Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee > Panama, Panama > Firm Profile

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee > The Legal 500 Rankings

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 1

The ‘exceptional‘ banking and finance team at Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee counts some of Panama’s largest banks among its clients, and routinely advises major international financial institutions on high-value, cross-border financing transactions. Besides being a go-to choice for lenders in the country, the group is regularly instructed by an impressive roster of multinationals on borrower-side mandates. Significant areas of expertise range from leveraged and acquisition finance to asset finance, project finance and lending transactions involving the real estate sector. The practice, which is particularly active in the energy, hospitality and aviation segments, is also noted for its ongoing regulatory advice to domestic banks and other financial institutions. Described as ‘one of the best lawyers in the country‘, Arturo Gerbaud leads the practice. Other notable practitioners include the highly regarded Eloy Alfaro, a key contact for financings involving multiple jurisdictions, and Rita de la Guardia, Patricia Cordero and Rafael Marquínez, all of whom were promoted to partner in January 2022.

Panama > Capital markets Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee has ‘extensive experience‘ in capital markets matters, with a particular emphasis on the debt capital markets space. Besides its strength in international Rule 144A/Regulation S transactions, the team is frequently involved in large domestic corporate bond issuances. The practice predominantly acts for leading Panamanian and international investment banks and financial institutions, although it also advises issuers on bond offerings, listings and regulatory issues. Managing partner Arturo Gerbaud, who has a wealth of experience in acting for both underwriters and issuers in significant bond offerings, oversees the practice. Other notable contacts include Eloy Alfaro, who excels in structured finance and complex securitisations, and newly promoted partners Rita de la Guardia and Rafael Marquínez, both of whom are seasoned in international securities offerings.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The ‘excellent‘ corporate team at Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee is renowned for its experience in complex, cross-border M&A, with particular strength in regulated sectors including energy, telecoms and banking. International and Panamanian corporations as well as financial institutions are at the core of the client base, which routinely turns to the practice for advice on both sell and buy-side mandates. The team is led by the highly experienced Arturo Gerbaud, a key contact for transactions in the banking segment, and Alejandro Ferrer, who recently returned to the firm after serving as Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ferrer stands out for his expertise in M&A deals involving telecoms and energy assets. Other notable team members include Eloy Alfaro, who has a strong track record in financial services M&A, newly promoted partners Rafael Marquinez , Rita de la Guardia and Patricia Cordero, and associate Diego Anguizola.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 1

‘With an exceptional level of technical legal knowledge’, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee is highly regarded for its expertise in complex civil and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on disputes in the banking, insurance, telecoms and construction industries. The firm, which is rated for its ‘vast knowledge of judicial processes‘, also has an active arbitration practice which encompasses high-profile international commercial and investment treaty cases. Jorge Federico Lee, who is renowned for labour disputes, jointly oversees the team with Alejandro Ferrer, who recently returned to the firm after serving as Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other names to note include Eduardo Gómez, who stands out for international arbitration and construction and commercial litigation, and Jaime Castillo, a specialist in tax and antitrust litigation. Partners receive key support from a strong team of associates, which includes Anel Roach, Arcelio Vega and Doris Nieto.

Panama > Offshore Tier 1

The international corporate services department at Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee advises multinationals, institutional investors, family-run businesses and high-net-worth individuals on the formation and administration of companies, private interest foundations and offshore trust vehicles. The firm’s worldwide trusts and estates practice also assists families and charitable organisations with estate planning and wealth management issues. Key jurisdictions where the firm has a presence include Belize, the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. Raúl Zúñiga and founding partner Jaime Alemán are key contacts, along with associate Cristina de Alba. The team is also supported by international associates Othmane Naim and Caroline Olivier, who are based in the firm’s office in Switzerland.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee stands out for its expertise in the financing and development of large-scale transport infrastructure projects, including the construction and expansion of ports and highways and, most significantly, projects relating to the Panama Canal. The team is also adept at handling the development of renewable and conventional energy projects, and fields further strength in corporate transactions involving the energy and natural resources sector, most notably mining assets. Eloy Alfaro is recurrently retained by developers in major infrastructure projects; he oversees the department alongside Alejandro Ferrer, a specialist in energy, natural resources and infrastructure matters, who recently returned to the firm after serving as Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mandates in the energy sector are a core area of focus for Jaime Castillo. Raúl Borrell has a strong track record in public tenders, concessions and project finance.

Panama > Real estate Tier 1

The real estate team at Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee advises a wide range of domestic and international clients, including financial institutions and developers, on high-value real estate projects and transactions. The team provides regular assistance in the development of residential, commercial and industrial projects, with a particular emphasis on the planning for high-end resorts. Eloy Alfaro, who is currently advising on a high-profile development in the Panama Pacifico area, leads the team with the highly experienced Aníbal Galindo, who excels in M&A involving real estate assets, and Lorenzo Marquinez, who counts a number of luxury real estate developers among his clients. Rafael Marquínez, who was welcomed to the partnership in January 2022, is a name to note for financing transactions in this space.