Lauracelis Roques-Arroyo
Legal Counsel
Guaynabo,Puerto Rico
Summary
Highly-qualified Legal Counsel in Commercial Litigation law, Intellectual Property, Government Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, Labor law and Administrative law. Skilled litigator and advocate offering 21 years of strategizing innovative and compliant business strategies. Reputation for integrity, problem solving abilities and analytical skills. Knowledgeable in interpreting highly technical disputes among parties.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Legal Counsel
SELF EMPLOYED
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
08.2020 - Current
- Drafted opinions and letters on topics, such as commercial litigation, electronic docketing, labor law, corporate law, government procurement, regulatory affairs and civil law, among others.
- Prepared and drafted motions and other litigation pleadings on complex commercial litigation cases, including appellate resources.
- Actively worked all phases of cases, including initial intake, case reviews, litigation strategies, discovery, and trial.
- Attended hearings as representative of corporate entities and individual clients.
- Contracted as freelance researcher and reviewer for commercial litigation law firms.
- Conducted legal research and designed litigation strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Represented interests of clients in negotiations with regulators, external counsel and public authorities.
Superior Judge
COURT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
COURT OF SAN JUAN, CAROLINA, PONCE, Puerto Rico
07.2008 - 07.2020
- Presided the Extraordinary Writs and Special Laws Courtroom.
- Conducted research and drafted Opinions and Orders on a wide range of issues, including: mandamus, injunction, discovery, State Law 75 (Dealer’s Act), electoral law, corporate law, constitutional law, Law of Condominiums, etc.
- Managed full civil caseload.
- Adjudicated all aspects of civil cases, including in areas of commercial litigation, labor law, trusts and estates, torts, medical malpractice, contract law, injunctions and mandamus, among others.
- Conducted multiple hearings and courtroom proceedings.
- Evaluated dockets and multiple motions for summary judgment, dismissal, discovery, and reconsideration for compliance with procedural law.
- Drafted opinions and orders on topics, such as: State Law 100, State Law 80, contract law, review of arbitral awards and administrative decisions, civil forfeiture, debt collection, civil procedural law, letter rogatory, ex parte procedures, property law, foreclosure, bankruptcy law, jurisdictional matters, constitutional law, etc.
- Participated as a resource in judgeship training, in areas of civil law (“Recurso de la Academia Judicial Puertorriqueña”).
- Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial settlement agreements between parties.
Senior Associate Attorney
MARTÍNEZ ODELL & CALABRIA
Hato Rey, PR
09.2006 - 06.2008
- Prepared and drafted motions, appellate briefs, memoranda of law and other litigation pleadings in the areas of administrative law and commercial litigation.
- Prepared several motions to dismiss and summary judgments.
- Prepared discovery requests and responses.
- Appeared in court proceedings and administrative hearings.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Questioned and cross-examined witnesses throughout course of trials.
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
Deputy Legal Counsel and Bid Board President
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
La Fortaleza, San Juan
02.2005 - 09.2006
- Prepared and drafted memoranda of law and opinion letters in connection with public policy
- Drafted Executive Orders.
- Reviewed proposed legislation.
- Assisted the Chief Legal Counsel in providing counsel to the Governor.
- Worked collaboratively with outside counsel.
- Reviewed proposed contracts prepared by agencies and made recommendations to assure appropriate legal protection and compliance.
- Drafted government contracts.
- As the Bid Board President- Prepared bid invitations, evaluated bid proposals, coordinated, and supervised the Bid Board meetings.
- Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
Associate Attorney/ Litigation Attorney
McCONNELL VALDES
Hato Rey
08.2004 - 02.2005
- Prepared and drafted motions, appellate briefs, memoranda of law and other litigation pleadings in the areas of intellectual property, administrative law, and commercial litigation.
- Researched and drafted pleadings regarding trademark, trade secrets and copyright issues.
- Prepared several preliminary injunctions.
- Prepared discovery requests and responses.
- Assisted senior attorneys in court proceedings.
- Attended hearings as representative of corporate entities and firm clients.
Associate Attorney
GARCÍA & FERNÁNDEZ LAW OFFICES
Hato Rey
04.2002 - 08.2003
- Prepared and drafted motions, appellate briefs, memoranda of law and other litigation pleadings in the areas of telecommunications law, construction law and commercial litigation
- Researched and drafted pleadings regarding political discrimination issues
- Interviewed clients and expert witnesses in preparation for litigation
- Prepared discovery requests and responses
- Appeared in court proceedings.
Associate Attorney
AXTMAYER BENITEZ & QUIÑONES
Hato Rey
03.2001 - 04.2002
- Prepared and drafted motions, appellate briefs and other litigation pleadings on commercial litigation and health law issues
- Researched and drafted memoranda in the areas of administrative law, commercial litigation, and health law
- Prepared real estate acquisition and financing documentation, as well as related mortgage deeds and security agreements
- Participated at closings of real estate transactions
- Drafted statements of cases and witness lists.
- Researched and wrote contracts and proposals.
Education
LL.M - American Law And Intellectual Property
Boston University School of Law
08.2003 - 05.2004
Juris Doctor -
Interamerican University School of Law
08.1997 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Science - General Natural Sciences
University of Puerto Rico
Rio Piedras, PR 08.1993 - 05.1997
Skills
Commercial litigation experience and Civil law
Case analysis/Analytical and critical reasoning
Discovery processes
Proficient in Microsoft Office and Electronic Filing
Contract drafting and analysis
Legal writing
Active listening skills
Intellectual property law
Team player and leadership management skills
Government procurement
Corporate and business legal issues
Accomplishments
- Training in Iberoamerican Congress of Therapeutic Justice.
- Certificate in Computer Forensics for Judges - Course from the National Computer Forensics Institute and United States Secret Service.
- Lecturer at a Constitutional Law Conference at San Pedro Sula, Honduras- Topic: Freedom of Speech (XVII Jornadas de Derecho Constitucional, Centro de Estudios y Formación Constitucional de Centroamérica y el Caribe; Conferencia: “Las libertades de información y expresión y sus límites en el Derecho Comparado”).
Additional Information
- AWARDS: Exceptionally Qualified Justice every 3 years (Scale 5 out of 5) (2011-2012, 2015-2016 and 2019-2020)
- ADMISSIONS: Puerto Rico, January 2001; United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, December 2001; United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit, March 2002; United States Court of International Trade, June 2002; United States Court of Federal Claims, July 2002.
- Professor of Law at University of Puerto Rico and Interamerican Law School.
Timeline
Legal Counsel
SELF EMPLOYED
08.2020 - Current
Superior Judge
COURT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
07.2008 - 07.2020
Senior Associate Attorney
MARTÍNEZ ODELL & CALABRIA
09.2006 - 06.2008
Deputy Legal Counsel and Bid Board President
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
02.2005 - 09.2006
Associate Attorney/ Litigation Attorney
McCONNELL VALDES
08.2004 - 02.2005
LL.M - American Law And Intellectual Property
Boston University School of Law
08.2003 - 05.2004
Associate Attorney
GARCÍA & FERNÁNDEZ LAW OFFICES
04.2002 - 08.2003
Associate Attorney
AXTMAYER BENITEZ & QUIÑONES
03.2001 - 04.2002
Juris Doctor -
Interamerican University School of Law
08.1997 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Science - General Natural Sciences
University of Puerto Rico
08.1993 - 05.1997