Divina Law > Manila, Philippines > Firm Profile
Divina Law Offices
8TH FLOOR. PACIFIC STAR BLDG
SEN GIL PUYAT AVE. COR MAKATI AVE.
MAKATI CITY
Philippines
Divina Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Philippines > Immigration Tier 3
Geared to handle the full array of visa applications, extensions as well as renewals, Divina Law is headed by Floro C. Balato and is often engaged in the filing and defence of deportation cases. Marnelli A. Sales and Janna Mae B. Tecson provide the department with expertise in alien employment permit applications. Anna Katrina T. Singcol is also a key member of the team.Practice head(s):
Floro C. Balato
Other key lawyers:
Marnelli A. Sales; Janna Mae B. Tecson; Anna Katrina T. Singcol; Ma. Ninna Roem A. Bonsol
Testimonials
‘Everyone at the firm from the managing partner right down to the paralegal staff are results focused, highly capable and totally responsive to client needs.’
‘They get things done in an efficient, timely manner and communicate with clients effectively throughout the process. As a client you are always kept up-to-date on the critical matters of importance to you.’
‘The firm is very tech savvy as electronic files are always completely up-to-date and always available during discussions and case updates.’
‘They value effective communication and collaboration.’
‘Floro Balato and Marnelli Sales completely addressed and resolved the issues in a very short turnaround time. Both are consummate professionals, excellent communicators, fully versed in the law and very empathetic to the client.’
‘Floro Balato and Marnelli Sales were always available for updates, and I was always more than satisfied during my interactions with them.’
Key clients
One-Off Asia, Inc.
Maya Philippines, Inc.
Brent International School
Xyrus Hao
Work highlights
- Secured the reversal of an Order to Leave issued by the Bureau of Immigration against a foreign employee of Maya Philippines, Inc.
- Secured a grant of an appeal before the Bureau of Immigration to restore a client’s native-born visa status and the amendment of his nationality.
- Secured the Department of Justice’s approval of the employment of a foreign corporate officer of Maya Bank, Inc.
Philippines > Intellectual property Tier 3
The knowledgeable team at Divina Law is experienced in handling trademark and copyright registration matters, as well as in patent litigation. It also excels in the enforcement and management of said rights. Enrique Dela Cruz heads the practice, which assists in a broad-range of licensing and franchising matters. Other core areas of focus for the team include advising on the registration of numerous kinds of products from food and drink, to medical supplies and cosmetics. Nilo Divina is a name to note.Practice head(s):
Enrique Dela Cruz
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The DLO team is highly organised and efficient. The team is able to consistently delight us in terms of the quality and turn-around time of the output.’
‘The DLO team that we work with are composed of exceptional and highly professional individuals who are extremely responsive, efficient and highly reliable. They are experts in this field which allows a fast response and turnaround time on our requests.’
‘They are brilliant lawyers with outstanding EQs which explains the very pleasant demeanour and patience in answering our questions and explaining areas that we are unfamiliar with.’
Key clients
Maxicare Healthcare Corporation
Blue Oval Trading
Vicente Sotto, III, Marvic Sotto, and Jose Ma. Ramos De Leon
Work highlights
- Advised Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, a health and maintenance organisation in opposing the registration of infringing marks by a third party without litigation.
- Advised and represented hosts of the longest running noontime show in the country in their intellectual property related cases against the producer of the show.
Philippines > Projects and energy Tier 3
Divina Law has significantly expanded with the additions of a number of team members, most notably, Jose Layug and Richie Avigale Ramos-Pilares from Puno & Puno Law Offices in March 2023. It now boasts considerable expertise in the field of renewable energy, extractive energy resources and power. Layug and Ramos-Pilares have worked on a substantial number of renewable energy service contracts for various RE projects, including biomass, ground-mounted solar and floating solar projects. Other areas of expertise include advising on onshore wind and offshore wind technologies.Practice head(s):
Jose Layug; Richie Avigale Ramos-Pilares
Testimonials
‘The team is able to accommodate our needs and requirements with an acceptable turnaround time.’
‘They are pleasant to deal with and approachable.’
‘A large energy practice staffed by highly qualified and skilled lawyers. The management team has had experience at all levels of the industry from public company, senior government bureaucrat and private legal practice. This level of experience is rare in the legal profession.’
‘Jay Layug is an approachable, honest, straight-shooting and highly experienced lawyer of the top-notch. Jay’s advice is always readily available and that advice is always on the money. Jay also has industry and government experience which makes his understanding of all parties involved in transactions unparalleled.’
Key clients
Air Liquide Philippines, Inc.
BISCOM, Inc.
Bluefloat Energy
BVG & Associates
Gas2Grid
Global Wind Energy Council
Gurin Energy
Hacienda Plantations
Ignis Energia
Iligan Light Philippines Inc.
Linde Philippines
Metro Pacific Investment Corporation
MetroSolar Corporation
PetroGreen Energy Corporation
Phinma Solar Corporation
Ratio Petroleum
Victorias Milling Company
Work highlights
- Acting as legal adviser to at least 150 renewable energy projects owned or to be developed by at least 10 clients.
