Firm Profile > Morgan & Morgan > Panama, Panama
Morgan & Morgan Offices
MMG TOWER, 23RD FLOOR
AVE PASEO DEL MAR, COSTA DEL ESTE
PANAMA CITY
Panama
Morgan & Morgan > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
Morgan & Morgan boasts a first-class corporate and M&A department, that is well-versed in handling complex local and cross-border transactions from their initial negotiation to post-closing. Under the joint-leadership of reputed figures Francisco Arias, Inocencio Galindo and Ramon Varela, the team offers advice to companies on transactional matters, corporate reorganisation, the establishing of operations in Panama, and public and private bids, while also undertaking regulatory work. Prominent recent mandates saw the sizeable team represent concessionaire Minera Panama in connection with the $6.4bn open-pit copper mining project Cobre Panamá; and act as local counsel to Farallon Nicaragua on the sale of its shrimp business to Cooke Inc. The practice also demonstrates particular expertise in energy-related matters, as evidenced by its acting for Engie Solar on the sale of its participation in PanamaSolar2 to Latin Renewables Infrastructure Funds. Moreover the team has been strengthened with the consecutive promotions of Roberto Vidal (a key lawyer in the department), and Aristides Anguizola to the partnership in early 2019 and early 2020, respectively. Clients include Banco General, Mitsubishi Corp, Hitachi, Banistmo and Caterpillar Financial Services.
Dispute resolution Tier 1
Morgan & Morgan houses a dispute resolution practice that shows strength advocating on behalf of clients from a broad of industries in complex administrative, insurance, banking and commercial disputes. The highly reputable Jose Carrizo heads a team that has developed a strong track record assisting local banks in the recovery of millionaire mortgage and pledge loans; it also regularly represents both claimants and respondents in international arbitration. Partner Luis Vallarino devotes most of his time to the department, while associate Mayte Sanchez is also frequently involved in mandates. The group has further benefited from the recent hire of criminal specialist Joy Paull Torres, who has extensive publis sector and judicial experience, and will further develope the practice's white-collar capability.
Shipping Tier 1
Morgan & Morgan is a leader in the registration of Panama flag vessels and well-reputed across the full array of sector-related services. Maritime dispute resolution related to collisions, cargo, oil spills, personal injury and mortgage executions is a key area of expertise for the team, which often presents claims before the Panama Canal Authority. P&I clubs, banks, ship owners and charterers make up the practice's client portfolio, with heavyweights Caterpillar Financial Services, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsubishi Logistics standing out on the list. The new Chair of the Board of Directors of Panamanian Maritime Law Association (APADEMAR), Jazmina Rovi heads the shipping and finance registration group, while Juan David Morgan Jr is in charge of all litigious matters. Francisco Linares is another recommended practitioner.
Banking and finance Tier 2
The well-equipped banking and finance practice at Morgan & Morgan offers comprehensive advice on credit facilities, loan agreements, bond structuring, project finance and regulatory matters. Led by Inocencio Galindo, the eight-strong team regularly represents local, regional and international trustees, issuers and lenders, and demonstrates particular strength in the mining and energy sectors. The group provides ongoing counselling to International Finance Corporation (IFC) on financing and regulatory matters related to a major wind energy project; other recent engagements included advising Banisi, as issuer, in the structuring of a $50m program of revolving corporate bonds; and assisting IDB Invest in relation to a $60m loan facility granted to Global Bank Corporation. Partner Kharla Aizpurua and Ramon Varela are other names to notes.
Offshore Tier 2
Morgan & Morgan houses a very reputable offshore department, which continues to be a mainstay of the law firm's service offering. Drawing on a close relationship with other offices in the BVI, Belize, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland, the eight-partner team is predominantly instructed by regional and international administrators, banks, individual trustees and beneficiaries. The team offers assistance with asset protection, the establishment of trusts and fiduciary matters, as well as compliance. Practice leader Roberto Lewis specialises in wealth planning and management, while co-head Raúl Castro regularly leads advice to financial entities, companies and private clients based in Latin America and Miami. and Newly-promoted partner Fernando Boyd and senior associate Nestor Broce are additional key practitioners.
