Luis E. Bacó 

Mr. Bacó focuses his practice on regulatory, legislative, international and health law, providing strategic planning and government and public affairs counseling to clients, both in Puerto Rico and in our Nation’s Capital. He is based in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining McConnell Valdés, Mr. Bacó served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Luis G. Fortuño in the U.S. House of Representatives. During this time he was also the Staff Director of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus and a Board Member of the House Chief’s of Staff Association.

From 1999 to 2005 he was Counsel in the Legislative and Government Relations Practice Group of the McDermott, Will and Emery International Law Firm in Washington, DC.

Before that he was Deputy Executive Director for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, where his responsibilities included advising the Governor on legislative and federal policy matters and supervising the overall operation and development of grassroots strategies for the nine regional offices of the Government of Puerto Rico in the continental U.S.

Between 1993 and 1997, Mr. Bacó served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Carlos Romero-Barceló of the U.S. House of Representatives. In that capacity, he was responsible for the development and implementation of legislative strategies in areas of health care, economic development, general appropriations, international relations, veterans’ affairs and Puerto Rico self-determination. From 1993 to 1994 he also served as a Member of President William J. Clinton’s National Health Care Reform Task Force.

Mr. Bacó is a member of the Executive Boards of the National Puerto Rican Coalition and the Center for Puerto Rico Equality and Advancement. Mr. Bacó is an active participant in the Lex Mundi Government Affairs Practice Group and a 2006 Fellow of the U.S. - Spain Council's Young Leaders Program. In 2009, he was awarded with the Officer's Cross - Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic by King Juan Carlos I of Spain for his "notable contribution towards the strengthening of the relationship of Spain with the rest of the International Community." Mr. Bacó is also a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and remains active in Scouting.