International Mining and Oil & Gas Law, Development, and Investment

MICHAEL J. BOURASSA is a member of the global mining group at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, and acted as the group’s coordinator from 2004–2012. Michael has accumulated extensive experience on both Canadian and international mining projects.  Michael was co-chair of the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Mining Law Committee until 31 December 2018, and is now a council member of the IBA’s Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law. He has also served as a director of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada. Michael has been ranked in several leading legal publications including Chambers Global, Chambers Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He has also been named by Who’s Who Legal as ‘Mining Lawyer of the Year’ in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017, and recognised in Who’s Who Legal (compendium edition) for 13 consecutive years (which also recognised Fasken as the ‘Global Mining Law Firm of the Year’ in 2018 for the 10th time – the firm’s fourth consecutive win).  In 2018, Michael also edited the first edition of Practice Guide – Mining published by Getting the Deal Through, a division of Law Business Research.

JAVIER CÓRDOVA UNDA is the current Minister of Mines of Ecuador, Quito. Prior to this Mr. Córdova held the position of Vice Minister of Mining, and Vice Minister of Internal Security. Mr. Córdova has also held prominent positions as the Vice Minister of Justice, Human Rights, and Cults; Deputy Secretary of Mining; Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Mining; and Advisor/Private Secretary to the Minister of External Trade, Industrialization, Fisheries and Competition. Throughout his career, Mr. Córdova has played an integral role in advancing important institutional reforms in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Some of these achievements include the territorial restructuring of the police force into districts; implementing a new model of management of the police force to better serve the citizen; generating campaigns against violence towards women; and, in dismantling drug trafficking. Mr. Córdova holds a degree in Finance from the College of Government for Development, at Universidad San Francisco of Quito. Mr Córdova completed his baccalaureate at the Lincoln School, in San José, Costa Rica.

RODRIGO BORJA CALISTO is a Partner with Lexim Abogados, in Quito. Rodrigo obtained his Doctor Degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has been legal director of several foreign companies operating in Ecuador, mainly dealing with subjects such as mortgage portfolio securitization, hydrocarbons, and mining, among others. Rodrigo has a deep knowledge of the hydrocarbons and mining industry, both from the internal operations and State regulation and control perspectives. His wide experience with transnational companies has enabled him to advise local and foreign companies throughout their different stages, from the incorporation of the company to the exploration, assessment, negotiation of contracts with the State and vendors, design, construction, development and closing of operations. He has been a member of the executive and administrative committees of the companies where he served as legal director.

JERÓNIMO CARCELÉN PACHECO is a Partner at the Santiago based firm Carcelén, Desmadryl, Guzman & Tapia. He graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (1998), with a degree in Economics and Finance from Universidad de Chile (1999), a Master in International Law from the Georgetown University Law Center (2005), and a Diploma on Mining Investment Projects in Indigenous Land and Territories from Universidad Central de Chile (2010). He served as a Fellow and Research Associate, Institute of International Economic Law, Washington, DC (2004-2005). He is currently an International Visiting Advisor at Dechert LLP in Washington, DC. Admitted to practice in Chile and Ecuador, Mr. Carcelén has developed his career in the international area, advising private companies, governments, cooperation agencies and international organizations on cross-border mining and natural resources legislation. Mr. Carcelén has served as an advisor and consultant to governments and international bodies such as the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank in developing public policies and legal frameworks for mining in several countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Liberia, Mongolia and Togo. Mr. Carcelén recently served as Senior Counselor for Public Policies in Mining to the President of Ecuador, where he worked as the direct advisor to the President on issues pertaining to the design and implementation of public policies and regulations applicable to mining. His previous experience also includes serving as the Senior Advisor of the former Minister of Mining of Chile, where he assisted with legal, international and mining business matters. Mr. Carcelén is a frequent lecturer on mining issues and currently serves as a Professor of Mining Law at the Universidad Diego Portales; a Professor of Mining Contracts, Master on Administrative Economic Law at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile; and a Professor of International Mining Contracts and Mining Property, Master on Mining and Water Law at the Universidad Finis Terrae.

RON HOCHSTEIN is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lundin Gold Inc. Mr. Hochstein served as Executive Chairman of Denison Mines Corp. in 2015 and as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Hochstein served as President and Chief Operating Officer starting in 2006 when International Uranium Corporation (“IUC”) and Denison Mines Inc. (“DMI”) combined to form Denison Mines Corp. Before then, Mr. Hochstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer of IUC. Mr. Hochstein joined IUC in October 1999 as Vice-President, Corporate Development and later served as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer in April 2000. Prior to joining IUC, Mr. Hochstein was a Project Manager with Simons Mining Group and was with Noranda Minerals as a metallurgical engineer. Mr. Hochstein is a Professional Engineer and holds an M.B.A. from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta. Mr. Hochstein is a director of Denison Mines Corp. (TSX, NYSE MKT), Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX, NYSE MKT), Lundin Gold Inc. (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm), and Sprott Resource Corp. (TSX).

PABLO MIR is a Partner at Bofill Mir & Alvarez Jana Law Firm in Chile, where he specializes in Mining, Energy and Natural Resources, and Public Projects. Mr. Mir advises mining companies and investment banks in projects principally in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. He has also participated as a consultant to several working groups and commissions of the Chilean Government to improve mining and energy regulations. He led the team that obtained the approval for the first exploration project under the Chile-Argentina Mining Treaty, and the legal team that constructed the Gas Pacífico pipeline that transports natural gas from Argentina to Chile. Mr. Mir is also a frequent speaker at international mining law conferences and seminars. He is a Member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, the International Mining Professionals Society (IMPS), the International Bar Association’s Section on Energy, the Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (SEERIL) and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). In Chile, he is a member of the Chilean Bar Association, the legal affairs commission of the National Mining Association (SONAMI) and of the Board of Directors of the Chilean Mining Council. Pablo Mir has been highlighted on numerous occasions by specialized publications as one of the best mining lawyers in Latin America. In 2018 he was included in Who’s Who Thought Leaders ranking, and was also voted Best Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Year in Natural Resources. Additionally, Chambers & Partners Latin America 2019 recognized Mr. Mir as a top tier (Band 1) lawyer in Mining. Pablo Mir graduated from the Universidad de Chile Law School cum laude in 1987. Before joining Bofill Mir & Alvarez Jana he was a partner at Grasty Quintana Majlis & Cía in Chile.

PATRICIA NÚÑEZ: University of Chile School of Law (J.D.), 1991. “Pedro N. Montenegro” award as the best student of her generation at Law School. Fulbright Scholarship, 1996. “Master in Laws” (LL.M.) granted by Yale University Law School, Connecticut, USA, 1997. Member of the Council of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law of the International Bar Association (IBA-SEERIL), (2017-2018); President of IBA-SEERIL, (2015-2016), Vice-President of  IBA-SEERIL (2013-2014), Secretary of IBA-SEERIL (2011-2012), Member of the Council of  IBA-SEERIL (2009-2010), Chair of the Mining Committee of IBA-SEERIL (2004-2008). Former Chair of the Mining Committee of the International Bar Association (2004-2008). Former Trustee at Large of the RMMLF (2004-2007). Honorary Professor of the Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy of the University of Dundee. Member of the Chilean Bar Association, International Mining Professionals Society Congress of Fellows of the Center for International Legal Studies.  Board Member of the Chilean Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Board Member of Transelec. With Claro y Cía (1990-2000), Debevoise &Plimpton, NY, USA (1997-1998). Founding partner of Núñez, Muñoz & Cía. Abogados.

