Philippines Law Firm Awards

ACCRALAW has become the leading law firm in the Philippines since its founding in 1972. With about 170 lawyers, including 44 partners and 130 support staff, ACCRALAW is a significant presence throughout the country, servicing clients from two branches in major commercial cities outside Metro Manila. The firm’s extensive international client base and cross-border transaction experience is supported by an extensive network of correspondent firms, which sets ACCRALAW even further apart in the legal industry.

The firm’s reputation for producing and training top-tier government officials is second to none and its reputation in this sector is enhanced by its partners’ work in helping draft key legislation, rules and regulations. More importantly, ACCRALAW invests in the continual development of its lawyers by offering workshops, specialisation tracks and training programmes to ensure valuable knowledge, skills and decades of experience are passed down.

ACCRALAW maintains a healthy work environment for its staff, implementing initiatives such as “town hall meetings”, where senior associates and associates can voice their concerns and make suggestions to management. Anticipating the need for improved mental health support, the firm partnered with Dear Future Self Consulting PH (DFS) in 2023, granting its employees access to licensed mental health professionals when necessary.

Adapting to the new normal, ACCRALAW has embraced remote work arrangements, flexible hours and improved document management systems to enhance its team’s agility. Staying fully interconnected across all branches, ACCRALAW has promoted strategic business continuity.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, ACCRALAW established the Corporate Social Responsibility Department to promote purposeful initiatives in line with the firm’s commitment to moral excellence. The firm has partnered with various foundations to provide pro bono legal services, scholarships and contributions to key organisations like the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Bar Association.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) has positioned itself as a premier legal force in the Philippines. With a diverse portfolio that spans both traditional and emerging legal areas, PJS Law goes beyond standard practices by delivering remarkable client service and sustainable solutions.

In 2023, PJS Law marked a significant milestone when it announced a combination with Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, underscoring its global aspirations. The partners at Dentons affirmed the business combination with a positive vote in April 2023. Amid international expansion efforts, PJS Law remains actively involved in numerous global and local transactions as well as public forums, showcasing its expertise.

PJS Law, now in its 26th year, advances with an emphasis on not just growth, but also responsiveness, innovation and problem-solving, persistently working to elevate its client services.

Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de Los Angeles (Romulo) was founded in 1902 and has evolved from a modest commercial law practice in downtown Manila to one of the largest and most highly regarded law firms in the Philippines. With 48 partners and more than 90 multilingual lawyers, the firm provides a comprehensive range of legal services spanning banking and finance, capital markets and securities, energy and infrastructure, immigration, IP and telecoms.

Romulo’s talented team comprises globally trained and experienced legal professionals who actively participate in worldwide business and civic associations. The firm is also the sole Philippine member of Lex Mundi, a global network of about 160 independent law firms and 21,000 lawyers across economically significant jurisdictions. Additionally, Romulo is a TRACE partner firm in the Philippines and has joined other TRACE firms in promoting practical and cost-effective anti-bribery compliance on an international scale.

James Bryan Ibrahim A Alih, corporate in-house counsel at PH Global Jet Express, a technology and internet-based express delivery company based in Metro Manila, applauded Romulo saying: “Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles has been an important partner as the company navigates through the complexities of our dynamic industry. They provide us with expert legal advice that is only matched by their pragmatic approach in resolving our existing and potential legal concerns. With their grounded legal guidance as well as their excellent handling of complex disputes, we foresee a long and fruitful relationship with Romulo. Definitely, a highly recommended firm for any company in a fast-paced and ultra-competitive industry.”

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw) was established in 1945 and is now one of the Philippines’ largest and most prestigious law firms. Headquartered in the country’s financial epicentre of Makati City, it extends its reach across the country through additional offices in key regions such as Cebu, Davao and the Subic Freeport.

SyCipLaw focuses primarily on commercial activity and provides a broad range of legal services in banking, finance, securities, special projects, corporate services, general company law, tax, IP, employment and immigration, as well as dispute resolution and arbitration. The firm has also expanded its specialisations in essential sectors such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and infrastructure, setting it apart in the Philippine legal scene.

