Mr. Cortina is a graduate of the Escuela Libre de Derecho law school (ELD) in Mexico City where he obtained his degree in Law in 1990.
Obtained a diploma in Federal Taxes from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. (UNAM) in 1994-1995, in Dispute Resolution by the Escuela Libre de Derecho along with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in 2004, in addition has a diploma degree in Anti-dumping, Countervailing and safeguards procedures by the Mexican Bar association in 2006.
He attended World Trade Organization seminars in Dispute resolutions under the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2003 and 2004, in the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de Mexico. (ITAM)
Languages
Native languages: Spanish and Catalan. Fluent in English. Basic knowledge of French and German.
Experience
Francisco began his professional tax practice in 1989 as a consulting lawyer, providing services such as planning, consultations and litigious procedures regarding trade and customs issues, joined KPMG, as an associate in 1995, and admitted as partner in 1999.
In 2000 joined Chévez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cia., S.C., as a partner in the Trade and Customs area. His practice includes; Customs law, indirect taxes related with trade & Customs operations, International Trade law as Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguards procedures, Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and advise in WTO legislation.
Academy
In the Mexico City based, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mr Cortina teaches Trade and Customs law. He is also a professor in the Diploma Course in Trade & Customs by the ICC and ELD.
Mr. Cortina has written sundry articles in connection with his specialty published in several newspapers, and specialized publications.
Editorial Themis, published the eight edition of "Analysis and comments to the Mexican Customs Law", written by Mr. Cortina. (First edition from 1998) Participated as co Author in the chapter Mexico of the book "Transfer pricing and Customs Valuation" published by IBDF in Holland.
He participated as moderator in the Public Forum in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland in 2011.
Mr. Cortina has participated as speaker in various Trade and Customs seminars in Mexico, US, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Professional Associations
Mr. Cortina is a member Mexican Bar Association (Barra Mexicana) being appointed as member of the Board and liaison with American Bar Association (ABA) in addition, he founded the Trade and Customs Commission in the Barra Mexicana and lead such commission throughout 2001-2005.
He is an associate of the American Bar Association (ABA), in which actively participates in the Mexico, Customs, and International Trade committees.
Mr. Cortina headed the Foreign Trade Commission, of the International Chamber of Commerce Mexico (ICC) in 2003.
Moreover he is actually the Vice-president of the Global Legal Customs Association (GLCA) such exclusive professional and academy association admits only a member of only one lawfirm per country.
Francisco is a numbered 45/100 Academic of the International Academy of Customs Law (ICLA).
Moreover, he is listed as noted T&C lawyer by: Legal 500, Chambers, Who's who legal and Latin Lawyer, recurrently during more than a decade.
Ethics and Integrity
Mr. Cortina is certified in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (USA), UK Bribery Act, Corruption of Foreign Public Officials and the Federal Corruption in Public Procurement Law. (Canada)
Cultural Activities
Francisco is the founder of the Art Cinema Club in the firm, which presents, projects and discuss a film proposed by one of the members in a monthly basis.
Francisco's is also a fiction writer ( urban thrillers) In 2011 his first novel The IBM girl- tales of a Kidnap- was published, followed In 2014 by Puerta Santa Fe In 2015 his thriller Federal District was published in Spain. Now is working in a new novel called 11:43 expected to be ready to publish by 2018.
Personal Interests
Travelling is another Francisco´s passions so far has visited close to 50 countries
Charity
He collaborates with five organizations, specifically those devoted to protect children and to contribute against violence in Mexico.
