Finance & Commercial Law Firm in Panama

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman

Main Office

Aquilino de la Guardia Street No. 8, IGRA Building
P.O. Box 0823-02435
Panama
Panama

+507 205-6000

+507 269-4891

www.icazalaw.com

Contact Mr. Joel Medina

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Law Firm Overview

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman, founded in the year 1920 under the name Lombardi e Icaza, grows with the center of international services in Panama. Its founders are pioneers among those who contributed to the creation of the legal structure in our country, which has been developing in order to become the international financial center it is today.

Presently, Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has a qualified group of lawyers, who day to day expand, enrich and renew the capacity of the firm, with studies and up to date specializations, both in Panama and abroad, which have converted it into an organization with ample capacity to attend every aspect of legal counseling demanded of cities with important financial and commercial activities.

The competence areas of these professionals cover several worldwide jurisdictions which, together with the great demand of services related to international operations, has led the firm to establish affiliates in important financial centers. Presently, Icaza, González-Ruíz & Alemán, offers its services through offices in Switzerland, Luxembourg, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Anguilla, Belize, Uruguay, Seychelles and Singapore, in addition to the main office in Panama and offices in David, new and popular tourist and retirement destinations in the province of Chiriquí.

The depth of over 90 years of experience guarantees the timely delivery of top quality solutions in every service rendered.

Year this Office was Established: 1920

Languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Commercial and Industrial Registrations, Fishing Licenses, Health and Safety Certificates, E-banking, Taxation on the Internet, Personal Identity Cards (Cédula), Intellectual Property Litigation, Maritime Litigation, International Corporate Services.

Practice Areas Description

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman provides legal help on the following areas of practice:

- Administrative Law

We assist our clients towards this increasingly complex area, as we are in close contact with the legal and regulatory developments. taking care of licenses and permits, registrations, certificates, inscriptions, concessions, and petitions; and have the capacity to collect, copy, translate and certify original documents, file applications, produce and register documentation and follow up the progress of our clients’ cases. Our services, among others include: Bidding; Commercial and Industrial Registrations; Intellectual Property Registrations; Fishing Licenses; Health and Safety Certificates; Public Contracting; Professional Licenses for the practice of regulated professions; Registrations and enrollment with the Public Registry and Electoral Tribunal and its agencies; Social Security issues; Regulating Board for Games and Gambling. In addition, our firm also provides support to clients that are establishing and running Financial Institutions and Investment Consultancies together with our Finance and Banking Department and our Capital Markets team.

- Banking and Finance

Within this environment, Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has been able to accumulate invaluable expertise that benefits our international and domestic clients. Being sensitive to the domestic legal, regulatory and cultural considerations we are regularly assisting financial institutions that wish to operate from Panama in the following related areas: Advise on all regulatory and compliance issues; Establishment; Corporate structure; Capital adequacy; Registrations; Licenses for conducting the various types of financial activities and for individuals to practice regulated finance related professions.

- Communications and Information Technology

Our partners hold positions at the Society for New Technologies and Law, which advises the government on legislation and related issues and consequently remain in contact with any existing or eminent developments. Our CIT team deals with all legal aspects related to: E-commerce; Telecommunications; Copyright; Domain protection; Cyber-crimes; Data and software protection; E-banking; Taxation on the Internet.

- Consumer Protection and Competition

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has a team of expert lawyers who are specialized in dealing with current regulations applicable to the aforesaid free competition and consumer protection matters. We have acted for complainants and respondents. In this context, we represent banks and providers of other services to the public, and in particular we can offer preventive advice to help contain any risk related to possible actions. In this area we often support the Banking and Finance as well as the Communications and IT teams. Among others, we handle administrative proceedings before the Free Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission as well as those proceedings arising from complaints filed by users of banking and public services which we handle before the Regulatory Entity and the Bank Superintendence, respectively. Additionally, our department has experience in judicial proceedings, on related matters.

- Energy and Environmental

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman have demonstrated technical expertise in various deals involving complex environmental and commercial issues related to the idiosyncratic geographical characteristics of Panama, such as hydrographic, preservation and maintenance, and transport issues. We often work in conjunction to our specialists in the areas of Public and Administrative Law, or Finance and Banking, as appropriate.

- Immigration & Naturalization

This department deals with any immigration matters, on behalf of our independent and/or international corporate clients in their Panamanian business dealings and in conjunction with the Employment and Labor law practice. Our team of lawyers is highly experienced in dealing with the relevant authorities and aware of the intricacies of the Panamanian law and procedures. Our policy is to stay in close contact to the client and maintain a good communication, having a lawyer on call to answer any inquiries and solve major problems regarding immigration or labor related matters.