WILLIAM B. PRINCE is a partner in Dorsey & Whitney LLP’s Salt Lake City office where he co-chairs the firm’s Mining & Natural Resources Industry Group. His practice includes domestic and international mining transactions, natural resources-related environmental and compliance matters, and energy development projects. Bill is currently a member-at-large on the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Board of Directors, is the former chairman of the Special Institutes Committee and has served as a trustee of the Foundation and twice as the Annual Institute Mining Section chair. He was a founding member of the International Mining Professionals Society and served for two years as chairman of the Hard Minerals Committee of the ABA Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. He authored “Joint Development of Coal and Coalbed Methane” presented at the 48th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and at the Foundation’s Special Institute on Regulation and Development of Coalbed Methane, and co-authored “Developing an Environmental Model: The Growing Diversity of International Environmental Standards and Agendas Affecting Mining Companies” published in the Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy. Bill is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law. In a prior life, he was a river guide in Colorado, Utah and Arizona.

BERNARD (BARNEY) J. GUARNERA is a geologist and engineer with more than 50 years of experience in the international mining industry. He has worked on every continent where mining activity occurs and is considered an expert in determining the feasibility and value of mineral properties and mining companies. Barney’s experience covers most commodities including ferrous and base metals, platinum group metals, precious metals, coal, uranium, and industrial minerals. During his career, Barney has held positions ranging from field geologist to overseeing mineral and oil/gas development for a Fortune 100 company. He joined Behre Dolbear & Company in 1991 and built Behre Dolbear to a globally recognized mineral industry advisory firm with multiple international offices. While with Behre Dolbear he was responsible for having the SEC and the FASB recognize that mineral resources and exploration properties have value that is considered in transactions. He also acted as the principal advisor to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in defining that exchange’s listing rules for mining companies as well as part of Behre Dolbear’s team advising on the acquisition of the London Metal Exchange by the SEHK. He continues as a director of Behre Dolbear, but has also established Broadlands Mineral Advisory Services where he specializes in valuations and expert witness testimony. He has acted as an expert in seven ICSID and similar arbitrations. Barney is a Certified International Mineral Appraiser, a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas, a Registered Professional Geologist in Idaho and Oregon, a Chartered Professional with the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, and a Qualified Professional with the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America. He is president of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, and serves on the boards of Golden Queen Mining Company and the Colorado Mining Association.

PETER L. WEBSTER is General Counsel U.S. with Barrick Gold. Prior to joining Barrick Gold in 2013, he was a member of Rio Tinto Legal Department for 20 years, specializing in mining exploration transactions and compliance issues in North and South America. He is a graduate of the University of Utah College of Law, and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pitzer College in the Claremont Colleges. 

R. CRAIG JOHNSON is a Shareholder with Parsons Behle & Latimer in Salt Lake City. Mr. Johnson is a shareholder in the firm’s Corporate and Environmental, Energy & Natural Resources departments and concentrates his practice on mergers, acquisitions, mining law and related transactions. Before joining Parsons Behle & Latimer, Mr. Johnson served as general counsel for Rio Tinto in the United States and South America, where he was responsible for legal matters including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to that he served in the capacities of legal head of Rio Tinto’s Copper & Diamonds Product Group and as V.P. of legal for Rio Tinto. Before working at Rio Tinto, Mr. Johnson handled legal affairs for Resolution Copper Company. From 1994 to 2007, he was a shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer where his practice emphasized international and domestic natural resources projects in North America and Latin America including mining, commercial and finance law.

CARLOS VILHENA is a partner at the law firm of Pinheiro Neto Advogados, in Brasilia, Brazil, where he heads the firm's mining and government relations practices. For many years Mr. Vilhena has been appointed as one of the top practitioners in Brazil for mining legal expertise by a number of publications, including the International Who's Who of Mining Lawyers published by Who's Who Legal, the Latin Lawyer, Chambers Global, and Legal 500. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, the Who´s Who Legal identified 407 mining law practitioners around the World. Mr. Vilhena was listed as thought leader. He is the only Brazilian in the list. Chambers and Global 2017 listed Mr. Vilhena as the only Star Individual in the mining legal market in Brazil. Mr. Vilhena acts as Senior Vice-Chair of the Mining Committee of the International Bar Association. He is a director of TriStar Gold Inc. Mr. Vilhena holds an LLM degree in Natural Resources Law from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum, and Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee, Scotland and an LLB from the University of Brasilia Law School.

PEDRO SERRANO ESPELTA is a partner of Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal and has been a member of the firm since 1997. He regularly advises clients on Argentine anti-corruption regulations and their complex interaction with foreign extraterritorial laws applicable to actions taking place in Argentina. Pedro also advises clients in developing, implementing and auditing compliance programs, as well as in white collar crime, compliance trainings, risk analysis, due diligence and internal investigations. Pedro is involved in corporate, oil & gas, M&A and complex contracts work. He is a regular speaker at international anti-corruption conferences both locally and abroad. Pedro received his law degree from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in 1992. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of California at Berkeley from 1993 to 1995 and earned a Master in Laws (LL.M.) degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1997. He was a foreign associate at The Americas Law Group in San Francisco, California, from 1993 to 1996. He is a member of the Bar of the City of Buenos Aires. 

VERA DE BRITO de GYARFAS is a Partner in the Global Transactions Practice Group at King & Spalding in Houston. Ms. De Gyarfas’ practice is focused on energy projects in Latin America and Africa representing companies in upstream E&P projects, LNG and other gas projects, power companies in the construction of generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and petrochemical companies in the development of specialized plants under joint ventures, profit sharing agreements, operating services agreements, EPC contracts, and oilfield service contracts. Ms. De Gyarfas’ expertise in LNG involves the negotiation and drafting of host government and other investment agreements, analysis of existing regulation and Government negotiations, LNG sales and purchase agreements, gas supply agreements and terminal usage agreements, among others. Ms. De Gyarfas is a Member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and part of its Latin America Regional Executive Committee. Ms. De Gyarfas is ranked by Chambers Global as a Leading Individual in the (i) Energy and Natural Resource Foreign Expert category, and (ii) Venezuela.

XENNIA FORNO is a Partner and head of Natural Resources Area in the Peruvian law firm Rubio Leguía Normand. Her more than 30 years’ experience allows her to provide comprehensive advice regarding mining and environmental matters. Prior to joining Rubio Leguía Normand, Xennia worked in the public sector as register and legal counsel of the Public Registry of Mining, and as a Member of the Mining Board, the highest instance in mining administrative matters related to the awarding of land titles, mine safety and health, environment, and fulfillment of obligations. Her professional career has been featured by several prestigious international publications, such as Chambers and Partners and Legal500, which have recognized her as a leading lawyer in Mining Law. Finally, Xennia is a professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, also for the Diploma Course in Mining and Environment and Master in Mining Law and Mining Management at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas. In addition, she regularly participates as lecturer of Mining and Environmental Law in national and international events, and has published several papers and articles in specialized journals and publications.

