The Legal 500

Within Aviation, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a second tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s banking head Mia Gentugaya has an active aviation practice, which largely focuses on financing transactions, M&A and leasing matters. Highlights included advising the US Export Import Bank on financing for Philippine Airlines’ purchase of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Within Banking and finance, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan first-class banking team saw a great deal of acquisition and project finance activity. It represented Standard Chartered Bank on financing for SMC Holdings’ stake acquisition in the South Luzon Expressway. It also advised the lenders, which included Banco de Oro Unibank, on a PhP9bn syndicated loan to finance the construction of a 135MW coal-fired power plant in Calaca. Mia Gentugaya heads the excellent six-partner team.

Within Capital markets, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan has recently been active on numerous debt and equity capital market deals. A major highlight was advising Citigroup Global Markets and HSBC as joint lead managers on the $200m bond issue by Royal Capital. Mia Gentugaya leads the team, which includes the highly experienced Philbert Varona.

Within Corporate and M&A, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

A clear highlight for SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s top-notch corporate team was representing PLDT on its controlling stake acquisition in Digitel in a landmark share swap deal worth $1.6bn. Andres Sta Maria heads the team, which includes the highly rated Rafael Morales.

Within Dispute resolution, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a second tier firm,

Ricardo Ongkiko heads the quality disputes team at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, which is experienced in domestic litigation and international arbitration work. It recently advised two foreign mining companies on major disputes involving alleged environmental damage claims. The firm’s diverse client base includes Barrick Gold, Del Monte International, Bank of America, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Colgate-Palmolive.

Within Dispute resolution Cebu, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s Alan Fontanosa is a highly experienced local litigator. The firm recently advised a mining company on a significant tax dispute. Thaddeus Alvizo is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution Davao, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s Davao office has a very active disputes practice that acts for both local and foreign clients, including Filipinas Palmoil Plantations, Holcim and Delta Airlines. The firm recently represented Dole Philippines in a dispute against local banana growers regarding a contract breach for selling to third parties. Dominador Maphilindo Carrillo leads the team.

Within Employment, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a second tier firm,

Lozano Tan leads the employment team at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, which provides very strong support to the firm’s market-leading corporate transactional practice. It is recommended for both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Within Immigration, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s highly experienced immigration practice is a core part of the firm’s wider employment group. Team leader Rodelle Bolante has a very good track record. It has extensive experience in all corporate sector immigration issues and also handles procedural matters, including deportation cases.

Within Intellectual property, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan has one of the largest practices in the market and is well versed in all areas of IP rights protection, licensing and enforcement. The firm recently advised Abbot Laboratories, Burberry and Domino’s Pizza on franchising, licensing and distribution agreements. Other major clients include Pfizer, 3M Company, Rolex and Gap. Enrique Manuel leads the highly regarded team.

Within Law firms in Cebu, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

Alan Fontanosa heads SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s Cebu office, which provides a full service offering to domestic and international clients, many of which are from the mining sector. Thaddeus Alvizo is well regarded.

Within Law firms in Davao, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

Headed by Dominador Maphilindo Carrillo, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s Davao office provides the full range of services to locally-based clients, such as Dole Philippines, Filipinas Palmol Plantations, Holcim, Delta Airlines and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum.

Within Projects and energy, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s special projects group focuses on major transactional matters and large-scale projects. It is instructed by an impressive range of energy and mining sector clients, which includes BHP Billiton and Anglo American Exploration. Recent highlights included advising Gold Fields on investing into Asean Copper Investments, which owns a sizeable interest in the Mankayan gold project. Hector de Leon is very well regarded.

Within Real estate and construction, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

Emmanuel Paras heads the very experienced five-partner team at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan. Highlights included advising Kingdom Hotel Investment on a mixed-use hotel and residential housing project. The firm also advised Pacific Ores Metals & Chemicals on regulatory issues regarding a proposed large-scale land acquisition.

Within Shipping, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a third tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan regularly acts for clients on leasing charters as well as insurance-related issues. It recently represented KfW IPEX-Bank on financing the construction of vessels by Hanjin Heavy Industries. Domingo Castillo heads the team.

Within TMT, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a first tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan acts for an impressive mix of BPO, telecoms and media sector clients, including the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Sprint, Newsweek, NBC and JPMorgan Philippine Call Centre. The firm recently advised Universal Pictures on issues relating to The Bourne Legacy movie, which was partly filmed in the Philippines. Rose Marie King-Dominguez has extensive experience in TMT sector matters, while Maria Teresa Mercado-Ferrer is noted for her BPO industry practice.

Within Tax, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a second tier firm,

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan advises on the full range of tax matters, including corporate restructuring and litigation. Recent highlights included successfully representing Lascona Land Co before the Supreme Court. Rolando Medalla Jr heads the team.