Recently, SyCipLaw marked its commitment to contemporary issues by contributing to the Philippine chapter of “Navigating the Net Zero Transition: Spotlight on Southeast Asia, Japan and the Republic of Korea”, a guide to decarbonisation across the region.

Since being founded in 1977, DelRosario & DelRosario Law Offices (DelRosarioLaw) has built its name as one of the Philippines’ leading maritime law firms. In more than four decades, it has gained international acclaim in the global shipping and transport sectors, and has been instrumental in shaping the country’s maritime policies.

With the Philippines accounting for more than 20% of the world’s seafarers, key players in the maritime field frequently consult the firm’s expertise. DelRosarioLaw’s complete assistance for its global clients is shown in its extensive experience in labour, financial and regulatory conflicts.

Poblador Bautista & Reyes (PBR Law) is a renowned law firm founded in 1994 by Alexander J Poblador, Mario Luza Bautista and Gilbert Raymund T Reyes. It offers diverse services such as litigation, commercial arbitration, IP, real estate and construction, and more. The firm’s lawyers are also affiliated with legal organisations such as the International Trademark Association, the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the Tax Management Association of the Philippines.

Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS) has provided top-notch legal services in the Philippines for the past 25 years. Its expertise covers multiple sectors including litigation, corporate transactions, employment relations, arbitration, IT commerce, estate planning, immigration, intellectual property, mining, energy, project finance, real estate and more. However, the firm is significantly known for its solar, hydro and geothermal power generation projects, assisting foreign clients in initiating ventures in the Philippines. This comprehensive support ranges from guiding clients through the investment stage to overseeing project implementation.

FNS has been instrumental in numerous successful solar power projects, from creating 20,000kWp (DC) solar power plants to larger 59.9664MWp projects. Currently, FNS is supporting China Huadian Hongkong, one of China’s five major state-owned power generation companies, by preparing a legal due diligence report. This report is a crucial preliminary requirement for the company’s anticipated investment in a prominent 150MW wind power plant managed by the Bago-Negros Energy Corporation in the Philippines.

Founded in 1984 by Justice Ricardo Puno Sr, PunoLaw is a dominant force within the Phillipines’ energy practice. The firm offers extensive local and international knowledge and experience in power transactions and has consistently served as counsel in various aspects of the power industry.

Guided by Felix Sy, a prominent lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience, Sy & Partners delivers counsel and support to an extensive roster of clients, including corporates, project developers and financial institutions on a domestic and international scope. Its expertise lies in banking, financing, energy/renewables, infrastructure and insurance. The firm is also known for its affiliation with Nishimura & Asahi, Japan’s largest law firm.

Bengzon Negre Untalan (BNU) is a specialised law firm with a central focus on IP law practice. Its team is a dynamic blend of lawyers with extensive experience in all intellectual property and information technology sectors. The firm’s partners share a common professional trajectory, having procured their law degrees from the leading law schools in the country and operated within the largest and most prestigious law firms before establishing their niche practices.

BNU boasts a team of associates, technical consultants, paralegals and staff who have received specialised training in intellectual property and information technology practice. The firm possesses a robust management information system and customised software, effectively managing its clients’ trademark, patent and copyright portfolios.

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia emerged in 2013 as a result of the collaborative efforts of 15 adept legal professionals united by a shared vision. In the years since, an equivalent number of new partners have stepped up to help drive the firm into a new era.

Unlike the routine approach of some Philippine firms, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has distinguished itself by entrusting all IP litigation cases to its dedicated IP department, rather than the broader litigation department.

A testament to Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia’s prowess is its victory in a trademark enforcement matter for Fiberworld, a diaper manufacturing company located in Valenzuela City, Philippines, from the initial investigation phase to securing a favourable judgment.

In another significant case, they successfully opposed a trademark application for the mark “MANULIFE” filed by Tangshan Hongli Tools. The firm represented Manulife, an international insurance company and financial services provider headquartered in Ontario, Canada.

