Jan Laitos, John A. Carver Jr. Professor of Law at Denver Law, to be Featured Speaker at Buenos Aires Mining Seminar in August

Jan Laitos, John A. Carver Jr. Professor of Law at Denver Law, will be the featured speaker next month at a prestigious seminar in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The event, "Current Trends in the Regulation on Cyanide and Open Pit Mining," is being sponsored by one of the leading Latin American law firms Marval O'Farrell & Mairal.

Professor Laitos will speak about the U.S. and international experience associated with regulations on the use of cyanide as well as regulations on open pit mining. Also speaking at the seminar will be Luis E. Lucero, Francisco A. Macias, and Leonardo G. Rodriguez, all members of the firm.

Mr. Rodriguez is a 2008 LLM graduate of Denver Law's renown Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Program. He was recognized as the top student in his 2008 graduating class, an honor given to the student with the highest grade point average.

Students Hear DU LLM Graduates Discuss Natural Resources-Related Opportunities in Latin America: Opportunities Need Careful Analysis, Students Told

Two Latin American-based natural resources attorneys -- Diego Parravicini and Leonardo Rodriguez -- who earned LLM degrees at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law spoke to more than 30 current students last week in a teleconference originating from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two gentlemen presented on the opportunities and risks that should be managed as part of mining investment.

Mr. Rodriguez, a 2008 LLM graduate who practices at Marval O'Farrell & Mairal, began by noting the significant growth Argentina has experienced in recent years in the mining sector. He pointed out that Wang Xuelong, General Director at the China Geological Survey, has said, "We believe Argentina is the most appropriate destination for mining investments due to its huge geological potential." Mr. Rodriquez also noted that while Chile and Peru have been extensively explored for natural resources potential, less than half of Argentina has been similarly explored. As a result, in 2009 about $1.9 billion (US) was invested in the Argentina mining industry, a more than 1,000 percent growth rate since 2003. He also pointed to the rapid rise in minerals-related exports during the last decade. Mr. Rodriguez finished his presentation by describing a "favorable legal framework," which has resulted in large foreign investments in Argentina.

Mr. Parravicini, a 2009 LLM graduate who now practices law at Estudio Beccar Varela, spoke about the relative risks of investing in mining in Argentina. He began by noting that some provinces have banned the use of cyanide for mining. He also discussed the taxation on companies with fiscal stability benefits and zoning regulations that need to be taken into account of before investing. He emphasized that some risks need to be evaluated and managed by potential investors.

Looked at as a whole, the joint presentation provided students an excellent view of how these two Latin American lawyers analyze potential mining projects on behalf of their clients.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy (ENRL) program, said, "What made the session so valuable was for students to hear what it is like to operate 'on the ground,' to speak, in a Latin American country that has attracted considerable outside investment interest. Few U.S. law schools can boast that they have graduates who are working on a daily basis in Latin America on resources issues that must be undertaken in a considered and careful way by investors."

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director for the ENRL Graduate Program said, "DU is very fortunate to have among our graduates Leo and Diego, who are establishing themselves as mining law experts in Argentina and Latin America more broadly. Our current students benefited from hearing Leo and Diego talk about the realities of investing in Argentina, both in terms of the upside and in terms of risks to be managed."

DU has a long history of attracting some of Latin America's best lawyers to the LLM program. These students enrich the overall diversity of the ENRL program as well as contribute to the global nature of how natural resources are taught at DU.

Mr. Rodriguez' presentation can be accessed by clicking here. Mr. Parrivicini's presentation can be accessed by clicking here.

Two DU LLM Graduates Who Practice Law in Argentina to Speak January 27 About Latin American Natural Resources Developments

Two Latin American natural resources experts, Diego Parravicini and Leonardo Rodriguez, who are graduates of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law will speak about recent developments in the Latin American natural resources sector on Thursday, January 27, at the College of Law.

The presentation, which will take the form of a video conference from Buenos Aries, where the two men work, to Denver, will take place in room 270 from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Mr. Parravicini will address natural resources developments in Argentina while Mr. Rodriguez will talk about Chinese interest in investing in Latin America. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.

