Professional Objective.
Professional Practice - To serve as Legal Consultant or Executive Legal Assistant in Law Firms or Private and Public Corporations in the areas of International Contracting and Business Relations, International Corporate Law and assistance in Sales and Negotiations, and related fields. Emphasis made in the areas of Latin America, The Caribbean and specially assigned countries in Europe.
Academic Field - To serve and render professional support in the Academic Field as Professor or Assistant Professor in a College or University (School of Law,) in the areas of investigation and research in the specialized fields of International Private Law (Conflicts of Laws), Business Law, Trade and Negotiations.
Specialized Professional and Academic Experience.
· Specialized attorney in Comparative & Private International Law, International Mercantile, Banking& Finance Law and International Contracting.
· Experience in business corporate representations
· Professional skills applied in International Business and Contracts, Joint-Ventures.
· Handling of diverse applicable legal regimes and treaties, in Conflicts of Laws, particularly in Contracting Law, Banking & Finances, and areas of Oil & Gas, Energy, Mining and Petrochemicals.
· Transference of Technology Agreements and related negotiations.
· Maritime matters, Insurance and Charters, with emphasis in the markets of Latin America, the Caribbean and specially assigned areas in Europe.
· University Professor in International Law (Conflicts of Law, Civil & Mercantile)
· More than 25 years of experience in international legal practice including managerial responsibilities..
Reference of International Corporate Counselling Accomplishments, Academics and Outcomes.-
· AGRICO SALES, Inc. (Louisiana, USA) – Process of closure of Engineering Service Contract with CME (USA)/FERROMINERA DEL ORINOCO, (Venezuela), Ship-loader construction. [2006-present]
· WOOD GROUP GAS TURBINES (Houston, Texas) – Corporate Counsel in Negotiations for transference of contractual rights with CADAFE (Venezuela) - [2007]
· PREUSSAG ENERGY (Lingen, Germany) - OMV AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (Vienna, Austria). - Process of corporate spin-off and transference of rights of Operational Contract of the Cabimas Oil Field. Contractual rights transfer for US $ 120 Million – [2003, 2004]
· DSD (Essen, Germany) affiliate of FERROSTAAAL (Germany) – ENELVEN (Venezuela) –Turn Key contractual negotiations for the installation and Transference of technology for electricity generation for the Plant of La Canada, (State of Zulia). Amount of Project US $ 170 Million - [2004]
· INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION. - (London, U.K.) Counseling rendered to the Venezuelan Delegation regarding damages from oil spills for an amount of US $26 Million. Presentation of the case before the Executive Committee of the IMO (London, U.K.) - [2004]
· Head Professor of International Private Law at the School of Law, University Rafael Urdaneta, private university (State of Zulia, Venezuela). [1999 – 2003].
· AGRICO SALES, Inc. (Louisiana, USA) – CARBOZULIA (Venezuela) – Counseling in the International Contracting and Transference of technology for the installation of a massive coal transportation system. Project of US $ 100 Million. (Maracaibo, Venezuela) - [2002]
· MAERSK CONTRACTORS (Denmark) – Corporate representation in oil & gas drilling operations in Venezuela – [1991 – 2000]
· External Legal Counsel for International Finance Matters of Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A. attending state and judicial issues with the US Justice Department and the US Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. - [2000]
· DELCAN GROUP (Canada) – Legal counseling in the contracting process with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Venezuela - [1999].
· SHELL COAL (U.K.) & RUCKHOLE (Germany) – CARBOZULIA (Venezuela) – Counsel in the negotiation process for the transference of assets, coal mining industry (Rome, Italy) - [1997]
· GENERAL ELECTRIC (New Jersey, USA) - ENERGIA ELECTRICA DE VENEZUELA (ENELVEN) (Venezuela) – Counsel in the project for electricity generation for the city of Maracaibo, Ramon Laguna Plant. Project amount US $ 164 Million - [1998]
· EXIMBANK (Washington D.C., USA) - Corporate representative in Banking and Finance Law representing the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIMBANK) as Legal Counsel in Venezuela, handling of credit contracts and litigation. [1985-2000]
· Grupo Financiero Banco Maracaibo, Vice-President and General Counsel - [1981/94].
Referential Participation in International Forums. –
· Co-counsel for Latin-America for David Milian, Esq., of Carey Rodriguez Greenberg & Paul Law Firm, Miami, Florida - [2007-present]
· Co-counsel for Latin-America for Kozyac-Tropin-Throckmorton Law Firm, Coral Gables, Florida, in the case filed against Pension Fund of America and related banks. (Class Action filed before courts in Florida, USA.) – [2004-2007].
· Representation of various clients as contract negotiator with excellent results particularly in the area of energy in countries in Lain-America, North America and Europe, throughout my career.
· Speaker for the Venezuelan Delegation before the Latin-Finance New York Conference - [1993]
· Speaker for the Venezuelan Delegation before the Chamber of Commerce, State of Louisiana. [1993]
Academic Titles & Degrees.-
· High School (G.C.E. Cambridge) from the Abbey School of Mount St. Benedict, Trinidad W.I.
· College Degree in Comparative Law from Atlantic College, Glamorganshire, Wales, Great Britain.
· Attorney at Law, University of Zulia Maracaibo, Venezuela.
· Master in Management, Institute of High Studies of Administration (IESA), Venezuela.
Citizenships & Languages
· US Citizen born in New York City, NY / Venezuelan Citizen.
· Fluent in Spanish and English - spoken and written
· French and Italian - comprehensive and conversation.
Ralph Echeverria
19555 E. Country Club Dr., Apt 102
AVENTURA, Fl, 33180
Phones: 1-305-407.8667
Mobile: 786-663.5224