Alan Adcock, a partner at Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok serving international and local businesses across Southeast Asia, said he would “enthusiastically recommend Cruz Marcelo, and particularly partner Patricia Bunye. Our firms have worked closely together for many years and I can personally attest to the high quality and consistent excellence of their advice and client representation. We reciprocate work [and] consider Cruz Marcelo a trusted partner in delivering excellent client service.”

The Hechanova Group, encompassing Hechanova & Co, a consulting firm handling non-contentious IP work, and Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio, a law firm with a wealth of experience in contentious IP work, is a legal entity committed to the field of IP.

It has a track record of successful IP prosecutions from 2022 to 2023 and has filed a considerable number of applications for trademark and patent registration. The firm’s highlight is its significant involvement in the enforcement of the KICK-START trademark for Silca Coffee Roasting Company, a coffee roastery enterprise in Cavite, Philippines.

The Hechanova Group assisted Silca to file several trademark applications, supporting owner Michael P Asuncion in enforcing his IP rights over the KICK-START trademark. Cease and desist letters were prepared and sent to protect the trademark, resulting in compliance and complete removal of the mark from social media posts. The successful enforcement of Asuncion’s IP rights had a significant impact, prompting him to seek further protection for unregistered marks and file additional applications.

Villaraza & Angangco’s (V&A Law) has stood out in its field since being established in 1980 by renowned lawyers, including V&A Law’s present chairman and CEO, and former Philippines Supreme Court Justice F Arthur Villaraza, and fellow former justice Antonio T Carpio. As student leaders and top graduates of the University of the Philippines, these founders have guided the firm to growth and recognition. They primarily concentrated on the firm’s IP department which, in turn, managed vast numbers of trademarks and patents, many of which were owned by major global corporations.

V&A Law has also been tremendously successful in high-stakes IP litigation, making inexpensive medication more available in the Philippines while also laying the groundwork for numerous landmark IP case laws.

Cerilles & Fernan Intellectual Property Legal Consultancy (CFIP Law) is a boutique IP law firm focusing mainly on local and international IP protection such as patents, trademarks and copyrights. The firm also has extensive experience filing Patent Co-operation Treaty applications in the Philippines and managing national phase entry in foreign jurisdictions.

One of the firm’s recent remarkable achievements is representing Blackbough Clothing Shop against an opposition case filed by Suyen Corporation, a Philippine corporation best known for the Bench apparel brand. Blackbough Clothing Shop operates Blackbough Swim, a swimwear label based in Manila.

Blackbough Clothing Shop benefited from CFIP Law’s successful international application filing for the “BLACKBOUGH” mark, securing its designation in China and the US across two classes. Blackbough Clothing Shop has also entrusted the firm to protect their “BLACKBOUGH” and “B” marks in the US.

Federis & Associates Law Offices (Federis) is a boutique Phillipines law firm that specialises solely in IP. Despite its modest size, the firm has gained a reputation on par with or surpassing other top-tier firms in the country.

One recent example of the firm’s success includes filing complaints for trademark infringement against Edlimbos Bicycle Trading, a bike shop in Cebu, Philippines, and Starbright Bicycle Trading, a bike trading business in Cebu, on behalf of Shimano, a prominent bicycle component manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan.

The filings resulted from co-ordinated raids by the National Bureau of Investigation and Neo Zigma, Shimano’s official distributor in the Philippines, which confiscated thousands of counterfeit bicycle parts and accessories bearing the “SHIMANO” mark. This action showcases both Shimano’s determination to tackle counterfeiting in the Philippines and Federis’ vital role in supporting such anti-infringement efforts.

Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako (SRMO) is a law firm with a rich history that traces back to its 1901 establishment, making it one of the oldest law partnerships in the Philippines. While the firm exhibits proficiencies in different legal disciplines, its comprehensive practice in handling labour disputes at trial and appellate levels shines prominently. Areas of expertise include collective bargaining negotiations, strike contingency planning, strike handling, labour litigation arising from termination, wage claims, unfair labour practices, assumption-of-jurisdiction cases, compulsory and voluntary arbitrations and certification election proceedings.

