Morgan & Morgan > Panama, Panama > Firm Profile

Morgan & Morgan > The Legal 500 Rankings

Panama > Capital markets Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan‘s capital markets practice is particularly distinguished by its expertise in the constitution of Panamanian real estate investment trusts (SIIs) and their registration with the securities regulator, and is lauded by clients as ‘the leading law firm in Panama‘ in this space. The team, which receives further praise for its ‘knowledge, experience and diligence‘, also handles a high volume of public bond offerings on the Latin American Stock Exchange (Latinex) – including transactions with an international component – as well as advising on private issuances. Francisco Arias, who is skilled in advising both issuers and underwriters on capital markets transactions and regulatory matters, leads the team alongside Ricardo Arias, a specialist in SIIs. At the partner level, Roberto Vidal and Ana Carolina Castillo (an expert in energy-related matters) also play a prominent role in the practice, while international associate Miguel Arias M is the name to note at the junior level.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan‘s corporate team attracts strong praise for its ‘knowledge of Panamanian law‘ and ‘professional way of handling any matter, even internationally‘, which is reflected in its robust experience in both domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. The firm also has an active practice advising multinationals across the full spectrum of industry segments (including telecoms, aviation, finance, e-commerce, technology and pharmaceuticals) on the establishment of their headquarters in Panama and regulatory and corporate issues affecting their day-to-day operations. Francisco Arias, whose expertise spans transactional and corporate governance issues, jointly leads the team with go-to M&A specialist Roberto Vidal, who is highlighted for his ‘great experience and knowledge of the corporate field‘. Also among the key names at the senior level are Inocencio Galindo, who has complementary finance and tax expertise; Carlos González, the head of the firm’s antitrust and consumer protection practice; and Aristides Anguizola, who has considerable strength in the mining and infrastructure sectors. They are ably supported by a strong line-up of junior lawyers, including international associate Miguel Arias M and senior associate Alejandro Vasquez, who joined the firm from Fabrega Molino in June 2022. The firm also has a robust pro bono practice, which includes providing training to non-governmental organisations in Panama.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 1

The ‘excellent‘ dispute resolution team at Morgan & Morgan attracts strong praise for its ‘in-depth local knowledge‘ and ‘superior‘ client service, with a broad practice encompassing civil, commercial, administrative and criminal litigation, as well as high-profile arbitration. The firm has a formidable record in cases before the Supreme Court, particularly contentious-administrative proceedings on behalf of major clients in the energy, mining, ports and telecoms industries, and has also seen a notable uptick in international commercial and investment arbitration mandates. Jose Carrizo, who has a wealth of experience across the full spectrum of commercial and corporate litigation, leads the practice with Luis Vallarino, a go-to specialist in disputes relating to government contracts and regulatory law. Other fixtures in the sizeable senior team are Omar Rodriguez, who heads the criminal law practice; Rodrigo Arias, a noted expert in debt recovery actions; and up-and-coming partner Mayte Sánchez González, whose wide-ranging expertise takes in commercial and corporate litigation, and local and international arbitration. The talented line-up of associates includes Orlando Tejeira, a key figure in disputes in the energy, mining, telecoms and ports sectors; Alejandro Chevalier, who is dual qualified in New York and Panama, and stands out for his strength in international arbitration; and David Ramos.

Panama > Labour Tier 1

Counting key local and international players from the retail, manufacturing, hospitality, technology and ports sectors among its clients, Morgan & Morgan houses a comprehensive labour practice, which ranges from advising on employment contracts and employee dismissals to assisting with collective bargaining negotiations with unions and labour litigation. The firm also has an active immigration practice group, which is overseen by Albalira Montúfar. Ricardo Alemán, who brings to bear four decades of experience in employment law, steers the team alongside Maria Teresa Mendoza, whose wide-ranging practice also takes in social security matters. Senior associate Milagros Caballero is a name to note for employment issues relating to establishing regional headquarters in Panama.

