The International Business Law Group

Profile

Experience

Adrian Vazquez represents and advises a number of national and multinational companies, as well as foreign governments in trade and customs issues, particularly on antidumping, subsidies, safeguards, origin of goods, import and export controls, and the interpretation of trade agreements. 

Adrian has a solid knowledge in World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes and the technical aspects needed to participate in highly complex trade disputes.  He has advised foreign governments on dispute resolution matters in connection with WTO challenges.  From 1997 to 2000, Adrian was listed in the Roster of Mexican Panelists authorized to solve NAFTA’s Chapter 19 trade disputes.  He frequently appears before NAFTA Binational Panels, Mexican administrative agencies, the Mexican Federal Tax Court, Mexican Federal Courts of Appeals, and the Mexican Supreme Court. Adrian is currently acting as Advisor to the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) Senators on trade related matters.

Adrian has written extensively in national and international publications and has frequently appeared as an international speaker.  In 1991, he graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and has additional post-graduate studies at UNAM’s Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas.

Education

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (School of Law, UNAM), Juris Doctor, 1991  •  Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas (UNAM), Dispute Resolution Seminar, 1996  •  Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas (UNAM), Unfair Trade Practices Seminar, 1993  •  Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (School of Law, UNAM),  NAFTA Legal Implications Diploma, 1991.

Academic Activities

• Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (Servicio de Administración Tributaria - SAT), Mexico City, Trainer for SAT Officials on several customs and taxation matters, 2008-2009.
• Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), Mexico City, Professor of “Foreign Trade” in the Diploma in Business Law Program, 1998-1999.
• KPMG Peat Marwick, Mexico City, Visiting Lecturer in the International Trade Training Program, October,1995.
• Universidad de Colima, jointly with the Mexican Department of the Treasury and Public Credit (SHCP), Mexico, Visiting Lecturer in the Diploma in Customs Administration Program, 1994.
• General Customs Administration (Administración General de Aduanas), SHCP, Mexico City, Professor of “Customs Law, Antidumping Duties and Estimated Prices” for different customs houses in Mexico, 1993-1994.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), School of Law, Mexico City, Assistant Professor of Customs Law, 1994-1996.
• UNAM, School of Law, Mexico City, Assistant Professor of Private International Law, 1994-1996.
• UNAM, School of Economy, Mexico City, Assistant Professor of International Economy, 1994.

Admitted

• Mexican Republic, 1991

Areas of Practice

• Customs Law and Foreign Trade
• World Trade Organization Disputes
• Subsidies
• Unfair Foreign Trade Practices
• Origin of Goods
• Trade Remedies (Antidumping, Countervailing and Safeguards)
• Import and Export Controls
• Trade Agreements and International Negotiations

Speaking Engagements

• Presenter, “Draft Amendment to the Foreign Trade Act,” Foreign Trade Committee, Mexican Bar Association (Barra Mexicana Colegio de Abogados, A.C.), Mexico City, April, 2010.
• Presenter, “Draft Amendment to the Foreign Trade Act,” Foreign Trade Commission of the National Manufacturers Association of Buses, Trucks and Heavy Trucks (ANPACT), Mexico City, March, 2010.
• Panelist, “Trade and Customs Proposals,” Foreign Trade and Logistics Committee of the Mexican Finance Executives Institute (IMEF), Tampico, Tamaulipas, March, 2010.
• Panelist, “Market Access into the United States for Alcoholic Beverages,” National Chamber of the Tequila Industry, Guadalajara, Jalisco, March, 2010.
• Presenter, “Draft Amendment to the Foreign Trade Act,” Customs and Tax Committee of the National Importers and Exporters Association of the Republic of Mexico, Mexico City, March, 2010.
• Presenter, “Draft Amendment to the Foreign Trade Act,” Autoparts Industry Association (INA), Mexico, City, February, 2010.
• Presenter, “Tax Strategy for Exploiting the Trade Facilitation,” Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, December, 2008.
• Panelist, “Investing in the Future of Cross Border Relations, Trade Facilitation,” U.S-Mexico Bar Association, Mexico City, November, 2008.
• Presenter, “Tratado México-Brasil,” (“Mexico-Brazil Treaty”), Conference of the Legal Committee of the Brazil-Mexico Chamber, Sao Paulo, Brazil, October, 2008.
• Presenter, “Final Conclusions on International Trade and Customs,” Faculty of Accounting and Management, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, August, 2008.
• Presenter, “Presente y Futuro de los Impuestos al Comercio Exterior y Cuotas Compensatorias a China, Decreto de Terminación de Franja y Región Fronteriza y Decreto de Automóviles Usados” (“Present and Future of Import Duties and Antidumping Duties to China, Completion Act for the Border Strip and Used Automobile Decree”), Public Accountants Association of Baja California Sur, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, July, 2008.
• Panelist, “Arbitrajes en materia de inversión relacionados con el Comercio”  (“Trade-related Investor-State Arbitration”),  Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, UNAM, Mexico City, June, 2008.

