Steven C. Lausell is a Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. Mr. Lausell was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 25, 1952. He studied at the Tulane University of Louisiana; obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1974, and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1979. Licensed Civil Engineer, Puerto Rico 1975.

Mr. Lausell was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1979. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1980; the United States Claims Court; the United States Court of International Trade and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in 1982; and the United States Supreme Court in 1985.

Memberships: Mr. Lausell is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Federal and American Bar Associations; and the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He has also been a Professor of the Puerto Rico College of Engineers and Surveyors' Continuing Education Program over the last five years, teaching several courses including Construction Contract Claims and Litigation and the Role of Expert Witnesses in Dispute Resolution Proceedings. He was Law Clerk to Justice Carlos V. Dávila, Supreme Court of Puerto Rico from 1979 to 1980.

Mr. Lausell concentrates his practice in construction law, commercial litigation, maritime law, oil pollution, environmental matters, and products liability/tort litigation.

Languages: Spanish and English.

J. Ramón Rivera-Morales is a Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 27, 1952. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974 from the St. John's University, and his Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1977. Mr. Rivera was a Staff Member of the Law Review of the University of Puerto Rico in 1976.

Mr. Rivera was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1977, and the Massachusetts Bar in 1981. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1978; the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and U.S. Claims Court in 1982; the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1985.

Mr. Rivera served as a Law Clerk to Judge Juan R. Torruella, United States District Court from 1978 to 1980, and Staff Attorney at the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 1980 to 1982. He is currently a member of the Local Rules Committee for the District of Puerto Rico.

Memberships: Mr. Rivera is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; the Federal and American Bar Associations; Proctor of the Maritime Law Association of the United States; and member of the Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy. He is also a professor in Maritime Law at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico Law School.

Mr. Rivera's practice is dedicated to corporate law, civil litigation before Federal and Commonwealth courts and administrative agencies, with heavy concentration in maritime matters.

Languages: Spanish and English.

José J. Torres-Escalera is a Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. He was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on January 23, 1955. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1975 and his Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1978.

Mr. Torres was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1978. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1978; the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1982. Mr. Torres was also admitted as a Notary Public before the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1978. He was the Director, General Litigation Division, from 1982 to 1983, and Assistant Secretary of Justice in charge of litigation from 1983 to 1985, of the Department of Justice, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Memberships: Mr. Torres is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA); the Federal and American Bar Associations.

Mr. Torres concentrates his practice in medical malpractice, personal injury, and proceedings before administrative agencies, contract law and other types of civil cases.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Jorge C. Pizarro-García was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on April 6, 1964. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1986, and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1989.

Mr. Pizarro was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1990. He was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1990.

After graduation he worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Francisco Rebollo López at the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. He began his professional career with Domínguez & Totti and joined Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell in 2000. In his practice, Mr. Pizarro counsels employers on the full range of labor and employment law issues, including dealing with Union campaigns, collective bargaining, avoiding discrimination claims, development of employee handbooks and effective personnel policies and procedures, dealing with drug and alcohol abuse and testing, conducting effective investigations of sexual harassment complaints and employee misconduct, matters covered under the American with Disabilities Act and compliance with wage and hours issues.

Mr. Pizarro has vast experience in the healthcare industry representing many of Puerto Rico’s premier hospitals and healthcare service providers as well as the Puerto Rico Hospital Association in matters that range from employment law to contract and compliance. Among the clients represented by Mr. Pizarro are Puerto Rico’s three (3) largest hospital systems which are the Metropolitan Group, the San Lucas Group and the Pavía Health Group a wholly owned subsidiary of United Medical Corp.Mr. Pizarro has tried and won numerous employment discrimination and unjust terminations lawsuits for employers. He also represents employers in labor arbitration proceedings under collective bargaining agreement, union decertification and administrative proceedings before the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other government agencies. Mr. Pizarro is a frequent speaker at professional meetings and seminars, and has authored several articles for publications.

