Ricardo represents clients in Latin America, focusing on securing, enforcement, and licensing of intellectual property rights. He has worked closely with in-house counsel to develop legal strategies to secure protection for intangibles, as well as advising on local regulations that may hamper the ability of companies to expatriate gains from such rights in view of currency exchange provisions. He has also advised clients on viable corporate structures to enable foreign corporations to form subsidiaries in Latin America while complying with all local regulations dealing with foreign investments.

Ricardo has played an integral role in landmark decisions issued by administrative agencies and courts—decisions that have been essential to protect the principle of well-known trademarks, and the rights of patent and trademark owners to enforce them in court and to obtain a wide array of injunctions in Latin America.

Ricardo was responsible for drafting ccTLD registration guidelines for the registration of third level domain names in Latin America.

Before joining Arent Fox, Ricardo worked as a partner at a major Latin American firm where he represented several Fortune 500 companies.

Ricardo has written several articles dealing with intellectual property protection in Latin America published in Managing Intellectual Property Magazine, Getting The Deal Through (Trademarks and Patents) and IP Value 2004 (published by Globe White Page). He has been invited to speak at regional Latin American forums and universities on issues dealing with intellectual property and the Internet. Ricardo is listed in the International Who’s Who of Trademark Lawyers (2004 edition).

Ricardo has three children — a 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old twins. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids as well as doing sports, especially swimming. Ricardo was formerly a member of the national Venezuelan swimming and water polo teams and represented the country in international tournaments.