessel owners or other parties) asserted under diversity jurisdiction must be tried
together before a jury when the plaintiff clearly expressed that the in personam claims are
premised on diversity rather than in admiralty under Rule 9(h) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
While a worker was performing activities onboard a vessel moored at a dock in the Port of Houston, his leg was
severely injured when a mooring line ruptured after another vessel passed in close proximity at an excessive
rate of speed. The longshoreman brought in rem claims against two vessels under admiralty jurisdiction. He
also asserted in personam claims against the owners and managers of the vessels under diversity jurisdiction
and demanded a jury trial on those claims. The defendants moved to strike the plaintiff’s jury demand on the
in personam claims on the grounds that a plaintiff who asserts admiralty and some other basis of jurisdiction
automatically makes a Rule 9(h) election to proceed in admiralty for the entire case.
The district court held that the plaintiff was entitled to a jury trial on all claims, reasoning that the plaintiff
preserved his Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial by pleading diversity over the in personam claims as the
sole basis for the court’s subject matter jurisdiction, rather than as dual or alternate bases. On appeal, the
Fifth Circuit appealed the ruling, holding that the plaintiff clearly expressed his intent to assert the in personam
claims under diversity jurisdiction and, thus, all claims in the complaint had to be tried together before a jury.
The Court distinguished the case from previous cases in which plaintiffs pleaded both admiralty and diversity
jurisdiction as dual or alternate bases for jurisdiction. The Court cited Fitzgerald v. U.S. Lines Co., 374 U.S.
16 (1963) as controlling authority for its holding that neither the Constitution nor any statute or procedural
rule forbids a jury trial in an admiralty case. Because the plaintiff in Luera’s admiralty claims arose out of the
same factual circumstances as the diversity-based claims, the Fifth Circuit held that the mere presence of the
plaintiff’s admiralty claims in the same complaint as claims premised on diversity jurisdiction did not defeat his
properly preserved right to a jury trial.
This case provides that a plaintiff’s failure to clearly choose diversity jurisdiction for in personam claims may
constitute a waiver of the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. In order to preserve that right for all claims,
including in rem claims, the plaintiff must file a complaint clearly expressing the intent that the in personam
claims be premised solely on diversity jurisdiction, rather than a dual or alternate basis. If the injury is based
on one event causing one set of injuries to one victim, the court likely will grant a jury trial for the entire case.
12
FRVF Findings:
An Overview of Salvage Law;
Avoiding Salvor Exposure
The Comings and Goings of Illegal
Drugs and Chemical Precursors
by Lawrence R. DeMarcay, III
by José E. Cruz
United States-based salvage laws
can be confusing. Add a crisis to
the mix and you have a recipe for a
potential problems.
The illegal trade in drugs and
chemical precursors, as well as
their production, distribution, use,
and money laundering, are present
in one form or another throughout
the world. However, Latin America
and South America are highrisk zones due to the enormous
production and proximity to the
largest consumers.
Salvage is the process of rescuing a
vessel, its cargo, or other property
from peril. Salvage under the
general maritime law is a legal
concept that tries to be fair to both the distressed
property owners and the salvors.
There are two types of salvage. “Pure salvage” occurs
when the salvor is a volunteer. “Contract salvage”
occurs when the salvor and the distressed vessel enter
into an agreement concerning the salvage effort.
In recent years, events have been developing in Latin
America that require proactive attention on the part
of those involved in the shipping industry. Under the
banner of better control, Latin American countries,
particularly Venezuela and Ecuador, have been
introducing new regulations that place the burden of
proof on the accused.
For a salvor to bring a pure salvage claim, three
elements must be satisfied. One, there must be a
marine peril placing the property at risk of loss,
destruction or deterioration. Two, the salvage service
must be voluntarily rendered and not required by
an existing duty or by contract. A contract or other
obligation between the salvor and the distressed
vessel precludes voluntariness. Additionally, the
salvor must have the express or implied consent of the
vessel in distress before it renders aid. A vessel that is
abandoned by her master and crew does not require
consent.Three, the salvage efforts must be successful.
This element is called the “no cure, no pay” rule.