JESSICA RICHARDS is a Lecturer in Energy Management at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado. Prior to her role at Western, she spent 10 years working in various land positions for oil and gas exploration and production companies in Denver, Colorado. Jessica’s course load includes a wide array of subjects with a focus on oil and gas land management, such as strategic negotiations, oil and gas law, property and contracts, federal land management, energy regulation and policy, oil and gas agreements, title, and business law. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where she developed and taught Oil & Gas Agreements and Contemporary Issues in Oil & Gas. Jessica co-authored “Social License to Operate: Hydraulic Fracturing Related Challenges Facing the Oil & Gas Industry” presented at the RMMLF Institute in Cartagena, Colombia, in April 2015 and published in the University of Oklahoma Oil & Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal. She earned her J.D. from the University of Denver and is a native of Homer Glen, Illinois.

RAFAEL VERGARA is a Partner with Carey y Cia Ltda., in Santiago. Mr. Vergara is co-head of the firm’s Natural Resources and Environment Group. His practice focuses on natural resources, mining, water rights, energy, environment, surface lands, project financing, and corporate and commercial law. He has received numerous national and international awards and recognition in the fields of mining, metals, energy, environmental, natural resources, and project finance and development. He has been a Professor of Mining Law at the Universidad de Chile since 1996, and at the Universidad de los Andes since 2003. Mr. Vergara is the author of several legal publications, including the Chilean chapter on Mining, Getting the Deal Through (2010-2013), and has presented special courses on mining law for judges and members of the Courts of Appeals, organized by the Judiciary Academy of Chile, as well as papers on Chilean mining, energy, natural resources regulations and environment at numerous seminars, both in Chile and abroad. He was a Trustee at Large of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (2012-2015); a Member of the Chilean Bar Association, Member of its board (2006-2011); Visiting Professor in several graduate studies and Master Degree Programs on Natural Resources Law at several Chilean Universities; Member of the panel of arbitrators, Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce of Santiago; Member of the Legal Committee of the National Mining Association (SONAMI); and Member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA). Mr. Vergara received his law degree from the Universidad de Chile.

GERMÁN VILLAMIL-PARDO is a partner at Gómez Pinzón Zuleta Abogados, in Bogotá, where he leads the Oil & Gas practice and is a member of the Corporate law practice, leading the Foreign Exchange and Regulatory International Investments practice. Germán is also a member of the Banking, Finance & Capital Markets practice. Germán has more than 30 years of professional experience. In the Oil & Gas industry, he renders advice to exploration and production companies and also to service companies, oil transportation companies, and trading companies. He also participates actively in mergers, acquisitions, and financing transactions in the Oil & Gas sector. In the foreign exchange and international investments practice, he has rendered legal advice to, among others, companies related to the energy, gas, financial, communication and written press, real estate, public services, telecommunications, technology, beverages, and transportation sectors, in legal matters that include legal counsel in foreign exchange regulations, financings in foreign currency, structuring of international investments and counsel, and representation in administrative foreign exchange proceedings. Germán received his law school degree from Universidad de los Andes and has a post-graduate degree in Taxation from the same university. He worked for around ten years with Banco de la República (Colombia’s Central Bank) where among other positions he served as General Counsel. He is member of the Mines and Oil Bar (Colegio de Abogados de Minas y Petróleos), board member of Grupo Aval and also of the Free Country Foundation (Fundación País Libre) and arbitrator of the arbitration and conciliation center of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá.

FLORENCIA HEREDIA is senior partner of Allende & Brea, Natural Resources and Energy practice where she joined in August 2017. She is an expert in mining law with 27 years extensive experience advising financing institutions and companies in complex mining and energy transactions in Argentina, having repeatedly represented lenders in all mining project finance taken place in the country. She obtained her law degree with honors (summa cum laude) from Universidad Católica Argentina in 1991 and obtained also with honors (summa cum laude) a Masters degree on Business Law from Universidad Austral in 1995. She has a degree also with honors (summa cum laude) on corporate sustainability from IESC (Instituto de Estudios para la Sustentabilidad Corporativa). She has been researcher in the Doctorate program of Universidad Austral on the areas of natural resources and environmental law. She was founder of HOLT Abogados (2008-2017) natural resources boutique law firm and prior to that member of Estudio Beccar Varela (1992-2008) for 16 years, where she was during 9 years the head of the natural resources and environmental law department. During 1997 she worked for Beiten Burkhardt Mittl & Wegener (today Beiten Burkhardt) one of the leading German law firms.  She is an active member of the International Bar Association, where she held the position of Chair of the Mining Law Committee (2014-2015), she is currently council member of Seeril (Section of energy, environment, natural resources and infrastructure law). She has been Trustee at Large of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, for which she also served as Secretary to the Board (2014-2015), member of the International Women Forum (Argentinean Chapter) among other relevant entities. She is member of the Academic Board of RADHEM in Argentina, publication specialized in Energy and Natural Resources. She has recently joined the Women Corporate Directors foundation, since as of January 2018 she holds the position of Non Executive Independent director of Galaxy Lithium, Australian public company leader in the lithium sector.  She has been constantly nominated as a leading mining lawyer and star individual by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, etc and has been included in the lists of main mining lawyers of the world by Who’s Who Editions in the last fifteen years, being recipient of the Mining Lawyer of the Year award for 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 and one of the highlighted women in the Women in Law reviews.

WARREN BEECH is a Partner with Hogan Lovells, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Beech provides multi-disciplinary legal and related services, primarily to the mining, construction, and engineering industries. This includes health and safety, environmental, commercial, litigation, criminal and employment law advice, as well as training, auditing and consulting services. He consults locally and internationally, and has represented mining and non-mining companies in more than 1,800 fatal inquiries and inquests arising out of incidents and accidents. He has conducted inquiries in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act for many clients. Recognised for his contribution to the mining industry by several industry bodies, including associations affiliated to the Chamber of Mines, he has participated in various industry-specific bodies on developments, including legislative amendments, at the request of the regulators. Warren is a frequent speaker at local and international seminars and conferences.

FRANCISCO J. VALDIVIESO, Partner, Valdivieso, Gutiérrez & Manríquez, Santiago. Between 2009 and 2014, he was an Associate of the firm Cariola, Díez and Pérez-Cotapos, where he worked in the areas of Mining Law, Natural Resources, and Corporate and Foreign Investment. His professional practice has focused on assisting local companies and foreign investors in the analysis, preparation of legal aspects and the development of investment projects, mainly mining-related. He has extensive experience in the preparation and negotiation of different types of contracts, such as trading, mining purchase option contracts, exploration, drilling and exploration agreements, and other contracts related to mining activity. He has also participated in the acquisition and sale of mining companies and projects, water rights, public bidding processes and in the processing, constitution and judicial defense of mining concessions throughout the national territory. For the development of mining, energy and other projects, Mr. Valdivieso has been in charge of advising his clients to gain access to the estates where these projects are located, actively participating in the negotiation of contractual easements and in various easement trials. He has also been in charge of processing various administrative permits related to investment projects. Mr. Valdivieso received his law degree from the University of Los Andes in 2009. During 2013 he enrolled in the Diploma Program in Natural Resources and Energy, from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica, where he finished with a mention in Water Law. He is a member of the Bar Association.