Intellectual property Tier 3
The IP practice at Morgan & Morgan has a strong track-record advising international companies in sector-related matters, including patent prosecution, trade mark registration, the transfer of IP rights in M&A and franchise transactions. Enrique Jimenez leads the practice, which recently acted for Colleen Pencil Thailand in an anti-counterfeiting matter; while key associate Maria Brenes advised LVMH Group in relation to the registration of pattern designs and renewal of the client's trademark portfolio in Panama. Other representative clients operate in the energy, healthcare and media industries.
Latin America: International firms > International arbitration > Local practitioners of note (by country)
Mizrachi, Davarro & Urriola's David Mizrachi has notable experience in arbitration. Morgan & Morgan represents a large number of international clients in international arbitration proceedings; Jose Carrizo is a key name to note.
Morgan & Morgan > Firm Profile
Morgan & Morgan is a full-service Panamanian law firm, regularly assisting local and foreign clients from different industries, including recognised financial institutions, government agencies and individual clients. In particular, the firm has been involved in all stages of the development of mega projects related to energy, water supply, construction, oil, mining, public infrastructure, retail, ports, transportation, among others.
Relevant transactional experience includes, among others:
Advising the Ministry of Public Works of the Republic (Panama) on the drafting and passage of the new Law for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Advising MMG Bank Corporation, in the structuring of the first ever public offering in the Republic of Panama that consists in a program of revolving Green Bonds issued by CIFI, for an amount of up to US$200 million.
Advising Cemento Interoceanico in the sale of the 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of its cement business to Cemento de Panama S.L.
Advising Farallon Nicaragua in the sale of its shrimp producing and supplying business to Cooke Inc.
Advising IFC who are currently advising Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) in the development and bidding of a project for the engineering design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of the fourth transmission line in Panama.
Advising Banistmo Investment Corporation, S.A. as holder of local collateral of several energy projects and the most recent being the Gas Natural Atlantico, S. de R.L. and Costa Norte LNG Terminal S. de R.L. LNG project, which is an approximately US$600 million financing.
Advising Elecnor in a public bidding process conducted by Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) for the supply, mounting and civil works of the 230 KV transmission line between the Sabanitas and Panama III substations.
Advising Metro de Panama, in connection with matters related to the development of lines one and two of Panama City’s metro, the most important public infrastructure project under development in the Republic of Panama.
Advising Minera Panama in connection with a US$6.4 billion copper mining project, the biggest private sector investment in Panama’s history.
Advising the AES Corporation in the development of an integrated gas to power facility in the Telfers Islands. Advising the AES Corporation in the development of the Changuinola I hydroelectric project, one of the most important private investments in the country.Advising IDB Invest in connection with a loan facility granted to Global Bank Corporation for an amount of up to US$60 million.
Advising First Transit of Panama Inc. in connection with a Consulting Services Agreement for the operation of the Metro Bus, the bus rapid system for Panama City.
