Francisco A. Rodriguez

Francisco A. Rodriguez is a partner in the Global Commercial Disputes Group and the managing partner of Reed Smith’s Miami office. He also serves as the firm’s vice-chair of International Arbitration (US). Francisco focuses his practice on cross-border disputes and international arbitration and litigation. With an emphasis on Latin America, he represents multinational companies in the defense, financial, infrastructure, energy (e.g., oil drilling rights), biotech, software, media, and hospitality sectors in complex civil and common law matters.

Experience

Representative matters

Represented a U.S. investor in an investment arbitration arising out of the violation of rights to oil drilling and extraction operations, and other related violations to the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (UNCITRAL/PCA; Seat: Paris).

Represented a renewable energy provider in a dispute arising out of violations of a concession agreement for the construction and operation of a renewable energy project (ICC; Seat: Miami, Florida).

Represented Ecuadorian investors in a mass claim against two U.S. brokerage firms in a dispute relating to the issuance of mutual funds and bonds (FINRA Arbitration Procedures Customer Code).

Experience

Represented a renewable energy provider in a dispute arising out of violations of a concession agreement for the construction and operation of a renewable energy project (ICC; Seat: Miami, Florida).

Represented Ecuadorian investors in a mass claim against two U.S. brokerage firms in a dispute relating to the issuance of mutual funds and bonds (FINRA Arbitration Procedures Customer Code).

Represented a technology and service provider company in a dispute arising out of a breach of a joint venture agreement (ICDR; Seat: Puerto Rico).

Represented Brazilian cellphone distributor against U.S. cellphone microprocessor designer in design defect action in federal court.

Represented the German subsidiary of a Fortune 100 defense contractor in a $155 million arbitration administered by the ICC, venued in Madrid, Spain against a sovereign government agency with respect to a contract for the repair of two submarines. After a favorable decision, the ruling was challenged in Spanish courts, which affirmed the result and awarded fees to our client.

Represented the Plaintiff in a jury trial arising out of the misappropriation of trade secrets.

Represented a Barcelona-based pharmaceutical research and development company in its claim against a United States drug manufacturer for its failure to comply with contractual obligations and performing below industry standards. The hearing ended in a significant multimillion-dollar victory for the client. The arbitrator granted all damages sought, plus pre-judgment interest, lawyers’ fees, and costs, and dismissed a counterclaim in its entirety.

Represented one of the largest Spanish television networks in a dispute with a competitor over the rights to broadcast a popular sport events in the United States.

Recognitions

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Arbitration; International Arbitration - Commercial), 2015–2027; “Lawyer of the Year” for International Arbitration - Commercial in Miami, 2023
Ranked in Chambers Global for USA International Arbitration: Counsel, 2023-2025
“Highly recommended” in 2023 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250 – Litigation