Juan C. Méndez

E-mail address:  Jcm@mcvpr.com
Phone number:  (787) 250-5650
Fax number:  (787) 620-8308

Mr. Méndez is a Capital Member in the Corporate Practice Group and Chief Operations Officer of the Firm. Prior to re-joining McConnell Valdés, he was Secretary of the Treasury of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Practice Areas and Experience

Mr. Méndez concentrates his practice in general corporate, real estate, public financing and banking, government affairs and taxes. He has broad networking in the Puerto Rico business community as well as all three branches of government.

As Secretary of the Treasury, he was responsible for developing and implementing the fiscal, tax and financial policies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the implementation of the Sales and Use Tax provisions enacted as part of the Puerto Rico Tax Code overhaul of 2006. He was also responsible for the issuance of the Commonwealth's General Obligation Bonds ("GO's"), Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes ("TRANs"), and Designated Sales Tax Fund Bonds, which included extensive work with dealers and underwriters. As Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Méndez provided constant updates regarding the economic, fiscal and budgetary condition of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to bond rating agencies, investors and financial analysts.

Mr. Méndez has served as Member of several Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, the following: Government Development Bank; Infrastructure Financing Authority ("AFI")(President of the Board); Tourism Development Fund ("TDF"); Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company ("PRIDCO"); President of the Puerto Rico Financial Board; Employees Retirement System of the Government of Puerto Rico (President of the Board); Teachers' Retirement System of the Government of Puerto Rico (President of the Board); Puerto Rico Film Commission; Health Services Administration (known by its Spanish acronym as "ASES"); and President of Employees Charitable Contribution Fund ("Campaña Benéfica" managed by United Ways).

Education

Mr. Méndez obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico (cum laude), and a juris doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law (cum laude). He further received an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center (With Distinction).

Admissions

Mr. Méndez is a Certified Public Accountant. He is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Memberships

He has been an active member of the Puerto Rico Certified Public Accountants Society, the Puerto Rico Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Publications/Public Engagements

Mr. Méndez is one of the few attorneys in Puerto Rico with an article published in the prestigious Journal of International Taxation.

In addition, Mr. Méndez has been guest speaker in numerous activities sponsored by different organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Food and Beverage Industry Association ("MIDA"), Society of Certified Public Accountants, Alliance for Tax, Legal, and Accounting Seminars ("ATLAS"), and Associations of Financial Analysts, such as the National Federation of Municipal Analysts ("NFMA") and the Municipal Analysts Group of New York ("MAGNY").