• Panelist, “Prácticas Desleales de Comercio Internacional y Competencia Económica: Puntos de Contacto y Divergencia” (“Unfair International Trade and Economic Competition: Points of Contact and Divergence”), National Association of Business Attorneys (Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, A.C. - ANADE), Mexico City, March, 2008.
• Presenter, “Presente y Futuro de las Medidas Antidumping y el Comercio con China” (“Present and Future of Antidumping Measures and Trade With China”), Trade Policy Committee, American Chamber of Commerce, Mexico, September, 2007.
• Panelist, “Mock International Joint Venture, Implications of Multilateral Conventions and Dispute Settlement,” American Bar Association (ABA), Latin American Section, Buenos Aires, Argentina, April, 2007.
• Presenter, “Regulaciones y Restricciones No Arancelarias” (“Regulations and Non-Tariff Barriers”), Colegio de Contadores Públicos de Mexico (CCPM), November, 2006.
• Presenter, “Ley de Comercio Exterior,” (“Foreign Trade Law”), CCPM, October, 2006.
• Panelist, “Effects of NAFTA on Subsequent Trade Litigation Between Mexico and the U.S.: Has NAFTA Diminished Trade Litigation?” Introductory Remarks, USMBA, October, 2006.
• Presenter, “Tratados de Libre Comercio: Reglas de Origen” (“Free Trade Agreements: Rules of Origin”),Federación Interamericana de Contadores, Nicaragua, May, 2006.
• Panelist, “Reglas de Origen” (“Rules of Origin”), CCPM, November, 2005.
• Presenter, “Prácticas Desleales” (“Unfair Practices”), Legal Committee, Asociación Nacional de Importadores y Exportadores de la República Mexicana, June, 2005.
• Panelist, “Prácticas de Subsidios Desleales de Comercio Internacional” (“Unfair Subsidy Practices in International Commerce”), Ministry of the Economy, San Salvador, February, 2005.
• Presenter, “Expedientes de Comercio Exterior” (“Foreign Trade Files”), CCPM, November, 2004.
• Panelist, “Obligatoriedad de los Lineamientos Internacionales en Materia de Valoración Aduanera” (“Customs Valuation Mandatory International Guidelines”), Technical Topic, Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, A.C., July, 2004.
• Presenter, “Prácticas desleales de comercio internacional” (“Unfair Practices in International Commerce”), CCPM, June, 2003.
• Presenter,“Determinación y Finalidad de Cuotas Compensatorias” (“Determination and Purpose of Antidumping Duties”), CCPM, March, 2003 and June, 2004.
• Panelist, “Mecanismos de Defensa Comercial, Mesas de Diálogo del Campo Mexicano: 8ª Mesa de Análisis: Comercio Interior, Exterior y TLCAN” (“Commercial Defense Mechanisms, Mexican Agriculture Roundtable: 8th Bureau of Analysis: NAFTA, Domestic and Foreign Trade”), Mexico, March, 2003.
• Presenter, “La Globalización del Derecho” (“The Globalization of Law”), IV Reunión de Especialistas de Comercio Exterior, CCPM, Acapulco, Mexico, September, 2002.
• Presenter, “Procedimientos de Fijación y Fiscalización de Cuotas Compensatorias” (“Procedures for the Determination and Taxation of Antidumping Duties”), III Reunión de Especialistas de Comercio Exterior, CCPM, Acapulco, Mexico, September, 2001.