Memberships: Mr. Pizarro is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Association of Labor Relations Practitioners; Asociación Nacional de Notarios; Puerto Rico Board of Examiners (1992-Present). He was also member of the University of Puerto Rico Law Review, 1988-89, and Author of “La Libertad Académica Institucional en el Derecho Constitucional”, 7-3 Forum 29 (1991); Co-Author of: “El Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida Contagia el Mundo de las Relaciones Obrero-Patronales"; U.P.R. Law Review Vol. LVII No. 4, 1989; "El Sida en Puerto Rico, Acercamientos Multidisciplinarios, una Perspectiva Legal"; Universidad de Puerto Rico, Instituto de Estudios del Caribe, 257 (1991); Co-Author of: "La Ley Número 2 y las Reclamaciones de Daños y Perjuicios: el Uso y Abuso de un Derecho no Concedido," 7-1 Forum, 29 (1992); Associate Professor, Labor Law, for the Masters Program at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico Law School; Law Clerk for the Associate Supreme Court Justice of Puerto Rico Hon. Francisco Rebollo López, 1989-1990. Judge, Court of Appeals for Sports (Affiliated to the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico); Committee for AIDS Legislation (Affiliated to the Puerto Rico Department of Health).

Mr. Pizarro is a Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates his practice in labor and employment law, and appeals.

Languages: Spanish and English

Raquel M. Dulzaides is a Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. She was born in Havana, Cuba, on January 7, 1958. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1980, and her Juris Doctor Degree, from Boston College Law School in 1983.

Ms. Dulzaides was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1983. She was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1984; and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 1989.

Ms. Dulzaides concentrates her practice in labor and employment law. In her field of practice, she counsels employers on diverse areas, such as: employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wages and hours, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, OSHA, personnel manuals, union avoidance, collective bargaining, discipline, internal complaint handling, record keeping, interviewing and hiring. She has successfully tried numerous employment discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuits in federal and state court. Additionally, she has presented and won oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Part of her practice includes litigating before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. She also represents employers in mediation and arbitration proceedings and negotiates collective bargaining agreements.

She has been a professor of Collective Bargaining Negotiation, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, from 1986 to 1989. She is a frequent lecturer on different subjects on Labor and Employment Law, and has provided numerous trainings to managers, supervisors and human resources professionals. Ms. Dulzaides has been a Board member of several cultural nonprofit organizations. She is currently the President of the Board of Directors of Opera de Puerto Rico, and was the President and founding member of the Puerto Rico International Film Festival.

Memberships: Ms. Dulzaides is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Federal and American Bar Associations; Association of Labor Relations Practitioners; National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA); and Maritime Law Association of the United States.

Languages: Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Manolo T. Rodríguez-Bird was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, on August 29, 1956. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 1979 and his Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in 1983. Mr. Rodríguez was General Tax Attorney at the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from 1983 to 1987. He also holds a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer's License.

Mr. Rodríguez was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1984. He was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, in 1984; the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1988; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1990.

Memberships: Mr. Rodríguez is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Federal and American Bar Associations; and the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He was also a member, 1981-1982, and Chief Editor, 1982-1983, of the Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law Review. During his participation in the Law Review, Mr. Rodríguez was the author of the article "La Voluntad Unilateral Según Interpretación Jurisprudencial en Puerto Rico", published by the Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law Review, Vol. 39, 1982.

Mr. Rodríguez is a Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates his practice in admiralty law, maritime personal injury claims, marine cargo claims, and oil pollution matters.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Jorge F. Blasini was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 8, 1964. Mr. Blasini obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1987. After graduation Mr. Blasini served in various positions in the U.S. Navy, including on board the U.S. Navy Destroyer JOHN D. ROGERS (DD-983), qualifying as Officer of the Deck, among many other qualifications.

After his naval service he obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1995, Master in Business Administration from Loyola University in 1995, and Master of Law in Admiralty from Tulane University in 1997.

Mr. Blasini was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1997. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1998, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 2000.

Memberships: Mr. Blasini is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, American and Federal Bar Associations; Maritime Law Association of the United States; and Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Marítimo.

Mr. Blasini is a Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates his practice in admiralty law, maritime personal injury claims, marine cargo claims, and oil pollution matters.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Edgardo A. Vega-López was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on December 20, 1963. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1987, and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 1991. Mr. Vega was Co-Editor of the Letras Journal at the University of Puerto Rico Law School, 1990. He was also a research assistant for Professor Jaime Granados-Peña of the University of Puerto Rico in the area of Criminal Law and Psychiatry.

