Pardini & Associates is an international law firm with headquarters in Panama with 32 years of tradition and experience advising foreign clients and corporations of all sizes. The firm has offices in Panama, Ukraine, Latvia, Switzerland, Belize, BVI and Seychelles. The firm was founded in 1982 in Panama with an original practice in Corporate law, Commercial law, Trust law, Admiralty law, and Maritime law, which still continues today.
Since then, Pardini & Associates has been at the forefront of many innovative legal developments and during the past ten years, the law firm has developed a highly specialized practice in Foreign Investments in Panama mainly in areas such as: Tourism, Real Estate, Energy, Telecommunications, Insurance and Reinsurance, Mining, Petroleum, Antitrust, Competition, Intellectual Property, Banking, Securities, Manufacturing, Aviation, Construction, Government Contracts, Litigation in Panama and abroad. Our firm has a strong expertise in Labor and Immigration matters.
During the last years, Pardini & Associates acted and assisted clients in different and important projects such as container port acquisition, electricity generation, mining joint venture, merger of airlines, island resort hotel & marina, real estate development, information technology, water and infrastructure projects.
We also have assisted individual investors and medium size companies in matters of ranging from individual investors purchasing properties and helping those clients with their corporate, immigration and other issues, to medium size groups setting up a call center in Panama and small companies looking at contract bids with Panama Canal.
Pardini & Associates is the exclusive Panama of the International Business Law Consortium (IBLC), a private association of law firms with more than 85 correspondent offices around the world. With this alliance, our firm provides an excellent tool to serve their customers effectively and efficiently anywhere in the world.
During the last three years, we have been recognized as: 2014: "M&A and Corporate Law Firm of the Year” and “Aviation Law Firm” by ACQ Global Awards; “Business Law Firm of the Year” by Acquisition International M&A Awards; Dispute Resolution Award” by Acquisition International Dispute Resolution Awards; “Aviation Law Firm 2014” by Corporate INTL Legal Awards; “Law Firm of the Year – Corporate and Litigation” by M&A Today Global Awards.
2013: "M&A and Corporate Law Firm of the Year” by ACQ Global Awards; “Mining & Energy Law Firm of the Year: Panama” by Acquisition International M&A Awards; “Aviation Law Firm 2013” by Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award; “Corporate and Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Panama” by Global 100 Award 2013.
2012: "Corporate Law Firm and Litigation Law Firm of the Year” by ACQ Global Awards; “Mining & Energy Law Firm of the Year: Panama” by Acquisition International M&A Awards; “Aviation Law Firm of the Year in Panama” by Corporate Intl Magazine Global Award.
Corporate Law
The firm renders services covering all aspects of corporate law, including tax related issues, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures. The firm maintains a full department for Offshore Incorporation Services providing Panamanian, BVI and Belizean companies, among other jurisdictions.
Commercial Law
The firm has an extensive commercial practice related to local and international business transactions as well as drafting contracts and agreements covering all aspects of commercial activities.
Foundations and Trust
The firm has considerable expertise in advising and structuring Panama Foundations and corporate and individual Trusts for investment, holding or estate purposes as well as associated tax planning.
Foreign Investment
Pardini & Associates has traditionally represented foreign clients of all sizes, which are investing and setting up business operations in Petroleum, Securities, Tourism, Maritime, Real Estate, Mining, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Insurance and Reinsurance, Aviation, Infrastructure, Construction and other sectors in Panama.
Insurance & Reinsurance
The firm has advised global insurers and reinsurers both in transactional as well as litigation matters involving commercial, banking, maritime, avia tion, construction, international bids and others.
Banking & Securities
The law firm has been involved in complex financial transactions for expanding local and international companies of differents areas. Between the services we offer: incorporation and establishment of Banks, Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions and Structured Financing.
Petroleum
The firm’s petroleum law group has been at the forefront in representing oil companies and projects in Panama, such as: structuring and incorporation of Petroleum Projects in Panama; negotiation and drafting of agreements and joint ventures; drafting, filing and processing of Government Concessions for Petroleum; Free Zones operations including tanking, refining, blending and others; liaising with Government Entities such as Panama’s Maritime Authority, Ministry of
Commerce and others; complete legal advice of environmental issues.
