Philippines (asialaw)

Abuda Asis & Associates is a boutique law firm specialising in project finance, corporate and M&A, energy and infrastructure. Over the years, the firm has been involved in crucial infrastructure financing deals. The firm is led by Cornelio Abuda and Jehremiah Asis, who focus on banking and finance and infrastructure respectively.

Founded in 1972 and now the largest law firm in the Philippines by size, ACCRALAW is particularly strong in capital markets, dispute resolution, intellectual property, labour and employment law, and tax. The firm has a stellar track record of handling complex cases both domestically and internationally, and especially in dispute resolution, where the firm has handled a great number of landmark litigation cases. With full-service branches in Cebu and Davao City and a team of approximately 170 legal experts, the firm capably services the clientele that run the full spectrum of business and industry. Senior partners Judy Hao and Andre Navato Jr and partner Melissa Angela Velarde are key contacts. 

BDB Law is a premier boutique tax law firm based in the Philippines. For over a decade it has established a stellar track record in handling contentious tax disputes and litigations as well as offering high-level tax advisory services. In terms of industry sectors, the firm is recognised in banking and financial services, insurance, energy and real estate. Founding partner Benedicta Du-Baladad is a key contact. 

IP specialist firm Betita Cabilao Casuela Sarmiento (BCCS Law) offers both contentious and non-contentious IP services. Over the years, the firm has experienced not only a continuous rise in its IP portfolio but also a remarkable increase in IP dispute and litigation cases. Despite the extraordinary challenges of 2020 brought about by the pandemic, BCCS Law achieved modest growth in its trademark practice. Andre Betita, Pericles Casuela, Joseph Sarmiento and John Cabilao are the key partners.

IP boutique Cerilles & Fernan Intellectual Property Law (CFIP Law) capably services clients both domestic and foreign. Its services include patent, trademark and copyright work for both contentious and non-contentious matters. Managing partner Mario Cerilles is a key contact. 

Full-service law firm Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has particular strengths in corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, intellectual property and regulatory. With over three decades of experience in a wide variety of practices, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has earned its reputation as one of the leading law firms in the Philippines. Senior partner Patricia Bunye is a key contact. 

Shipping boutique Del Rosario & Del Rosario is regularly sought out by international protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs as well as insurance companies and cruise lines. The firm has expertise in all aspects of shipping matters including labour, personal injury, vessel arrest, collisions, salvage, oil pollution, damage of cargoes, bunker claims, protection and indemnity, and ship finance. Its well-regarded IP group has also been engaged by global giants such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Sony. Recently, the firm has been expanding to handle matters of corporate and M&A, labour and employment, dispute resolution, and more. Key partners include Ruben Del Rosario, Arturo Del Rosario Jr, Charles Jay Dela Cruz, Joseph Manolo Rebano and Herbert Tria.

Disini Law Offices is a specialist in technology and telecommunication and is recognised as one of the leaders in this area. The firm frequently advises on matters related to blockchain, cryptocurrency, facilitating investments, regulatory and licensing compliance, as well as M&A. It has a diverse roster of clients including banks, remittance companies, virtual currency exchanges, electronic money issuers and fintech providers. The firm has performed significant work in the field of technology and telecommunications practice in the past 12 months and continues to expand its practice in data privacy and policy work. Partners JJ Disini and Juan Orendain Buted are key contacts. 

Federis & Associates is one of a limited number of IP boutiques in the Philippines. The firm focuses especially on patents and trademarks, and services its clients with a team of highly qualified attorneys, lawyers, licensed patent and trademark agents, engineers, paralegals and technical staff. Managing partner Mila Federis is a key contact. 

A member firm of Rajah & Tann Asia, Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) is a full-service law firm of more than 40 lawyers focusing on corporate transactions, construction, commercial litigation, international arbitration, labour and employment, and tax. C&G Law is one of the fastest growing firms in the Philippines and is trusted by many conglomerates, multinational corporations and financial institutions. The firm is committed to delivering legal service that is excellent, timely, and of best quality. Construction lawyer Jaime Renato Gatmaytan, managing partner and disputes specialist Ben Dominic Yap and tax specialist Anthony Mark Gutierrez are key contacts. 

Highly regarded tech-specialist firm Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra primarily serves fintech startups and incumbents. The firm is also active in private equity, venture capital, M&A and dealmaking. From its inception in 2015, the firm has quickly expanded to almost 50 lawyers today, establishing itself as a competitor in multiple practice areas. Mark Gorriceta and Edsel Tupaz are key contacts. 

Formerly known as Zambrano Gruba Caganda and Advincula, Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente is a full-service law firm representing a wide array of local and foreign clients in the Philippines. The firm is highly regarded for its tax practice, which includes both contentious and advisory work. The firm is also active in the banking and finance and corporate and M&A areas. Since its inception in 1993, the firm has continued to grow and has a respectable track record of servicing its clients, handling many landmark cases in the banking and financial services, aviation and real estate sectors. Lily Gruba, Jorge Alfonso C. Melo and Antero Jose Caganda are among the key contacts.

Established in 2015, boutique law firm Gulapa Law is recognised for its expertise in construction, energy and infrastructure. Its market-leading infrastructure group continues to advise both the government and private bidders in various public-private partnership (PPP) projects and has a stellar track record in advising on major flagship infrastructure projects. In addition, the firm also provides expert legal advice in the areas of corporate and M&A, banking and finance, competition/antitrust, intellectual property, dispute resolution and more. With eight partners and 40 legal professionals, Gulapa Law continues to expand by servicing more international clients. Infrastructure specialist Aris Gulapa is the main contact. 

Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio is the contentious arm of the Hechanova Group with a focus on IP. The firm handles a variety of work including enforcement, litigation and infringement. Managing partner Editha Hechanova is a key contact.

Established in 2017, Insights Philippines Legal Advisors is a member firm of the ZICO Law regional network. With many new potential unicorns entering the market, the firm is set to play a big role in the fintech sector in the coming years. Managing partner Felix Sy brings more than 20 years of experience in the banking and finance, corporate and M&A, energy and infrastructure practices, and is the key contact.

Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano (MVGS) provides services in the areas of construction, corporate and M&A, banking and finance, intellectual property, dispute resolution, and labour and employment. Eduardo Martinez, Mark Vergara and Reynaldo Dizon are key contacts. 

Poblador Bautista & Reyes is a full-service law firm with a specialty in dispute resolution. Founded in 1994, the firm focuses particularly on the fields of litigation, commercial arbitration, intellectual property, tax and more. In addition to representing an extensive and varied list of clients, the firm also has an exemplary track record in dispute resolution, including handling domestic commercial arbitration, labour litigation and arbitration proceedings, and defence in franchise cancellation proceedings. The firm currently has 17 partners and 22 associates with founding partners Alexander Poblador, Mario Bautista and Gilbert Reyes being key contacts. 

Puyat Jacinto & Santos provides a comprehensive range of legal services across specialised fields including energy, infrastructure, corporate and M&A, banking and finance, and capital markets. Ramil Bugayong, Pearl Grace Cabali and Elaine Marie Laceda are among the key contacts. In 2021, Roy Enrico C. Santos was promoted to managing partner and Roberto Miguel D. Ramiro was promoted to partner.

Quisumbing Torres, a member firm of Baker McKenzie, offers legal expertise across all practice areas and sectors with experienced teams in both transactional and contentious areas. The firm is ranked highly in capital markets, competition/antitrust, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, IP and tax. With a team of more than 50 lawyers, Quisumbing Torres provides tailored and practical legal advice for clients. Key practitioners include managing partner Ramon Quisumbing, dispute specialist Donemark Calimon, labour expert Kenneth Chua and project specialist Dennis Quintero.

Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles is one of the largest and most highly regarded full-service law firms in the Philippines. The firm is especially strong in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, energy, infrastructure and intellectual property. Senior partner Agustin Montilla is a key contact.

Sarmiento Loriega Law Office delivers comprehensive legal services across corporate, mining, securities, real estate and energy sectors in the Philippines. Founded in 2020 by partners who brought extensive global and local expertise, the firm has rapidly expanded to a team of five senior partners, 10 associates and support staff. Co-managing partner Maria Elizabeth Peralta Loriega is recognised for her M&A expertise while co-founding partner Julito Sarmiento leads the firm's innovative social licensing practice supporting major industrial projects. 

Founded by legal expert Elmer Serrano in 2021, Serrano Law offers legal services across various industries and practice areas with a focus on corporate and M&A, capital markets, banking and finance and more. Managing partner Serrano is a key contact. 

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is a leading full-service firm in the Philippines. As the largest law firm in the country, it offers a broad range of legal services across most practice areas and provides specialised expertise in corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, banking and finance, and more. In addition, the firm is capable of servicing clients in almost every industry sector and enterprise including aviation, insurance, technology and telecommunications, and real estate. The firm is known for its ability to handle novel and landmark transactions for both foreign and local businesses and institutions. Its key partners include Philbert Varona and Melyjane Bertillo-Ancheta. 

Tayag Ngochua & Chu is a corporate and commercial law firm established in 2022. The firm advises on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, foreign investments, banking, fintech and competition matters. From its initial two-lawyer team, the firm has expanded to eight lawyers operating from its Bonifacio Global City office. In 2024, the firm formed a strategic alliance with Mori Hamada as their Philippine member firm, enhancing its cross-border capabilities across Asia Pacific. 

Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm is a full-service law firm with a specialty in litigation, dispute resolution and labour and employment. The firm prides itself on providing clients with technically sound and business-savvy legal assistance. Founded in 2019, the firm has quickly grown to become a notable presence in the Philippine legal community. Benjamin Tolosa and Filemon Ray Javier are key contacts.

Client feedback

“They advise the client exhaustively and comprehensively on possible available options on legal issues that the client needs to consider properly.” – Dispute resolution

“They are very responsive and accommodating with our schedule.” – Labour and employment

“Very professional and knowledgeable.” – Labour and employment

“The firm's service was precise and thorough. They provided valuable insight regarding Philippine labour laws. They also demonstrated responsiveness and efficiency by addressing our concerns within our requested turnaround times.” – Labour and employment

Francis Flameno

“Good communication skills, knowledgeable, innovative and organised.”

Filemon Ray Javier

“Always available to provide fast and sound business and legal solutions.”

“Responsive to our needs and integrated very well into our system.”

“Very professional in handling customer needs.”

“He possesses an extensive depth of knowledge of Philippine law, demonstrating a profound understanding of legal principles matched with extensive on-the-ground experience.”

Benjamin Tolosa

“He is an excellent litigation lawyer with in-depth knowledge not just of legal matters but strategic actions as well that translate into solutions for the client.”

Full-service firm Villaraza & Angangco is recognised for its practice areas of corporate and M&A, energy, dispute resolution, intellectual property, real estate, and technology and telecommunications. A firm with decades of experience serving its clients, it has gained the trust of leading multinational corporations, financial institutions and conglomerates. Its key lawyers include dispute partners Alejandro Alfonso Navarro and Augusto San Pedro as well as IP specialist Bienvenido Somera. In recent partner moves, Mandy Therese Anderson left the firm to join Converge in December 2024, while Carlo Augustine Roman departed to take a position at First Digital Finance Corporation in January 2025.