Panama > Offshore Tier 1

Hailed by clients as ‘extremely robust and efficient‘, the fiduciary services unit at Morgan & Morgan advises family offices and HNWIs from around the world on the incorporation and administration of trusts, private interest foundations and corporations in Panama, the Bahamas, the BVI and Belize, in addition to offering corporate secretarial services. Raúl Castro, who is renowned for his advice to HNWIs on investment funds and tax affairs, took over the reins of the practice from Roberto Lewis in 2023; Lewis continues to bring his four decades of experience in wealth management in an of counsel role. Other key contacts at the senior level are Luis Manzanares (a specialist in BVI corporate law and non-traditional asset protection and tax compliance structures), Fernando Boyd (whose practice has an emphasis on advising South American clients) and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Miguel Hincapie (who oversees the Belize office). Up-and-coming partners Fanny Evans, an expert in Caribbean jurisdictions, and the ‘brilliant‘ Laura Barrios, who heads a newly formed department focused on Bahamian professional and SMART funds, are also names to note, alongside senior associates Nestor Broce and the recently promoted Raúl Bermúdez.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan is hailed by clients for its ‘strong and well-coordinated team‘ in the energy and projects sphere, whose ‘diverse abilities‘ enable the firm to assist clients across the full spectrum of public procurement, permitting, financing and construction matters. The team is widely revered for its strength in the financing and development of significant infrastructure projects – its impressive recent record includes advising on the expansion of the Panama City metro system – but it is also highly experienced in energy projects, with an emphasis on the power industry. Its wide-ranging client base includes banks and multilaterals, public bodies and major developers. Ramon Varela, a go-to specialist in the energy sector, leads the team. Inocencio Galindo also brings his strong corporate and finance background to bear in the financing of public infrastructure projects, while Kharla Aizpurúa, Aristides Anguizola, who has notable expertise in the mining industry, and Ana Carolina Castillo, who was elevated to the partnership in January 2023, are also key members of the practice.

Panama > Real estate Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan leverages its full-service model to advise an extensive roster of major real estate developers, investors and financial institutions on corporate, financial and regulatory matters in the real estate space, with notable recent experience in tourism-related projects. In addition to handling M&A and joint ventures, the firm routinely assists with the acquisition, sale and leasing of properties, permitting and environmental issues, and project finance. Another standout area of activity is the constitution and registration of SIIs, where Ricardo Arias, who co-heads the firm’s securities practice, has specialist expertise. The firm also fields a dedicated department focused on administrative issues such as the registration of mortgages. Francisco Arias, whose broad practice encompasses real estate-related corporate, financial and securities matters, leads the team. Experienced senior associate Giselle Moncada, who heads the firm’s office in David, Chiriquí, is also a key figure in the team.

Panama > Tax Tier 1

Morgan & Morgan‘s tax practice is particularly skilled in assisting multinational companies with the special tax regimes available in Panama, in addition to domestic and international tax planning, transfer pricing and compliance matters. Another notable area of strength lies in advising clients in the real estate sector on the tax aspects of establishing real estate investment trusts (SIIs), benefitting from the wider firm’s expertise in this space. Practice head José Rafael Reyes handles the full spectrum of tax matters; both Reyes and senior associate Amanda Barraza can draw upon significant past experience with international accounting firms. Associate Angelica Ortiz provides capable support, particularly in matters relating to special tax regimes and Panamanian tax residency.

Panama > Transport: Shipping Tier 1

Highlighted by clients as ‘prompt, responsive and cost-effective‘, Morgan & Morgan has a comprehensive shipping practice encompassing registration, finance and litigation matters. The team is equally adept at advising international financial institutions, ship owners and agents, and port operators on ship financing and registration, representing a large share of vessels flying the Panamanian flag. It is also highly active in disputes before Panama’s maritime courts, with particular prominence in claims against the Panama Canal Authority. The five-partner team is headed by Juan David Morgan Jr, who takes the lead in shipping and admiralty litigation, and Jazmina Rovi, who focuses on ship finance and registration. Francisco Linares, Luis Raven and Fernando Alfaro also bring extensive experience in maritime disputes. At the associate level, Andrés Mejía provides capable support in ship finance matters.

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 2

Winning high praise from clients for its ‘technical capacity‘ and ‘extensive knowledge‘, Morgan & Morgan fields a broad banking and finance practice, encompassing commercial loans, real estate finance, debt refinancing and financial regulatory issues. The firm has also established an active insolvency-related practice (following the introduction of new legislation in Panama) and has growing expertise in the fintech and start-ups space. The financing of high-profile infrastructure and energy projects is another core source of mandates. The team is headed by Kharla Aizpurúa, whose wide-ranging practice takes in syndicated loans, project finance and M&A in the banking sector, and the highly experienced Inocencio Galindo. Ramon Varela and Ana Carolina Castillo, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, are key names to note on the energy and project finance front, and the team also includes Francisco Arias, Roberto Vidal, international associate Miguel Arias M and senior associate Alejandro Vasquez, who joined from Fabrega Molino in June 2022.

Panama > Intellectual property Tier 3

Morgan & Morgan is noted for its robust experience in the registration of trade marks and management of portfolios in Panama and internationally, benefitting from close links to firms in other jurisdictions. It is also a strong performer in patent prosecutions and has recently been increasingly active on copyright mandates (particularly in the entertainment and software development sectors). In addition, the team frequently assists clients with regulatory issues, including health registrations, and with the IP aspects of M&A and franchising and distribution agreements. Francisco Arias steers the practice, while experienced associate Allan Candanedo is a go-to specialist in the full range of IP matters, from litigation to portfolio management and commercial agreements. Corporate associate María Eugenia Brenes brings additional IP and regulatory expertise to the team.

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama

Panama, Panama