Maritime and Admiralty Law
The firm’s maritime law department has a well-established practice and expertise in all different aspects of maritime related activities such as: Arrest of Ships; P & I, Cargo & Bunker Claims; Commercial Maritime Disputes; Defense of Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims; Claims involving Cruise Lines, Fishing and Yacht Industries; Ship and Yacht Registrations and Ship Mortgages.
Infraestructure & Constructions
The law firm has considerable know-how in privatizations, structuring government bids and negotiating government contracts with a record of achievements in agreements that not only have favored our clients, but are becoming of crucial importance for the country's development of new industries.
Environmental
We give our clients a complete advice on all requirements for environmental controls, including coordination of environmental impact studies; all required government permitting and authorizations; negotiation and drafting of contracts with environmental ramifications.
International Practices
Pardini & Associates has assisted several multinational corporations doing business in Central and South America in a wide range of services including corporate work and joint venture agreements. Our Latin American capabilities are enhanced by our knowledge of the system and regulations, our language and our cost efficiency.
Real Estate
Our real estate lawyers form an integral part of our corporate law practice, especially when it involves the acquisition and disposition of businesses that have large real estate components. They have a broad range of expertise which includes: residential, time shares and mixed-use developments; shopping center development; office buildings; hotels & resorts; joint ventures; co-ownership arrangements and syndications; land acquisition; Municipal Government requirements; zoning and subdivisions.
Tourism
The firm is specialized in Panama’s tourism investments as Panama legal counsel for projects of all sizes. We offer a complete legal advice in structuring of corporations and joint ventures for residential or tourism investment in Panama, Bocas del Toro, Pacific and Atlantic coasts, mountains and islands, and all Panama real estate legal issues.
Energy
We offer services, such as: complete advice structuring PPAs, Merchant Plants, Hydro and Thermo-Electric Facilities, Pipelines and related projects; drafting applications and assisting in obtaining necessary governmental approvals in connection with energy projects; negotiating contract terms and conditions of the purchase and sale of electricity and for the purchase and transportation of natural gas.
Telecommunications
Pardini & Associates acquired strong expertise advising multinational telecom companies in the privatization of the cellular system, and later of the state-owned telephone company. Our company offers services such as: structuring Telecom Providers, including call centers, ISPs, fiber optics ventures and others; structuring of Technology Parks under special legislation; Governmental permits and licenses, and all related corporate, contract, tax, labor and immigration work.
Labor & Immigration Law
The firm’s practice in labor law involves legal consultation as well as litigation and collective bargaining. The firm has considerable experience in this highly-specialized legal area, which includes the specifics of construction and maritime labor law, as well as a general practice in all labor relations.
The firm provides full immigration services, mainly to our foreign investment clients. We usually take care of all visas and work permits for our client’s expatriate personnel. We also support giving a complete advice in structuring labor relations; employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements; legal counseling on union-management relations; processing and obtaining different types of Visas as well as temporary and permanent residence Permits for Expats; work permits for foreigners; complete assistance on immigration requirements; labor claims & litigation.
Aviation Law
Pardini & Associates has developed a strong practice advising mainly reinsurers and aviation companies in establishing their operations in Panama. We offer: full legal services to Airlines operating in and from Panama, Commercial Transactions, Competition and Antitrust matters, Defense of Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims, Aircraft Registrations, Aircraft Financing and Litigation
Mining
The law firm has been at the forefront in promoting and representing mining investments in Panama. Our Natural Resources’ group covers all related areas in Structuring and Incorporation of Mining Companies, Negotiation and Drafting of all kinds of Agreements and Joint Ventures, Liaising with Government Entities such as Panama'sMineral Resources Agency, Ministry of Commerce and others.
Litigation
Our litigation group cover most areas of practice, such as trademarks, aviation, banking, admiralty, insurance and general civil and commercial lawsuits. We will provide advice on: commercial, admiralty, labor and civil litigation; alternative dispute resolution; arbitration and mediation; jurisdiction and conflict of laws; enforcement of foreign judgments.
Antitrust, Competition and Trade
The firm has developed one of the best practices in the area of antitrust and competition in Panama, having participated in several mayor M&As, claims and investigations.
Our company can offer a complete advice on applicability and enforcement of the law and its regulations; consultations before the competition commission; administrative and judicial proceedings; complete assistance on Consumer Protection requirements for manufacturers and service providers.