- Insurance & Re-Insurance

We advised a large number of insurance companies in relation to their corporate organizational needs. In particular we ensure that the regulatory and other administrative requirements are fulfilled, and assist in the establishment of new businesses for a variety of insurance operations, and acquire licenses for life and non-life services, insurers and re- insurers, intermediaries, brokers, Captives. We further have the capability to assist with the required documentation regarding the sale or purchase of insurance products. A related aspect of our work is advising on the relatively new domestic legislation relating to transparency and the Insurance Superintendence, the industry’s regulating authority. The team has also advised on insurance related to debt and secured financing transactions, as well as for insurance in the shipping industry, while we often deal with the insurance aspects of our clients in the finance and banking industries.

- Intellectual Property

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has an Intellectual Property department with significant experience across the field. We deal with all the needs of our domestic and international clients in a national or regional level. Our capability includes trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, slogans, copyrights, trade and domain names, and has attracted a prestigious clientele throughout the commercial, services and industrial sectors.

- Labor and Employment

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has an employment and labor law team well versed both in the regulatory framework that governs this area of law and the industrial relationships reality in various industry sectors. Often the highlights of this practice come across as the firm takes on major deals for key clients from across the industries, and in particular for big projects (public or private) and infrastructure work, and corporate restructurings, following acquisitions or privatizations, as well as incoming new international investment from corporate clients, but on many occasions we deal with the on-going concerns of our clients in a smaller scale. We are well versed in the details of labor rights and obligations, wages, work schedules, benefits, terminations and compensation as well as in the handling of labor related suits of all kinds, while we can advise on social security matters.

- Litigation & ADR

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman has one of the leading litigation practices, and benefits from long experience and in-depth specializations of its partners, associates and paralegal staff. We understand the importance of enforcement and litigation for the private and business needs of our clientele and are dedicated in offering a personalized service and good communications to our clients, throughout the period of our engagement. Our multilingual staff works closely with the client to identify all the points of interest, select the most suitable actions and deliver a high-quality efficient service. We ensure the best course of action will be followed when targeting the desired resolution.

- Maritime & Admiralty

Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman continuously offers a wide range of legal services to the international maritime community. Maritime law has been at the core of our practice since 1920. Some of our areas of expertise include without limitation: Corporate Structure & Finance Arrangements for shipping enterprises; Vessel and Ship ownership registration/insurance; Acquisition or disposal of vessels; Cross-border transactions; Advise on the most appropriate registration choices (jurisdictions & flags); Maritime Litigation; Attachment and arrest of vessels; Drafting and negotiation of credit & security instruments; Maritime contracts in general.

- Public Contracting & Privatizations

Our Public Contracts, Projects and Privatizations practice has a strong record of expert work and benefits of a team of specialists that have been involved in many outstanding deals across a spectrum of industries including energy, substantial infrastructure projects, oil, planning, property, tourism and transport. Our clients have included international banks, financial institutions, multinational corporations and public sector entities. Our particular strength lies in our long record of participation in the consultation stages for governmental agencies and legislators. In this capacity we have often been able to influence public policy decisions and earned ourselves a reputation as shapers of legal developments.

- Real Estate & Tourism

We have a specialized team of attorneys that serves the needs of our clients in an integral manner in order to make the experience of visiting, relocating or investing in Panama, a pleasant and enjoyable one. Our services include: Due diligence on measurement and encumbrances of properties; Property title searches; Negotiation of purchase contracts; Drafting and registration of purchase deeds; Escrow and trust services; Assistance in opening bank accounts; Assistance with utility companies; Personalized immigration services; Real estate project management and development; Tax and accounting advice. In addition, we have substantial experience representing developers of residential, commercial or tourism projects, in all stages of development, including, land acquisition, master plan approval, tourism registration, formation of owners association (or condominium regime), financing, segregations, contracts of sale, and tax advice.

- Taxation

Our tax practice has won the trust of a wide range of clients, both individual and corporate, for the quality of the advice that it has produced. Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman offers optimal solutions regarding taxes for every type of activity. We provide tax-sensitive guidance to help clients reach and implement commercial decisions and corporate strategies, while incurring minimum tax liabilities. Our Tax specialists are well positioned to support foreign clients in establishing new operations in Panama and benefiting from business opportunities and special tax incentives available. We develop tax-efficient mechanisms for entry to the markets, or for participation in public and private bids, acquisitions and re-organizations. In this context we have advised clients involved in different commercial and economic activities, such as banking, shipping, construction, and real estate.

- Capital Markets

The firm has been involved in a wide variety of deals of secured and unsecured financing, from debt and equity to structured facilities; have acted for managers, investors, selling shareholders, issuers, debt providers and trustees. Our clients vary from banks and multilaterals such as the International Finance Corporation to private funds, consortiums or emerging businesses.

- Contracts

The attorneys at Icaza, Gonzalez-Ruiz & Alemán have the expertise and the academic preparation required to advise on commercial matters, including the drafting and revision of all kind of contracts.

- Corporate Law

Our firm may assist its clients in all legal matters related to corporations and their shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, creditors, partnerships, intellectual property, trusts, contracts, environmental issues, among others, including all kinds of litigation.