Advising Advising Thesan, Avanzalia, Empower Leasing, Hidroelectrica Bajos del Totuma, Desarrollos Hidroelectricos, Empresa Nacional de Energia, and Electron Investment, in the development and finance of hydro and solar energy projects located in the Republic of Panama.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antitrust and consumer protection | Carlos E. Gonzalez R. | carlos.gonzalez@morimor.com | |
| Banking and finance | Inoncencio Galindo | inocencio.galindo@morimor.com | |
| Criminal law | Omar Rodriguez | omar.rodriguez@morimor.com | |
| Energy and natural resources | Ramon Varela | ramon.varela@morimor.com | |
| Government procurement and contracts | Carlos E. Gonzalez R. | carlos.gonzalez@morimor.com | |
| Immigration | Albalira Montufar | albalira.montufar@morimor.com | |
| Insurance and reinsurance | Carlos E. Gonzalez R. | carlos.gonzalez@morimor.com | |
| Intellectual property | Francisco Arias | francisco.arias@morimor.com | |
| International company formation | Roberto Lewis | roberto.lewis@morimor.com | |
| Labor | Ricardo Aleman | ricardo.aleman@morimor.com | |
| Litigation and dispute resolution | Jose Carrizo | jose.carrizo@morimor.com | |
| Mergers and acquisitions | Francisco Arias | francisco.arias@morimor.com | |
| Mining | Inocencio Galindo | inocencio.galindo@morimor.com | |
| Projects | Ramon Varela | ramon.varela@morimor.com | |
| Real estate | Francisco Arias | francisco.arias@morimor.com | |
| Securities/capital markets | Francisco Arias | francisco.arias@morimor.com | |
| Shipping and admiralty litigation | Juan David Morgan Jr. | juandavid.morganjr@morimor.com | |
| Ship finance/registration | Jazmina Rovi | jazmina.rovi@morimor.com | |
| Taxation | Inocencio Galindo | inocencio.galindo@morimor.com |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr RICARDO ALEMAN | View Profile | |
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Mr FERNANDO ALFARO | View Profile | |
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Mr RICARDO ARIAS | View Profile | |
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Mr FRANCISCO ARIAS | View Profile | |
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Mr RODRIGO ARIAS | View Profile | |
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Ms Kharla Aizpurua Olmos | View Profile | |
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Sr Aristides Anguizola | View Profile | |
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Mr FERNANDO BOYD | View Profile | |
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Ms Amanda Barraza | View Profile | |
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Ms Maria Eugenia Brenes | View Profile | |
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Nestor Broce | View Profile | |
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Mr JOSE CARRIZO | View Profile | |
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Mr RAUL CASTRO | View Profile | |
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Ms Milagros Caballero | View Profile | |
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Mr Allen Candanedo | View Profile | |
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Ms Ana Carolina Castillo | View Profile | |
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Ms Ana Cristina Castrellon | View Profile | |
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Mr ENRIQUE DE ALBA | View Profile | |
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Mr Pablo Epifanio | View Profile | |
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Ms Fanny Evans | View Profile | |
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Mr INOCENCIO GALINDO | View Profile | |
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Mr CARLOS ERNESTO GONZÁLEZ RAMÍREZ | View Profile | |
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Mr LUIS MIGUEL HINCAPIE | View Profile | |
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Mr FRANCISCO LINARES | View Profile | |
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Mr Roberto Lewis | View Profile | |
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Mr LUIS MANZANARES | View Profile | |
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Ms MARIA TERESA MENDOZA | View Profile | |
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Ms ALBALIRA MONTUFAR | View Profile | |
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Mr JUAN DAVID MORGAN G. | View Profile | |
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Mr EDUARDO MORGAN JR. | View Profile | |
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Mr JUAN DAVID MORGAN JR. | View Profile | |
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Mr Alexis Medina | View Profile | |
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Ms Gisselle Moncada | View Profile | |
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Mr Rishi Mungal | View Profile | |
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Mr Naim Musa | View Profile | |
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Mr Rodolfo Palma | View Profile | |
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Mr JORGE REYES | View Profile | |
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Ms JAZMINA ROVI | View Profile | |
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Mr Luis Raven | View Profile | |
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Mr Omar Rodriguez | View Profile | |
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Mr Romulo Roux | View Profile | |
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Ms Mayte Sanchez Gonzalez | View Profile | |
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Mr MARIO TEJEIRA | View Profile | |
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Mr Simon Tejeira Q. | View Profile | |
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Mr Alvaro Tomas | View Profile | |
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Mr LUIS VALLARINO | View Profile | |
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Mr Ramon Varela | View Profile | |
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Roberto Vidal | View Profile |