JUAN PAULO BAMBACH is a Partner with Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria, in Santiago. His practice area is Natural Resources. Mr. Bambach is Counsel of the Chilean Bar Association and Arbiter of Chilean Chamber of Commerce. He holds an undergraduate diploma in Taxation Planning of Universidad Católica de Chile (2002); a Postgraduate diploma in Mining Law, Universidad de Atacama (1997); a Master in Law, University of Wurzburg, Germany (1993); and a Law Degree, Universidad de Chile 1988. He is Professor of: Mining Law and Real Estate LL.M, Universidad de Los Andes; Post Graduate Program in Natural Resources and Energy Law, Universidad Católica de Chile; LL.M in Regulatory Law, Universidad Católica.

SANDRA MANRIQUE is a Partner at Philippi, Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría in the Bogotá office. She joined the firm in 2005 and was made Partner in 2012. Her legal practice focuses on Energy, Mining and Natural Resources and Public Law. She advises on matters involving the laws governing energy products and public utilities, and on various corporate and labor issues. Sandra has a Law Degree from Universidad Libre de Colombia (1999). She also has a Post-graduate degree in Public Utilities from Universidad Externado de Colombia (2001), a Post-graduate degree in Labor law from Universidad Libre de Colombia (2002), and a Course in Portfolio Management and Financial Risk in the Natural Gas Industry from Alberta School of Business, Edmonton, Canada (2002). She also has a degree in International Management of the Oil and Gas Business from Universidad de Los Andes and a Master in Business Law from Universidad Francisco Victoria, Madrid, Spain (2004).

MARÍA PAZ PULGAR is a Chile-based mining and natural resources attorney. She is Senior Associate and Coordinator of the Natural Resources Department of the law firm Philippi, PrietoCarrizosa, Ferrero, DU & Uria. Prior to this, she worked for over 10 years at the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie. She has been professor of Mining Law in the Master of Law LL.M Program and in the Administrative Law Diploma of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, and professor of Mining Law in undergraduate and postgraduate programme of Universidad Los Andes, among other academic activities. She has also been a speaker at various seminars on Environmental Law at the Universidad de Chile and co-author of publications on environmental law. She is a member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF), the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), and Women in Mining (WIM).

HERNÁN TORRES is a partner at Philippi, Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría in the Perú office. He joined the firm in 2016. He has 14 years of experience in legal practice focusing on mining. He advises on matters involving mining projects in all stages, as well as matters related to land access and social license. He also provides advice on various corporate, real, and civil law issues. Hernan has a law degree from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (2001), and a post-graduate degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy from the University of Denver (2008). Hernan is a professor of mining law and contract law at the University of Lima, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas – UPC, and Universidad de Piura, and has authored several publications on mining and civil law. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF), the Instituto Nacional de Derecho de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (INDEMIPE), and the Sociedad de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (SNMPE).

ADRIANO DRUMMOND CANÇADO TRINDADE is of counsel at Pinheiro Neto Advogados in Brasília, Brazil. He has been providing legal advice for years to clients in connection with the mining sector, including regulatory matters, mining policy, M&A, contracts and communities, among other mining-related subjects. Mr. Trindade is also a Lecturer at the Law School of the University of Brasília (UnB) and a researcher of the Natural Resources Law Group (GERN) of that same University, where he coordinates the mining law research area. Mr. Trindade graduated from the University of Brasília and obtained his Masters degree (Distinction) in Natural Resources Law and Policy from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) at the University of Dundee, United Kingdom. He has published articles and delivered conferences and training courses in Mining Law issues in Brazil and abroad.

PAUL FORNAZZARI is a Partner with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, in Toronto. Mr. Fornazzari has a broad range of corporate, commercial and securities law experience. Clients draw on his expertise in corporate and governance matters, corporate finance, M&A, divestitures, shareholder disputes, regulatory and stock exchange compliance and a wide variety of commercial arrangements. Mr. Fornazzari advises boards, executive teams, entrepreneurs and investment dealers and acts for domestic and foreign clients in various industries including mining, petroleum, technology, life sciences and financial services. As a fluent Spanish speaker from Latin America, he has transactional experience and a strong network in almost all of the jurisdictions in that region. He also speaks and writes on a variety of related topics such as Canadian M&A activity, corporate finance regulation, mining agreements, corporate governance, and CEO/CFO certification. He previously practiced corporate finance and M&A as well as business law at a large national law firm. Mr. Fornazzari holds a Masters of Law from Osgoode Hall Law School in Securities Law and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Windsor. He has recently been recognized in Who’s Who Legal 100, Who’s Who Legal: Mining, The Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. He is a member of the TSX Venture Exchange’s Ontario Advisory Panel and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.

FERNANDO AGUIRRE B. is a Senior Partner at Bufete Aguirre Soc. Civ. in Bolivia. He is a graduate of the State University of La Paz and holds a Diploma in Law from Oxford University (Public International Law). Mr. Aguirre leads the mining and arbitration practices of the firm, which has as clients three of the most important private foreign investment in mining in Bolivia, and regularly advises the National Association of Medium Miners, which gathers the main mining private investments. As such he participated in the negotiations with the government and other mining stakeholders for a new Mining Law enacted in 2014. He is an internationally renowned arbitrator and advisor on arbitration, having participated in numerous publications and panels, both national and international in this and other related areas of the law. He has been Minister of the Presidency of Bolivia and director of the Bolivian Central Bank, as well as President and Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of Bolivia. At present he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coca Cola bottlers of Bolivia, EMBOL S.A. He is registered in the lists of arbitrators of the Bolivian National Chamber of Commerce’s Arbitration Center, the Center of Arbitration of the National Chamber of Hydrocarbons and of the Kuala Lumpur Regional Arbitration Center. He has advised and represented the National Confederation of Private Entrepreneurs in the negotiation with the government of a new Arbitration and Conciliation Law in effect since 2015.

PAMELA BÓRQUEZ ASTUDILLO is an attorney with Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), in Santiago, Chile. She specializes in the practice of regulatory and administrative law, comprising public contracting, transparency, and lobbying regulation, and mining law, including subjects related to public law. In the last few years, she has worked extensively in matters involving CORFO’s Salar de Atacama mining concession, especially in the contracts that allow their exploitation. Prior to starting at CORFO, she worked in other public entities. She earned her degree in 1998 from Adolfo Ibañez University, Viña del Mar, with highest distinction.

