International environmental lawyer with over 12 years experience drafting documents, leading conservation campaigns, working with government officers, private sector and ngos. Native in Spanish, fluent in English, and with an intermediate level in Portuguese.

Marco Garcia Leon

International environmental lawyer with over 12 years experience drafting documents, leading conservation campaigns, working with government officers, private sector and ngos. Native in Spanish, fluent in English, and with an intermediate level in Portuguese.

Available to hire

International environmental lawyer with over 12 years experience drafting documents, leading conservation campaigns, working with government officers, private sector and ngos. Native in Spanish, fluent in English, and with an intermediate level in Portuguese.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Portuguese
Intermediate
Dutch
Intermediate

Work Experience

Senior Consultant at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
April 1, 2025 - Present
Researched and wrote a detailed chapter covering illegal discharges at sea, plastic pollution, and shipbreaking for the 2024 Global Analysis of Crimes Against the Environment report, supporting UNODC's environmental crime prevention activities.
Senior Consultant at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
April 1, 2025 - September 4, 2025
Conducted research and drafted gap analyses of the international legal framework to combat environmental crimes related to wildlife, waste, pollution, minerals, forests, and fisheries. Contributed to the potential development of a fourth protocol under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Authored a comprehensive chapter on criminal marine pollution as part of the 2024 Global Analysis of Crimes Against the Environment.
Senior Consultant at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
April 1, 2025 - Present
Conducted research and drafted a gap analysis of the international legal framework to combat environmental crimes related to wildlife, waste, pollution, minerals, forests, and fisheries, focusing on the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and a potential fourth protocol. Also engaged in composing a comprehensive chapter on criminal marine pollution for the 2024 Global Analysis of Crimes Against the Environment report, covering illegal discharges at sea, plastic pollution, and shipbreaking.
Senior Consultant at UNODC, Vienna, Austria
April 1, 2025 - Present
Researched and drafted a gap analysis of the international legal framework relevant to combating environmental crimes focusing on wildlife, waste, pollution, minerals, forests, and fisheries. Contributed to the potential development of a fourth protocol to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
Senior Consultant at UNODC, Vienna, Austria
March 31, 2024 - September 4, 2025
Conducted research and authored a comprehensive chapter on Criminal Marine Pollution for the 2024 Global Analysis of Crimes Against the Environment. Topics included illegal discharges at sea, plastic pollution, and shipbreaking.
Senior Consultant at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
March 1, 2024 - September 4, 2025
Researched and composed a detailed chapter on Criminal Marine Pollution including issues such as illegal discharges at sea, plastic pollution, and shipbreaking for the 2024 Global Analysis of Crimes Against the Environment by UNODC.
Staff Attorney at Sea Shepherd Legal
December 31, 2022 - September 4, 2025
Managed partnerships and provided legal advice to Latin American government bodies on ocean governance and international environmental law. Developed capacity-building for environmental prosecutors and identified legal gaps in national legislation. Led seminars on international environmental law and marine wildlife conservation.
Staff Attorney at Sea Shepherd Legal, USA
December 31, 2022 - September 4, 2025
Supervised partnerships with Latin American government officials and NGOs. Developed capacity-building trainings for environmental public prosecutors on international legal instruments enforcing ocean governance. Supported investigations and court cases regarding illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Identified gaps and advised improvements in national legislation. Conducted seminars and lectures related to ocean governance and marine wildlife conservation.
Staff Attorney at Sea Shepherd Legal
December 1, 2022 - September 4, 2025
Supervised partnerships with Latin American governmental bodies and NGOs. Developed and delivered capacity-building trainings for environmental public prosecutors on international legal instruments and enforcement related to ocean governance. Supported prosecutors in integrating international environmental law into domestic investigations, identified legal gaps, advised on legislative improvements, maintained an environmental legal database, and conducted seminars and lectures on international environmental law and ocean policy.
Director of International Relations at Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
January 1, 2022 - Present
Led partnerships and collaborations between Sea Shepherd and Latin American governments, NGOs, and private sectors for ocean conservation. Supervised agreements execution and advised the Board on communication strategies. Maintained updated records of environmental, social, political, and economic situations in Latin America, and developed a legal database on environmental governance.
Director of International Relations at Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
January 1, 2022 - Present
Established and led partnerships between Sea Shepherd and Latin American government bodies, NGOs, private organizations, and the public for ocean conservation. Supervised execution of partnership agreements and advised the Board on communication and cooperation strategies. Maintained weekly and monthly reports on environmental, social, political, and economic situations in Latin America and managed a legal database with national and international environment-related legislation and policies.
Director of International Relations at Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, USA
January 1, 2022 - Present
Established, led, and supervised partnerships between Sea Shepherd and Latin American governmental bodies, NGOs, and private organizations. Advised the board on communication, negotiation, and cooperation strategies. Maintained records and provided reports on environmental, social, political, and economic situations relevant to ocean governance. Developed and updated a database of national and international legislation and agreements related to environment, wildlife, and ocean governance.
Senior Legal Associate at IA Group, The Netherlands
June 30, 2020 - September 4, 2025
Conducted investigations on contractual disputes arising from international commercial transactions for private and state-owned credit insurance companies. Provided mediation and advised on conflict resolution methods. Maintained a legal database covering multiple branches of law.
Senior Legal Associate at IA Group
June 1, 2020 - September 4, 2025
Investigated contractual disputes for private and state-owned credit insurers across multiple countries. Mediated commercial disputes with a multicultural and commercial approach and advised on conflict resolution alternatives and judicial channels.
Senior Legal Associate at IA Group
June 1, 2020 - September 4, 2025
Conducted investigations on contractual disputes from international commercial transactions for private and state-owned credit insurance companies. Mediated between parties in international disputes, advised on alternative dispute resolution, judicial avenues, and maintained a legal database covering various legal fields including environmental law.
Environmental Lawyer at Comercializadora Cutec, Ltda., Chile
June 30, 2014 - September 4, 2025
Advised on agreements and partnerships with local and international clients. Drafted contracts and negotiated partnership agreements.
Environmental Lawyer at Comercializadora Cutec, Ltda.
June 1, 2014 - September 4, 2025
Provided legal advice on agreements and negotiated partnership contracts with local and international clients.
Environmental Lawyer at Comercializadora Cutec, Ltda.
June 1, 2014 - September 4, 2025
Advised on agreements and partnerships with local and international clients, drafted contracts, and negotiated partnership agreements.
Environmental Consultant at POCH Ambiental, Ltda., Chile
July 31, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Researched, analyzed, and provided advice to improve environmental impact assessments for agricultural, energy, salmon farming, and livestock industry projects.
Environmental Consultant at POCH Ambiental, Ltda.
July 1, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Researched, analyzed, and advised on improvements to environmental impact assessments for projects in agriculture, energy, salmon farming, and livestock industries.
Environmental Consultant at POCH Ambiental, Ltda.
July 1, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Researched, documented, analyzed and advised on improvements to environmental impact assessments submitted by companies in agricultural, energy, salmon farming, and livestock industry projects.

