Short version:
I study how the disciplines of law, finance, economics, politics, and history come together to make up Puerto Rico, and how they impact the lives and future of those of us who live here.
Longer version:
I aim to write about the relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico for the reader who would like to know more about the chain (that is the word the Supreme Court of the U.S. used) that binds Puerto Rico to the U.S. without having to delve into academic treatises or historical volumes. I write to provide you with insights and information on Puerto Rico’s fiscal and legal situation, rooted in Puerto Rico’s history, and legal and political status.
I believe analyses about Puerto Rico must consider the historical background of its constitutional development, as well as its relationship with the U.S.: Puerto Rico’s legal framework, constitutional boundaries, and political realities and limits are unique — even if some features seem similar to those of sovereigns or U.S. states. My books discuss different aspects of this metropolis-colony relationship still playing out in the twenty-first century, told from my perspective as someone whose life is subject to foreign plenary powers that should have been abolished a long time ago.
An attorney and CPA with over 20 years of experience in the public and municipal finance area, I advise financial institutions, investors, law firms, think tanks, and government institutions on Puerto Rico debt’s legal and regulatory framework.
I worked for 16 years with the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico and was Director of the Compliance Department and Acting Deputy Director of the Legal Division.
I have a B.B.A. and a J.D., both from the University of Puerto Rico.
Long résumé-ish version:
An attorney and certified public accountant, I concentrate my practice in the regulatory environment applicable to municipal debt issuers. I analyzed government financial statements for reporting on financial status and trends; conduct legal, operational and financial analysis of several Puerto Rico government bond issuers; and perform legal reviews on Puerto Rico’s structural and constitutional framework with a public finance perspective, as well as analyze offering statements and Charter Acts of major public corporations on provisions of most importance to investors.
I was Vice President and Director of the Compliance Department of the Government Development Bank (the fiscal agent and financial advisor of the Government of Puerto Rico); Deputy Director (Interim) of its Legal Department (interinato that lasted several years); and Assistant Executive Director of the Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical and Environmental Control Facilities Financing Authority (AFICA), the conduit entity for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by private corporations.
I have worked with the compliance by municipal issuers in Puerto Rico of their continuing disclosure requirements; the operational and financial oversight of major public corporations that are municipal issuers; the arbitrage limitations on the investment returns on federal tax-exempt bond issues; the filing for the federal government interest payment subsidy for Build America Bonds; the annual assignation of volume cap per federal regulations for private activity issuance for industrial sectors; the formulation of policy regarding continuing disclosure; with legal issues related to federal regulations, the governance of public corporations, governmental restructuring, and public finance; Puerto Rico’s Public-Private Partnership initiative related to transportation and infrastructure.
I am admitted to practice to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. I let my admittances to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit go inactive.
A proud alumna from the University of Puerto Rico, my Juris Doctor is from the University of Puerto Rico Law School. My Bachelor in Business Administration is from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, with majors in Accounting and Management of Human Resources.