IGNACIO H. CELORRIO is a Partner with Quevedo Abogados in Buenos Aires. Prior to joining Ejercicio profesional: Quevedo Abogados (2007-);Prior to joining Quevedo Abogados, he worked with Brons & Salas, Associate (1997-2007); Greenberg Traurig LLP, Miami, Estados Unidos, Consultor/Asociado Extranjero (2002-2003);Greenberg Traurig LLP, Miami, United States, Foreign Consultant / Associate (2002-2003); Smith Lyons, Toronto, Canadá, Consultor Legal Extranjero (agosto 1998-mayo 1999).and Smith Lyons, Toronto, Canada, Foreign Legal Consultant (August 1998-May 1999). He received his law degree from the Universidad Católica Argentina; a Master en Derecho Administrativo, Universidad Austral (1997-1998);Master in Administrative Law from the Universidad Austral; a degree inDerecho Comparativo, Samford University, Cumberland Law School, Birmingham, Alabama, Estados Unidos; Comparative Law from Samford University, Cumberland Law School, Birmingham, Alabama; and a degree from Durham University, Reino Unido (junio-julio 1998, junio-julio 1999).Durham University, UK. Distinciones: Distinguido como Leading Individual en el área de Energía y Recursos Naturales: Minería, por Chambers Latin America Edición 2010.He has been distinguished as a Leading Individual in the area of Energy and Natural Resources: Mining, by Chambers Latin America Edition 2010. He served in theFunción Pública: Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Contencioso Administrativo Federal, Relator de Cámara del Juez Federal, Dr. Gallegos Fedriani (1996-1997). National Chamber of Appeals in Federal Administrative Litigation, Chamber Judge of Federal Judge, Dr. Gallegos Fedriani (1996-1997).

TERRY HAMMONS is Albemarle Corporation’s Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Corporate and Chief Regional Counsel, responsible for the company’s worldwide Corporate legal activities, including all strategic transactions (M&A, joint ventures and venture capital), and supporting the Lithium GBU Resources team. In addition, Mr. Hammons manages the legal support for the company’s Corporate Governance, SEC, Treasury and Tax functions, as well as serving as the worldwide chief regional legal counsel with direct responsibility for the South America region. Mr. Hammons was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He received a B.A. in English from the College of William & Mary, and a J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1999. Prior to joining Albemarle, he spent twelve years with a Fortune 500 global industrial gases company in roles of increasing responsibility in both the legal department and on the business side. And before that, he practiced corporate and securities law at Hunton & Williams in Virginia and Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. He specialized in venture capital and private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, and securities offerings.

JUAN CARLOS SERRA has been with Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. since 1996. He is the Head of the Energy, Mining and Infrastructure Practice Groups. Juan Carlos worked in the private sector lending arm of the Interamerican Development Bank, called the Interamerican Investment Corporation. Juan Carlos is a Graduate from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and has a Master´s Degree from Georgetown University (Fullbright Scholarship). Other formal education includes a Postgraduate Degree in Corporate and Economic Law from the Panamerican University (Universidad Panamericana) and a Diploma Degree in Energy Law from the Iberoamerican University (Universidad Iberoamericana). Juan Carlos has been recognized by Latin American Energy and Infrastructure Guide as a Leading Lawyer; ranked by Chambers Latin America as a leading lawyer in Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions and Energy & Natural Resources practices; recognized as Latin America´s Leading lawyer in IFLR 1000 Energy and Infrastructure; and named World´s Leading Lawyer by Who´s Who of Mining Lawyers and Who´s Who of Energy Lawyers. His specific experience includes joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, investments, acquisitions, and solid experience participating in national and international public bidding, as well as extensive advice in energy and mining issues. He is an active member of the Mexican Legal Bar (Barra Mexicana del Colegio de Abogados), Institute of Energy Law, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), and the International Bar Association (IBA).

MIGUEL O. STRAUSS is Chief Counsel Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestments, Legal, Global Strategy and Business Development, for Statoil, in Houston. Miguel has accumulated more than twenty years of legal experience, fourteen of them in the oil & gas industry. He focuses on negotiating and advising on complex, cross-border, upstream joint ventures, acquisitions, divestments and production contracts in the oil and gas sector worldwide. He has been involved in negotiations covering diverse types of assets and projects, including oil sands, shale gas, shale oil, deep offshore and extra heavy oil. For the last 10 years he has held several positions in Statoil’s legal department in places like Venezuela, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom, providing legal support to Statoil’s internationalization efforts. He is a regular speaker at many international conferences and seminars. He is currently based in Houston after concluding a stint in London, where he acted as interim Head of Legal’s Global Strategy and Business Development team. He was appointed as Statoil’s Chief Counsel for Mergers and Acquisitions in 2012. In addition to advising on matters concerning Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestments, he is currently leading the legal team advising Statoil in Mexico. Prior to joining Statoil, Miguel worked with Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and London as member of the Latin America and Spain Group, focusing on Project Finance, Securities and M&A. Previously, he worked with the Venezuelan National Oil Company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) in the upstream area. He is admitted to practice in New York and Venezuela.

EDUARDO G. PEREIRA has been active in the oil and gas industry for over 10 years and is an international expert on joint operating agreements. He has oil and gas practical experience in over 40 jurisdictions covering America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Dr. Pereira concluded his doctoral thesis on oil and gas joint ventures at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). He conducted postdoctoral research at Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (University of Oxford, UK) and another postdoctoral research at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law (University of Oslo, Norway). He is a professor of natural resources and energy law as a full-time, part-time, adjunct and/or visiting scholar in a number of leading academic institutions around the world. He is also a managing editor for the African Journal on Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law and an associate editor of OGEL. He is also the author and editor of several leading oil and gas textbooks. Further information about his profile and publications can be found at www.eduardogpereira.com 

MÓNICA JIMÉNEZ GONZÁLEZ, is Secretary General of Ecopetrol S.A., in Bogotá. As Secretary General, Ms. Jiménez is involved in the process of governance, legal counsel and coordination with the President and Ecopetrol’s Board of Directors, as well as the coordination of relations with the different controlling and monitoring entities and the channeling of corporate communications. Ms. Jiménez is an attorney with a degree from Universidad de los Andes. She is a specialist in Liability and Recoverable Damage from Universidad Externado, and she has a Master’s Degree in Science in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), with a scholarship granted by the British Council for academic and professional excellence. She most recently worked as a legal advisor at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, a Canadian firm where she specialized in international arbitration and corporate social responsibility issues as applied to mining and oil and gas. Previously, she worked at Thomas & Partners Barristers and Solicitors, a Canadian law firm specialized in investment arbitration. Her experience in Colombia was as an attorney advising the Minister and the Vice Minister of Defense in matters of international law, and for the law firm Gómez-Pinzón Zuleta Abogados. 