• Presenter, “La Revisión Judicial en Asuntos Antidumping” (“Judicial Review in Antidumping Cases”), Technical Topic, Trade and Customs Committee, CCPM, August, 2001.
• Panelist, “Customs Duties and Antidumping Duties: Minimizing the Effects,” International Bar Association, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September, 2000.
• Panelist, “Acuerdo de Libre Comercio-México-Unión Europea” (“Mexico-EU Free Trade Agreement”), Citizen Consultation Meeting, February, 2000.
• Presenter, “How Customs Law Reforms Will Affect Maquiladora’s Operations,” XXXV Maquiladora Industry Outlook Meeting, Center for Econometric Research on Mexico - Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (currently Global Insight), Rio Rico, AZ, May, 1999.
• Presenter “The New Customs Role,” 7th Annual Conference, U.S.-Mexico Law Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, October, 1998.
• Panelist, “Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte: Análisis y Perspectivas, Conclusiones Finales” (“NAFTA: Analysis and Perspectives, Final Conclusions”), (ANADE - Asociación de Consultores en Prácticas Comerciales Internacionales (ACOPRACI), Mexico City, July, 1998.
• Presenter, “México Frente al Mecanismo de Solución de Controversias en Materia Antidumping y de Cuotas Compensatorias: Una Postura Frente a Futuras Negociaciones.” (“Mexico and the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Antidumping and Countervaling Duties: Mexico’s Position Toward Future Negotiations”),Seminar in Dispute Settlement, Experiences and Perspectives, Associacao de Comercio Exterior do Brasil (AEB), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 24, 1997.
• Presenter, “The Law of Amparo: A Critical Analysis of the Functions and Uses of the Amparo Process,” 6th Annual Conference, U.S.-Mexico Law Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, September, 1997.
• Presenter, “Criterios de Reglas de Origen en Mexico para Mercancía Sujetas a Cuotas Compensatorias” (“Criteria for Rules of Origin in Mexico for Goods Subject to Countervailing Duties”), Seminario sobre Reglas de Origem en Mercosud, Universidade Veiga de Almeida, R.J. Brazil, May, 1996.
• Panelist, “Understanding New Mexican Customs Law and Standards and Labeling Regulations,” ABA, Section of International Law and Practice, Washington, D.C., April, 1996.
• Panelist, “NAFTA in review, winners and losers,” ABA, Section of International Law and Practice, San Francisco, November, 1995.
• Panelist, “Doing Deals in Mexico,” ABA, General Practice Section, Chicago, August, 1995.
• Panelist, “Update and Prospects - Trade Law in North America,” ABA, Section of International Law and Practice, Mexico City, November, 1994.
• Panelist, “Survey of Current Issues in U.S.-Mexico Trade,” ABA, Section of International Law and Practice, New Orleans, August, 1994.
• Panelist, “Derecho de la Actividad Económica” (“Law of Economic Activity”) (Euromoney, Mexico City), 1994.
• Radio interview, “The New Foreign Trade Act,” Grupo Radio Mil, August, 1993.
• Panelist, “Las Prácticas Desleales en el Comercio Internacional” (“Unfair Practices in International Commerce”) (Euromoney, Mexico City), 1993.

