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

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

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 1

A longstanding leader in the Panamanian market, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee houses a comprehensive banking and finance practice, which spans the full range of related matters, from leveraged and acquisition finance to project finance, asset finance and real estate finance. In particular, the team is renowned for its expertise in cross-border transactions, with a particular emphasis on financings governed by New York law. The firm is predominantly focused on the lender side of deals, acting for an impressive roster of major domestic banks as well as prominent international lenders, but also advises a host of corporate borrowers, including well-known multinationals. Managing partner Arturo Gerbaud leads the practice, bringing over three decades of experience in complex financial transactions. The sizeable team also includes a trio of up-and-coming partners: Rita de la Guardia (who is also qualified in New York), Patricia Cordero and Rafael Marquínez. Experienced associates Karla Rivera and Mario Vlieg are also key contacts.

Panama > Capital markets Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee fields a four-partner team capable of handling the full spread of capital markets matters, but is particularly renowned for its expertise in debt capital markets transactions, with an impressive recent track record in advising on both domestic bond issuances and cross-border Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings. In addition to advising local and regional issuers, the firm’s strong reputation in international matters makes it a preferred choice to act for foreign financial institutions. Managing partner Arturo Gerbaud, who has extensive experience advising both underwriters and issuers on complex bond offerings, leads the team. Rafael Marquínez, Patricia Cordero and Rita de la Guardia – all of whom were promoted to the partnership in 2022 – are also active members of the practice.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

M&A powerhouse Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee has a stellar track record in advising on both the purchaser and seller side of high-profile transactions, with notable capabilities in cross-border matters and deals in the banking and energy sectors. It also has growing expertise in the telecoms, technology and logistics spaces. Its client base ranges from major multinationals and leading Panamanian corporations to smaller emerging businesses. The department is headed by the highly experienced duo of Arturo Gerbaud, an expert in the financial services sector, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Ferrer, whose practice takes in energy and telecoms-related transactions and antitrust matters. Other well-regarded partners in the sizeable team include Raúl Borrell, a specialist in the natural resources and maritime fields, Rita de la Guardia, who is also admitted to practice in New York and is well versed in international transactions, Patricia Cordero and Rafael Marquínez, while Diego Anguizola (another member of the New York Bar) and Mario Vlieg stand out at the associate level.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee is widely recognised for the depth and breadth of its dispute resolution offering, fielding a four-partner team that is equally adept at handling complex litigation and arbitration. The firm remains the first port of call for many of Panama’s leading banks in financial litigation, and also stands out for its representation of major multinationals in commercial disputes (with a marked focus on the insurance, telecoms and construction sectors). On the arbitration front, the team is active in both local and international disputes, recently playing a prominent role in a high-profile case relating to the expansion of the Panama Canal. At the helm of the practice, former Minister of Labour Jorge Federico Lee has expertise across the full spectrum of disputes, and is particularly well versed in labour cases, and Alejandro Ferrer, who previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, has a strong recent record in construction arbitration. Eduardo Gómez, a specialist in international arbitration and commercial litigation, and Jaime Castillo, whose practice spans tax, antitrust and construction-related disputes, are also key names. The enviably deep associate bench includes Doris Nieto (who has expertise in the telecoms, energy, insurance and media sectors), Anel Roach, Arcelio Vega and Ana Gabriela Santiago.

Panama > Offshore Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee‘s international corporate services team draws upon an extensive network of offices in key jurisdictions, including the Bahamas, Belize and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), to advise on estate planning, the structuring of family offices, trust formation and administration, and the creation of private interest foundations. In addition to assisting numerous international law and accountancy firms, the firm also counts a wide array of multinationals, institutional investors, privately owned companies, charitable organisations and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) among its clients. Key practitioners include founding partner Jaime Alemán (a former ambassador to the US), Raúl Zúñiga and experienced associate Cristina de Alba; Alemán and de Alba are also admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and New York, respectively, making them particularly well equipped to advise international clients. International associates Othmane Naim and Caroline Olivier provide key support from the firm’s affiliate office in Switzerland.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee houses a comprehensive projects practice, which is particularly renowned for its expertise in the transport infrastructure space. The firm has significant experience in the financing, structuring, construction and operation of major transport projects, spanning the expansion of highways, port facilities and the Panama Canal. On the energy front, the team is equally adept at advising on conventional and renewable energy (with an emphasis on solar power), as well as assisting international clients with the operation of Panamanian mining concessions. Following the departure of former practice co-head Eloy Alfaro in July 2022, the key names at the senior level are former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Ferrer; Raúl Borrell, whose practice encompasses public tenders and concessions and the development of maritime and port facilities; and energy specialist Jaime Castillo. The experienced associate group includes Diego Anguizola, Sophia Astrid Lee and Doris Nieto.

Panama > Real estate Tier 1

Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee‘s real estate practice is particularly sought after by major Panamanian real estate developers to advise on all aspects of high-profile commercial, industrial and residential projects in the country, including financing, contracting and regulatory issues. The team is strong in advising on the development of high-end beach resorts, in addition to assisting with complex projects such as the Panamá Pacífico master-planned sustainable city. Among the key names at the partner level are Anibal Galindo, who is renowned for his vast experience across the full spectrum of real estate matters, and Lorenzo Marquínez, who has notable expertise in advising Panama’s largest luxury real estate developers. They jointly lead the practice following the departure of former department co-head Eloy Alfaro in July 2022. Up-and-coming partner Rafael Marquínez is also active in real estate finance transactions.