‘With an exceptional level of technical legal knowledge’, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee is highly regarded for its expertise in complex civil and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes in the banking, insurance, telecoms and construction industries. The firm, which is rated for its ‘vast knowledge of judicial processes‘, also has an active arbitration practice which encompasses high-profile international commercial and investment treaty cases. Jorge Federico Lee, who is renowned for labour disputes, jointly oversees the team with Alejandro Ferrer, who recently returned to the firm after serving as Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other names to note include Eduardo Gómez, who stands out for international arbitration and construction and commercial litigation, and Jaime Castillo, a specialist in tax and antitrust litigation. Partners receive key support from a strong team of associates, which includes Anel Roach, Arcelio Vega and Doris Nieto.

Galindo, Arias & López has extensive experience in high-profile litigation before Panama’s Supreme Court, as well as in international arbitration and cross-border disputes relating to the enforcement of arbitral awards. Key areas of expertise for the team include contentious-administrative litigation, cases against the Panamanian government and disputes in the energy sector. At the helm of the practice, Diego De La Guardia ‘stands out for his close relationships with clients, his experience and the quality of his work'. He is highly regarded for disputes in the telecoms, energy, construction and public utilities sectors, while fellow co-head Selva Quintero has significant experience in complex public administrative litigation. Also part of the core team, of counsel Adán Arjona is noted for corporate-related disputes and associate Jeimy Lasso is highlighted for labour and IP cases.

Morgan & Morgan's 'well-rounded' dispute resolution practice is highly active in civil and commercial litigation, and fields equal strength in domestic and international arbitration, including investment treaty cases. The department has a strong reputation for arbitrations relating to construction contracts and insolvency litigation, where practice co-head Jose Carrizo has particular expertise. Fellow co-leader Luis Vallarino is experienced in disputes involving government contracts and regulated sectors. Omar Rodriguez leads the criminal law team, with a focus on white-collar crime and fraud cases, while Mayte Sánchez González, who was promoted to partner in December 2021, heads the arbitration practice. Key contacts at associate level include Analissa Carles, Orlando Tejeira and Alejandro Chevalier, the latter of whom joined from Akerman LLP in Miami in June 2021 and focuses on international litigation and arbitration.

Fielding extensive experience of representing clients at all levels of the judicial system, Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega offers advice to clients involved in civil and commercial, administrative, labour, IP, shipping and tax litigation. The team is also skilled in local and international arbitration, demonstrating particular strength in the construction, public utilities, energy and transportation sectors. Civil, commercial, tax and administrative litigator Fernando Arias jointly manages the team with Claudio De Castro, an expert in representing foreign clients in contentious matters in Panama. Of counsel Octavio Amat, Juan Fernando Corro and international associate Isabella de la Guardia, who joined the firm from Baker McKenzie LLP‘s Miami office in July 2022, are also recommended.

Lovill‘s dispute resolution practice specialises in complex international cases, and stands out for its track record of representing sovereign states and state-owned enterprises in contentious matters. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team has been particularly active in cross-border asset recovery and insolvency cases. Key sectors of expertise include infrastructure and construction, banking, energy, logistics, telecoms and real estate. Practice head Isabel Cristina López has longstanding experience in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration (acting as both arbitrator and counsel in proceedings). She is particularly well placed to assist clients from the construction, logistics and banking sectors. Associate Christopher Glasscock is also highlighted for international cases.

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez is particularly experienced in handling domestic litigation on behalf of a diverse client base that features a number of well-known multinationals. Civil and commercial disputes are at the core of the department, which also fields strong credentials in arbitration proceedings before the Conciliation and Arbitration Centre of Panama, standing out for its expertise in matters relating to construction issues and commercial contracts. Alfredo Ramírez Jr, who has combined experience in corporate law, finance and contentious matters, leads the practice alongside Katherine Aparicio, a name to note for civil, commercial, corporate and financial litigation, as well as arbitration. Civil, commercial and probate disputes are core areas of focus for associate Joelis Arauz.

Offering representation to clients in a wide range of dispute resolution matters, spanning civil, commercial, IP, competition, banking and securities, and employment litigation, Fabrega Molino is sought after by multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals engaged in disputes throughout Latin America. Practice co-head Jorge Molina, a go-to lawyer for HNWI and family offices, is highly experienced in commercial, banking and insurance litigation. Fellow co-head Juan Pablo Fábrega leads the arbitration side of the practice and has niche expertise in proceedings involving sports law. Miguel Urriola, head of the labour department, focuses on employment tribunal cases.

Noted for its ‘in-depth knowledge‘ of civil, commercial, administrative and maritime litigation, Patton, Moreno & Asvat the team has significant experience in cross-border proceedings. Arbitration is another area of focus for the team, which benefits from its close relationship with the firm’s London office. Typical instructions also include shareholders’ disputes involving Panamanian companies and cross-border probate cases. Dispute resolution ‘expert’ Khatiya Asvat specialises in shipping litigation. She spearheads the practice which also features associates Joaquín De Obarrio, who frequently represents shipping companies, owners, financial institutions and P&I clubs in maritime cases, and Maximiliano Quintero.

Highly regarded for its IP expertise, Cedeño & Méndez has continued to develop its dispute resolution practice focused on administrative, civil and criminal law. The 'diligent and knowledgeable' team has recently reported an uptick in mandates related to debt recovery cases and breach of contract disputes, particularly in the construction and real estate sectors. The team also has experience in domestic arbitration. 'Outstanding' director Ricardo Arosemena, who has represented clients before the civil, criminal and maritime courts of Panama, is rated for his 'legal knowledge and negotiation skills'.

SB&Co. Legal offers representation to domestic and international clients in corporate, labour, administrative, civil, banking and IP-related litigation. Debt collection and breach of contract cases also feature on the caseload. Founding partner Franklin Briceño Salazar maintains a broad litigation practice, covering corporate, labour, commercial and administrative disputes, while senior associate Francisco Perdomo Sandoval advises on IP, labour and banking cases.