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Luis Migenis (Of Counsel)

As an undergraduate student, Luis  Migenis worked as a research and consulting assistant to Dr. Gustavo Candelas, considered to be the father of modern ecology in Puerto Rico. He worked with clients such as Levitt and Sons, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Administration and DuPont Agrichemicals. Upon entering graduate school, he was granted an internship with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Institute of Tropical Forestry (now International Institute of Tropical Forestry) as a field biologist at the ITF/National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research Bisley Experimental Watersheds Project site in the Luquillo Experimental Forest.  There, he was in charge of the day to day gathering and analysis of scientific data and overall project site management. Mr. Migenis later worked for CMA Architects and Engineers, one of Puerto Rico’s largest engineering firms, as an environmental specialist. In this capacity he was in charge of analyzing the possible environmental impacts of the firm’s projects, suggesting redesign alternatives to minimize or avoid any such impacts, identifying all the necessary state and federal environmental, natural resources and historical resources permits, preparing and filing these permits and coordinating their review and subsequent approval with the agencies.

Mr. Migenis has taught environmental policy and legislation at the Graduate Environmental Management Program of the Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico.  He has authored more than 100 technical studies and reports for the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, Intel, Linde Gas, El Nuevo Día, Westin Hotels, the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Puerto Rico National Parks Company, Wal-Mart Stores, CPH Engineers and Biovail Laboratories, among others. He is a certified reforestation professional and wetland delineator.

Mr. Migenis has vast experience in the litigation of complex and high profile land use cases.  He has represented a diverse array of clients in these matters, including multi-national and national retailers, shopping center developers, residential and mixed-use project developers, as well as real estate companies and engineering firms.  In addition to his expertise as an attorney in this field, Mr. Migenis has been an environmental, land use and natural resources consultant for the past 25 years.  In such capacity, he has been intensely involved with the scientific, technical and permitting aspects of real estate development for both public and private projects. Thus, he is particularly adept at creating resourceful case management and litigation strategies utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.

Education

  • University of Puerto Rico/J.D./1994/Magna Cum Laude
  • University of Puerto Rico/M.S., Biology
  • University of Puerto Rico/B.S./1986/Cum Laude

Professional Affiliations

  • Puerto Rico Bar Association

Honors & Awards

  • The National Dean´s List/1992-1993
  • University of Puerto Rico/Certificate of Recognition for Publications
  • U.S. Forest Service/Certificate of Merit for Exemplary Performance During Special Activities
  • University of Puerto Rico/Certificate for Academic Excellence

Publications

  • Migenis, L.E. and J.D. Ackerman.  Orchid Phorophyte Relations in a Tropical Forested Watershed in Puerto Rico.  Journal of Tropical Ecology. May 1993.
  • Tobach, E., Zaferes, A and L.E. Migenis-López.  Aplisia Ink and Opaline: Exploration on Their Relation to Predation.  Bulletin of Marine Science.  1989.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Puerto Rico Bar Association, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission/Commissioner