Publications

• “Los Compromisos Internacionales de México con China bajo su Incorporación a la OMC”(“Mexico’s International Commitments With China Under the WTO”), Colegio de Contadores Públicos de México (CCPM), forthcoming 2010.
• “Urgente reforma a la Ley de Comercio Exterior” (“Urgent Amendments to the Foreign Trade Act”), Revista Contaduría Pública, no. 448, Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, A.C. (Trade Commission of the Public Accountants Mexican Institute), December, 2009.
• “Facilitación Comercial: Una Reforma Estructural” (“Trade Facilitation: A Structural Reform”),Revista Contaduría Pública del Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, January, 2009.
• Co-author of the book “Sistema Antidumping Mexicano” (“The Mexican Antidumping System”), Centro de Investigación Aduanera y de Comercio Internacional, A.C. (CIACI), 2002.
• “Overview Mexico,”inThe Handbook of Trade Enforcement, Global Competition Review, 2008.
• “Prácticas Desleales de Comercio Internacional” (“Unfair Practices in International Commerce”), in Conocimientos Básicos de Comercio Exterior para el Contador Público, Comisión de Comercio Exterior, Colegio de Contadores Públicos de Mexico (CCPM), November, 2005.
• “Mexico’s Preferential Customs Programs: Fixing the Unbroken?,” in US-Mexico Law Journal, October, 2003.
• Co-author of  the  book “Sistema Antidumping Mexicano”(“Mexican Antidumping System”), CIACI, 2002.
• “Current Maquiladora Reforms,”in Maquiladora Monthly Monitor, Guest Column, Center for Econometric Research on Mexico - Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (CIEMEX-WEFA) (hoy Global Insight), January, 2000.
• “Mexican Judicial Review in Antidumping Matters,” in The International Lawyer: Foreign Law Year In Review 1999, Mexican Law, American Bar Association, Section of International Law and Practice, April, 2000.
• “How Customs Law Reforms Will Affect Maquiladora’s Operations,”in Maquiladora Monthly Monitor, Guest Column, CIEMEX-WEFA, January, 1999, Vol. 1, No.3.
• “Cross-Border Movement of Goods: Developments in U.S.-Mexico Customs Procedures, The New Role of Customs Authorities,”in United States-Mexico Law Journal, 1999.
• “The Law of Amparo: A Critical Analysis of the Function and Uses of the Amparo Process in International Trade Law Matters,”in United States-Mexico Law Journal, 1998.
• “Binational Panel Reviews in U.S.-Mexico Relations,”in Comparative Law Yearbook of International Business, Kluwer Law International, 1996.
• “International Health Care Law: The Mexican Chapter” (CD-ROM), Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria, 1995.
•  “El Caso Sobre el Panel del Acero Originario de Estados Unidos” (“The Steel Panel Case from the United States”), Mc. Graw Hill, Revista de Derecho Privado, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, Year 6, No. 8, 1995.

Professional Associations

• Asociación de Consultores en Prácticas Comerciales Internacionales (ACOPRACI) (International Trade Practices Advisors Association), Founder and Treasurer, 1995 to date.
• Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, A.C. (Trade Commission of the Public Accountants Mexican Institute), Chair, 2007 to date; Member 2002 to date.
• U.S-Mexico Bar Association, Member, 2006 to date; Antidumping Committee of the U.S.-Mexico Bar Association, Co-chair, 2006.
• Advisory Board of Foreign Trade Special Maerker Group, S.C., Member, 2008 to date.
• Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos en Finanzas, A.C. (IMEF) (Mexican Institute of Financing Executives), Foreign Trade and Logistics National Technical Committee, Member, 2009.
• Colegio de Contadores Públicos de México, (College of Chartered Accountants in Mexico) Foreign Trade Committee, Member, 2000-2007; Trade and Customs Committee, Member and Trade and Customs Trainer, 2000 to 2007.
• Asociación Mexicana de Productos Infantiles, A.C. (Juvenile Products Mexican Association), Director, 2001 to date; Customs Observer for the Juvenile Sector, 2002 to date.
• WTO Ministerial Meeting, NGO Participant in Cancún, México and Hong Kong, 2003 and 2005, respectively.
• National Export Award, Agricultural Companies Category, 1999 to 2005.
• Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Comercio Exterior (Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives), Member, 2001.
• Export Award for the Federal District, Trading Companies Category, Chair and Member of the Evaluation Committee, 1998 - 2000.
• International Bar Association, Member, 2000.
• U.S.-Mexico Law Institute, Member, 1997.
• American Bar Association (ABA) Mexican Customs Subcommitte, Chair, 1996; Member, 1994.
• Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria, 1995.

Awards

• Roster of Mexican Panelists authorized to solve NAFTA’s Chapter 19 trade disputes, 1997 to 2000.

• Since 2006, listed as a leader in the field in: Euromoney Expert Guides, World’s Leading International Trade Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Trade & Customs, Latin Lawyer, Chambers and Partners, Latin America, International Trade / WTO, and Who’s Who of International Trade Lawyers.