Overview
Former Governor of Puerto Rico Luis G. Fortuño represents investment funds and Fortune 500 companies in regulatory, public policy, public-private partnership (P3) and project finance, finance, and other corporate matters in the United States and throughout Latin America.
Clients benefit from Luis's ability to combine practical, business-savvy advice with an understanding of how legislative and regulatory policy can affect their business operations. His 12 years of government service includes serving as Puerto Rico’s governor and as its sole representative in the US House of Representatives. Under his leadership as governor from 2009 to 2012, Puerto Rico implemented the largest tax cut in the territory’s history, right-sized its government, reined in deficit spending, and developed new sources of government revenue, resulting in the island’s only period of economic growth in over a decade. Additionally, Luis's signature public-private partnerships law paved the way for two of the largest recent infrastructure investments in the US, one in Puerto Rico’s highway system and the island’s main international airport. Other P3 transactions during his tenure included schools, energy projects, and ferry services.
Luis served from 2005 to 2008 in the US House of Representatives, holding the roles of vice-president of his House Republican freshman class and later as vice-chair and then chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference during the 109th and 110th Congresses, respectively. Additionally, he served as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus. In 2007, he was appointed as the Republican minority's ranking member on the Natural Resource Committee's Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs. He also served as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure, International Relations, and Education and Workforce committees.
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1985
- B.S.F.S., Georgetown University, 1982
Speaking Engagements
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Delegate, Republican Convention, 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016
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Panelist, "Economic Liberty in Puerto Rico," Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association Annual Convention, June 1, 2019
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Keynote Speaker, 2018 Puerto Rico Investment Forum, Shanghai, China, November 14, 2018
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Panelist, "Economic Policies that Work in our Region," Relial 2018 Congress, Dominican Republic, October 12, 2018
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Panelist, "The Mother of Exiles: Immigration Reform," UVA Center for Politics, September 27, 2018
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Panelist, "The 2016 Presidential Race," Georgetown University, October 8, 2016
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International Observer, Jordan's Parliamentary Election, Joint IRI-NDI Delegation, September 1, 2016
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"Republican Principles in American Global Engagement," International Republican Institute panel, Republican National Convention, Cleveland, OH, July 19, 2016
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"We Run, We Vote, We Decide: Latinos and Election 2016," NALEO panel, Republican National Convention, Cleveland, OH, July 19, 2016
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"Latino Voters at Risk: Assessing the Impact of Restrictive Voting Changes in the 2016 Election," NALEO Educational Fund, Washington, DC, May 11, 2016
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Guest Speaker, "Financial Crime Series - The US Perspective," Deloitte, May 16, 2016
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Puerto Rico Faces $70B Debt Bill, CNN Money interview, May 2, 2016
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What's Next for Puerto Rico, CNBC interview, May 2, 2016
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"Public-Private Partnerships: Stories of Success," Georgetown University's Baker Center for Leadership & Governance, April 18, 2016
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"Leadership Lessons From an Ambassador, Governor, Secretary, and Senator," George Washington University, Washington, DC, March 2016
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"Puerto Rico on the Brink: Energy, Economy, Security," The American Security Project, Washington, DC, March 2016
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Panelist, Election Year Seminar, Media Research Center, February 2016
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"Swing States and Wildcards," American University's 2nd Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum: The Role of the Latino Vote in the 2016 Presidential Election, Washington, DC, February 29, 2016
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Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis Causing Concern for Citizens, Al Jazeera America News interview, July 2, 2015
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Puerto Rico Faces Historic $72B Default, CNBC Power Lunch interview, July 16, 2015
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Puerto Rico: The Other Debt Crisis, Bloomberg Business, Bloomberg Markets interview, July 17, 2015
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Puerto Rico's Current Debt Crisis, CNBC Squawk on the Street interview, June 30, 2015
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"Examining Procedures Regarding Puerto Rico's Political Status and Economic Outlook," House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs, June 24, 2015
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"What's Next for Puerto Rico," National Federation of Municipal Analysts' 32nd Annual Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 14, 2015
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National Review’s Post-Election Discussion, November 2014
