A delegation from University of Houston Law Center traveled to Mexico in July to continue fostering global legal education and professional development.
“We recognize the importance and support the goal of developing strong transnational lawyers; those who can speak both languages (English and Spanish), understand the respective laws and are licensed to practice law in both countries,” said Karen Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Program at UHLC. “Ideally, transnational lawyers must be able to operate effectively in both the U.S. and Mexican legal communities.”
Jones, along with Leonard Baynes, dean, and Julián Cárdenas, a research assistant professor and director of the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law, met with stakeholders, including government officials, academic leaders, major U.S. law firms with offices located in Mexico, industry professionals and alumni.
Dean Baynes said Mexico is the No. 1 trading partner with Texas.
“It is important for University of Houston Law Center to have strong ties with organizations on the other side of the border, Baynes said. “We all share the same goal, which is to train talented and accomplished lawyers who can effectively represent their clients in cross border business transactions and disputes.”
The visit included a presentation on “ESG Standards as Transnational Rules for Energy Transition,” in Spanish, at Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados in Mexico City.
Joined by David Enríquez, senior partner at the firm, Cárdenas highlighted how evolving ESG practices are reshaping laws, treaties, industry guidelines and arbitration rules. It is the first time UHLC held a Texas CLE program in Mexico.
Cardenas said the trip confirmed the continued engagement of the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law in promoting exchanges with universities, government agencies and academia in Mexico.
UHLC reaffirmed its partnership with the Mexican National Hydrocarbon Commission for internships, training and seminars.
Meetings with the Mexican Foreign Ministry and alumni Alejandro Celorio Alcantara (LL.M. ‘09) and Natalia Jimenez Alegria (LL.M. ‘20) also strengthened UHLC’s ties with the ministry.
The UHLC team also met with Alfredo Femat Bañuelos, who is president of the Foreign Relations Committee and Member of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies.
During the visit, the UHLC team discussed academic exchange opportunities with other universities, including Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México Law School, Universidad Anáhuac, Universidad La Salle, A.C .and Tecnológico de Monterrey Santa Fe.
