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Fowler Rodriguez (FR) "International Group" - The FR International Group of Independent Law Firms ("The FR International Group") was organized in 1988 in order to provide a unified and efficient approach to handle legal matters that cross international boundaries. The FR International Group offers the client the ability to respond promptly and seamlessly to international cases.

The FR International Group is managed and led by the FR firm with offices in New Orleans, Houston, Miami, Mobile, Gulfport, Cartagena, and Bogotá. This firm counts with a diverse, multilingual well-coordinated team of international attorneys, paralegals and secretaries.

The firm's founding partner, Cuban-born George J. Fowler, III, has handled cases in every country in Central and South America and the Caribbean over the 40 years of his career. His expertise includes high profile, complex international litigation, energy and maritime law, commercial litigation, as well as transactional matters and joint ventures. Mr. Fowler is recognized as one of the leading international lawyers of the United States.

FR's international practice comprises a wide range of transactions including international joint venture arrangements, infrastructure projects, acquisitions and investments, establishment of foreign branches and subsidiaries, intellectual property protection and registration, distribution, agency and sales representative agreements, licensing agreements, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance and export and import transactions and financing. Additionally, the firm enjoys a reputation for effective dispute resolution, enforcement of foreign judgments, arbitral awards and asset recovery.

The firm's Latin American Department is headed by Dr. Luis E. Cuervo Ponton, who operated the firm's Bogotá office for 10 years. Dr. Cuervo's background is diverse and unique. As Assistant to the Attorney General of Colombia, where he wrote and defended the country's Code of Criminal Procedure, before that Colombia's Congress, he developed a deep understanding of Latin America's criminal laws. In 2001, Dr. Cuervo published the definitive treatise on oil and gas law in Colombia. Dr. Cuervo's expertise also includes commercial litigation and business transactions.

FR has advised on the formation of joint ventures throughout Latin America in fields ranging from manufacturing to energy and infrastructure development projects. The firm recently structured a major joint venture in the marine fuels industry. In Mexico, the firm advised upon the formation of a joint venture involving the distribution of compressed natural gas for use in automobiles in Mexico City. In Venezuela, the firm was engaged to assist in the formation of a joint venture between contractors bidding upon a major infrastructure project in Lake Maracaibo region.

The firm represented a major marine interest in its international expansion program by advising and structuring several acquisitions throughout Latin America. Also in Latin America, the firm represents major energy and oil and gas companies in connection with their investments and operations. The firm's Colombian branch office is particularly active in Colombia's active oil and gas sector.

The firm represents several U.S. and European based companies in connection with product distribution in Latin America. The firm oversaw the implementation of a major Latin American distribution system involving distributors and agents in seven Latin American countries for a major Spanish concern.

FR is internationally recognized for its work on significant environmental matters including representing the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the worst oil spill in its history. The firm was engaged by the government of a Spanish province to advise upon the formation of a legislative program to regulate the environment.

The firm has represented both debtors and creditors in international insolvency proceedings including the Banocol bankruptcy in Colombia, which is the largest bankruptcy case ever in the country's history. The firm recently represented a major steamship line in its Chapter 11 reorganization.

The firm represents bank and trading companies in trade and trade finances. In this regard the firm is frequently engaged in disputes and transactions involving letters of credit and bankers' acceptances.

FR's International Section calls upon the firm's expertise in corporate and business matters to enable its clients to structure business activities in Latin America in a manner that maximizes protection of invested capital and other committed resources. The firm's longstanding relationships throughout Latin America provide it an unparalleled combination of the know-how and experience necessary to achieve client objectives in Latin America in a cost effective manner.

The firm's expertise in general business matters is also applied to advise Latin American interests that are acquiring equity interests in U.S. firms, structuring joint ventures and other strategic alliances. The firm assists in the structuring of leveraged transactions, creation of foreign subsidiaries of foreign firms, licensing of technology and know-how, creating systems of product distribution, negotiating employment agreements for key personnel, and assisting in the presentation of bids for infrastructure development projects in the public and private sectors.

Additionally, the firm is frequently called upon to provide general counseling and assistance in a broad range of topics including labor matters, immigration, insolvency, governmental compliance and permitting, purchase and sales transactions, legal investigations and due diligence.

The firm's litigation practice is national and international in scope. The firm has particular expertise in complex disputes arising in matters that involve foreign parties litigating before U.S. courts. In addition, with the assistance of its foreign correspondents and branches, the firm frequently assists companies and individuals litigating in foreign tribunals.

The firm has been engaged in litigation involving violations of U.S. securities, antitrust and RICO legislation. In addition, the firm has represented foreign defendants in complex business disputes brought in the United States.

FR is a leader in alternative dispute resolution including binding and non-binding arbitration and mediation. Moreover, the firm is specialized in the execution in the United States and overseas of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.

FR enjoys a wide range of international clients including foreign governments and international corporations. The firm works closely with its claims handling company, Maritime Claims-America, Inc., which operates in the principal ports of Lain America.