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“The Role of Hispanics in America,” Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, DC, October 2014
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“Impacting Economic Development in the Hispanic Community,” Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Libre Initiative, Valencia College, October 2014
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“Knowledge Economy in the 21st Century,” Universidad Metropolitana, September 2014
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“The Status of Puerto Rico Dilemma,” George Washington University’s Elliott School, September 2014
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“Role of Public Private Partnerships in Infrastructure Development,” Associated General Contractors Conference, Washington, DC, June 2014
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“P3s: A Government Perspective from Outside the Fence,” Associated General Contractors of America, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC, June 2014
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"Development Agenda for the Caribbean," Iberoamerican University and Central Eastern University, Dominican Republic, May 2014
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"Puerto Rico Fiscal Situation," Boston Municipal Analysts Forum, March 13, 2014
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"The Market Potential of Latin America," Conservative Political Action Conference, March 8, 2014
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"Constitutional and Legal Implications of the Status of Puerto Rico Discussion," Georgetown University Law Center, January 29, 2014
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"Business Opportunities in Latin America," Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, October 28, 2013
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“The Free Trade Agreement Between the US and the EU,” Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, October 9, 2013
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Keynote speaker, “Can-Do States: A New Era for Infrastructure Investment,” Brookings Institution, July 12, 2013
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“The Use of P-3s in Social Infrastructure Projects,” High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus (US Congress), July 10, 2013
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“Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure Projects,” International Transportation and Logistics Conference, May 7, 2013
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“Infrastructure Financing for Cities,” Clinton Global Initiative & US Chamber of Commerce, April 19, 2013
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Keynote speaker, “Public-Private Partnerships in Puerto Rico,” Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s Annual Transportation Finance and Mileage-Based User Fee Symposium, April 15, 2013
News & Publications
Press Releases
The Hill Again Names Jason Abel, Luis Fortuño, Micah Green to Top Lobbyists List
December 13, 2018
Media Mentions
Yicai Global Cites Luis Fortuño on Puerto Rico Attracting Chinese Investment
November 20, 2018
Accolades
The Hill Names Luis Fortuño, Micah Green, Jason Abel to Top Lobbyists List
November 2, 2017
Media Mentions
Yale’s The Politic Features Luis Fortuño in Q&A on Puerto Rican Debt Crisis
March 20, 2017
Client Alerts
One Week Until the 2016 Election - Public Policy Implications
November 2, 2016
By: Jason Abel, James D. Barnette, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, Christopher Caron, John T. Collins, R. Timothy Columbus, Michael V. Dunn, Luis G. Fortuño, Jessica Frend, Chelsea Gold, Micah S. Green, Kate Jensen, N. Hunter Johnston, Douglas Kantor, Grace Kim, Lisa Mortier, Darryl Nirenberg, Allison Nyholm, Eva Rigamonti, Robert Rizzi, Richard Shilts, Scott A. Sinder, Amanda Pedvin Varma, Philip R. West, Lisa M. Zarlenga
Client Alerts
How the 2016 Election Will Affect Public Policy Developments - Part III
October 20, 2016
Events
Webinars
November 8, 2018
Speakers: Jason Abel, James D. Barnette, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, George Callas, John T. Collins, Luis G. Fortuño, Micah S. Green, Kate Jensen, N. Hunter Johnston, Darryl Nirenberg, Eva Rigamonti, Scott A. Sinder
Webinars
November 10, 2016
Speakers: Jason Abel, James D. Barnette, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, Christopher Caron, David H. Coburn, John T. Collins, Richard O. Cunningham, Ambassador Susan G. Esserman, Luis G. Fortuño, Micah S. Green, N. Hunter Johnston, Douglas Kantor, Darryl Nirenberg, Allison Nyholm, Scott A. Sinder, Amanda Pedvin Varma
Noteworthy
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UVA Lawyer, "100 Change Agents" (2019)
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The Hill, "Top Lobbyists" (2017-2018)
Previous Employment
- Governor, Puerto Rico (2009-2012)
- Representative, US House of Representatives (2005-2008)
- Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce for Puerto Rico (1994-1996)
- President, Puerto Rico's Hotel Development Corporation (1993-1996)
- Executive director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company (1993-1996)
Professional Affiliations
- American Law Institute
- Puerto Rico's National Committeeman at the Republican National Committee (2001-present); member of the RNC's budget committee
- President, Council of State Governments (2011-2012)
- Chairman, Southern Governors Association (2011-2012)
- Board of Directors, Center for Best Practices of the National Governors Association (2010-2012)
- President Obama appointee to the Council of Governors (2010-2012)
- Advisory Board, International Republican Institute
- Board of Advisors, SeaOne Holdings, LLC
- Board of Directors, Republican State Leadership Committee
- Board of Directors, American Action Network
- Board of Directors, Congressional Leadership Fund
- Board of Directors, Abertis Infrastructuras, S.A. (2015-2018)
- Georgetown University's Latin American Board
- Fellow, Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, Fall 2015 semester