He also has participated in numerous multiparty complex litigation matters involving environmental mass tort and multidistrict antitrust claims, as well as on behalf of insurance interests (General Electric and P&I Associations) in the four largest fire cases in Puerto Rico (Aljoma Lumber Warehouse, Palo Seco Power Plant, Capeco Explosion, and a passenger/cargo ferry mass tort fire action).
Mr. Rodríguez-Bird has also participated in the response and ensuing litigation as consequence of major ship groundings in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands, including:
VOLCAN DE TENEGUIA, Dominican Republic (1996)
FORTUNA REEFER, Mona Island, PR (1997)
KAPITAN EGOROV, Port of Guayanilla, PR (1998)
AUTHOR, Port of Ponce, PR (1998)
SERGO ZACKARIADZE, Port of San Juan, PR (1999)
KENT RELIANT, Port of San Juan, PR (2003)
SPERCHIOS, Port of Guayanilla, PR (2005)
MARGARA, Port of Guayanilla, PR (2006)
MATTHEW (LNG Tanker), Port of Guayanilla, PR (2009)
Education
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Ponce, PR
1983, JD
Cum Laude - Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR
1979, BA in History and Political Science
Cum Laude
Mr. Rodríguez-Bird was a member of the Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law Review. During 1982-1983 he served as Chief Editor and was the author of the article “La Voluntad Unilateral Según Interpretación Jurisprudencial en Puerto Rico”, published by the Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law Review, Vol 39, 1982.
Bar Admissions
- Puerto Rico Bar, 1984
- United States Tax Court, 1984
- United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, 1988
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1990
- United States Supreme Court, 2010
Professional Associations & Certifications
Before studying law, Mr. Rodríguez-Bird obtained a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer’s License and worked aboard numerous charter boat fishing vessels. Presently, because of his passion for the sea, he maintains an active license to take out the occasional charter. He is an avid deep sea fishing enthusiast spending most of his personal time fishing with family and friends off the Puerto Rico North Coast.
- P&IQ Certificate, a Qualification for the P&I Industry by the International Group of P&I Clubs
- Proctor – Maritime Law Association of the United States, 2017
- Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Marítimo, Executive Secretary, 2012-2014
Representative Cases
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Cortés Molina v. TL Dallas (Special Risks) Ltd.
532 F.Supp.2d 369 (D.P.R. 2008)
Marine insurance coverage.
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In re Cape Bruny Tankschiffarts GMBH and Co. KG
Civil No. 10-1337 (USDC-PR 2009)
Shipowners Limitation of Liability action involving over 4,000 claims as consequence of explosion/fire in tank farm storage facility.
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In re Puerto Rico Cabotage Antitrust Litigation
Civil No. 08 MD 1960 (USDC-PR 2008)
Multi-district antitrust litigation involving US Flag carriers in the United States/Puerto Rico trade.
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M/T ALBINONI
Tanker explosion and fire case off Dominican Republic in 1994, out of court negotiations and final settlements of 24 crewmembers and relatives in Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras and Spain.
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Matter of Baja Ferries S.A. De C.V.
Civil No. 17-1172 (USDC-PR 2016)
Shipowners Limitation of Liability action (over 250 claims as consequence of a fire aboard a passenger/cargo ferry).
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Nieto - Vicenty v. Valledor
22 F. Supp.3d 153 (D.P.R. 2014)
Obtained Summary Judgment dismissal of all claims against marina in case filed by passengers of sunken tourist charter vessel. Court ruled that marina was not liable for purported negligence of operator and owners of vessel and plaintiff failed to establish elements of cause of action.
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Olympo Transport Co. of Puerto Rico, Inc. v. Certain Insurance Co.
USDC-PR Civil No. 89-1468
Bench Trial, cargo loss-insurance provisions under Bill of Lading.
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Plesha v. M/V INSPIRATION
419 F.Supp.2d 67 (D.P.R. 2006)
Jones Act negligence/unseaworthiness award of summary judgment.
