Javier Vázquez-Morales

Javier Vázquez is a member and currently Department Head of the Corporate Department. He first joined O’Neill & Borges in 1999 and rejoined in 2010 after serving as Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) between 2009 and 2010.

Javier’s practice focuses on corporate, real estate, renewable energy and government and regulatory affairs. He was recently recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2020 Lawyer of the Year for Puerto Rico in Energy Law.  He advises foreign and domestic companies on how to establish and do business in Puerto Rico taking advantage of local incentives. He has experience assisting clients with project development and contract negotiations, including joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements (PPA), construction contracts, among others. He has acted as counsel in corporate and real estate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, dispositions and/or financing of commercial and renewable energy projects. Within the government and regulatory affairs area, he assists clients delineate and implement strategies for handling policy issues and regulatory matters.

During the time he occupied the position of Executive Director of PRIDCO, Javier led the Government’s investment promotion efforts in the manufacturing, science and technology and export services sectors, including the life sciences (pharmaceutical, medical devices and biotechnology) and renewable energy industries. During this time he also acted as a trustee of the Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust and active member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Trade Company, the Economic Development Bank, Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Puerto Rico Land Administration, among others.

From 1995 to 1996, Javier worked with the governmental affairs practice group of a Washington, D.C. law firm, assisting private and public sector clients in monitoring and lobbying federal legislation and programs.

Javier is a member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Growth Foundation, a think tank organization founded by former Governor Luis G. Fortuño, affiliated to the Governor’s gubernatorial library.

Javier has several published law review articles on corporate and real estate topics.

During his career, Javier has acted as counsel to the following representative clients and transactions:

• HMS Ferries, Inc., a subsidiary of HMS Global Maritime, Inc., the largest private operator of cargo and passenger ferries in the U.S., in the closing of a public-private partnership (P3) transaction with the Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority, for the operation and management of MTA’s ferry vessel transportation services between mainland Puerto Rico and the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra and between Cataño and San Juan.
• IBD Energy LLC, in the negotiation and closing of a Microgrid Management Agreement with the Local Redevelopment Authority of Roosevelt Roads, the first independent renewable energy microgrid of Puerto Rico to be developed and operated in the former U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads.
• OB Development, Inc., in the asset purchase transaction of a portfolio of self-storage warehouses located in Puerto Rico for a value of approximately $60 million.
• Sovereign Bank, N.A., in energy (PREPA) regulatory and real estate matters in the financing of a 23.4 MW wind turbine project located in Naguabo, Puerto Rico known as the Punta Lima Wind Farm Project.
• MetLife Insurance, in energy (PREPA) regulatory and real estate matters in the financing of a 24 MW solar energy project developed by AES Ilumina LLC, located in Guayama, Puerto Rico.
• The Puerto Rico Housing Department and Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration in the largest mixed-finance low-income housing tax credit transaction for the modernization of public housing units in Puerto Rico.
• SBA Network, Inc., a subsidiary of SBA Communications Corp., in the acquisition of a portfolio of 12 telecommunication towers and wireless infrastructure facilities located in Puerto Rico with an aggregate value of approximately $15 million.