Mr. Marrero was born in Havana, Cuba, on November 28, 1956. He received his undergraduate degree in political science, public service, and Spanish in 1978 from the University of California at Davis, graduating magna cum laude and elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Academic fraternity.

Mr. Marrero received his legal education at Hastings College of the Law and graduated with honors in 1981 and elected to the Thurston Honor Society. Mr. Marrero also served as Editor-in-chief of the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review in 1980-81.

In 1981 Mr. Marrero joined the law firm of Gray Cary Ames and Frye (now DLA Piper) as an associate in the litigation department. During his first 10 years, Mr. Marrero handled civil litigation matters of all types ranging from the defense of personal injury actions to commercial disputes. In 1987 Mr. Marrero was elected to the Gray Cary partnership.

In 1990 Mr. Marrero spearheaded the firm’s development of a cross border/international practice by establishing the firm’s U.S. Mexico practice group. The U.S.-Mexico Practice Group specialized in structuring and implementing cross border commercial ventures, international joint ventures and the representation of companies seeking to do business in or with Mexico and other Latin American countries. As a result of this experience Mr. Marrero, who is bi-lingual and bi-cultural, has worked on a wide array of cross border transactions and developed an extensive network of legal and business relationships and contacts in Mexico and Latin America—relationships that are often critical to a client’s ability to develop and implement their cross border investment strategies.

In 2002 Mr. Marrero left Gray Cary to establish the International Practice Group, P.C. a law firm that is a reflection of his practice and experience in both international business and commercial transactions as well as domestic and international civil litigation. Mr. Marrero specializes in assisting U.S and foreign clients develop, manage, structure and document their cross-border investments in Mexico as well as advising Mexican companies and individuals seeking to structure their cross border investments in the United States. Mr. Marrero’s cross border experience includes establishing manufacturing operations throughout Mexico for a number of companies in different industries both large and small, negotiating and drafting cross-border joint venture contracts (in English and Spanish), advising clients on Mexican legal requirements and practices as well as business customs and norms, providing in house Mexican legal counsel as required. In addition to establishing Mexican business operations, Mr. Marrero has also handled a number of Mexican real estate projects and guided U.S. clients through the process of buying Mexican real estate both developed and undeveloped, and advised them on Mexican real estate laws and restrictions, buying real property in the Zona Prohibida, the use of different investment vehicles for acquiring Mexican real estate as well as fideicomisos and other Mexican corporate investment vehicles. In addition, Mr. Marrero has represented and advised a number of Mexican real estate developers and large hotel operators structure the sale of their hotels.

Mr. Marrero also devotes a significant percentage of his practice handling civil litigation matters both domestic and international. Mr. Marrero has extensive jury trial experience in tort, business and commercial disputes including breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, software licensing litigation, real estate disputes and international arbitration and mediation. Mr. Marrero has served as lead counsel in Federal Court’s (both California and other jurisdictions) has participated in numerous arbitrations and mediations in a number of different US jurisdictions and abroad. Recent matters handled by Mr. Marrero include: a federal court lawsuit against the California Tomato Commission on behalf of the tomato growers of Baja California which challenged the constitutionality of the Commissions assessments. The case was settled with all growers from Baja California being exempted from the Commission pursuant to specially exacted legislation. Lead counsel for Trader Joe’s and Martinez & Sons Produce Inc. in a six week jury trial involving claims of breach of contract/partnership claims against the foreign grower and individuals and tortious interference claims against Trader Joe’s. The case was voted one of the 10 best defense verdicts of 2007 in California by the Daily Transcript. Represented 1451 an art and licensing company in a multi-million dollar licensing dispute case against a European sovereign nation. Arbitration was filed in Europe and the case successfully resolved following a week long mediation in Europe.

Mr. Marrero has been appointed as an arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem by the San Diego Superior Court and on numerous international organizations including the Executive Committee of the California State Bar International Law Section, the Steering Committee of the American Bar Association Advisory Board of Minority Partners in Majority/Corporate Law Firms, and the American Arbitration Association International Arbitration panel. Mr. Marrero is frequently called upon to lecture on various subjects relating to U.S.-Mexico investment and cross border litigation. Click the button below to view a listing of Mr. Marrero’s publications.

