Francisco Villarroel is an accomplished lawyer, writer, and filmmaker. He graduated at the top of his class from Universidad Santa María and holds two master's degrees: a DESS in maritime and transport law from Université d'Aix-Marseille, France, and an LLM in international maritime law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta. He also holds honorary doctorate (hc) and Professor Emeritus status at the Experimental Caribbean Maritime University. With a distinguished career spanning 20 years, he served as National Maritime Superior Judge Emeritus. Dr. Villarroel is a sought-after speaker on maritime topics, having presented at international conferences in Argentina, Spain, France, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Panama, Belgium, and Venezuela. His contributions to legal literature include several books: "Temas de Derecho Marítimo" (1992), "Derecho Internacional del Mar" (1994), "Derecho Marítimo" (1998), "Tratado General de Derecho Marítimo" (2003), "Los Créditos Marítimos en la Legislación Andina y Venezolana" (2005), "Derecho Internacional Público" (2011), and "Régimen Jurídico de los Accidentes Marítimos" (2025). In addition, he has published numerous articles in specialized journals and contributed to tribute volumes. In the field of fiction and poetry, Mr. Villarroel authored the novels "Two Autumns in Paris, Story of a Refugee" (2007), "Tango Bar" (2018), "Viviana and Her Three Lovers" (2020), and "I Have to Say Goodbye" (2021), as well as the poetry collection "Noctámbulos" (2021), with works featured in anthologies across Spain and Canada. Notably, his debut novel was adapted into a film in 2019, earning awards at several international festivals, and his second novel "Tango Bar" was adapted to film in 2024. He served on the Drafting Commission for the Organic Law of Aquatic Spaces and Update of Maritime Legislation, leading as President of the Committee of Aquatic Spaces. Dr. Villarroel is a Full Member of the International Maritime Committee (established in 1897, Belgium), the Ibero-American Institute of Maritime Law, and formerly served as President of the Venezuelan Association of Maritime Law (2007–2013). He is also active in the cinematic arts, holding memberships in the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Venezuela (ACACV) and the National Association of Cinematographic Authors (ANAC). He is a partner and founder of the Law Firm Legal Maritime Group.
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