Juan Carlos Varela

Juan Carlos Varela is a lawyer with an impressive educational background, holding law degrees in four different countries, three international master’s degrees, and a wealth of knowledge in diverse areas of the law. His areas of practice encompass federal and Florida State law in the United States, as well as international private law. He has substantial experience dealing with cross-border legal issues, ensuring compliance with international regulations, and facilitating the resolution of complex legal disputes.

He focuses his practice in several key areas:

International Employment and Labor

Juan Carlos is a legal adviser of the United States of America Employer Delegation to the International Labor Organization Conference in Geneva.

On the international front, Juan Carlos provides strategic advice and counsel to multinational employers on a wide range of international employment and compliance matters, including:

• Global workforce (remote workers, independent contractors, expatriates)
• Global mobility programs and expatriate workforces
• The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• Labor obligations under free trade agreements
• Multicountry and international surveys on employment laws and practices
• Global codes of conduct and international policies

Business Restructuring and M&A

He served as leading counsel on the labor and employment component of the global acquisition of one of the largest telecommunication companies in the world. He also served as leading counsel designing and implementing complex company restructuring, country exit plans, and foreign government negotiations, and has advised Fortune 50 corporations in several countries.

A main area of Juan Carlos’s practice is handling labor and employment matters related to complex business transactions, mergers, and acquisitions. Juan Carlos has a deep understanding of transactional law and comprehensive knowledge of relevant corporate, securities, and contract laws. On his transactional practice, Juan Carlos meticulously reviews financial records, contracts, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, litigation history, and other relevant documents to provide clients with a clear picture of the risks and opportunities involved in a transaction. His strong project management skills are key to effectively coordinating with clients, other legal teams, financial advisors, and other stakeholders involved in these transactions.

Contingent Workforce

He provides legal support in contingent workforce-related disputes, including litigation and arbitration proceedings. He was leading counsel on the incorporation and structuring of one of the largest Global Employer of Record agencies.  

Juan Carlos devotes a good portion of his time to contingent workforce matters. He offers legal advice on employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, and temporary staffing arrangements. He interprets labor laws, employment regulations, and relevant statutes to guide clients in developing compliant workforce solutions to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to labor laws and employment regulations. Juan Carlos evaluates and advises on the proper classification of workers as employees or independent contractors based on applicable legal criteria.

Privacy and Data Protection

He served as leading counsel in the creation of a Fortune 10 oil and gas corporation’s global privacy and data protection policy.

Juan Carlos has considerable knowledge of global and domestic data privacy laws and background check regulations and helps ensure clients’ compliance with privacy requirements. He offers authoritative guidance on GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and other relevant data privacy frameworks. Juan Carlos regularly helps clients develop data protection strategies, collaborating with their legal and compliance teams to design and implement tailored and effective solutions. He conducts privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to identify potential risks and ensure data protection compliance. Juan Carlos promotes awareness and understanding of data privacy best practices and provides guidance on the handling of data breach incidents.

Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

His experience includes serving as leading counsel handling complex litigation, enforcing noncompete agreements, and obtaining injunctions in different jurisdictions for a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company.

Juan Carlos advises clients on best practices for protecting trade secrets and confidential information, handles all aspects of trade secrets misappropriation cases, and pursues legal action against parties who unlawfully use or disclose trade secrets. He provides legal guidance on trademarks, copyrights, and patents, and conducts risk assessments. He advises on compliance measures and assists in developing internal policies to prevent unfair competition and protect trade secrets. He advises employers on the implications and enforceability of restrictive covenants, and handles cases involving unfair competition practices, such as misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties, and tortious interference claims.

Whistleblowing, Compliance, and Investigations

He served as leading counsel representing one of the largest cruise corporations of the world dealing with a whistleblower investigation involving sexual harassment allegations in five different jurisdictions.

Juan Carlos advises clients on laws protecting whistleblowers, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), Dodd-Frank Act, and other relevant statutes. He provides legal support and advocacy for employees who have experienced retaliation for reporting misconduct and assists clients in developing and implementing robust compliance programs that align with labor laws, industry standards, and best practices. Conducts compliance audits to identify potential risks and advise on remediation measures. He also leads internal investigations into alleged workplace misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, and ethical violations.