José Luis Siqueiros (1924 – 2020)
ICCA is deeply saddened to announce the passing of ICCA Advisory Board Member José Luis Siqueiros on 22 March 2020 at the age of 95, surrounded by family in a calm and peaceful environment. Remembered as the quintessential gentleman of arbitration, Mr. Siqueiros was recognised internationally for his extensive career and the kindness he showed to everybody he crossed paths with.
A passionate arbitrator, Mr. Siqueiros was among the first generation of arbitration advocates in Mexico and is frequently referred to as one of the founders of Mexican arbitration. After completing his L.L.M. at Harvard Law School, Mr. Siqueiros returned to Mexico in 1948 to found Barrera, Siqueiros y Torres Landa, the firm he would lead as Partner until his retirement in the early 1990s. Throughout his time at Barrera, Siqueiros y Torres Landa, Mr. Siqueiros was an active participant in international arbitration community inivitiatives. ICCA Members will remember him as a dedicated and discerning member of the ICCA Council and the ICCA Advisory Board; his varied career also included service in a number of local and international organizations.
As both an individual member and in leadership positions, Mr. Siqueiros played an instrumental role in the International Law Assocation’s Mexican Section (President); the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (President); the Mexican Academy of Private International Law (President and Chair Emeritus); the Mexican Arbiration Committee of the ICC; the Mexican Bar (President) and its journal El Foro (Editor-in-Chief); the Inter-American Bar Association (founding member and President); the Private International Law Conference at The Hague; and the Inter-American Judicial Committee of the OAS (President). A prolific author in the fields of private international law, trade and arbitration, Mr. Siqueiros’ works were published around the world.
His relentless commitment to the use and promotion of international arbitration, combined with his academic career and reputation as an international public speaker, led him to become one of the most highly-regarded arbitrators of his time. In 2009, prior to assuming the position of Dean of the Mexican Bar, Mr. Siqueiros was awarded Mexico’s National Jurisprudence Award – the highest honor bestowed on a jurist by the Mexican Bar – for his significant contributions to the legal field.
Aside from being a tireless author, speaker, panelist, professor and arbitrator, Mr. Siqueiros will be most remembered as a kind and gentle friend and a loyal team member. We hope that you will join the Siqueiros family in celebrating José Luis’ remarkable life and accomplishments.