Education

Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences at Universidad Diego Portales
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2011
Lawyer at Supreme Court of Justice of Chile
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences at Universidad Diego Portales
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2011
Lawyer at Supreme Court of Justice of Chile
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Bachelor in Legal and Social Sciences at Universidad Diego Portales
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2011
Lawyer at Supreme Court of Justice of Chile
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Lawyer - Issued by Supreme Court of Justice of Chile
January 1, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Certificate - InforMEA
April 1, 2024 - September 4, 2025
Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy Completion Certificate
July 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
Introductory Course to the International Legal Framework on Marine Biodiversity - United Nations InforMEA
February 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
One Planet – One Ocean Course - UNESCO
January 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
Derecho Marítimo, del Mar y del Ambiente Course - Fundación Expoterra
June 1, 2021 - September 4, 2025
Lawyer Licensed by Supreme Court of Justice of Chile
January 1, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Certificate
April 1, 2024 - September 4, 2025
Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy Certificate
July 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
Introductory Course to the International Legal Framework on Marine Biodiversity Certificate
February 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
"One Planet – One Ocean" Course Certificate
January 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
"Derecho Marítimo, del Mar y del Ambiente" Course Certificate
June 1, 2021 - September 4, 2025
Lawyer
January 1, 2012 - September 4, 2025
Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
April 1, 2024 - September 4, 2025
Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy
July 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
Introductory Course to the International Legal Framework on Marine Biodiversity
February 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
One Planet – One Ocean Course
January 1, 2023 - September 4, 2025
Derecho Marítimo, del Mar y del Ambiente
June 1, 2021 - September 4, 2025

Industry Experience

Government, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Professional Services, Energy & Utilities