ANDREW B. DERMAN is a Partner in Thompson & Knight’s Dallas office and serves as the Firm’s International Energy Practice Leader as well as Chairman of Thompson & Knight Global Energy Services, LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of the Firm that provides technical, economic, and commercial advisory services to the energy sector. With a concentration on oil and gas investment projects and cross-border transactions, he focuses on providing legal and commercial support in connection with acquisitions, divestments, trades, and mergers; strategic commercial and business advice; large infrastructure projects; nationalization/expropriation; anti-corruption  and sanction advice; unitizations; boundary disputes; exploration, development, and production operations; production sharing contracts; negotiations; and dispute resolution. Mr. Derman has assisted clients in more than 50 countries on six continents and offers clients a comprehensive understanding of oil and gas activities through experience in a broad spectrum of countries and companies. Prior to joining Thompson & Knight, he served as in-house counsel and later an executive for a large international oil and gas company for nearly 20 years. His practice is equally divided between providing clients with traditional legal representation (contract negotiation and drafting) and business development/commercial counseling (the identification and capture of oil and gas opportunities). Mr. Derman is admitted to practice in Texas and New York, and he is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He received a J.D. from Temple University Law School in 1978, a B.A. from New York University in 1974, and he attended the Insead Advanced Management Program in Fontainebleau, France in 1991. Mr. Derman’s accolades include being named among the “Leaders in Their Field” by Chambers Global and Chambers USA by Chambers & Partners as well as to The Best Lawyers in America® by Woodward/White Inc. and Texas Super Lawyers® by Thomson Reuters. 

MARTÍN AÑEZ REA has been a partner, international consultant, and arbitrator at DRLAbogados, a Spanish law firm specializing in infrastructure, energy, and international litigation in Madrid, Spain, since August 2019. He is the former Director of Upstream Legal Services at REPSOL S.A., responsible for Latin America. He has more than 20 years of experience working as a legal advisor in international contracting, joint ventures, international arbitration, foreign investment, E&P acquisitions and divestments, negotiations with governments, integrated projects of liquefied natural gas, environment and corporate social responsibility, and know-how in continental law and common law. Martín received his law degree from the Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Magister Scientiarum in Economic Law by the Universidad de Chile (Santiago, Chile), and ESADE Alumni, Diploma in Business Management (Madrid, Spain). He is a member of AIPN (Association of International Petroleum Negotiators) and the IBA (International Bar Association). He has been recognized for Latin Lawyer Deal of the Year Awards’ for 2008 – Project Finance Category: First LNG export project financing in Peru, and Latin Lawyer Deal of the Year Awards’ for 2005 - M&A Category: Peru LNG acquisition.

JAIME P. ZALDUMBIDE has been a partner of Perez Bustamante & Ponce, the largest and oldest law firm in Ecuador, since 1987. He is an experienced attorney in energy, exploration, and exploitation of natural resources and environmental law. He has spent decades advising oil and mining companies on their operations and negotiations in Ecuador. From 2012 to 2016, Jaime practiced in Chile as Senior at Carey Abogados. Jaime has a Juris Doctorate degree in law from the Catholic University of Quito, a Masters Degree in Environmental Law from the University of the Vasque Country, Spain, and has attended post graduate studies at Harvard University, Columbia University, and the Southern Methodist University. During his professional career he was the Private Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Arbitrator at the Construction Chamber of Quito Arbitration Center, and a manager of the Legal Department of Kerr McGee Ecuador Energy Company (currently part of Anadarko). In 2016 he contributed with the Ecuadorian Chapter of The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, “Indigenous Rights Q&A Book.” Admitted to the bar in Chile and Ecuador, Jaime is one of the few Ecuadorian attorneys to be distinguished as a foreign expert by Chambers Global.

KEVIN O’CALLAGHAN is the Leader of Fasken Martineau’s Aboriginal Law Practice Group and he is a founder of their Corporate Social Responsibility Law Practice Group. He is based in Fasken’s Vancouver office. Kevin provides strategic advice on Aboriginal, regulatory, environmental, and other corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues. While his extensive experience is focused throughout western and northern Canada, he also advises a number of clients around the world. Kevin provides ongoing advice to resource companies on obligations to First Nations and agreements with First Nations. Kevin was counsel for a coalition of businesses in two critical aboriginal cases at the Supreme Court of Canada: first on leading case on Aboriginal consultation and accommodation (Haida Nation v. B.C.); and second, on the leading case on Aboriginal title (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. B.C.). 

JUAN SONODA is a partner of the Buenos Aires law firm Beretta Godoy, where he chairs the Energy and Natural Resources departments. His practice focuses on the areas of energy and natural resources, foreign investment, international business transactions, and dispute resolution. He has represented extractive companies in arbitrations conducted under the rules of the ICSID and he has assisted several companies in important and complex commercial litigations. He has published several articles on natural resources, BITs, bankruptcy, conflicts of laws and foreign investment. He directed and co-authored a book on indigenous rights in South America from the perspective of the natural resources industry, published by the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. He graduated cum laude at the University of Buenos Aires School of Law and holds a Masters in Corporate Law from the New York University School of Law. Juan is admitted to the Buenos Aires and New York Bars. He has been singled out by Chambers & Partners, Who’s Who Legal and Legal 500, among other publications.

GONZALO GREZ is one of the partners that head the Natural Resources and Mining Group of Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos, in Santiago, and handles matters involving Mining, Corporate and Commercial Law, M&A, Project Development, Communities and Indigenous Rights, Water Rights, Foreign Investment and Contracts. He serves as legal counsel to a number of local and foreign companies, assisting in different processes of acquisition and divestment of companies or assets, private and public bids, cross-border transactions, project finance, due diligence, preliminary agreements and negotiation and drafting of contracts, including development of strategy and corporate structures, community strategy and regulatory issues. He has been the Director of the Post Graduate Program named “Natural Resources and Environmental” at the Universidad de los Andes since 2015; Professor of Corporate and Commercial Law at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile since 2001; and Vice Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee of the IPBA. Gonzalo has participated in several international congresses as speaker or moderator and one of his recent articles was included in the book named “Indigenous Rights in South America” sponsored by Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Gonzalo studied law at the School of Law of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he graduated in 1994 with honors and was admitted to the bar in 1995. In 1998 he earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Northwestern University, School of Law, Chicago, US. He is a member of the Chilean Bar Association; the Inter Pacific Bar Associations and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. He is mentioned as an expert in the mining field by Chambers & Partners and has been nominated as among top Mining Lawyers in other publications.

MARTA GISELA MARTÍNEZ is with Vouga Abogados in Asunción, Paraguay. She received her law degree from the National University of Asunción (2008), Master in Public Administration from Political and Social Sciences School at the Complutense University of Madrid (2010) and Master in Public Law from the Law School of the University Complutense of Madrid. She has a pending thesis defense for the PhD in Administrative Law at the Complutense University of Madrid. As a teacher, she was hired as an honorary collaborator of the Department of Administrative Law at the Complutense University of Madrid for several years. She has participated in several research projects and has published several articles, of which the most distinguished are “El proceso contencioso administrativo en la República del Paraguay: Evolución histórica,marco legal vigente y Análisis comparado” in the collective work:” Por el Derecho y la Libertad,” a tribute book to Professor Juan Santamaria Pastor. Editorial Iustel, 2014. p. 443- 492 and “Reflecciones sobre la incidencia de la Ley de Economía sostenible en la Ley de Defensa de la Competencia”, published in the Gazeta Jurídica de la Unión Europea y Defensa de la Competencia. No. 22, 2011. Page 9-21. In the professional field she worked at the Judiciary, as well as in several institutions of the executive branch. On issues of indigenous law her work stands out as consultant from the World Bank’s for the regularization program of indigenous lands, providing functions as a lawyer in the “Instituto Paraguayo del Índigena” (2009). Matters of regulations, she has been an attorney for the “Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones” (2014-2016). She has also served as General Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in 2016.

