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William A. Graffam is the Managing Partner and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 13, 1953. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, cum laude, from the Elmira College in New York in 1974 and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1977.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Graffam sailed aboard tugboats for McAllister Brothers, Inc. and Crowley Towing & Transportation Company in various capacities, from deckhand to tanker man to tug operator.
Mr. Graffam was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1977. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1978; the United States Claims Court and the United States Court of International Trade in 1982; the United States Supreme Court in 1985 and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1990.
Mr. Graffam is a professor of Admiralty and Maritime Law, having taught at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico Law School from 1983 to 1985, and at the University of Puerto Rico Law School from 1985 to 1996.
Memberships: Mr. Graffam is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; American and Federal Bar Associations; Proctor of the Maritime Law Association of the United States; member of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules, 1988 to 1990; Civil Justice Reform Act Committee, District of Puerto Rico, 1991; Association of Labor Relations Practitioners; Vice-President for Puerto Rico for the Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Marítimo, 1992; and the Hispanic National Bar Association.
Mr. Graffam concentrates his practice in all areas of maritime law with a strong concentration in oil pollution, personal injury and collision litigation, as well as labor and employment law. His experience in this ara includes negotiation of various collective bargaining agreements, injunctions before the Federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico regarding labor violations such as illegal strikes, as well as general labor and employment jury trials.
Languages: Spanish and English.
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. His 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; the 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 First 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 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 of Arts 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; and the Defense Research Institute.
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.
Raquel M. Dulzaides was born in Havana, Cuba, on January 7, 1958. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University in 1980, and her Juris Doctor Degree, from the 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.
Memberships: Ms. Dulzaides is a member of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico; Federal and American Bar Associations; Association of Labor Relations Practitioners; the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA); and the Maritime Law Association of the United States.
Ms. Dulzaides is a Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell and concentrates her practice in labor and employment law. 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 participated in panels and conferences related to the professional woman in Puerto Rico.
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, 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 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 Americans with Disabilities Act and compliance with wage and hours issues.
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 publication in professional journals.
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, 1988-1989, 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, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Law Clerk for 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
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. Was 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.
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 Junior Partner of Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell, and concentrates his practice in admiralty law, maritime personal injury claims, and marine cargo claims and insurance claims.
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 Num.
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 concentrates his practice 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 Americans 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 arbitration 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 the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers.
Languages: Spanish, English and French.
Rafael A. Rosado-Marrero was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on
October 24, 1957. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from
the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez in 1984, where he was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Mr.
Rosado obtained his Juris Doctor from the Interamerican University Law
School, cum laude, in 1998, where he also obtained specialized training in
mediation.
He was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar in 1999. He was also admitted to
practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
in 1999; and before the United States District Court for the District of
Puerto Rico in 2000.
Prior to practicing law, Mr. Rosado served as
an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force, assigned to the Defense
Intelligence Agency, where he specialized in counter-guerrilla and
counter-narcotics intelligence. Mr. Rosado also served in special
assignments to El Salvador, Colombia, and Chile. He held regular
assignments in Germany, Washington DC, and Panama, and received several
national-level medals and decorations. Mr. Rosado also worked as surveyor
in projects throughout Puerto Rico for a local engineering
firm.
Mr. Rosado served as Law Clerk to Judge Gilberto Gierbolini,
United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, during the
Summer of 1995. He then worked as a Law Clerk at the Schuster Usera Aguiló
& Santiago Law Firm, specializing in labor law, from 1997 to
1998.
Memberships: Mr. Rosado is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar
Association; the American Bar Association; the Phi Alpha Delta Law
Fraternity International; and the Board of Governors, Association of Trial
Lawyers of America.
Mr. Rosado concentrates his practice in
construction law and general civil litigation.
Languages: Spanish
and English.
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.
Her initial career development has afforded her 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.
Language: Spanish, English and Italian.
NELSON ROMAN MENDEZ
Nelsón Román-Méndez was born in Mayaguez, 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 MORALES
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
NANETTE M RODRIGUEZ FRANCESCHINI
Nanette M. Rodríguez-Franceschini was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 5th, 1981. In May 2003 she graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences with a Major in Agribusiness. In 2006 she obtained the Juris Doctor Degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
While studying in Mayagüez, Ms. Rodríguez worked in Costa Rica, Panamá and Nicaragua during the summer of 2002, with an agricultural company that exports produce to the Caribbean and the United States.
Prior to practicing law, Ms. Rodríguez worked and supervised for ten (10) years the Quality Control Department of the top distributor of fruits, vegetables and eggs in Puerto Rico. There she was exposed and involved in all the business and distribution processes, from the buying and transportation of the produce from all around the world, to the distribution to the retailers throughout the whole Island. She was also involved in the claims to suppliers and maritime companies, as well as the quality claims made to the company. She worked hand to hand with the warehouse employees and the Administration, in their education process regarding the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HAACP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), maintenance of the warehouse in general and the particularities of the fruits and vegetables. She also worked with the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) statute and the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in relation to the produce and eggs business.
During law school she participated in the University of Puerto Rico School of Law Summer Exchange Program where she studied law in the University of Barcelona School of Law during the Summer of 2001.
Also, during her law school years and afterwards, she was Student Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Daniel R. Dominguez, U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico. While working as Student Law Clerk she did research on various topics, she was exposed to the different processes of the federal claims, she assisted on Status Conferences and in the decision making process that some Judges go through, among other things.
Ms. Rodríguez was admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar on January 2007.
Memberships: Ms. Rodríguez is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association. Ms. Rodríguez concentrates her practice in the areas of Labor and Employment Law, Maritime Law, and General and Civil Litigation.
Languages: Spanish and English
NICOLÁS JIMÉNEZ
OF-COUNSEL
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.