Affiliations

MULTILAW
INTA
IBA
STEP

Partners

	Alvaro A. Alemán H. Partner Employment, Government Contracts, Labor, Litigation, Public Law		Roberto R. Alemán H. Partner Business Law, Communication, Contracts, Corporate Law, Investment Law
	Domingo Díaz A. Partner Banking and Finance, Corporate Law, Insurance, Real Estate, Administrative Law		Domingo A. Díaz S. Partner Banking and Finance, Business Formation, Corporate Law, Real Estate
	Joaquín A. Díaz S. Partner Business Law, Corporate Law, Employment, Environmental Law, Estate and Trust		Francisco González-Ruiz A. Partner Agency and Distributorship, Litigation, Administrative Law
	Gabriel González-Ruiz A. Partner Communication, Corporate Law, Government Contracts, Litigation, Public Law		Alexis V. Herrera Jr. Partner Admiralty and Maritime, Business Law, Communication, Corporate Law, Energy
	Alexis V. Herrera V. Partner Banking and Finance, Civil Rights, Corporate Law, Insurance, Litigation		Nora E. Jurado R. Partner Admiralty and Maritime, Corporate Law, International Companies, Administrative Law
	Juan E. Lombardi T. Partner Agency and Distributorship, Agricultural Law, Business Law, General Practice, Insurance		Joel R. Medina Partner Admiralty and Maritime, Communication, Corporate Law, Energy, Environmental Law
	Jorge Molina Mendoza Partner Commercial Law, Commercial Litigation, Constitutional Law, Consumer Law, Litigation		Michelle Oteiza de de la Guardia Partner Banking Law, Contracts, Estate and Trust, Family Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
	Mariano J. Oteiza I. Partner Contracts, Corporate Law, International Corporations		Gabriela Tejada de Britton Partner Intellectual Property

Associates

	Diego J. Alemán R. Associate Corporate Law, Litigation, Administrative Law		Luis A. Chalhoub M. Associate Banking and Finance, Commercial Law, Consumer Law, Contracts, International Trade
	Mariela I. de la Guardia Oteiza Associate Intellectual Property		Karen R. Diez S. Associate General Practice, Intellectual Property, Naturalization and Citizenship, Administrative Law, Civil Law
	Marisol T. Ellis Associate Litigation		Yexadira N. García G. Associate Corporate Law, Estate and Trust
	Rosaura González Marcos Associate Administrative Law, Banking and Finance, Banking Law, Capital Markets, Commercial Law		Fernando González-Ruiz M. Associate Immigration, Intellectual Property, Naturalization and Citizenship
	Eturvides Maldonado Barrios Associate Litigation		Ana Graciela Medina Associate Communication, Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Real Estate
	Hugo Morán R. Associate Intellectual Property, Litigation		Mr. Mariano J. Oteiza Díaz Associate Contracts, Corporate Law, Offshore Services, Administrative Law
	Carlos E. Villalobos J. Associate Litigation

Lawyers

Jordana C. Fasano M.
Attorney
Commercial Law, Communication, Contracts, Immigration, Labor

Javier José Vallarino
Attorney
Employment, Labor

Of Counsel

	Rodolfo R. Chiari C. Senior Counsel Banking Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Mining		Juan A. Tejada Mora Senior Counsel Banking Law, Bankruptcy, Capital Markets, Corporate Law, Estate and Trust
	Vasco R. Wendehake F. Senior Counsel Corporate Law, Franchising, Administrative Law

Representative Clients

Bacardi Centroamericana S.A.
Banco General de Panamá, S.A.
Banco Cuscatlán de Panamá, S.A.
Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A.
Bancolombia Panamá S.A.
Bilfinger Berger A.G.
Cadbury Adams Panamá, S.A.
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Cervecería Nacional, S.A.
China Harbor Engineering Co. Ltd.
Christian Dior Couture
Citibank, N.A.
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
Compañía Nacional de Seguros, S.A.
Dell Inc.
Delta Airlines Inc.
Diageo North América, Inc.
Dream Works LLC
Eli Lilly and Co.
F. Hoffman-La Roche & Co.
Glidden Panamá S.A.
Global Bank Corporation
Grupo Carvajal S.A.
Grupo Elektra S.A. de C.V.
Hershey Chocolate & Confectionery Corporation

HSBC Republic International Bank
Kimberly-Clark International S.A.
Manufacture Des Montres Rolex, S.A.
Mazda Motor Corporation
Merck & Co. Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.
Novartis Pharma
Olympic Maritime, S.A.
Pan American Life Insurance Co.
Phelps Dodge International Corp.
Phillip morris Products S.A.
Sanofi Aventis
Samsung Electronics Latinoamérica (Zona Libre), S.A.
Seiko Corporation
Syngenta Participations AG
Sur Química Internacional, S.A.
The Quaker Oats Company
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Unilever N.V.
Warner-Lambert Company
World Wresting Entertainment
Xerox Corporation