Professional Associations:

• California State Bar International Section Executive Committee, 1991-1994 (Chairman of 1993 International Law Weekend: Dealing with Failing International Joint Ventures)
• A.B.A. Conference of Minority Partners in Majority/Corporate Law Firms Advisory Board. (Treasurer, 1993-present) San Diego County Bar Association, Member, 1981-present
• Inter-American Bar Association, Member, 1992-present
• A.B.A. International Law Section, Member, 1992-present
• Institute of the Americas International Advisory, Council Member, 1995-1999
• American Arbitration Association, International Arbitration Panel, 1995-present
• Cámara Latinoamericana de Comercio e Industrias (Camacol), National Director, 1992-1996
• Founder/Legal Counsel, San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 1989-1994
• American Inn of Court (Enright Chapter – Barrister)
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy Faculty Member

Community Associations:

• Comprehensive Health Center: Finance Committee Chair/Board Member, 1986-1993
• National Director: Camara de Commercio Industrias de America Latina (Camacol), 1992-1996
• Board member: Planned Parenthood, 1990-1992
• Central City Association, President’s Council
• Legal Counsel: Otay Chamber of Commerce, 1990-1991
• Special Counsel to the Board of Directors: San Ysidro Massacre Family Survivors Fund, 1984-1986
• Board member: San Diego Opera 1995-1999 (Parliamentarian & Treasurer)

Publications/Lectures:

• Mexico: Maquiladora Reforms Change Duties and Rules for Year 2001, Practical Latin American Tax Strategies (1999)
• Recent Legislative Developments in Mexico, California State Bar Annual Convention (1993)
• Legal Aspects of Doing Business and Investing in Mexico (UCLA), Foreign Investment and Intellectual Property Regulations--Patents, Trademarks and Copyright; Intellectual Property Rights and Remedies (1993)
• How to Negotiate with the North American Investor--American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City (October 1993)
• Legal Aspects of Negotiating Contracts and Joint Ventures in the United States, Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, Guadalajara Chapter (March 1994)
• Regulatory and Political Environment: future of Public-Private Cooperation in Health Care in Mexico, moderator: The Institute of the Americas (July 1994)
• Maquila Toxic Waste, Twin Plant News, Vol. 5, Number 2 (1989)
• Mexico Goes One Step Further in Reducing Barriers to Foreign Investment, U.S. Mexico Free Trade Reporter, Vol. 4, Number 1 (January 1994)
• Private Investment Seen as Key to Reviving Mexico’s Rural Sector, U.S. Mexico Free Trade Reporter, Vol. 4, Number 5 (March 1994)
• How to Negotiate with Joint Ventures with the North American Investor, American Chamber of Commerce, Mexico City (March 1994)
• Overview of the U.S. Legal System and Drafting and Negotiating Contracts with U.S. Firms, Colegio de Abogados de Mexico (July 1994)
• Additional Steps Taken to Reduce Barriers to Foreign Investment, California International Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 7, Number 1, (Spring 1994)
• Methods of Doing Business in Mexico, The Practicing Law Institute: “NAFTA What You Need to Know”, Los Angeles and San Francisco Programs (September 1994)
• The Long and Winding Road, Southwestern Law School International Journal (Fall 1994 issue)
• An Overview of Mexican Business Entities, UCSD CONNECT, Tijuana (November 1994)
• Flight or Fight: An Assessment of Current Business Opportunities Following Mexico’s Peso Devaluation, Institute of the Americas Inside the Americas Conference, Los Angeles (May 1995), San Francisco (July 1995)
• Labor Issues for Maquiladoras, UCSD CONNECT: Establishing Cross Border Manufacturing, San Diego (October 1995)
• Summary of New Laws in Mexico, CURRENTS: International Trade Law Journal (Summer 1996) Labor Issues for Maquiladoras, Latin American Law and Business Report, Vol. 4 No. 4 (April 30, 1996)
• Taxes and Visas for Foreigners Working in Mexico, Latin American Law and Business Report, Vol. 4 No. 7 (July 31, 1996)
• Maquiladora Industry: Environmental Compliance Under Mexican Law, North American Free Trade Agreement & Investment Report (April 1997)
• MEXICAN LAW: a Treatise for Legal Practitioners and International Investors, Chapter re: Negotiating, Drafting and Enforcing U.S.-Mexico Contracts, (1997, West Publishing, in press)
• MEXICAN LAW: a Treatise for Legal Practitioners and International Investors, Chapter re: Negotiating, Drafting and Enforcing U.S.-Mexico Contracts, (1998, West Publishing, in press); co-authorship
• Border Crossing: The recent economic and political changes in Mexico are providing increasing opportunities for attorney with the right blend of bicultural and bilingual skills, Los Angeles Daily Transcript (July 23, 2001)