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

Philippines > Antitrust and competition Tier 2

Established in 2015, Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) provides competition law-related advice to a variety of clients, including financial institutions, government agencies, and private companies. Key areas of service include obtaining clearance under the PCC for  documentation, mergers and exemptions. The team also assists with competition audits. Founding partner Aris Gulapa has extensive experience of working in multiple jurisdictions - his work in competition and antitrust covers a wide range of sectors, with a particular focus on merger control in public-private partnerships. Junior associate Theodore S. Ballesteros advises multinational companies on compliance and the impacts of the Philippines Competition Act.

Philippines > Projects and energy Tier 2

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) advises domestic and international energy companies on major energy and infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on private-public partnership projects. The firm advised the Asian Development Bank on the project structure and bidding documentation of a novel project, the Metro Manila Subway, the first subway system in the Philippines. The firm is known for providing ‘innovative’ solutions to complex issues in energy projects. Practice heads Aris Gulapa, Angel Machuca , and Charmaine Rose Haw-Lim are recognised for their ‘creativity’ when advising on pathfinder projects.

Philippines > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Drawing on its expertise in projects, Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) frequently handles the real estate aspects of projects. The firm is currently advising SM Prime Holdings on the reclamation of 360 hectares of land in Manila Bay, liaising with and engaging foreign contractors. Practice head Aris Gulapa takes the lead on complex matters. Jose Maria Angel Machuca was promoted to partner in January 2019 and is closely working with Aris Gulapa on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport PPP Project.

Philippines > Intellectual property Tier 3

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) handles trademark and patent registrations, as well as disputes arising from patent, copyright and trademark infringement, led by practice head Oliver Baclay. The firm is adept at handling complex cross-border work, namely assisting Frontiir in the national phase entry of two inventions under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty in eleven jurisdictions in Asia. The team is known to be ‘accessible’ and displays 'great knowledge’ of clients’ industries.

Philippines > TMT Tier 3

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) is best known for its work advising mobile app and web platform developers such as Zomato Media. The firm also advises public and private clients on the establishment, development, and operation of smart cities and e-government services, notably advising the Asian Development Bank regarding the Bases Conversion Development Administration on the New Clark City Information and Communication Technology project which aims to turn the NCC into a smart city. The practice is lead by the managing partner and founder of the firm Aris Gulapa.

Philippines > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) provides corporate advice to domestic clients from a wide range of sectors, including energy, manufacturing, retail, technology, real estate, and infrastructure. Key services include acquisition-related advice, drafting and revision of agreements, due diligence, negotiations, handling government agencies, and more recently, advising on corporate rehabilitation plans. Aris Gulapa specialises in joint ventures, particularly public-private partnerships in infrastructure, and jointly heads the team with Melissa Chavez-Dee, who is experienced in multi-million capital restructurings.

Philippines > Dispute resolution Tier 4

Clients from both public and private sectors frequently call upon Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) for assistance on a wide range of contentious matters, including commercial arbitration, appellate practice, and litigation – commercial, civil, and criminal. Oscar Cajucom heads the team and handles disputes in the infrastructure and construction sectors. Senior associate Christine Joy A. Abu-Bangcola handles cyber libel cases and family law matters.

Philippines > Labour and employment