Juan Francisco Pardini
Born Panama, Republic of Panama, December 1, 1954; admitted to the bar, 1977, Panama. Education: University of Panama (Licenciate in Law and Political Sciences, 1977); Tulane University (LL.M., 1978); Universtity of Madrid (1980). Member: Panama, International and American Bar Associations; Panama – Canada Chamber of Commerce (President 2005-Present), American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (President 1995-1996); US/Panama Business Council (Board of Directors); Japan-Panama Friendship Association (Board of Directors); Panama Council for Investment & Development (President 1995-2004). Other: Ambassador of Panama for Trade Matters.
Juan Raul Sevillano
Born in Panama, Republic of Panama, December 24th 1986. Admitted to the bar, 2009 by the Supreme Court of Justice, Panama, and Republic of Panama. Education: Intitute Celestin Freinete (ICF), Bachelor Degree in Science; University Latina of Panama (Lawyer in Law and Political Sciences, 2009); Master Degree University of Panama (2001) in Procedural Law; Postgraduate University Latina of Panama (2012) in Constitutional Procedure. Member: Panama Bar Association.
Juan Jose Espino Sagel
Born Panama, Republic of Panama, January 12, 1963; admited to the bar, 1986, Panama. Education: University of Panama (Licenciate in Law and Political Sciences, 1986); Magdalen College (University of Oxford. 1987); University of San Diego (1987-1988); Queen Mary College (University of London, 1988-1989); Pacific Admiralty, San Francisco (USA), 1992-2000; Lloyd’s Practical Maritime Studies, London, 1993, Beaumont Garnault International Aviation Conference, London1994-2000; Joint Venture and Strategic Alliances, New York Bar, 1990; Jesus College, Offshore Institute Seminar, 1998. Member: Panama Bar Association, Panama Maritime Law Association.
Eduardo Achurra
Born in Panama City, Republic of Panama, October, 23rd, 1979, admitted to the bar, 2003, Panama. Education: Universidad Santa María la Antigua (Licenciate in Law and Political Sciences, 2003); Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid; Instituto Marítimo Español, Maritime Law and Shipping, (LL.M 2004); Seminars at The International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lloyds Register, Clarkson Brokers, Clyde And Co, INTERCARGO-INTERTANKO, London, 2004. Member: Registered National Consultant., Panama Bar Association, AMCHAM.
C L I E N T S
Agilent Technologies
Amazon.com, Inc.
American Bridge Company
Anglian Water International
Assicurazioni Generali
Bank of America
Barclays Bank
Beal Bank
Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc
Brown & Root, Inc
Bunge & Born
Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce
Charles Taylor Consulting
Chevron
Club Corporation of America
Exxon Mobil
Falcon Drilling, Ltd.
Fedex
Global Aerospace
Groupe GTM
K-D Humboldt Wedag
Hong Kong Trade Development
Interestate Highway Construction, Inc.
Istana Properties
KRAFT, Inc
Landmark Graphics Corporation
Mitsui & Co.
N.M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd.
Northern Mountain Helicopters
Northwest Airlines
Overseas Private Investmet
Corporation (OPIC)
Ogden
Petroleos de Venezuela, S. A.
Placer – Dome, Inc.
Radisson Royal Hotels
Societe Generale
Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc.
Steamship Mutual
Stevedoring Services of
America
Sumitomo Corporation
Tektronix, Inc.
Teledesic
Telia AB
United Airlines
United Technologies
Walter P Moore
West Coast Fishing Club
World Trade Center Panama
R E F E R E N C E S
US Embassy Embassy of Canada Embassy of Spain Embassy of Italy Embassy of Mexico Panama Stock Exchange Panama Chamber of Mines Council of the Americas BusinessPanamaAmerican Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama
US-Panama Business Council
Panama-Canada Chamber of Commerce
Panama-Japan Friendship Association
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O F F I C E S A N D N E T W O R K
We have offices strategically located in Panama, Switzerland, BVI, Ukraine, Latvia, Seychelles and Belize. Also our firm has correspondent offices in more than 50 countries worldwide:
England France Germany Greece India Iran Ireland Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Latvia Argentina Australia Austria Barbados Belgium Bermuda Brazil Canada Chile China Cyprus Denmark Lebanon Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malaysia MauritiusMexico Netherlands Palestine Panama Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey
U.S Virgin Islands
United Arab Emirates United States