ALEJANDRO PEMINTEL ECHENIQUE is a partner in Ferrere’s La Paz, Bolivia offices. His practice is focused on dispute resolution related to corporate matters, civil, constitutional and administrative procedures, as well as arbitration and labour. He graduated as an attorney from Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca and completed a Master’s program in Civil Law at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolivar. He is a member of the Bar Association of La Paz, of the National Bar Association of Bolivia and of the International Bar Association (IBA). He is the author of several articles discussing labor issues and has been a speaker at various workshops on labor reforms to be implemented in Bolivia. He specialises in labour and employment, advising on all issues resulting from labour relations, including the design and implementation of hiring policies, the implications of corporate restructurings and liquidations, and representing clients in conciliations and arbitrations with unions. He also has extensive experience in planning, designing, and implementing activities aimed at the efficient resolution of labour disputes, including complex labour negotiations. He has particularly strong experience representing clients in the mining, hydrocarbons, telecoms, construction, and services industries. For example, he has advised major telecoms company AXS Bolivia, Parmalat, Repsol Bolivia Y&P, Petrex, Fopeca, Nestle, Colgate Palmolive, Bureau Veritas, Maersk, Uber, Ericsson, Quimiza, PilAndina, ECLA, Banco Fortaleza and the cooperative COTAS and leading mining companies, EmpresaMineraPaitití (Orvana Minerals subsidiary) and EmpresaMinera San Cristobal (Sumitomo subsidiary). 

URSULA ZAVALA is counsel in the Natural Resources Practice Group who specializes in environmental law. She earned her law degree from the Universidad de Lima (2003) and holds an LL.M. from Yale Law School (2009). She advises natural resources companies and other companies in general on the analysis of and compliance with environmental obligations regarding the planning, development, operation and closure stages of their operations. She has experience in rendering advice to the promoters of large scale projects, to investment funds and to multilateral agencies with regards to the potential legal effects of the carbon market and climate change on their projects and deals. She participates in due diligence on projects aimed to qualify to the Clean Development Mechanism (Kyoto Protocol).

GUILLERMO TEJEIRO GUTIÉRREZ is an Associate with Brigard & Urrutia Abogados S.A.S., in Bogotá. His practice focuses on advising clients on such issues as administrative environmental authorizations, environmental sanctions proceedings, analysis of environmental and energy regulations, and the planning and structuring of the environmental components of projects. He has professional experience at various law firms, principally in Latin America and Europe, where he has served in different capacities as a legal advisor responsible for matters related to environmental and energy law, property, and the mining and energy sector. In addition, he is a professor and researcher; he has taught courses related to his field of expertise at different universities, and has authored various publications on topics in administrative and environmental law, renewable energy, and the green economy. Guillermo holds a law degree and an LLM from the University of the Andes, a Master’s in Environmental and Energy Law from the Catholic University of Leuven, and a diploma in National and International Environmental Law from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. In addition to his native language of Spanish, Guillermo is proficient in English and Portuguese, and speaks intermediate German.

DAWN G. MEIDINGER is a director with Fennemore Craig, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona. She practices in the areas of natural resources, real estate, and environmental law, with a focus on mining, public land utilization (state and federal) and permitting. In the natural resources sector, she has extensive experience permitting mining, renewable energy, and linear projects addressing all aspects of NEPA, NHPA, and ESA compliance. With respect to public lands, she has represented clients seeking a variety of use authorizations (exploration and mine plans of operation, special use permits, rights-of-way, grazing leases, etc.) from federal and state agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and Arizona State Land Department. Prior to joining the firm, Dawn worked as in-house counsel for Phelps Dodge Corporation (today Freeport-McMoRan Inc.) and in the private sector serving as the operational lead on the entitlement and development of large residential and industrial real estate projects in metro-Phoenix. Dawn received her J.D. from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (ASU) in 1996 and her B.S. in Justice Studies from ASU in 1990 and grew up in Wyoming.

PATRICIO LEYTON is a Partner with Ferrada Nehme Ltda., in Santiago. Mr. Leyton is the main partner in charge of environmental and natural resources matters. His natural ability for managing complex projects has led him to advise several national and foreign firms, consolidating the firm as one of the leading environmental practices of the country. Mr. Leyton leads a consolidated and robust team in the context of the new Chilean environmental institutional design and its challenges. His expertise allows him to tackle different aspects of environmental law, including environmental assessment, community relationships, environmental litigation, and more recently the implementation of extended producer liability legislation. His clients highlight his genuine commitment, his personal attention to every detail, and his impressive knowledge of the law and practice of environmental matters. His team works side by side and in cooperation with the litigation and public law practices. Mr. Leyton received a Law degree from the Universidad de Chile and an LLM from Georgetown University.

NICHOLAS L. OWENS is a Senior HSE Representative with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in Houston, Texas where he focuses on biodiversity, endangered species, and wildlife issues affecting Anadarko’s North America onshore assets, Gulf of Mexico holdings, and Mozambique Africa liquid natural gas (LNG) Project. In his time at Anadarko he has engaged widely in the development of policy affecting endangered species and wildlife, providing advice and guidance to mitigate and minimize impacts from regulatory changes affecting natural resource extraction. Additionally, he leads the company’s biodiversity program to meet performance standards from the International Finance Corporation associated with project finance for the Mozambique LNG Project, one of the world’s largest LNG projects. Prior to joining Anadarko Mr. Owens worked as a private consultant managing the permitting and siting of a wide variety of major energy related projects.  Mr. Owens earned his B.S. in Biology from Eastern Illinois University. 

KATIE SCHRODER is a partner at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP in Denver, where her practice focuses on all aspects of energy development on federal lands. Ms. Schroder counsels clients on oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands and agency compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. She has extensive experience with the Endangered Species Act and advises on federal royalty issues.  Ms. Schroder regularly represents oil and gas operators in administrative appeals before the Bureau of Land Management, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Interior Board of Land Appeals.  She has defended and challenged agency decisions and rulemakings in federal courts across the country. Ms. Schroder is active with the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and recently chaired its 65th Annual Institute.  Previously, she has served as a trustee to this organization, chaired its Publications Committee, and authored several papers. She sits on the board of directors of Western Energy Alliance and is a former chair of the Public Land and Resources Committee within the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. Ms. Schroder began her career as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor as part of the Solicitor’s Honors Program. She then spent 10 years with a boutique law firm in Denver. She holds a B.A. from Rice University and a J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law. After law school, she clerked for Justice Alex J. Martinez of the Colorado Supreme Court.

RACHEL PERKS is a Senior Mining Specialist with the Extractive Industries practice of the World Bank, Washington, DC. Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Perks worked and lived for 12 years in the Horn and Central Africa. She has worked on managing the transition from conflict to peace in countries where natural resources have played a role in conflict, and may equally play a catalytic role in state building. She has spent considerable time in particular in the Great Lakes region, working directly on mining development and reform programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Her PhD was on the formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in Rwanda, and the impacts that the regional mineral initiatives have brought to bear on Rwanda's domestic mineral economic agenda.

