Miami, FL (PRWEB) July 25, 2014
Alexandra Aguirre, a Miami shareholder in the Corporate and Securities Practice at international law firm Greenberg Traurig, served as part of a panel discussion during a Women, Business and the Law 2014 roundtable event.
The event was hosted by Americas Society/Council of the Americas in collaboration with the World Bank Group.
Paula Tavares, a legal analyst from the World Bank, presented the findings from a report examining laws and regulations that impact women’s opportunities to work worldwide.
The report discussed the restrictions on gender equality such as economic, domestic violence and sexual harassment legislation. Key statistics from the Women, Business and the Law 2014 report included:
In almost 90 percent of the 143 economies examined by the report, women face at least one legal restriction that impacts their economic opportunities differently from men in the same economy
The countries that place the most restrictions on women are concentrated in the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
About 25 percent of the 100 economies measured have no laws on domestic violence
Aguirre provided commentary on the study’s findings and prospects for women as entrepreneurs and employees. Other panelists included Carmen González-Sanfeliu, Regional Vice President, Latin America & Caribbean, Intelsat; and Ana Salas Siegel, SVP and Deputy General Counsel, Fox International Channels.
“When you see how slowly voluntary change has been in Latin America, quotas regarding the advancement of women would help to accelerate progress,” said Aguirre, referring particularly to the advancement of women in public sector executive positions. “I am hopeful that this report will lead to more opportunities and better working conditions for women around the world.”
Aguirre focuses her practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, domestic and international corporate transactions, corporate finance, and debt and equity private placements throughout Latin America, with an emphasis on Mexico and Central America. She also advises families in matters relating to running privately held businesses. Aguirre serves as a member of both the American and International Bar Associations and holds the FFI GEN Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising (ACFBA).
About Americas Society (AS)
Americas Society (AS) is the premier organization dedicated to education, debate and dialogue in the Americas. Established by David Rockefeller in 1965, our mission is to foster an understanding of the contemporary political, social and economic issues confronting Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the diverse cultural heritage of the Americas and the importance of the inter-American relationship.
About Council of the Americas (COA)
Council of the Americas (COA) is the premier international business organization whose members share a common commitment to economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Women’s Initiative
Greenberg Traurig is committed to its women lawyers’ success, which includes a firm wide women’s affinity group encompassing recruiting, retention and business development. The firm regularly collaborates with like-minded organizations to address these issues on a broader scale in a variety of industries and communities. Greenberg Traurig also takes thoughtful action to address issues such as maintaining a healthy work-life balance, breaking the glass ceiling, mentoring, taking charge of your health, and giving back to the community.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, multi-practice law firm with approximately 1750 attorneys serving clients from 36 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is among the “Power Elite” in the 2014 BTI Client Relationship Scorecard report, which assesses the nature and strength of law firms' client relationships. For additional information, please visit http://www.gtlaw.com.