Mr Elmer Serrano > Serrano Law > Taguig City, Philippines > Lawyer Profile

Serrano Law
1105 Tower 2 High Street South Corporate Plaza
26th Street Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City 1634
Philippines

Position

Managing Partner

Career

Mr. Elmer “Billy” Serrano’s solid experience and entrepreneurial approach mark his place as a leading legal expert not only in the Philippines but also in the region. The year 2022 marks a milestone in his career as he founded his own firm, SERRANO LAW.

His strong M&A experience spans three decades, having advised and provided strategic advice and solutions on several of the largest and most notable  mergers and acquisitions across a wide range industries, strongest in the financial, banking, shipping and gaming sectors. His practice focuses on projects, debt and equity offerings, acquisitions and joint ventures. His career highlights include an instrumental role in the historic merger that created BDO Unibank, Inc. He now regularly represents BDO and its subsidiaries in all its M&A, capital and debt transactions, notably the largest single peso bond issuance and the biggest equity capital market transaction by a Philippine corporate.

Mr. Serrano has been awarded Asia Best Lawyer by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) for Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, and Mergers & Acquisitions, one of only two exclusively recognized lawyers in the Philippines since 2020.  This comes after being consistently recognized as a Highly Regarded-Leading Lawyer in the same fields by IFLR 1000.

He is also recognized as an elite Leading Individual by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and is named Recommended Lawyer in various fields of practice.

Mr. Serrano was also named Client Choice Award: Philippine Lawyer of the Year (Honorable Mention) in the 2023 asialaw Awards.

Prior to his private legal practice, Mr. Serrano was a senior officer of BDO Unibank, handling investment banking, corporate finance and M&A. He was also an officer of Equitable PCI Bank, Inc.

 

Education

Mr. Serrano holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and a BS Legal Management degree from the same university. He is a Certified Associate Treasury Professional and was among the top graduates of the Trust Institute of the Philippines in 2001.

Lawyer Rankings

Philippines > Intellectual property

Serrano Law‘s group is well-regarded for its capabilities handling the registration, protection and management of trademark and patent portfolios for its roster of clients. A prominent portion of the team’s IP work is done for banking and finance clients, and the team is also equipped to advise clients in industry sectors including media and entertainment, and consumer goods and services. Elmer B. Serrano heads up the offering.

Philippines > Real estate and construction

The group at Serrano Law has broad experience, including advising on the acquisitions of reclamation projects, and assisting with due diligence aspects of real estate investment projects. Finance-related aspects of transactions is a key area of focus for the team and an area of specialism of team lead Elmer B. Serrano. Phil Ivan Chan is noted as a ‘seasoned and experienced’ practitioner by clients.

Philippines > Corporate and M&A

(Leading partners)

Elmer Serrano – Serrano Law

Serrano Law’s ‘dynamic and collaborative’ practice is headed up by Elmer B. Serrano, who has particular expertise advising on M&A for clients in the banking and financial services industry sectors, assisting with acquisitions which involve equity purchases and sales of assets is a frequent feature of the team’s workload. Both Serrano and Phil Ivan Chan are noted for their ‘exemplary performance and outstanding qualities and skills’, while Tephanie Gandia is regarded as ‘very experienced, practical and resourceful’ by clients.

Philippines > Antitrust and competition

The practice at Serrano Law stands out due to its ‘in-depth industry knowledge and creative strategies’. The team is experienced in handling regulatory compliance and  documentation relating to competition issues. Team head Elmer B. Serrano is experienced in advising on significant banking M&A matters, and Phil Ivan Chan is also noted for his experience in handling the competition aspects of transactions.

Philippines > Banking and finance

(Hall of Fame)

Elmer B. Serrano – Serrano Law

The team at Serrano Law is noted for providing sound, creative and meaningful legal solutions’ to clients. The group handles the remit of banking and finance matters, ranging from payment system management, to the finance aspects of high-value M&A, investment plans and capital build-up programs. Experienced practitioner Elmer B. Serrano oversees the practice, and alongside Phil Ivan Chan; both are noted for their ‘exemplary performance and outstanding qualities and skills’. 

Philippines > Capital markets

Serrano Law‘s group is praised by clients for providing ‘sound, creative and meaningful legal solutions’. The team is well-placed to advise on all stages of significant transactions of high-value, from the documentation and compliance aspects, to the closing of deals. Complex bond issuances and securities matters are areas of expertise of Phil Ivan Chan and Tephanie Gandia. Elmer B. Serrano oversees the practice and alongside Chan is highly regarded for his ‘exemplary performance and outstanding qualities’.