Mr. Vega was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1992. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1992.

Memberships: Mr. Vega is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; the Federal Bar Association; the American Bar Association, Health Law Section; the Defense Research Institute and the Maritime Law Association.

Mr. Vega is a Junior Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell, and concentrates his practice in medical malpractice, personal injury claims, marine cargo claims, and proceedings before administrative agencies.

Languages: Spanish and English.

José. R. González-Nogueras was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 9, 1970. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 1991, and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from the Interamerican University Law School in 1997. He was Associate Editor for the Law Review, and Author of the Article: “La Causalidad en Casos de Epidemias Ambientales Producidas por Contaminación Atmosférica”, Interamerican University Law Review, Vol. 31, No. 2.

Mr. González was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1998. He was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1998.

Mr. González is a Junior Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and practices in the areas of commercial litigation and environmental law as well as labor and employment law in which he currently focuses. His practice consists of Federal and State civil rights litigation, representing employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Antidiscrimination Unit and defending employers sued under various Federal and State laws including Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other employment laws and regulations. In addition, he represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board and in labor arbitrations proceedings. He also regularly provides training and counseling to supervisors concerning compliance with labor and employment law, prevention of discrimination claims and union avoidance.

Memberships: Mr. González is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Federal and American Bar Associations; Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico; and American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Languages: Spanish, English and French

Mayra M. González-Reyes was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 16, 1971. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico in 1994; and her Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1997.

Ms. González was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1998. She was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 2000. She is a member of the Puerto Rico and Federal Bar Associations.

Ms. González served as a Law Clerk to Honorable Justice Miriam Naveira de Rodón, of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, from April, 1997 to November, 1999. At present Ms. González is a Junior Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell.

Her initial career development has afforded her a unique experience in the appellate practice, which together with labor and employment law are the areas in which she now focuses. Her experience in the area of labor and employment law comprise, among others, litigation of cases of dismissal for whistleblowing, unjust dismissal and all types of discrimination cases. Ms. González also defends employers in proceedings on worker’s compensation issues before the Industrial Commission. She also practices general civil litigation and appeals.

Languages: Spanish, English and Italian.

Nelsón Román-Méndez was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico on August 20, 1975. In 1998 he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where he obtained his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, with a mayor in Accounting. Mr. Román is a Certified Public Accountant. In 2005, Mr. Román obtained his Juris Doctor Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of Law.

Mr. Román was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in January 2006. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in March 2006.

Prior to practice law, Mr. Román worked as senior auditor in a local accounting firm. Also, Mr. Román worked as a professor of Accounting at the University of Puerto Rico.

Memberships: Mr. Román is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association and the Puerto Rico Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Román concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate law, labor and employment law and general civil litigation.

Languages: Spanish and English

Juan Carlos Deliz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 20, 1978. In 2001 he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus, where he obtained his Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences with a major in Economics. In 2005 Mr. Deliz obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law.

While still a law student, Mr. Deliz worked as a Law Clerk for Honorable Judge Heriberto Sepúlveda Santiago and for Honorable Judge Juan M. Pérez-Giménez, U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico.

Mr. Deliz was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 2006.

Memberships: Mr. Deliz is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Deliz concentrates his practice in the areas of General Civil Litigation and Labor and Employment Law.

Languages: Spanish and English

Diego Ramírez-Bigott was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1998 he obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Psychology from Boston University. In 2003, he obtained his Juris Doctor Degree, from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. He was a Collaborator and later an Associated Editor for the Law Review from 2001 to 2003.

Mr. Ramírez-Bigott was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 2004. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 2004. He passed the Bar examination for the State of Georgia in 2007, but his admission is pending.

Memberships: Mr. Ramírez-Bigott is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.

Mr. Ramírez-Bigott is currently an Associate of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates his practice in the area of litigation, as well as labor and employment law. His practice consists of, inter alia, Federal and State civil rights litigation, representing employers sued under various Federal and State laws including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII, and other employment laws and regulations. In addition, he represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board and in labor arbitrations proceedings.

