Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) > Manila, Philippines > Firm Profile

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) > The Legal 500 Rankings

Philippines > Projects and energy Tier 1

Aris Gulapa at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) has a vast array of experience in public-private partnerships, and Charmaine Rose Haw-Lim has considerable expertise in the energy sector, particularly renewable energy projects; she also handles projects involving toll roads and is skilled at advising government-owned and controlled corporations on the procurement of power. The team has also been notably active in advising various multi-lateral financial institutions and private bidders on numerous PPPs involving infrastructure elements (particularly rail assets, IT infrastructure and airports) and several healthcare projects. Teodulo San Juan, Jr. has also been involved in some renewable energy projects.

Philippines > Antitrust and competition Tier 2

Head of practice Aris Gulapa at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) has a wealth of experience in competition and antitrust law enforcement issues across numerous jurisdictions with notable expertise advising on merger control issues in PPPs. The group frequently advises financial institutions, government agencies and private companies on obtaining clearances for major projects under the PCC, in addition to other compliance matters pertaining to antitrust and competition laws, rules and regulations. Junior associate Theodore S. Ballesteros is another key member of the team.

Philippines > Intellectual property Tier 2

Led by Oliver Baclay, the IP team at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) has notable expertise in the pharmaceutical sector and regularly assists foreign clients on trademark registrations, both locally and internationally. The practice is also skilled in handling patent portfolios for foreign clients, in addition to trademark infringement and unfair competition cases. Baclay advises on disputes concerning patent, copyright and trademark infringements, and associate Maria Isabelle Poblete is another key figure in the team.

Philippines > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Aris Gulapa and Jose Maria Angel Machuca jointly lead the department at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law), which focuses on the construction aspects of renewable energy and water projects, with demonstrable experience advising on large-scale infrastructure projects. The group assists developers of reclamation projects in drafting FIDIC contracts, while acting for multilateral financial institutions and private bidders on PPPs.

Philippines > Banking and finance Tier 3

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) has a diverse banking practice that is increasingly advising on cross-border security agreements as well as advising clients in the digital banking sector. It is also skilled at handling the financing aspects of public-private partnerships and project financing matters (especially those involving infrastructure financing). Aris Gulapa and Jose Maria Angel Machuca co-head the practice.

Philippines > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

With Aris Gulapa and Melissa Ester Chavez-Dee at the helm, Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)’s practice focuses on share and asset acquisitions of public utilities, with demonstrable experience advising mergers in the insurance sector and assisting clients in the establishment of new corporate vehicles. Gulapa has recently advised various multinational clients on cross-border share and asset acquisitions, while Chavez-Dee covers a wide range of corporate and commercial matters.

Philippines > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Led by Oscar Carlo Cajucom, the team at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) is well-placed to advise on infrastructure litigation cases, in addition to commercial and construction arbitrations. Recent highlights include assisting government-owned corporations and private companies in government procurement litigation. Other key areas of expertise include advising on cyber libel cases, illegal dismissal issues and matters concerning unauthorised use of LPG cylinders.

Philippines > Immigration Tier 3

Al-Shwaid Ismael and Phillip Don Recentes lead the practice at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) and act for foreign national employees and consultants on immigration compliance matters. Other key areas of expertise include advising on the procedures for alien employment permits and exemptions, in addition to issues surrounding inbound international travel restrictions and entry exemption documentation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippines > Labour and employment Tier 3

Under the leadership of Oscar Carlo Cajucom, the team at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) advises on novel matters, including gender discrimination and fraudulent labour cases. The team has been kept busy advising clients on various employment options during the Covid-19 pandemic. Senior associate Phillip Don Recentes is another key member of the practice.

Philippines > Tax Tier 3

Under the leadership of Al-Shwaid Ismael, the group at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) is well-placed to advise clients on various tax and compliance matters as well as handling clients’ tax cases with the tax authorities. It is also skilled at advising on applications for relief and at resolving tax assessments. At associate level, Marcley Augustus D. Natu-el is well-regarded.

Philippines > TMT Tier 3

The team at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) has been notably active advising various public and private clients on the establishment, development and operation of smart cities and the provision of e-government services. Other areas of expertise include assisting web platform and mobile app developers with various matters including drafting e-commerce agreements and advising on technology transfer agreements. Aris Gulapa leads the department, which also fields Dan Kevin Mandocdoc.