Change is
coming. For
years, this has been the mantra of Cuba watchers worldwide. Today, these
words are a reality. Since President Barack Obama announced the
loosening of certain U.S. policies toward Cuba – and as the Cuban government
has taken steps toward a more open economy – politicians, government officials,
and business owners alike have begun to explore opportunities within and
between this island nation and the rest of the world.
At Jones
Walker LLP, we understand that these changes are likely to be incremental
for the foreseeable future. While we await the further development in Cuba
of expanded individual freedoms and broader economic opportunities, Jones
Walker is well prepared to help clients identify, assess, and act on existing
and future commercial and trade opportunities between Cuba, the United States,
and other countries. We can also help businesses identify the risks — at home
and abroad — that must be considered when determining how (or if) to enter this
still-emerging market.
Our Cuba
team offers clients a number of distinct advantages:
- Extensive political, policy,
and project experience throughout Latin America. Our team includes
attorneys who have served in positions of responsibility for Latin
America policy at the highest levels of federal government, in relevant
public and private organizations that promote international commerce, and
on a range of major energy and infrastructure projects.
- Firsthand understanding of
Cuban political, legal, and cultural issues. Several of our attorneys are
of Cuban or Caribbean heritage, and members of our team have led trips to
Cuba on behalf of the city of New Orleans and at the request and
invitation of the U.S. and Cuban governments. All of the group’s
attorneys have traveled extensively throughout Latin America and the
Caribbean.
- The full resources of a
full-service law firm. From project finance to multinational acquisitions to government
relations and lobbying, Jones Walker attorneys and our network of
professional consultant deliver sophisticated services at competitive
rates.
Select
Cuba Team Highlights
- Former principal advisor to
President Obama on Latin America, Caribbean and Canada issues, and former
Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. National
Security Council, Daniel Restrepo has unparalleled
experience in Latin America trade, energy, economic, and national security
policy.
- While serving as the city
attorney of New Orleans and as executive counsel to Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Richard
F. Cortizas traveled to Cuba to successfully lobby for Armstrong
International Airport to become one of the few U.S. airports to offer
flights between the two countries.
- Recently appointed Chairman
of the Louisiana State Bar Association Cuba Task Force, J. Kelly
Duncan, with more than 35 years of experience handling admiralty,
maritime, and international and customs law matters, has counseled clients
regarding marine and energy projects in Latin America, including a current
marine project involving Cuba.
- Appointed to serve on the
Industry Trade Advisory Committee 14 within the U.S. Commerce Department,
and a former staffer for the U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee
focused on national economic growth, natural resources, and regulatory
affairs, Marc C. Hebert understands the trade-related
challenges facing entrants into the Cuban marketplace.
- A native of Puerto Rico, Stephen
T. Miller has traveled to Cuba and was the only fluent,
Spanish-speaking member of a Texas Bar Association delegation that met
with the Supreme Court of Cuba. He has also handled some of the largest
energy and infrastructure projects in Latin America.
- With over twenty-five years’
experience as an intellectual property attorney, Justin Ourso
has particular experience in the effects of the Cuban embargo on the
registration, protection, and enforcement of Cuban and American brands
used in commerce between these countries as the leader of a team on the
Trademark Legislation Committee (which he chairs) of the American Bar
Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section that is preparing a report
for the Section on the effects of the embargo.
Full-Spectrum
Service
We
provide coordinated, practical counsel on the broad spectrum of legal issues
facing clients with existing or potential interests in Cuba:
- Admiralty and maritime law
and regulation, including international treaties and codes under the IMO
- Cuba-focused laws and
regulations, including the Helms-Burton Act and the Cuban Assets Control
Regulations
- Energy, project development,
and infrastructure
- Environmental law
- Government relations,
lobbying, and legislative and regulatory policy development
- Intellectual property
- International trade,
including free trade agreements, customs, export controls, and trade
remedy actions
- International tax
- International litigation and
dispute resolution
- Mergers, acquisitions, joint
ventures and other transactions, including cross-border transactions
- Project finance
- Real estate
