OUR PRACTICES

BUSINESS & CORPORATE LAW

Through the years, our Firm has counseled many successful companies – from small and mid-size closely-held businesses, to publicly-held corporations. Our Firm uses creative strategies to structure a wide range of commercial and financial transactions for clients in many different industries and business sectors. Whether working with a start-up entity or a mature business, we emphasize establishing long term relationships built on personalized attention and an in-depth understanding of our clients’ businesses and legal requirements. In addition to providing these services, we act as counselors to many companies, advising them on day-to-day legal matters. Our attorneys may review business plans and contracts, interpret new regulations, establish employee benefit programs, or recommend tax strategies – in effect, acting as trusted advisory partners in guiding business decisions.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

We are focused, aggressive and results-oriented in our representation of individuals, groups and businesses, whether as plaintiffs or defendants, at every level of the court system. We listen to our clients’ objectives and then work to develop the best legal strategy. We maintain a highly sophisticated practice, representing clients in all areas of civil, criminal, labor, and administrative litigation before courts and administrative bodies. Our trial attorneys also assist clients in various forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. Appreciating the costs and time involved in court proceedings, our attorneys strive to give clients a realistic analysis of the alternatives.

TAX

Our tax law practice covers all aspects of taxation related to our clients’ legal needs. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling tax matters for large and small business entities, individuals, estates and trusts, and tax-exempt organizations. From planning to audit, our attorneys work closely with clients and other professionals to minimize taxes and maximize  profits.

PRIVATE CLIENT & WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Our Firm represents individuals and families, privately held businesses and family charitable trusts and foundations. We offer a variety of estate planning services tailored to meet the needs of those clients concerned with the preservation and orderly transfer of assets. To accomplish goals consistent with each client’s long-range plans, our attorneys analyze assets, discuss options, and apply strategies that take full advantage of current income tax and estate tax laws.

FAMILY LAW

Our Firm provides clients with full services in the marital and family law area of practice. Aside from our substantial trial experience in complex marital and family law matters, our attorneys advocate settlements through negotiation, mediation and arbitration. We have the experience and standing in the legal community to provide effective counsel to clients through the various stages of demanding and sensitive legal matters. We provide counsel in annulment proceedings involving the liquidation of family assets and estates. We are well versed in all aspects of prenuptial agreements and agreements between domestic partners. We also handle wills, trusts and estates, will contests, and other probate litigation.

REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Offering clients a broad range of commercial and residential real estate services, our Firm represents developers and landowners in the acquisition, development, sale and leasing of major industrial and commercial projects, such as, industrial parks, offices complexes, condominiums, apartments, subdivisions, office parks and other developments. We have extensive experience in the development, financing and leasing of properties, and in negotiating and preparing the precise documents required to effectively complete complex real estate transactions

LABOR & HUMAN RESOURCES

We counsel both companies and individuals on a variety of employee-relation matters. We have substantial employment litigation experience and represent various clients before the National Labor Relations Commission. In addition, we provide advice to human resources professionals on the development of personnel policies and procedures.

IMMIGRATION, VISAS, GOVERNMENT REGULATION & AFFAIRS

We guide our clients through the frequently changing maze of local and national government regulations and policies. We help clients develop the right strategy for dealing with government and regulatory matters. We also appear before legislative committees and state agencies to address our clients’ concerns. Whether the issue is land use regulations, licensing, immigration, visa or other governmental matters, our attorneys have the background and substantial experience to achieve our clients’ objectives.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

We assist our clients through the initial stage of studying the proponent’s options up to the acquisition of different government approvals, licenses and permits, and financial closing. We have acquired and developed vast knowledge and expertise in this area of legal practice, as the Firm and/or its members have been engaged as legal consultants in a wide array of infrastructure and governmental projects in the Philippines [the MRT III EDSA Light Rail System, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Passenger Terminal 3, MRT Line 4, MRT Line 8, Mini Hydro Electric Plants, the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, the Privatization of the Caticlan/Boracay Airport, Propose Three Thousand (3000) Hectare Reclamation, Proposed Redevelopment of an International Airport, Proposed International Cargo and Ship Terminal, Redevelopment of a Public Cemetery, Proposed Redevelopment of portions of Smokey Mountain, Bulk Water Supply for Samar and Redevelopment of a Military Airbase]. In addition, we have been involved in assisting investors obtain incentives from the Board of Investments and other government agencies.

CORPORATE FINANCE & SECURITIES

We have acquired the necessary experience in guiding clients through both legal and regulatory procedures, requirements and documentation for public offerings, floatation and placements of securities, both debt and equity issues, or hybrids thereof. In addition, the Firm provides advisory services in determining the most efficient manner of raising equity, taking into account the relevant regulatory structures currently in place.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

We provide our clients guidance on buy-outs, buy-ins, private company acquisitions or dispositions taking into consideration not only legal matters and the contract negotiations but more so their long-term business and economic plans. We have assisted and adviced our clients, whether it be for a start-up, a cross-border joint venture, strategic alliance, cooperation agreements, or other matter involving commercial contracts vital to the continuing success of a company, family or individual.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, PATENTS & COPYRIGHTS

Protecting intellectual property rights, information rights (such as patents copyrights, and design rights), and trademarks can be complex and time consuming. We offer comprehensive services to protect and enforce our clients’ intellectual property rights. From start to finish, our attorneys can direct clients through the process of obtaining copyrights and trademarks and protecting valuable trade and business secrets. We are also experienced in enforcing rights related to trademark and copyright matters, including copyright and trademark infringement actions.