Eduardo Alvarez (LL.M. ’24)
July 16, 2025 – Eduardo Alvarez (LL.M. ’24), a University of Houston Law Center alumnus, has recently been promoted to senior legal and corporate compliance manager at Access World, a large freight-forwarding company that is active in over 30 countries. He oversees legal operations for Access World across the Americas.
Originally from Mexico, Alvarez received his degree in law from the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City Campus. After practicing commercial litigation in Mexico, he started his L.L.M. at UHLC while working as an estate planning paralegal in Conroe and as a shift supervisor at Starbucks. He completed his L.L.M. and passed the Texas Bar exam in 2024.
After becoming a licensed attorney in the U.S., Alvarez shared his progress on LinkedIn, where Access World discovered him.
“Three weeks after passing the Bar, I interviewed with my current boss and the company’s chief legal officer,” said Alvarez, who now lives in the Greater Houston area. “By Friday of that week, I was surprised with an offer; I felt incredibly grateful.”
Alvarez now manages diverse legal operations, including transactional negotiations, litigation strategy and cross-border regulatory compliance. His portfolio covers customs, insurance, and corporate governance across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Colombia.
“Something that helps me a lot in my position is that I’m licensed in both the U.S. and Mexico, so I understand both legal systems,” he said. “Access World appreciated that I could bring my experience from other jurisdictions.”
He credits UHLC for giving him a strong foundation in American law, which helped him succeed as an international attorney. “Going to law school is great, but going to a great law school is even better,” Alvarez said.
“Legal Writing was a class that stood out to me,” he said. “I learned law in a different language and a different system, so I was used to a specific thought process to [reach] a legal conclusion. Legal Writing was a great baseline to understand how to be a successful attorney in the U.S.”
His time at the UH Law Center also helped him build a strong professional network. In his first year of licensure, Alvarez was appointed to serve as a director for the Houston Young Lawyers Association and as the Vice Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the Houston Bar Association.
“That’s another thing I really like about UH, all the doors it has been able to open for me,” Alvarez said.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue to grow in this role and with Access World. “Logistics is everywhere, and it impacts every aspect of our economy,” he said. “In a couple of years, I would like to be a resource for the legal community in Houston, as well as motivate others to come to law school in the U.S., because in the end, it is worth it; your life will change.”
Alvarez thanked his parents, Gloria and Alex, his professors, his friends, and his company for their steadfast support towards his success.
What motivates you in your work now?
EA: I like the challenges of the work. There is always something different to learn, to understand, and to advise on. One day it’s mergers and acquisitions, and the next it's customs-related issues. I love that it’s different every day; it’s never monotonous.
Did you have any professors or courses that helped shape your legal career?
EA: There were a few. Legal Writing was the baseline. There’s a course called Introduction to American Law that all L.L.M. students have to take that highlights all law topics, which was a great introduction. And I would say Professional Responsibility helped me as well.
What inspired you to come to UHLC?
EA: As an international lawyer, I knew it was a great place to go. I knew the diversity [of Houston where the school is located] would enrich the conversations a lot. I also love the building- it encourages you to go to school every day.
What advice do you have for current UHLC students?
EA: Do what you want to do in the field you want to do it in. Sometimes that is in a law firm, but sometimes it can also be in a company like Access World. If you work hard and have good character, then everything will come to you. And learn a lot! I try to learn something new every day.