- Acting as counsel to some of the major offshore wind developers in the Philippines.
- Advised several clients in pursuing policy and regulatory reforms in the energy sector.
Philippines > Dispute resolution Tier 4
Enrique Dela Cruz heads an excellent team at Divina Law, which represents clients from the banking and finance, manufacturing and retail sectors. It also frequently works with clients in other sectors such as real estate, oil and gas, healthcare and insurance. The firm has successfully represented clients both in securing arbitration awards and in the enforcement of arbitral awards.Practice head(s):
Enrique Dela Cruz
Other key lawyers:
Rhegine Peralta
Testimonials
‘I cannot say enough about the professionalism and service our foundation has received from Divina Law. Our experience has been top notch from day one.’
‘Atty Rhegine Peralta and a team of four others always came very prepared. Had lots of great suggestions. Briefs were well written. Atty Rheg in particular was a superstar in the way she defended our case orally as well. Calm, cool and always on point. It was truly a pleasure to work with them. I’m happy to say we also won our case!’
‘They patiently explained things to me. At the same time they were very proactive too.‘
Key clients
Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Inc.
Vivotel Corporation
Work highlights
- Defended the client in an unjust attempt of its counterparty to enforce a long-expired contract after almost four years from the extended closing date as per the memorandum of agreement and extension agreement and execute a deed of absolute sale on a PhP 750m property.
- Prosecuting the claim of the client based on a design and construction agreement to design and construct a 33-storey building with a contract price of PhP 2,887,771,000 in a commercial district in Metro Manila.
- Regularly leads and conducts trainings and webinars on legal matters, including the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the Philippines. In 2022, the firm was accredited as an Alternative Dispute Resolution organisation of the Department of Justice-Office of the Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Philippines > Banking and finance
Philippines > Corporate and M&A
Divina Law > Firm Profile
The firm:
For 18 years, DivinaLaw has championed dynamic lawyering—becoming an institution recognized by its peers, respected by its competition, and cherished and relied upon by its clients. It is a full-service law firm in the Philippines that provides prompt, proactive, and results-oriented service to ensure client satisfaction.
The Firm offers depth and range in experience and resources while fostering a professional and collaborative work ethic.
Litigation, Corporate & Special Projects, Labor, Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution, Energy, Tax & Estate Planning, Intellectual Property, Immigration & Naturalization, E-Commerce & Technology, Risk & Crisis Management, and Legal Education, Legislative Advocacy & Policy Reform are the Firm’s 11 major practice areas.
As a testament to its unparalleled commitment to legal excellence, the Firm has consistently been recognized as a leading law firm in the Philippines. The Asia Business Law Journal has named DivinaLaw as an award-winning firm in the categories of Banking and Finance (2019, 2020, 2021), Corporate and Commercial (2019, 2020, 2023), Litigation (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), Private Equity and Venture Capital (2019, 2020), Restructuring and Insolvency (2019, 2021, 2022), Data Compliance and Cybersecurity (2022, 2023) and Insurance and Reinsurance (2022).
DivinaLaw has won as Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year (2023), Fintech Law Firm of the Year (2023), Arbitration Law Firm of the Year (2022), Data Privacy and Protection Law Firm of the Year (2022), Immigration Law Firm of the Year (2018), and Labor and Employment Law Firm of the Year (2016) in the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Philippine Law Awards.
Atty. Nilo T. Divina was conferred the Stevie Gold Award for (Legal) Executive of the Year (2022) in the International Business Awards and the Managing Partner of the Year (2021) award in the ALB Philippine Law Awards for his visionary leadership and indubitable contribution to the legal profession.
Likewise, the Firm is ranked among the best in the region, having been honored as finalist for the SE Asia Law Firm of the Year category of ALB Southeast Asia Law Awards (2018, 2019). The Firm was also a finalist for Matrimonial and Family Law Firm of the Year (2023), Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year (2019), and Regional Litigation Law Firm of the Year (2017, 2018, 2019).
To further strengthen the Firm’s corporate, commercial, and arbitration-related services, the Firm has maintained a strong partnership with 13 local law firms in key locations throughout the Philippines.
DivinaLaw is the sole Philippine member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), a top-rated international association of over 100 independent law firms from more than 50 countries. It is also the sole Philippine member of Legalink, a leading international association of independent law firms.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate and civil litigation | Alden Francis C Gonzalez | ||
| Labour and employment | Alden Francis C Gonzales | ||
| Tax and estate planning | Roberto L Tan | ||
| M&A | Danny E Bunyi | ||
| Alternative dispute resolution and arbitration | Enrique V dela Cruz | ||
| Banking and finance | Danny E Bunyi | ||
| General corporate services and special projects | Danny E Bunyi | ||
| Family law | Isaiah O Asuncion III | ||
| Local government, election and administrative law | Enrique V dela Cruz | ||
| Corporate rehabilitation and insolvency | Nilo T Divina | ||
| Foreign investment | Roberto L Tan | ||
| Foreign investment | Danny E Bunyi | ||
| Energy | Jose M. Layug, Jr. | ||
| Energy | Richie Avigale A. Ramos-Pilares | ||
| Immigration and naturalisation | Floro C Balato Jr |