Mr. Parravicini earned an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law in 2009. While at DU, he was awarded a Scholastic Excellence Award for International Environmental Law. Following his study at DU, he worked as a foreign attorney at the office of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP in Denver. Currently he works at Estudio Beccar Varela in Argentina. His practice areas include natural resources and environmental law.

Mr. Rodriguez earned an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law in 2008. While at DU, he earned the 2007-2008 Outstanding Student Award in the LLM program. Following graduation from DU, Mr. Rodriguez worked as a foreign associate in the mining law department of Holland & Hart in Denver. Mr. Rodriguez, whose current work focuses on mining law, has been a member of Marval, O'Farrell & Mairal since 2000.

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at DU, said, "The world's need for natural resources is steadily rising. One of the areas of the world where significant opportunities exist is Latin America. We are delighted that Leo and Diego, two of our most accomplished LLM graduates, will share their insights with us. I strongly encourage any students interested in natural resources, environmental, foreign, and business law to join us for what will be an informative and enjoyable session."

Students interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP before January 26 to Mike Dietrich by clicking here.

Leonardo G. Rodríguez, Argentine Lawyer and 2008 LLM Graduate, Speaks About Argentine Mining Law to Gathering at China Mining Congress & Expo

Leonardo G. Rodríguez, an Argentine attorney who earned his LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, recently presented his latest book, entitled Argentine Law on Mining, at the "Third Seminar on Mining Investment Opportunities in Argentina," held in Tianjin, China.

Mr. Rodríguez, an associate attorney at the Buenos Aires-based firm of Marval O'Farrrell & Mairal, spoke at the 12th Annual China Mining Congress & Expo.

Mr. Rodríguez's book attracted the attention of many lawyers and investors who are considering investing in (or have already invested in) the Argentine mining sector.

He shared a panel with the Argentine Mining Secretary, Eng. Jorge Mayoral, the Governor of the Province of La Rioja, Luis Beder Herrera, and representatives of Chinese companies investing in Argentina, and the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies.

According to Mr. Rodríguez, who was recognized as the "Outstanding LLM Student of the Year" in 2008 at the Sturm College of Law, "Over the years China Mining has evolved into one of the most influential mineral exploration/extraction trade events in the world, and has come to play a critical role in bringing together top policy makers and leading industry figures."

China Mining Congress & Expo attracted more than 3,500 delegates from 55 countries and featured over 420 booths.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program at the Sturm College of Law, said, "Leonardo Rodríguez is expanding his reputation from his home country of Argentina to China, one of the most resources 'intensive' countries of the world. Congratulations to him on being asked to speak at this prestigious event with such an impressive panel."

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director for the ENRL Graduate Program, said, "Students often ask me how to become more involved in international work. I can point with considerable pride to what Leonardo is doing, and encourage potential graduate students to see what one of our most recognized alumni is doing in the international sphere."

Editor's Note: In the first picture, Mr. Rodríguez in on the left; in the second picture, he is the second person from the right.

Adjunct Prof. Paul Schlauch and LLM Graduate Leonardo Rodríguez Headline Mining Law Seminar in Buenos Aires, Argentina

University of Denver Sturm College of Law Adjunct Prof. Paul J. Schlauch and 2008 LLM graduate Leonardo G. Rodríguez recently headlined a seminar on International Mining Agreements held at the offices of Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal in the city of Buenos Aires.

The seminar was attended by 115 participants from various mining companies operating in Argentina, government offices and private entities. The seminar was also attended by the Secretary of Mining of Argentina, Eng. Jorge Mayoral, who pointed out that mining exports will grow exponentially throughout the upcoming years.

Prof. Schlauch, who teaches International and Comparative Mining Law at the Sturm College of Law, is of counsel with Holland & Hart in Denver. Mr. Rodríguez, who was the "Outstanding LLM Student of the Year" in 2008 is an associate attorney at Marval.

