Mr Rodrigo Cardoze > Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega > Panama, Panama > Lawyer Profile

A heavyweight in the M&A market, Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega is commended for both the volume and the quality of its transactional work; standout recent highlights include advising on high-profile deals in the financial services sector, and the team has also played a prominent role in M&A in the technology, logistics and food industries. The firm predominantly focuses on cross-border transactions, taking advantage of the strong international backgrounds of its team members (several of whom are qualified in New York and Florida), with a client base that includes multinationals as well as large Panamanian conglomerates. Co-managing partners Ricardo Arango and Rodrigo Cardoze steer the team; the former leads the M&A practice, while the latter heads the firm’s corporate counsel and 360 legal solutions group. The enviably deep bench also includes M&A specialist Andrés Rubinoff; Estif Aparicio, who lends his expertise to finance-related matters; and up-and-coming partners Fernando Arias F and Javier Yap Endara (who were promoted in 2022 and 2023, respectively). International senior associate Donald Canavaggio, international associate Isabella de la Guardia and associate Daniela Delvalle are also key members of the practice. The firm is noted for its commitment to pro bono and CSR, overseen by the Harmodio Arias Madrid committee.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega houses a multidisciplinary real estate team, bringing together specialists in corporate, project finance, environmental, regulatory and tax matters. In particular, the firm is noted for its strong hospitality practice, with a wealth of experience in advising prominent hotel and tourism groups on the development of high-end hotel and resort projects. Its diverse client base also includes major financial institutions, real estate owners and developers, and construction groups. Co-managing partner Rodrigo Cardoze, who has a broad corporate and finance practice, is the primary contact in the team, and jointly leads the hospitality group with Fernando Arias F. Highly experienced of counsel María Carolina Arroyo also lends senior expertise to the team.