Pardini & Asociados' ‘agile' and ’decisive' aviation team advises on the full range of corporate, regulatory, financial and contentious matters in the sector. The firm stands out for its strength in aviation-related litigation, particularly insurance claims over damages to aircraft and cargo, but also advises on all corporate, regulatory, labour and tax issues associated with the establishment and operation of international airlines in Panama, acting for an enviable client base that includes key players such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, China Air and EuroWings Discover. At the head of the team, Juan Francisco Pardini focuses on transactional matters, while Juan José Espino takes the lead in disputes (with support from associate Adrián Rivera). Eduardo Achurra, who handles regulatory and permitting matters, is also noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
CEO / Managing Partner
Areas of Experience
- Corporate / Transactional
- Foreign Investments / Joint Ventures / M&As
- Aviation & Maritime - Transactional
- Energy / Mining / Petroleum
- Foundations /Trusts / Taxation
- Family Offices
Representative Experience
- Merger of airline companies
- Corporate restructuring of major Middle East group with multinational operations
- Gold mining exploration joint ventures for Canadian and Panamanian groups
- Multiple hydroelectric projects with transactional matters for US group
- Corporate legal opinions for European bank
- International tender offer and corporate work for French solar power company
- Set up of Multi-Family Office for European group.
- Structuring of multiple trust and foundations for Cyprus/Russian group
Awards & Recognition
- Aviation & Banking - Dr. Juan Francisco Pardini by Legal 500 Latin America 2024
- Private Client 2023 – Dr. Juan F. Pardini by Lexology Getting the Deal Through
- Private Client 2023 - Dr. Juan F. Pardini by Who's Who Legal
- Central America - Environment, Energy & Natural Resources 2023 - Dr. Juan F. Pardini by Who's Who Legal
- Global Leader - Mining 2023 - Dr. Juan F. Pardini by Who's Who Legal
- Financial and Corporate 2023 by IFLR1000
- Law Firm of the Year - Corporate and Litigation – Panama 2023 by Global 100
Career
- Ambassador of Panama for Trade Matters 1993-95
- Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Panama
Languages
- Spanish and English
Memberships
- Panama Bar Association
- Panama – Canada Chamber of Commerce (President 2005-2017)
- American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (President 1995-1996)
- Panama Council for Investment & Development of Panama (Chairman 1995-2004)
- New York State Bar Association, Co-Chairman, Panama Chapter.
- US-Panama Business Council (Co-Founder and former member, Board of Directors)
- Japan-Panama Friendship Association (former member, Board of Directors)
- American Bar Association, Chairman, Energy & Natural Resources Committee, ABA (2000-2003)
- Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Education
- University of Panama (Licenciate in Law and Political Sciences, 1977).
- Tulane University (LL.M., 1978).
- University of Madrid, PhD studies (1980).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They stand out for their expertise in the practice area. They provide us with total support and timely advice.'
- 'Juan José Espino has great knowledge of the aviation field. Adrián Rivera has full control of our matters.'
- 'They are very agile in dealing with our requirements.'
- 'They are decisive, particularly in procedures with the authorities. Eduardo Achurra stands out.'
Key clients
- United Airlines
- FedEx
- Lufthansa
- Air China
- MLM Leasing
- EuroWings Discover
Work highlights
Advising EuroWings Discover, an affiliate of Lufthansa, on its incorporation in Panama and all contractual and regulatory issues related to the launch of its operations in the country.
Advising FedEx on corporate, regulatory and employment issues in Panama.
Advising United Airlines on corporate, transactional and regulatory matters.