Morgan & Morgan > Panama, Panama > Firm Profile

Morgan & Morgan > The Legal 500 Rankings

Panama > Capital markets Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan brings its ‘vast experience‘ in capital markets matters to bear when advising on high-profile public and private offerings, including both local transactions and international Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings. In addition, the team is singled out for its niche expertise in the incorporation of real estate investment funds, where Ricardo Arias, who recently took on the role of practice co-head, is highly experienced. Its impressive client roster spans domestic and international banks, financial institutions and major corporations, particularly in the real estate sector. Francisco Arias, a key contact for capital markets transactions and regulatory matters, spearheads the group, which also features senior associate Ana Carolina Castillo and international associate Miguel Arias.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The corporate team at Morgan & Morgan has recently been active in a number of significant M&A transactions, particularly in the financial services industry, acting for an impressive roster of international financial institutions and corporations from a variety of sectors. As well as domestic matters, the practice is frequently instructed in multi-jurisdictional transactions within Latin America and cross-border M&A between the US and Panama. The firm also stands out for its expertise in the establishment of multinational headquarters in Panama. The M&A team is under the joint leadership of Francisco Arias, who also takes the lead on corporate work, and the 'agile and efficient' Roberto Vidal. Inocencio Galindo and Ramon Varela are highlighted for their expertise in the mining and energy sectors, respectively.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan's 'well-rounded' dispute resolution practice is highly active in civil and commercial litigation, and fields equal strength in domestic and international arbitration, including investment treaty cases. The department has a strong reputation for arbitrations relating to construction contracts and insolvency litigation, where practice co-head Jose Carrizo has particular expertise. Fellow co-leader Luis Vallarino is experienced in disputes involving government contracts and regulated sectors. Omar Rodriguez leads the criminal law team, with a focus on white-collar crime and fraud cases, while Mayte Sánchez González, who was promoted to partner in December 2021, heads the arbitration practice. Key contacts at associate level include Analissa Carles, Orlando Tejeira and Alejandro Chevalier, the latter of whom joined from Akerman LLP in Miami in June 2021 and focuses on international litigation and arbitration.

Panama > Labour Tier 1

Counting major domestic and international companies from the financial services, retail, hospitality and transport sectors among its clients, Morgan & Morgan is particularly experienced in advising on the employment aspects of M&A and corporate restructurings, the hiring and dismissal of foreign employees, and day-to-day labour issues relating to clients’ operations in Panama. The team also handles the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. Department leaders Ricardo Alemán and Maria Teresa Mendoza handle matters ranging from corporate restructurings to the drafting of employment contracts and termination agreements. Senior associate Milagros Caballero focuses on advising multinationals on employment issues relating to establishing their headquarters in Panama.

Panama > Offshore Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan's fiduciary services unit advises high-net-worth families and individuals throughout Latin America on asset protection and estate planning. The firm, which is a first point of call for matters related to the structuring of private funds, also fields a separate compliance and due diligence arm, Panama Compliance Services. The 'extremely professional and knowledgeable' practice is led by Roberto Lewis, who focuses on wealth preservation and distribution. Other notable members include Raúl Castro, whose areas of expertise include international tax matters and corporate and estate planning; Luis Manzanares, the head of the special structures team; Luis Miguel Hincapié; Fernando Boyd, counsel of choice for several clients throughout South America, and recently promoted partner Fanny Evans, who is the vice president of operations of the firm’s offices in British Virgin Islands, Belize and the Bahamas. Associate Laura Barrios, a tax specialist, and senior associate Nestor Broce are also part of the core team.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 1

Noted for its 'extensive knowledge and experience' in the projects and energy spaces, Morgan & Morgan acts for an impressive client base, comprised of multilateral agencies, financial institutions, public bodies, mining and energy companies, in the full range of mandates. Project finance is a particular area of strength for the team, which showcases significant expertise in the development of major transport infrastructure projects, including the recent expansion of the Panama Metro, as well as hydroelectric, solar power and mining plants. The practice also 'facilitates the development of legal strategies' in the context of public tenders and concession contracts. Leading the department, Ramón Varela stands out for his wealth of experience in project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Other noteworthy practitioners include finance specialists Inocencio Galindo and Kharla Aizpurúa; Aristides Anguizola, a key name for mining clients; and senior associate Ana Carolina Castillo, who specialises in energy transactions.