SRMO has displayed an impressive track record of handling collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and certifications for various notable companies like Philippine Long Distance Telephone, a Philippine telecoms, internet and digital services company headquartered in Manila, and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines.

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (Gorriceta), recognised as the “youngest biggest” law firm in the Philippines, has garnered significant attention and numerous awards since its founding in 2015, establishing itself as a challenging contender to the country’s longstanding and largest law firms. From an initial team of only nine legal professionals, the firm has expanded its ranks nearly six-fold and now boasts a formidable group of almost 50 legal experts.

Gorriceta’s impressive accomplishments are particularly notable in the private equity arena. Its achievements include acting as the Philippine legal counsel to Angkas (parent company Dbdoyc), a motorcycle taxi and delivery service company in Manila, during its seed round led by a Southeast Asian private equity firm. Gorriceta was also the lead Philippine transaction counsel in the multimillion-dollar acquisition of shares and strategic investment in Dragonpay, a payment gateway company in Manila by an Indonesian fintech B2B unicorn.

Gulapa Law is a dynamic and versatile law firm with areas of expertise encompassing general corporate law, M&A, infrastructure projects, banking and finance, real estate, technology and media, antitrust and competition, and IP and dispute resolution. The firm’s recent establishment in 2015 has not deterred its zeal for excellence, as it has quickly positioned itself as a leader in projects and infrastructure. Gulapa Law’s proficiency in this speciality shines through their representation of private bidders and the Philippine Republic in almost every major infrastructure project, extending from air to land to water.

Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) offers a broad range of legal services in numerous domains. In the area of restructuring and insolvency, MVGS leverages expertise from its core practice areas, such as banking and finance, M&A, labour and employment, and dispute resolution.

Started more than 70 years ago by VE del Rosario and initially named VE Del Rosario & Associates, the law firm now known as VeraLaw (Del Rosario Raboca Gonzales Grasparil) specialises in maritime and admiralty law. It has adopted the abbreviation VERA as its commonly used shorthand name and has grown under the leadership of managing partner Valeriano Del Rosario, the founder’s son.

VeraLaw distinguishes itself in the maritime and admiralty area by catering to clients such as P&I Clubs, marine insurers, port operators, ship owners and charterers, offering services in maritime law, admiralty jurisdiction, charter party documents and disputes, cargo claims and documentation, marine insurance, and more. It also extends to related areas like freight forwarding, multi-modal transportation, import/export documentation and financing, and ship finance, among others. Recently, VeraLaw provided valuable insights in an article on Philippine maritime law and industry developments in the 10th edition of The Shipping Law Review.

Founded in 2004 by senior partners Ramon Esguerra and the late Jaime Blanco, Esguerra & Blanco Law Offices (Esguerra & Blanco) is a full-service firm offering advice on all facets of Philippine law to local and international clients.

The firm excels in employment and labour relations. It provides valuable support to its clients in seafarers’ claims and conducts thorough due diligence. Esguerra & Blanco also offers guidance on the legal dimensions of hiring, which includes crafting employment contracts, creating manuals and developing employee benefits programs. The firm’s other services include providing compliance support, drafting and negotiating collective bargaining agreements and managing transition issues such as early retirement, dismissal and retrenchment.

Ortega, Bacorro, Odulio, Calma & Carbonell Law Office (OCBOCC) is a distinguished law firm proficient in handling extensive legal matters such as corporate, commercial and international business transactions, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, technology transfers, civil and criminal litigation, admiralty, labour-management relations, taxation, aviation law, estates and trusts, media law, immigration, and family law.

In the taxation area, the firm offers expert advice on Philippine tax laws, crafting innovative corporate and transaction structures for optimal tax efficiency. It also represents clients before the authorities to address any arising tax controversies. Its areas of work include general tax advisory, transactional tax, international tax, internal restructuring and estate planning.