Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee | View firm profile
Panama City, 2025 – Forty years ago, Jaime Alemán had a clear vision: to build a law firm that would redefine excellence in the practice of law in Panama. To bring this vision to life, he gathered a team of strategic partners who shared his commitment to integrity, quality, and trust in legal service. Together, they founded Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee (Alcogal), laying the foundation for a firm that would go on to become one of the most prestigious in the country.
What began as a dream has become a benchmark law firm in Panama and the region. Today, with over 200 team members, Alcogal has witnessed and played an active role in the evolution of the country’s business and financial landscape, providing key legal counsel in some of the most significant projects across sectors such as banking, infrastructure, and commerce.
“When I founded Alcogal, my goal was to create a firm that would deliver the highest quality legal services, with a focus on excellence and integrity. I’m proud to see that, after 40 years, we remain a reference point in the legal profession,” said Jaime Alemán, founding partner of Alcogal.
From its earliest days, the firm has upheld a core principle: trust is the foundation of every legal relationship. For Arturo Gerbaud, managing partner at Alcogal, that trust has been central to the firm’s growth: “Over these 40 years, we’ve built a reputation based on the quality of our work and our commitment to our clients. That will continue to guide us in the years ahead.”
40 Years Supporting Panama’s Development
Alcogal’s growth has gone hand in hand with Panama’s economic development. Since the 1990s, the firm has participated in some of the country’s most iconic transactions, helping drive its modernization.
In 1997, Alcogal advised Cable & Wireless on the acquisition of 49% of INTEL’s shares—now Cable & Wireless Panama S.A.—marking a milestone in the privatization of the telecommunications sector. A year later, the firm represented Kansas City Southern Railroad in the privatization of the Panama Railway, facilitating its transformation into a key logistics corridor for global trade. In the port sector, Alcogal advised Evergreen on the concession of a port in Colón, strengthening the country’s maritime infrastructure.
One of the most significant milestones in which Alcogal played a key role was the expansion of the Panama Canal. In 2006, the firm represented Grupo Unidos por el Canal in the USD 3.2 billion contract for the construction of the third set of locks—an undertaking that established Panama as a world-class maritime transit hub.
The financial sector has also been central to Alcogal’s track record. Over the years, the firm has advised—and continues to advise—many of Panama’s leading banks and regional institutions, including Banco General, Banistmo, The Bank of Nova Scotia, BAC, Multibank, Caja de Ahorros, Davivienda, Bancolombia, Citibank, and Global Bank, supporting them in strategic financing and regulatory transactions.
In infrastructure, Alcogal participated in the USD 1.855 billion bond issuance for Tocumen International Airport—the largest in the country’s history—ensuring the expansion of the region’s main air hub. The firm has also been a strategic partner in the development of the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area, advising London & Regional on a project that has surpassed USD 1 billion in investment and continues to attract international companies and talent to Panama.
For Rafael Marquínez, partner at Alcogal, the firm’s role in these milestones underscores its forward-looking commitment: “We’ve stood by our clients during the most important moments in Panama’s economic history, and we remain committed to providing them with the best legal counsel.”
Commitment to the Future
With four decades of experience, Alcogal continues to evolve alongside its clients and prepare for the changes and opportunities that will shape the years to come. The pillars of its legacy remain firmly in place:
✔ A commitment to excellence, delivering top-tier legal services.
✔ A presence in key milestones, advising on projects that have driven Panama’s development.
✔ Talent and vision, investing in the growth and training of its attorneys to continue offering high-impact strategic counsel.
For 40 years, Alcogal has looked toward the future, contributing through expert legal counsel and strategic insight to the growth of key sectors in Panama. Today, the firm continues to look ahead with the same commitment—growing with its clients and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that will define the decades to come.
About Alcogal
Alcogal is a leading law firm in Panama, specializing in corporate, financial, and regulatory law. With a four-decade track record, the firm remains committed to providing outstanding legal counsel to both local and international clients.