Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) > Manila, Philippines > Firm Profile

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) > The Legal 500 Rankings

Philippines > Banking and finance Tier 1

Led by Judy Hao, the team at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a solid reputation for its advice to many banking clients on a variety of regulatory and compliance matters. It is well-regarded for its work on preparing loan, financing and security agreements as well as other debt instruments (such as advising on the issuance of notes). The group is also skilled in helping both local and foreign borrowers and lenders. Andre Navato is another key figure, who advises both borrowers and lenders on loan agreements and security documents.

Philippines > Capital markets Tier 1

The dynamic team at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) frequently acts for high-profile clients on their initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, bond offerings and back-door listings. With Judy Hao at the helm, it is equally skilled at advising on stock rights offerings as well as dollar denominated equity and debt offerings. The firm is also sought out for its expertise in the securities aspects of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Everlene Lee specialises in securities and capital markets work, while Francisco Lim, who is now a senior legal counsel, is a well-respected figure in the market having previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Philippines > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a strong national presence, with offices in Manila and Davao City. It has developed considerable expertise in structuring foreign equity investments in nationalised industries and remains a firm of choice for large-scale M&As and due diligence. Based in Manila, practice leader Judy Hao is recommended for her work on a broad array of business transactions and the establishment of branch offices, while Andre Navato has experience advising on the acquisition of power generation facilities in the Philippines. Everlene Lee is another key member of the group, who covers corporate, securities and capital markets transactions. Myra Montecalvo-Quilatan and Jessa Wong-Cantano oversee the practice in Davao City.

Philippines > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a strong national presence and is sought after for its expertise in handling all forms of litigation and dispute resolution, with capability in commercial and construction arbitration. Key figures in the team include special legal counsel Victor Lazatin, along with Patricia-Ann Prodigalidad, Oliver Pantaleon and Arnold Corporal. The group has a track record handling a broad range of disputes, from criminal, environmental and family cases to securities litigation, mass tort and negligence actions, in addition to commercial and banking litigation. Leland Villadolid is noted for his expertise in telecoms and technology disputes, while Jose Martin Tensuan focuses on large-scale infrastructure cases. Other key contacts in the group include Myra Montecalvo-Quilatan and Patricia Tysmans-Clemente.

Philippines > Immigration Tier 1

Maria Khristina Garcia-Angel leads an outstanding team at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw). It is noted for its expertise across a wide range of immigration and citizenship matters, in addition to outbound employment procedures for Filipino nationals. The dedicated practice is sought after by foreign embassies, government institutions, local conglomerates and other entities, including international banks and hotel chains, to handle a host of issues relating to visas, work permits and other immigration mandates. The practice also has demonstrable experience advising foreign nationals who have been excluded from the country, as well as defending clients facing deportation charges. Napoleon Gonzales is another key contact in the team.

Philippines > Labour and employment Tier 1

With offices in Davao City and Manila, the national practice at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) counts domestic companies and multinational corporations among its key roster of clients. The team receives a steady flow of instructions from international law firms on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters. The Manila-based team is jointly led by senior partner Clarence Darrow Valdecantos and Neptali Salvanera, who advises on labour litigation, in addition to manpower reduction programmes and the labour aspects of M&As. Joy Anne Leong-Pambid handles matters concerning the termination of employment and successor-employer issues arising from the implementation of M&As, while Erwin Jay V. Filio handles labour-related criminal litigation cases. Myra Montecalvo-Quilatan and Jessa Wong-Cantano spearhead practice in Davao City. Other key contacts in the team include of counsel Emerico De Guzman and senior associate Franchesca Abigail Gesmundo.

Philippines > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Philippines > Tax Tier 1

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a diverse practice that advises on a wide array of taxation issues from advising on estate planning and tax compliance audits to claims for refunds, anti-dumping law and tax appeals. The team frequently advises conglomerates and multinational corporations as well as other entities such as listed companies and financial institutions alongside high-net-worth individuals. Among its experienced tax practitioners is Ruby Rose J Yusi, who often represents clients before administrative agencies, local taxing authorities and tax courts. Eric R Recalde is skilled across a broad spectrum of issues – he particularly excels at providing tax planning and structuring advice. Jacqueline Ann Tan also plays a pivotal role in the tax department along with Oliver L Pantaleon.

Philippines > Intellectual property Tier 2

With demonstrable experience acting for national and international clients on the contentious and non-contentious aspects of IP protection matters, Victor De Leon and Richmond Lee are at the helm of Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw)’s IP practice. The first-rate team is well-equipped to advise on a broad range of mandates, from licensing and franchising to IPR enforcement, civil remedies and opposition proceedings. Alex Ferdinand S. Fider acts for clients across the pharmaceutical, broadcasting, sportswear and cosmetic sectors on the protection and enforcement of IP rights in the Philippines.

Philippines > Projects and energy Tier 3