Carlos Fernandez

Carlos E. Fernández is the Colorado State Director for the Nature Conservancy, where he leads a staff of 57 and a Board of 25 Trustees as they work together with partner organizations, government agencies, elected officials and other key decision-makers to build alliances and shared agendas that advance conservation outcomes both in Colorado and around the world. Previously, the Foreign Legal Advisor for the South American Conservation Region of The Nature Conservancy’s Worldwide Office. He provided legal advice to operational staff on land and natural resources matters on projects in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Mr. Fernández also provides legal advice and training regarding The Nature Conservancy’s policy and procedural issues.  As a Foreign Legal Advisor, he has been instrumental in structuring and negotiating complex real estate transactions, primarily involving forest and fisheries issues.  Mr. Fernández has also negotiated and implemented Global Environmental Facility (GEF) projects focusing on land conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean and environmental compensation funds related to gas pipelines. In addition, he negotiated and implemented grants and cooperative agreements with the United States Agency for International Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and other developing and multi-lateral agencies.  Mr. Fernández has drafted and negotiated partnership agreements with governments, private sector corporations, NGOs, and foundations.  Additionally, he has participated on multidisciplinary teams advising on climate change matters.  He also possesses expertise relating to corporate finance and energy issues.

Before joining the Conservancy, Mr. Fernández was an Associate at the Argentine firm Perez Alati, Grondona, Benites, Arntsen & Martinez de Hoz (Jr.) and a Foreign Associate at the Washington Law Firm Wilmer Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale)’s Latin American Practice and International Groups.

Mr. Fernández is a member of the American Bar Association and serves as Vice-Chair for its Programs Committee, at the International Environmental Law Committee of the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER).  He is also a member of the Inter-American Bar Association, Argentineans Federal and Mendoza Bar.   In addition, he was member of the International Law Students Association (ILSA) Board of Directors (1998-1999) and has actively participated at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition as member of the Argentine Team (1995), Argentine National Administrator (1996-1997 and 2003-2005), International and U.S. Regional Judge (1996 – present)

Mr. Fernández has contributed to several publications including: the ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law, Revista Idearium, Revista Foro Latinoamericano, and Revista Voces Jurídicas.  He has also presented on several international law and international environemtnal law matters at national and international conferences.