With Contract Salvage, the parties often make
an agreement for contract salvage via a wireless
conversation between the master of the salvage
vessel and the master of the distressed vessel.
Precursor chemicals are produced and shipped
from first world and developed countries. The
United States, Chile, Argentina, Europe, and Asia
are generally the source of precursor chemicals for
South American cocaine. In addition, a growing trend
in the use of synthetic drugs is creating a market for
the sale and shipment of medicines and chemicals.
Crew, officers, and staff must be drug-free. Preventive
measures such as drug-detecting PEME-tactics should
be used. When possible, periodic drug testing systems
should be applied. Drug users are a primary target
of traffickers who entice or blackmail them into the
trade. Crew on board and staff ashore should be well
educated and briefed on this subject, so that they may
help to detect, identify, and prevent contamination
with unending vigilance.
It is important that each vessel operator has a plan in
place to deal with these unplanned events. As vessel
operators crave certainty and prefer to avoid litigation,
they should try to avoid a pure salvage situation,
where the salvage award is beyond the company’s
control, at all costs. The negotiation of contractual
terms prior to the salvage operation beginning will
save the company, and its underwriters, a potential
headache in the end. Vessel Owners and charterers
should also consider using the Lloyd’s Open Forum
(LOF) standard salvage contract.
Once an incident occurs, experience and knowhow must be applied. Every member should have
a protocol for the captain and crew to follow. The
local correspondent should vet these protocols and
must have one for the local actions that need to be
implemented, as these will prove to be crucial to the
outcome.
13
Spotlight on:
Jordan Amador
Stacey T. Norstrud
General Services Coordinator
Miami
Associate
Houston
Do you have a nickname?
Depends…In the office some call
me “El Niño” others “El Nene”
Where did you grow up?
Highland Village, Texas
What do you enjoy doing in your
spare time?
I enjoy traveling, riding in bike races, and kickboxing
How long have you been with the
Miami office?
I have been with this group for about 17 years now.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I trained with Bela Karolyi.
What is your favorite memory at Fowler Rodriguez
Valdés-Fauli?
I would say two of my favorites are my last birthday
celebration and my son’s baby shower in the office.
Do you have any interesting plans for your future?
I am going to the next two Olympics in London and
Sochi (as a spectator, unless I can find a sport that I
am really good at).
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I traveled to Guatemala to deliver brochures for a
presentation, and had to tell Raul at 10pm that I had
brought the wrong brochures. I think this tops it!
Recent cases, awards and publications?
I received an Order of Integrity from a Federal Court
Judge.
If you could meet anyone from any era who would it
be and why?
I would say John F. Kennedy. He was a great leader
and a great humanitarian.
What did you dress as for the FRVF Halloween
Costume party this year? What did you wear?
I was one half of The Judds. I wore a big red wig and
a ridiculous outfit I bought at Macy’s.
Do you have anything else to add? A funny story?
Last year, the Christmas Tree in the office was
decorated with pictures of me wearing a reindeer hat
. . . Visitors asked who it was.
What is your favorite memory at Fowler Rodriguez
Valdés-Fauli?
My favorite memory is playing basketball in the storage
room.
Cheryl Schilling
Paralegal/Admin. Assistant
New Orleans
Do you have favorite quote or saying?
There is always something you can learn from anyone
you meet.
What do you enjoy doing in your
spare time?
Reading books on history and
being with my granddaughters.
What did you dress as for the FRVF Halloween
Costume party this year?
Tweedle Dee from Alice in Wonderland, my husband
L.J. (the Firm’s administrator), was Tweedle Dum.
What is something most people
don’t know about you?
Secretly, I really can cook!
What is your favorite office activity and why?
The annual Baseball Party, because everyone brings
their families.
14
What is your favorite memory at Fowler Rodriguez
Valdés-Fauli?
The closeness and support everyone gave each other
after Hurricane Katrina.
Spotlight On:
Governor of Mississippi at
Fundraiser
Governor of New Mexico at FRVF
Chris Schmidt (FRVF), Steve Simpson (the Republican
candidate for Attorney General of Mississippi in the November
2011 Mississippi
election/Former Commissioner of the
Mississippi Department of Public Safety), Mississippi Governor
Haley Barbour, and Todd Crawford (FRVF) at a fundraiser in
September 2011.