Panama > Tax Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan‘s experienced tax department advises a host of multinational corporations on national and international tax planning, compliance and transfer pricing. The team is also well positioned to assist foreign companies operating in Panama in relation to special tax regimes, and foreign workers in individual tax issues. In addition, the group handles litigation before the domestic tax authorities and the Administrative Tax Courts. The practice was bolstered in July 2022 by the arrival of new department head Jose Rafael Reyes from specialist tax, corporate and real estate firm Strategic Legal Consulting, bringing extensive experience in international taxation, tax planning, transfer pricing and tax disputes. Other noteworthy individuals include senior associate Amanda Barraza and associate Angelica Ortiz, the latter of whom is noted for her in-depth knowledge of Panama’s special tax regimes.

Panama > Transport: Shipping Tier 1

One of the first ports of call in Panama for shipping matters, Morgan & Morgan fields a broad practice that spans ship registration, finance and litigation, and which has successfully 'maintained its strong position in the market' over the years. The team, whose ‘extensive experience and expertise' in the shipping space is highlighted by clients, handles collision, cargo, pollution, personal injury and marine insurance disputes, and is particularly noted for its focus on claims against the Panama Canal Authority. Clients range from domestic and international financial institutions to ship owners, P&I clubs and port operators. Jazmina Rovi leads the ship finance and registration group, while Juan David Morgan Jr oversees the shipping and admiralty litigation department. Maritime disputes are also a core area of focus for Francisco Linares, Luis Raven and associate Diego Abadía.

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 2

Morgan & Morgan‘s ‘broad interdisciplinary team‘ handles both large-cap financing deals and regulatory issues on behalf of a diverse client base that includes leading domestic and international banks, financial institutions, public entities and corporations. The team- which is rated for ‘its knowledge of Panamanian regulations‘- has been highly active in large-scale domestic lending transactions, most notably the financing of significant infrastructure projects, but is also well placed to offer ‘support in structures involving different jurisdictions‘. Also noteworthy is the firm’s newly established practice dedicated to start-ups in the fintech sector, and its remarkable strength in insolvency matters. Kharla Aizpurúa, who is recognised for her experience in project finance and syndicated lending, leads the team alongside the highly endorsed Inocencio Galindo. Francisco Arias is a name to note for structured finance and regulatory matters, while Ramón Varela specialises in project finance and senior associate Ana Carolina Castillo focuses on energy-related transactions.

Panama > Real estate Tier 2

Working closely with the firm’s project finance practice, the real estate team at Morgan & Morgan has significant strength in structuring the financing for high-value commercial, retail and residential developments. In addition, the team advises on tourism-related projects and luxury residential developments. Clients include major real estate developers and leading domestic financial institutions, who also turn to the firm for assistance in real estate M&A. Practice head Francisco Arias is a key figure in the team for real estate finance matters, while Ricardo Arias specialises in the establishment and registration of real estate investment trusts.

Panama > Intellectual property Tier 3

Morgan & Morgan stands out for its track record of advising on the IP aspects of M&A transactions, and distribution and licensing agreements. The team is adept at handling trade mark registrations in Panama and internationally, offering advice to a diverse client portfolio comprised of leading names from the luxury fashion, consumer products, banking, automotive, and food and beverage sectors. Francisco Arias manages the practice, where senior associate Allen Candanedo is a name to note for IP contentious matters, and associate Maria Eugenia Brenes assists with IP portfolio management and health product regulations.