Leonardo Rodriguez, 2008 LLM Grad, Co-Authors Paper About Argentinean Mining in Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundantion Journal

Leonardo G. Rodriguez (LLM graduate 2008) has co-authored along with Francisco A. Macias an article entitled, "To Cyanide or Not to Cyanide? Some Argentinean Provinces Banned Use of Cyanide in Mining Activities: Is This Prohibition Legal," in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal (Vol. 46, No. 2, 2009, pages 237-250). Mr. Rodriguez, an associate, and Mr. Macias, a partner, both work for the Buenos Aires-based firm of Marval O'Ferrell & Mairal.

After going through a careful process of analysis, the authors conclude that, "[T]he prohibition of the use of cyanide in mining processes is not reasonable. If suitable precatuionary measures are observed, the use of cyanide in those processes does not involve big risks."

The Foundantion's Journal is one of the most prestigious publications of its kind in the world.

Argentine Attorney and 2008 LLM Graduate Leonardo Rodriguez Writes About Key Mining Law Case

The Argentine Federal Court of Appeals in the Province of Salta "correctly applied" the law and "reached a fair solution" in a mining law case that provides "an encouraging scenario for future investors locating in Argentina," according to Leonardo Rodriquez, a 2008 LLM graduate, and Francisco Macias, both of whom are attorneys for Buenos Aries-based firm Marval O'Farrell & Mairal.

Writing in the firm's October newsletter, the two attorneys concluded, "The attempt of the Argentine government to impose new taxes on companies under the Mining Investments Law can be qualified, at the very least, as unfortunate. The government should promote new investments which benefit the economy as a whole. Mining investment demands large quantities of money, is a high-risk activity and, as such, requires being developed with a stable legal framework."

LLM Graduate Leonardo Rodriguez Co-Authors Articles About Argentine Stability Agreements

Attorneys Leonardo Rodriguez (LLM graduate 2008) and Francisco Macias of the Buenos Aires, Argentina, law firm of Marval, O'Ferrell & Mairal recently have co-authored two articles about stability agreements as they relate to mining investment in Argentina.

The articles, "Stability Agreements in Flux: Argentine Courts Show Signs of Supporting Miners" (Sept. 8, 2009) and "A Step Closer to Stability" (Sept. 16, 2009) were published in the on-line edition of LatinLawyer, a prestigious journal focusing on legal developments in South America.

In the latter article, Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Macias explain a landmark Argentine Supreme Court ruling ordering that a South African mining firm, Cerro Vanguardia, be repaid taxes collected by the Argentine government.

The attorneys wrote:

"The court ruled...that the 1998 equalization tax -- a 35 percent levy on shareholder dividends from company earnings not subject to income tax -- was in breach of the fiscal stability provisions of the country's mining investment law. This is a landmark decision for the protection of the incentive regime contained in that law, which we believe will support mining companies with stability regimes that are challenging taxes on mining exports enacted in 2007..."

Leonardo and I became good friends during his time in Denver, which included a position post-graduation with the Denver firm of Holland & Hart. He distinguished himself in the program, winning the Outstanding 2007-2008 Student of the Year award.

I also met Francisco during a recent trip to Argentina. He, Leonardo, and I have talked about the type of education and experience that will most benefit Latin American lawyers who study in Denver.

From my perspective, it is wonderful to see graduates contributing all over the world in many different spheres. Leonardo Rodriguez is one of those graduates. He has a long and successful career ahead.

Conflicts in Argentine Mining Exploration: DU LLM Graduate and Professor Take Part in Presentation at Austral University

Leonardo Rodriguez, May 2008 LLM graduate and winner of the Outstanding Student of the Year Award in 2009, gave a presentation on "Conflict Issues in Argentine Mining Exploration," recently in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Leonardo's presentation was part of a larger program, "Use of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection: Legal and Economic Criteria to Solve Conflict Issues," that was organized at the Austral University School of Law in Buenos Aires.

DU Prof. Jan Laitos, an internationally respected expert on natural resources law and author of numerous books on natural resources, helped organize the event and presented as well. Prof. Laitos also serves as a trustee for the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.

Following his graduation from DU, Leonardo returned to Buenos Aires and the law firm of Marval O'Farrell & Mairal.