Carlos Mican (Pan American Life) and Cristi Chauvin (FRVF)
welcomed New Mexico’s Governor Susana Martinez (center)
to FRVF, where she spoke on behalf of the Republican State
Leadership Committee. The meeting also included Ed Gillespie,
Mary Matalin, Boysie Bollinger, Michael Gray, and George Fowler.
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten at the Metropolitan Crime Commission
FRVF sponsored the Metropolitan Crime Commission Annual Meeting. The United States Attorney for the
Eastern District of Louisiana, Jim Letten, was the keynote speaker. He is pictured here with Delos E. Flint, Jr.,
BedeMoore Udechukwu, George J. Fowler, III, Peter Thomson, and Patricia Bridges of FRVF.
Mike Harowski-Featured Young
Lawyer in LA Bar Journal
Tim Strickland-Rating Upgraded
Martindale-Hubble has upgraded
Tim Strickland’s rating to the
highest possible “AV Preeminent”
based on peer reviews. Tim has
been practicing maritime law and
general civil litigation along the
Texas coast for over 20 years.
FRVF Attorney Michael Harowski
was recently featured in the Young
Lawyer’s Spotlight Section in the
latest issue of the Louisiana Bar
Journal. Mr. Harowski was selected
by his peers because of his excellent
work serving the legal field and his
community.
15
Spotlight on:
George J. Fowler, III Recognized by Hispanic Executive Magazine as a
“Generational Great in the Legal Field”
below are some highlights from the story published in the Nov/Dec 2011 Issue of Hispanic Executive
Looking Ahead: Where do you see yourself in the next decade?
“I am optimistic that within the next five years, Cuba will be free. I expect
to be a participant to ensure that the people of Cuba enjoy a legal system
that functions fairly and efficiently.
Because a number of our clients have moved their offshore oil operations
to Latin America as a result of the oil moratorium, I am working on
establishing permanent offices in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and in
other cities of Latin America.” [We have just opened a second Colombia
office in thriving Cartagena under the leadership of my partner, John
Scialdone.]
Orgullo Latino in The Big Easy
Interestingly, Fowler’s family traces back several generations to New
Orleans. His ancestors immigrated to Cuba in the 1700s as consuls from
England. Fowler is a pillar of New Orleans’ Cuban and Latino networks.
He advises state officials, such as Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, on how to increase commercial
relations with Latin America.
In his pro bono work, he is a founder of the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation, which has awarded
more than 360 merit scholarships to Latin American high school students and produced the Azucar Ball, a
black-tie fundraiser featuring Latin music, that is widely supported by Louisiana’s corporations.
“The city, despite the tragedy [of Hurricane Katrina], is a very resilient society,” he says. “New Orleanians have
come back full force.”
This year Fowler fought against federal regulations to stop offshore drilling. “We recently were involved in
obtaining a decision ordering the government to issue the oil permits,” he says. Fowler says, it’s a long battle,
and the end is nowhere in sight. Many oil companies are moving overseas to evade drilling restrictions. But
Fowler has turned the corporation exodus into an advantage. The latest mission of FRVF is to ramp up
business with new Latin American offices and deepen long-held relationships with his law partners abroad.
Like a true man of the sea, whatever the tide may bring, Fowler will find his way to the shore.
Best Year Ever
Fowler says, “The firm did exceptionally well in 2010. We were retained by a number of important offshore oil
interests to handle matters related to the Deepwater Horizon and the offshore oil moratorium. Personally, I
was involved in several high-profile trials in Miami for Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean.”
16
Spotlight On:
FRVF’s Houston Office
Our Houston Office had an outstanding year in 2011.
The lawyers and staff were able to focus on large and
complex claims after successfully switching gears from
oil spill response in 2010. Some highlights from last year
include:
Mike McCoy and his team continue their work on
Hurricane Ike claims. Included therein were the efforts
by Mike and his team to represent a long-standing
insurance agency in Houston who was sued with respect
to claims involving flood losses in a commercial property
in Galveston, Texas. Despite the long term insurance
relationship between the insurance agency and the insureds, disputes arose because of uncovered losses after
Hurricane Ike, which led to the eventual lawsuit. Despite attempts to recover millions of dollars from the agency
by a well-known plaintiff’s counsel, Mike and his team were successful in negotiating a reduced settlement after
and dispositive motions battles in the courthouse.
