Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez > Panama, Panama > Firm Profile

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez > The Legal 500 Rankings

Panama > Labour Tier 1

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez‘s sizeable labour and employment team is highly regarded for its experience in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements on behalf of multinationals with operations in Panama. Practitioners are adept at handling labour litigation, including both individual and collective claims, and provide assistance to clients in social security audits and employee remuneration issues. The team is also a go-to destination for large employers seeking advice on the employment aspects of M&A and the closure of operations, and a strong choice for the transition of public companies and employees to private ownership. Enna Ferrer, who focuses on labour disputes and immigration matters, leads the practice with Juan Gabriel González, a key contact for the settlement of union and employee claims. Francisco Iglesias specialises in labour litigation, while associate Nelson Sales is engaged in both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 2

With notable expertise in acting for multilateral development agencies on project finance and on-lending mandates, Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez‘s sizeable banking and finance team is sought by both domestic and international clients engaged in high-value, often cross-border transactions. The practice, which fields strong credentials in lender and borrower-side instructions, is also highly regarded for its regulatory expertise and in-depth knowledge of the banking sector. On the transactional side of the practice, Alfredo Ramírez Jr and the ‘super‘ Roberto Harrington are key contacts, advising on complex projects and multilateral financings, while Luis López Alfaro and María Alejandra Cargiulo are the names to note for regulatory matters. Also recommended, Annette Bárcenas focuses on the financing of infrastructure projects. The strong associate cohort includes Ana Cristina Negrón and Alfredo Ramírez Pabón, the latter of whom excels in real estate finance.

Panama > Capital markets Tier 2

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez‘s ‘excellent‘ capital markets team is highly experienced in public and private securities offerings, showcasing particular strength in debt transactions in the financial and real estate sectors. The team, whose broad service offering also covers securities regulation and compliance matters, provides support to clients ranging from leading domestic and international banks, to brokerage firms and investment advisers. María Cargiulo, who has considerable strength in complex securitisations, public and private offerings, and investment fund structuring, leads the practice with senior partner Luis López Alfaro, a regulatory and compliance specialist. Associate Ana Raquel Sedda provides key support in an array of capital markets transactions.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The 'first-rate multidisciplinary team' at Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez predominantly advises multinational corporations from an array of sectors, ranging from shipping, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality to energy, oil and gas, and real estate. The practice is especially active in cross-border transactions, including complex M&A on behalf of domestic and international clients. The team is led by the highly experienced duo of Alfredo Ramírez Jr and Luis López Alfaro, the latter of whom has extensive expertise in compliance matters. Other key contacts include Alejandro Alemán, an expert in M&A and corporate tax, Ricardo Moreno, who co-heads the tax practice. Associates Alfredo Ramírez Pabón and Ana Cristina Negrón, both of whom have considerable experience in advising international clients with operations in Panama, are also part of the core team.

Panama > Intellectual property Tier 2

The IP, health and compliance department at Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez is renowned for its ‘thorough and specific knowledge‘ of contentious and non-contentious IP matters. The team is particularly active in litigation, including opposition, cancellation and nullity actions, and anti-counterfeiting cases. It also handles the global trade mark and regulatory portfolios of clients operating in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, financial services, food and beverages, and life sciences. At the head of the practice, Marissa Lasso de la Vega focuses on IP enforcement litigation and 'is always on top of cases', while the 'knowledgeable' Monique Ferrer primarily handles the prosecution of IP rights and regulatory issues concerning the advertising and labelling of cosmetic, agrochemical and pharmaceutical products.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 2

With notable experience in the oil & gas, logistics and maritime sectors, Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez fields a 'competent' practice that provides legal support to a host of clients in relation to the financing and construction of projects. Typical mandates also include public procurement, concession contracts and regulatory issues. The department is under the leadership of Annette Bárcenas, whose areas of focus span public procurement, regulatory matters and project finance. 'Excellent lawyer' Juan Antonio Alfaro specialises in regulatory matters relating to oil free trade zone projects. Other names to note include corporate and project finance expert Roberto Harrington, and recently promoted partner Luis Horacio Moreno, a key contact for procurement mandates.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez is particularly experienced in handling domestic litigation on behalf of a diverse client base that features a number of well-known multinationals. Civil and commercial disputes are at the core of the department, which also fields strong credentials in arbitration proceedings before the Conciliation and Arbitration Centre of Panama, standing out for its expertise in matters relating to construction issues and commercial contracts. Alfredo Ramírez Jr, who has combined experience in corporate law, finance and contentious matters, leads the practice alongside Katherine Aparicio, a name to note for civil, commercial, corporate and financial litigation, as well as arbitration. Civil, commercial and probate disputes are core areas of focus for associate Joelis Arauz.