Languages: Spanish and English

Miguel A. Nieves-Mojica is a Cum Laude graduate from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, where he completed a Bachelor in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing. After graduation, he commenced a career in the marketing field and eventually held the position of Marketing Director for EYE Center, Corp., a chain of more than twenty optometry service and eyewear sale centers across the Island. Thereafter, he continued his educational and professional development at the Inter American University School of Law.

While completing his law school degree, Mr. Nieves-Mojica worked as Law Clerk at the Firm López-Lay, Vizcarra & Simonet, where he started developing hands-on experience in the areas of Labor and Employment Law. After completing his law school degree and passing his bar exam, he became an Associate Attorney at López-Lay, Vizcarra & Simonet, further expanding his knowledge and experiences representing both: employers and labor organizations in the Labor and Employment Law areas. He also gained valuable experience in other legal fields, such as Contract Law, Torts and General Civil Litigation.

In 2001, Mr. Nieves-Mojica joined the National Labor Relations Board in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a Field Attorney. During his tenure with the Board, Mr. Nieves-Mojica was appointed as lead counsel to litigate numerous and diverse types of unfair labor practice cases on behalf of the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Nieves-Mojica also handled compliance specification proceedings on behalf of the General Counsel and acted as Hearing Officer in numerous representation petitions filed before the National Labor Relations Board. He also worked extensively with the Board’s pre-election and post election procedures, challenged ballots issues and objections to conduct affecting the results of an election. He has conducted numerous elections and performed investigations of unfair labor practice charges, including discrimination and bargaining refusals alleged against employers and unions, as well as controversies such as withdrawal of recognitions, joint and single employer issues, employers’ and unions’ duty to furnish information, unilateral changes, bad faith bargaining in negotiations of both initial and successive contracts, direct dealing and bargaining impasses, among others. Mr. Nieves-Mojica has also handled representation hearings regarding the scope and appropriateness of bargaining units in a myriad of industries, including acute health care facilities.

He is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and its lower courts, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association. At present, Mr. Nieves-Mojica is a member of the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Puerto Rico.

Among his reported cases are: City Stationery, Inc., 340 NLRB No. 70(2003); Pan American Grain Co., 343 NLRB No. 32 (2004); Pan American Grain, Co., 343 NLRB No. 47 (2004); and Pan American Grain, Co., 346 NLRB No. 21 (2005).

Languages: Spanish and English.

Alejandro Méndez-Roman was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on April 13, 1981. Mr. Méndez obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, with a concentration in Marketing from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 2005. While obtaining his Bachelor Degree he held various positions, including in the Office of the Secretary, in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Mr. Méndez obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from the Pennsylvania State University School of Law in 2008. While studying law, Mr. Méndez clerked for the Honorable Judge Mary A. Gooden Terrell, Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Mr. Méndez was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2008. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 2009. He recently took and passed the Puerto Rico Bar.

Memberships: Mr. Méndez is a member of the American and Federal Bar Associations.

Mr. Méndez is an Associate of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates his practice in admiralty law, maritime personal injury claims, maritime cargo claims, labor and employment law, and constitutional law.

Languages: Spanish and English

Nicolás Jiménez is Of-Counsel of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. He was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, on December 6, 1927. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation in 1951 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. After sailing in the Merchant Marine for four years, he served as General Manager in Puerto Rico for several steamship lines, including Sea-Land Service, Inc. He attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, graduating in 1959. Mr. Jiménez was a professor of Admiralty Law and Aviation Law at the University of Puerto Rico Law School from 1962 to 1972 and was one of the United States participants at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Assembly in Paris in 1977. Mr. Jiménez was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1959; the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in 1960; the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Columbia Circuit in 1972.

Memberships: Mr. Jiménez was a member of the Governor's Committee on Judicial Reform for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1973 and a founding member of the United States Supreme Court Historical Society in 1976. He served as a member in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Ecological Task Group in 1980; and in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico's Bar Examination Committee, since 1981. He is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; the American Bar Association; the Maritime Law Association of the United States; the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute and the American Bar Foundation.

Mr. Jiménez concentrates his practice in admiralty and maritime matters, oil pollution, environmental law and commercial litigation.

Languages: Spanish and English.