Jon Wise successfully culminated a multi-party well blowout subrogation litigation in the fall of 2011 with a
mediated settlement. This case involved novel issues of well control and equipment malfunction in a deep gas
well. Jon’s handling of this case illustrates the Houston office’s experience and ability to assist insurers with their
subrogation needs on shore and off shore.
Tim Strickland and Mat Gray were instrumental in resolving a complex marine insurance coverage dispute with
an amount in controversy approaching $60 million. We take pride in our ability to offer to our clients a true
team approach with seamless representation across state line’s.
Jon Wise and Tim Strickland joined forces to successfully defend a well-known maritime salvage company in a
personal injury defense case involving a traumatic amputation. The case, pending in Galveston County, involved
complex legal issues between the Longshore Harbor Workers Act and Jones Act.
We added some new faces bringing additional depth to our Houston team, including Michael Smith acting as
Of Counsel. Our Houston Office very much looks forward to helping our clients in 2012.
Marine Insurance Seminar Party
Luis Cuervo (FRVF), Jon Wise (FRVF), and
Kirby Barry (Burleson Cooke)
Luis Cuervo (FRVF) and Mary Shaddock (Mary
Shaddock Jones LLC)
L.J. Schilling, the Firms administrator (FRVF)
and Timothy W. Strickland (FRVF)
Axel Ufermann (Hannover), Julie Slocum
(ENSCO), Eddie Cave (Lloyds)
17
Recognitions:
Raul J. Valdés-Fauli Joined Boards Miami-Dade Committee Appointed
and Advisory Council
Lourdes Cuzan
Raul J. Valdés-Fauli has been
appointed to the board of directors
of the Transplant Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation is dedicated to
providing services for transplant
patients,
increasing
donation
through community education,
and funding transplant research.
The goal is to provide optimal
transplantation, the Gift of Life, to all in need.
Mr. Valdés-Fauli has been appointed Chairman of the
Miller School of Medicine’s Miami Transplant Institute
fundraising effort.
The Miami Transplant Institute (MTI), a center of
excellence at the University of Miami Miller School
of Medicine, is one of the world's premier transplant
institutes providing a setting for the brightest minds,
most advanced research, and finest patient care. For
the countless individuals affected by a life-threatening
disease and looking for a life saving-organ transplant,
the Miami Transplant Institute is their best hope.
The University of Miami has a rich history in the field
of organ transplantation and over the last four decades
has developed into a preeminent, international
transplant institute. Under the guidance of three
superbly talented division chiefs, Drs. Andreas Tzakis,
George Burke, and Si Pham, the transplant faculty
performs more than 500 transplant procedures each
year, placing the Miller School of Medicine's Miami
Transplant Institute as one of the elite high-volume
transplant centers in the nation.
Lourdes M. Cuzan was appointed
to the Miami-Dade County
Sister Cities International and
Consular Corps Committee for a
two-year term. The Sister Cities
Program of Miami-Dade County
is administered by the MiamiDade County Office of Economic
Development and International
Trade (OEDIT). The program promotes citizen
diplomacy, international cultural understanding and
trade and commerce by receiving foreign missions,
leading missions to partner communities abroad,
and developing projects that foster interest in world
affairs.
Eve Reardon Received Exemplary
Service Award
Eve Reardon received an award for
Exemplary Service as a Member
of the
Louisiana State Bar
Association Young Lawyers Section
Council at the June 2011 Annual
Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. Eve is
finishing her second two-year term
as the Orleans Representative of
the Young Lawyers Section Council
and the Chair of the Barristers for Boards program.
Award Named After Former
Partner James K. Carroll
The memory of the late James K.
In addition to liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, and
Carroll (former FRVF Partner)
lung transplants, their surgeons are uniquely skilled
was honored by The American
to perform the most complex procedures such as
Bar Association Tort Trial and
intestinal and multi-visceral transplants, making
Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
MTI one of the few places in the world where such
who named a prestigious award
extraordinary surgeries are undertaken.
after him.
