José W. Cartagena |
Professional Experience:
Clerk at the Law Offices of Tilley, Esteves & Ríos: Assistant to Carlos R. Ríos, former Commissioner of Insurance and Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, in his law practice, including legal research, brief composition, and preparation for trial work. Office of the Commissioner of Insurance:Served in three concurrent capacities: A) Chief of the Services to the Insured Division, including the supervision and adjudication of complaints by the public against the insurance industry and between members of the industry. This work entailed interpretation and construction of insurance contracts, evaluation of claims management policies of insurers, evaluation of insurance practices, and application of insurance law to individual cases. B) Counsel to the Commissioner on the liquidation of the Insurance Company of Puerto Rico, including actual claims supervision, counseling on the legal responsabilities of insurers in the liquidation process. C) Assistant to the Commissioner on legal matters, including the interpretation of insurance law and drafting of legislation. Associate at the Law Offices of Quetglas, Vázquez & Subirá: The law firm was in general civil practice representing real estate trusts, land developers, business corporations, and insurance companies. Besides the litigation related to the defense of insurance company cases, work consisted mostly in real estate financing, especially representing the lender. This work entailed the preparation and notarization of the loan documents as well as the negotiations leading to the agreement. Much work also entailed buy and sell agreements and rental contracts in the negotiation as well as notarial aspects. Attorney at Law and Notary Public in Caguas and San Juan, Puerto Rico: Own civil practice including representation of insurance companies in civil litigation, construction contract law, arbitration proceedings, corporate counseling, taxation, contracts, estates, and notarial work for private and public entities. The better part of my practice has involved the commercial, contractual and notarial aspects of the law with regard to the financing of business and enterprises representing both the borrower and the lender in major and minor transactions. Other business related work has involved representing both buyer and seller in buy-sell agreement and both landlord and tenant in rental agreements. Member, Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association: I have served in three and single arbitrator panels in disputes involving construction and commercial matters in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. |