ANDREW A. IRVINE is the Legal and Corporate Engagement Manager at the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Oslo, Norway.  The EITI is the global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources.  Prior to joining the EITI this year, Andy was an attorney at Andrew A. Irvine, P.C., in Jackson, Wyoming, where he specialized in environmental and natural resources law.  Andy serves on the Board for Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC), the sole regional designee of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program.  YTCC focuses on petroleum displacement activities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Idaho, Montana and Wyoming), especially promotion of alternative fuels and vehicles through programs such as green fleet consulting, electric vehicle rebates and development of alternative fuels/electric infrastructure.  Andy was awarded the 2016-2017 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program grant to Ecuador to investigate and develop regulatory solutions to problems resulting from artisanal and small-scale mining in the country.  He received his B.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame, his M.S. in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines, and his J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School, with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law.  Prior to opening his own law firm in 2014, he was an attorney with the environmental and natural resources group at the law firm of Holland & Hart, LLP in Denver, Colorado and Jackson, Wyoming from 2006 – 2013.  He is the Wyoming Mining Reporter for the RMMLF Mineral Law Newsletter, has served on the Mining and Environmental & CSR/Sustainability Committees for the RMMLF’s Special Institutes on International Mining and Oil & Gas Law, Development and Investment, and he frequently writes about and presents on environmental and natural resources topics.

ALVARO ORDÓÑEZ, is a Partner, with Ferrere, in Quito. Mr. Ordóñez graduated as attorney from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Quito (Ecuador) and holds a master’s degree in Law and Environmental and Natural Resource Policy (LL.M.) from the University of Denver (USA), with specialization in energy and mining law. He was National Under Secretary for Mining Contracting, and as such was part of the team that negotiated Ecuador’s first large-scale mining contract. He co-authored Ecuador’s Mining Code Reform, which provides incentives for the mining industry. He also advises countries, such as Surinam, on mining policy. He currently is devoted to providing legal advice to companies and institutions, particularly in the extractive industry, on oil, mining, financial and environmental issues. He is a frequent speaker on mining industry subjects in Ecuador. Among his most outstanding presentations he has participated as speaker on sustainable development policies at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland in November 2012, on mining policy in Ecuador, and at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, held in Cartagena, Colombia, in April 2015, on incremental oil production contracts. He is a founding member of the Petroleum Energy Law Forum (FODEP), an annual event that brings together a significant number of participants.

MARCELLO M. VEIGA has worked since December 1997 as a professor of the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Since 2012 Dr. Veiga has been a full-professor teaching and researching environmental and social issues in mining. He has more than 300 publications. He has worked for the past 35 years as a metallurgical engineer and environmental geochemist for Governments, Universities, International agencies, NGOS and companies in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe on these issues. From 1977 to 1997, he was employed by the Brazilian Center of Mineral Technology (CETEM), Vale do Rio Doce company, Paulo Abib Engineering and Techmat Consulting. From 2002 to 2008, he worked as an expert and Chief Technical Advisor of the Global Mercury Project for UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in Vienna. This included the environmental and health assessment of mercury pollution in artisanal gold mining in Asia, Africa and South America as well as the implementation of national policies and procedures to reduce mercury emissions and increase gold recovery. Since 2008 he has been key consultant for a large number of mining companies and international agencies dealing with artisanal mining and socio-environmental issues in mining.

SCOT W. ANDERSON is a partner in Hogan Lovells US LLP’s Denver office and Global Head of the Energy & Natural Resources Group. Scot’s practice focuses on commercial transactions, regulatory advice, and project development involving the mining, oil and gas, and energy industries. He has represented a number of clients with projects on Indian lands and internationally. Scot advises on the full sweep of issues affecting the oil and gas, hardrock mining, and coal industries. He has worked on complex transactions for natural resources clients, including the formation of new joint ventures, the divestiture of natural resources projects, and the acquisition of leases and reserves for mining and oil and gas clients. He has represented clients in administrative proceedings and in federal and state courts. He has extensive experience addressing issues related to mineral development of federal public lands and Indian lands. Scot’s practice includes international project development and transactions. He has worked on matters throughout North and South America, and in Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia.

MICHAEL DIXON, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Calgary. Mr. Dixon’s practice involves all aspects of corporate/commercial litigation and arbitration, with a focus on oil and gas law, contract disputes, royalty disputes, fraud claims and insurance matters. He regularly advises Canadian and multinational corporate clients on compliance with domestic and international anti-bribery and corruption legislation. He has conducted internal investigations in response to corruption allegations. He also assists clients with implementing and improving anti-corruption compliance programs and with anti-corruption diligence during mergers, financings and other commercial transactions. Mr. Dixon also advises on compliance with a variety of other criminal and regulatory legislation and has defended clients charged under a variety of criminal and regulatory statutes. He also advises clients on search and seizure issues. In 2014 he was recognized as a leading investigations specialist by Global Investigations Review’s 40 Under 40. Mr. Dixon received his LL.B. from the University of Victoria and is a member of the Calgary and Canadian Bar Associations.

WILLIAM (“BILL”) MARQUARDT is a director in BRG's Global Investigations + Strategic Intelligence practice and is based in Miami, Florida. He has significant experience in the areas of forensic accounting, compliance consulting and audit, enterprise risk management, corporate investigations, investigative due diligence, operations, finance, credit analysis, and executive management. Mr. Marquardt provides clients pre and post-acquisition due diligence activities including post-acquisition integration assistance in the areas of operations, finance and accounting. Bill specializes in working with organizations that are evaluating and remediating their internal control environments to address anti-bribery and anti-corruption (“ABC”) risks, with significant experience working with corporate compliance teams, external counsel and government regulators. Mr. Marquardt has assisted organizations with managing compliance monitorships (non and deferred prosecution agreements), conducting ABC risk assessments, evaluating financial and operational data (books and records investigations), assessing allegations of bribery and corruption, and evaluating and remediating internal processes, procedures and controls to address ABC risks in multiple jurisdictions.  Bill also works with organizations and their counsel to conduct pre and post-acquisition reviews for compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act and Brazil’s Clean Company Act among other ABC regulations. Mr. Marquardt has also held various senior-level positions in large multinational corporations in the United States and Latin America. He served as the CFO of a multinational consulting firm and held management and executive management positions within AB Volvo, including serving as president and CFO of two Andean-region captive finance companies headquartered in Lima, Peru. Mr. Marquardt also served on the board of directors of Volvo’s Insurance Company. Earlier in his career, Mr. Marquardt served as a director in the Northeast Risk Advisory Practice of a Big Four accounting firm, where he advised large publicly held companies with internal audit operations, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and improvement efforts, financial re-statements, and SEC compliance projects. Mr. Marquardt began his professional career with one of the largest public accounting firms in the world. He holds a BBA (cum laude) in accounting and real estate from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA with a concentration in international business from the University of Miami. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds several other professional certifications.

GUILHERME MEISTER is a Partner with Ernst & Young, in São Paulo.