The annual award
is presented to members who
Mr. Valdés-Fauli was also invited to join the Dean’s
have shown exceptional service
Advisory Council at Florida International University and leadership, in remembrance of Carroll’s great
College of Law to assist Dean Acosta in turning his contributions to the community. This year, Peter J.
vision for the law school into a reality.
Neeson received the award as FRVF partners Delos
Flint and Norman Sullivan participated in the TIPS
meeting to show their continued support of the legacy
18 of an outstanding man.
Recognitions:
Captain A.J. Gibbs Received the World Trade Center’s Bertel Award
Dominik Knoll, Bobby C. Brannon, Captain Allen J. Gibbs, Mrs.
Shirley Gibbs, and Gary P. LaGrange.
FRVF purchased a table for the presentation of the award.
Preaus Named Botanical Gardens Board President
FRVF attorney Eugene R. Preaus
was elected President of the Board
of Trustees of the New Orleans
Botanical Garden Foundation for
a two-year term.
Originally known as the City Park
Rose Garden, the garden opened
in 1936 as New Orleans’ first
public classical garden. It is one of the few remaining
examples of public garden design from the Works
Progress Administration (WPA) and Art Deco Period.
FRVF Sponsored Magic in the Moonlight, an event benefiting
the Botanical Gardens. Jennifer Dippel, Maria Elisa Cordero,
Todd Crawford, Eve Reardon, Christian Sauce, and BedeMoore
Udechukwu attended from FRVF.
Rafael C. Goyenche Received Galvez Cup at the
2011 Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Azucar Ball
George Fowler, Elena Countess, Rafael C. Goyeneche
John Bellini (Bell Foods), Christian Chauvin (Bowen Miclette
III(President of the Metroplitan Crime Commission), Carmen
and Britt), Norman Sullivan (FRVF), George Fowler (FRVF), and
Duncan, Rene Guas(President of NOHHF). Goyeneche was
Jose Suquet (Pan American Life) attended Azucar Ball, which
awarded the Galvez Cup at this event, which FRVF sponsored. 19 provides scholarships to Latin children.
FRVF Comes Together:
FRVF New Orleans Christmas Party
FRVF Christmas Luncheon
FRVF Associate Welcome Party
Jacob Gardner, Sofia Bellini, Cristi Chauvin, Louis Llamas, and
Michael Harowski
FRVF welcomed our new associates.
FRVF and the Idea Village
FRVF participated in entrepreneur week in New Orleans
by joining in on the 'Big Idea Pitch' sponsored by the Idea
Village. The event focused on assisting local innovative start-up
companies. Pictured here: Pike Barkerding (founder of Bideo),
Caitlin Byars (FRVF), Alexis Wiles (TLC Rx), Cassie Preston
(Javier Law Firm), and Mark Stich (FRVF).
Recognitions:
FOWLER
RODRIGUEZ
VALDES-FAULI
Counselors at Law
New Orleans
504.523.2600
Miami
786.364.8400
Houston
713.654.1560
Antonio J. Rodriguez & George J. Fowler,
III both named:
•
“The Best Lawyers in America®” for
Admiralty & Maritime Law 2012
•
New Orleans Magazines Top Admiralty and
Maritime Attorney
George J. Fowler III also received the
following distinctions:
•
Top Lawyer in Super Lawyers 2012 edition for
Louisiana.
•
City Business “Leadership in Law Award”
Mat Gray received the following distinction:
•
Mobile
251.344.4721
Top Lawyer in Super Lawyers 2012 edition for
Louisiana.
FRVF Featured as a Go-To-Law Firm
•
Gulfport
228.822.9340
“2012 Go-To Law Firm” for “Top Fortune 500
Companies” in the 2012 Spring Edition of
“Litigation,” a supplement to the May editions
of “Corporate Counsel” and “The American
Lawyer” Magazines
Bogotá
011.571.313.4488
www.frvf-law.com
Spring 2012
FRVF Ranked as a Top Law Firm in U.S.
based on Lexis Peer Reviews
•
Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell ranked
FRVF as a Top Firm based on large number
of attorneys that have a AV Preeminent (high
peer review) rating.