Becoming a top legal adviser requires firms to go beyond giving solid legal advice and ensure timely completion of tasks. Asia Business Law Journal names the top firms in the Philippines for 2018. We have identified four winners in aviation area

• DIME & EVIOTA
• OCAMPO MANALO BERNABE VALDEZ & LIM
• PLATON MARTINEZ FLORES SAN PEDRO LEAÑO
• QUISUMBING TORRES

Dime & Eviota

Dime & Eviota has had a busy year including moving into new offices, a former art gallery in Makati City, and making an effort to move away from paper in a purely digital office. It has also renewed its commitment to its international affiliate, Wajdi Mohamad Yusri & Co of Malaysia, with whom it has decided to form an association of law firms in Asia.

The law firm and its founders, Ronald Dime and Edward Albert Eviota, come highly recommended by clients who say they are “proactive” in providing companies with “much-needed direction in navigating the Philippine laws”.

Ocampo Manalo Bernabe Valdez & Lim

Ocampo Manalo Bernabe Valdez & Lim (O&M) has built an enviable roster of aviation clients. It boasts both domestic and international airlines as clients, many of which are household names across the region.

The firm has provided advice on regulatory matters and assisted in the organization and reorganization of international carriers such as AirAsia, Xiamen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Jeju Air, Air Seoul, OK Air, Tianjin Airlines, Hainan Air and Tigerair Taiwan, as well as domestic carriers such as Philippines AirAsia, Air Swift, Phoenix Petroleum and Pacific Global One.

The firm also advised maintenance repair and overhaul operator Macro Asia for its ecozone status at the Cebu Mactan Airport area.

China’s Xiamen Airlines uses O&M as their general legal consultant, and are satisfied with their expertise and services, says Qiao Dan, senior legal counsel at Xiamen Airlines. “They are not only the experts of aviation law, but also have rich practical experience to provide tailored legal solutions,” says Qiao, adding that O&M assisted Xiamen Airlines in the preparation and attendance of Philippines Senate Hearings, and their expertise and services exceeded expectations.

Platon Martnez Flores San Pedro Leaño

A 22-year old firm offering a full suite of legal services with 12 partners and 24 lawyers, Platon Martnez Flores San Pedro Leaño has built a reputation among its peers for its strong aviation practice.

While it advises several large domestic and international businesses, its aviation client list is impressive, with the likes of Air France, Swiss Air, China Airlines, Eva Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Airlines, Malaysia Airlines among others relying on the firm for legal counsel.