Galindo, Arias & López > Panama, Panama > Firm Profile

Galindo, Arias & López > The Legal 500 Rankings

Panama > Capital markets Tier 1

Galindo, Arias & López‘ top-flight capital markets practice acts for a diverse domestic, regional and international client base, including leading financial institutions and key players in the aviation, telecoms and real estate sectors, drawing on firm-wide expertise in these areas. The firm has a strong presence in high-value public offerings of corporate bonds, and is equally adept at handling domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions. The team is also highly active on the regulatory front, frequently assisting major financial institutions in compliance matters; Roberto De Araujo López, who has extensive in-house experience with the Superintendence of Banks of Panama and Colombia, is a standout name in this field. Cristina Lewis heads the team and is well versed in transactional and regulatory capital markets matters, with an emphasis on the aviation sector. Highly experienced associate Carla López provides key support to both partners on the issuance of securities and related due diligence.

Panama > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Hailed by clients as ‘truly a tremendous team, with extraordinary availability and outstanding response times‘, the four-partner corporate group at Galindo, Arias & López remains the first port of call for complex M&A transactions in highly regulated sectors (with a particular emphasis on telecoms-related deals), thanks to firm-wide expertise in the regulatory space. The firm also has a strong reputation for handling cross-border matters involving multiple jurisdictions across Latin America, as well as the US. In addition to high-profile M&A, the team is frequently active in corporate restructurings and joint ventures. ‘Standout partner‘ Diego Herrera, who is sought after for his advice to both local and multinational clients on corporate matters in the financial, industrial and telecoms sectors, leads the team with Ramón Ricardo Arias, an expert in M&A deals in the fields of finance, aviation, electricity and telecoms. The M&A-focused Jose Luis Sosa and Beatriz Cabal, who has notable strength in regulatory matters, are also key members of the sizeable team. The talented pool of associates includes the ‘excellent‘ Andrés Sanjur and Raúl Morales, as well as consultant Daniel Sessa, who specialises in aviation and commercial law.

Panama > Dispute resolution Tier 1

The dispute resolution practice at Galindo, Arias & López is lauded for its ‘experience and knowledge to deal with sensitive issues‘. The firm is commended for the depth of its expertise in administrative litigation in highly regulated sectors, acting for an impressive roster of key players in the energy (particularly electricity), financial, aviation and telecoms industries, and for its stellar track record in cases before the Supreme Court. The team also has extensive experience in construction litigation, and is increasingly active in the arbitration arena, including in international proceedings. Diego de la Guardia, who is a mainstay on high-profile contentious mandates, steers the practice alongside Selva Quintero, who wins high praise for her ‘professional, personalised, transparent and empathetic service‘, with a strong focus on complex energy and telecoms disputes. Of counsel Adán Arjona, an expert in corporate disputes and a former President of the Supreme Court, is another name to note at the senior level. The firm also benefits from a sizeable pool of skilled associates, including Jeimy Lasso, who is particularly well regarded for administrative litigation; Gabriela Vásquez, a specialist in labour and regulatory disputes; and María Dorado, who frequently handles damages claims.

Panama > Projects and energy Tier 1

The projects and energy practice at Galindo, Arias & López stands out for the depth and breadth of its offering, with strengths encompassing project finance, public procurement and government contracts, real estate and regulatory matters. The financing of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects (including the development of major healthcare facilities) is a core source of mandates, but the team is also highlighted for its experience in energy-related disputes, where clients emphasise its ‘extensive knowledge of the laws that govern the Panamanian electricity market‘, and regulatory issues in the renewables space. Salomón Behar, a high-profile name for public tenders and project development in the energy sector, leads the practice alongside project finance expert Cristina Lewis. Diego Herrera and litigation partners Diego de la Guardia and Selva Quintero (both specialists in the energy and public utilities sectors) also lend senior expertise to the team.

Panama > Real estate Tier 1

Galindo, Arias & López fields a diverse real estate practice, capable of handling the full range of regulatory, corporate and project finance matters in this space, acting for an impressive roster of major real estate developers. The team’s broad expertise spans office, retail, hotel, luxury residential and restoration projects, where the team advises on procurement, permitting and financing; it also handles traditional real estate transactions and assists clients with condo regulation. Advising on real estate investment trusts (SIIs) is also among the practice’s core strengths. Of counsel Salomón Behar, the chair of the firm’s project finance department, heads the sizeable team, which also includes litigation leader Diego de la Guardia (who has experience in project finance and government contracting), Ramón Ricardo Arias, Diego Herrera and Jose Luis Sosa (who focuses on M&A and project finance transactions).

Panama > Tax Tier 1

Galindo, Arias & López wins praise from clients thanks to its ‘inter-departmental collaboration and expertise‘, fielding a diverse tax practice which spans consultancy, litigation and compliance matters. The firm enjoys a strong profile in international taxation, advising multinational clients on the structuring of cross-border transactions, the interpretation of Panama’s tax treaties and the application of its special tax regimes. On the contentious front, the team’s recent caseload spans disputes relating to transfer pricing, tax assessments and VAT. Ramón Ricardo Arias leads the practice with Edgar Herrera, who ‘stands out for the level of detail and depth in his advice‘ and is particularly sought after for his expertise in international taxation. Associate Anna Cristina Valdés is also singled out as ‘among the best‘.

Panama > Transport: Aviation Tier 1

Galindo, Arias & López remains a standout in the field of aviation finance, with a particular strength in advising airlines, including Panamanian flag carrier Copa Airlines as well as an array of foreign carriers. The team frequently advises on the acquisition, financing and leasing of aircraft, drawing on its close links with international firms to handle high-profile, cross-border transactions, and also assists with corporate and regulatory matters, such as the certification of cargo and passenger airlines. Cristina Lewis, who is renowned for her experience in aviation finance, leads the team. The key names at junior level are consultant Daniel Sessa, who has significant expertise in commercial and financing issues in the aviation sector, and regulatory-focused associate Claudia Juárez.

Panama > Banking and finance Tier 2

Galindo, Arias & López‘ banking practice attracts strong praise from clients for its ‘extensive experience in cross-border transactions‘, although it is also highly active in assisting with local loans. Advising both leading banks and large corporate borrowers, the team stands out for its expertise in transactions in highly regulated industries, including telecoms, energy and finance. The firm also shines in aviation finance, where Cristina Lewis is highlighted for her ‘great knowledge‘; the department's clients in this field include Panamanian flag carrier Copa Airlines. Practice head Roberto De Araujo López is commended for his experience in advising domestic banks, particularly on financial regulatory matters. Diego Herrera and Jose Luis Sosa are also key names in the practice, with an emphasis on international transactions with Panamanian aspects. The capable pool of junior lawyers includes consultant Daniel Sessa and associate Claudia Juárez, who focus on the aviation sector, and associate Andrés Sanjur, who is noted for his project finance experience.