Vidal G. Martinez joined Franklin, Cardwell & Jones as a principal in May 2003. He is a highly respected international lawyer, speaker and author who began his career in 1978 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Houston with the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. Since 1981, he has been engaged in private practice handling primarily international commercial business transactions and dispute resolution matters, particularly those focused in Latin America.

Since 2002, Vidal has been ranked as the #1 International Attorney in the State of Texas by the Texas Lawyer, a legal industry trade publication which periodically rates the best lawyers in 27 specialty areas based on a peer review among practicing lawyers and judges throughout Texas. He has experience in litigation and transactional matters and has managed extreme complex client matters in numerous foreign jurisdictions. He is a recognized expert in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and has served on numerous arbitration panels around the globe.

In 2001 he was elected Chairman of the State Bar of Texas, Board of Directors, the governing body of 75,000+ lawyers in Texas. Since 2003, he has been named as a "Texas Super Lawyer" to the annual Texas Monthly best lawyers list. He holds Series 3, 7 and 63 licenses from the NASD.

Vidal is also fluent in Spanish, having spent his formative years in several Latin American countries and representing numerous foreign clients in their inbound U.S. legal matters.

Vidal Martinez

Born on November 7, 1954, Admitted to Bar, Texas, 1978.

Contact

713-425-3209
martinez@fcj.com

Education

• University of Houston (JD), 1977
• University of Texas – Austin (BBA), 1975

Honors & Distinctions

• 5 Outstanding Young Houstonians (1992), The Houston Jaycees
• 5 Outstanding Young Texans (1992), The Texas Jaycees
• Humanitarian of the Year Award (2003), National Conference of Christians & Jews

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas, Board of Directors; 47-member governing board of 75,000+ Texas attorneys; Chairman of the Board of Directors (2001-2002); Board of Directors (1999-2003)
• Port of Houston Authority, Commissioner (1996-2002); 7-member governing board of the sixth largest port in the world; Vice-Chairman (1999-2001)
• Methodist Hospital System, Board of Directors (1991-present)
• Greater Houston Community Foundation, Board (1993-2005)
• Greater Houston Partnership (Houston Chamber of Commerce), Board of Directors (1990-1997, 1999-2002); Executive Committee (1994-1997, 1999); Chairman, World Trade Division Supervisory Board (1994, 1995); Chairman, Transportation Committee (1997, 1998)
• Texas Department of Commerce, Board of Directors (1995-1997); Vice-Chairman (1996,1997)
• University of Houston Board of Regents, Board Member (1989-1995); Vice Chairman (1993-1994)
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Trustee (1990-1994, 1996-2003)
• Texas Public Education Reform Foundation, Board of Directors (2000-present); Chairman of the Board of Directors (2003-present)
• Consejo Empresarial Mexicano de Houston (Mexican CEO Business Council), Founding Director (1996-present); President (1997,1998)
• United States/Mexico Chamber of Commerce/Southwest Region (8 states), Director (1988-1994); President (1992); Chairman (1993) Emeritus Director (1994-present)