ARIFA has been leading Panama’s legal profession since 1914. The firm advises international financial institutions, multinationals and some of the largest domestic companies. Its practice spans 30 areas of law in 14 practice groups. ARIFA, long recognised for structuring complex and innovative M&A, capital market and financial transactions, also has a strong offshore practice. The firm’s success lies in the quality of its lawyers, many educated in top law schools in the US and Europe or trained in law firms in New York. This background allows the firm’s lawyers to bridge legal and business nuances to find the best solutions.

Capital markets and banking: One of Panama’s pre-eminent capital markets practices, acclaimed for creating innovative financial structures, particularly in cross-border transactions. Unmatched for securitisations and in Panamanian corporate IPOs.

Most recently: McDermott US$4.65 billion financing and US$1.5 billion note offering, regarding its merger deal with CB&I; IDB in its first issuance of notes listed in the Panama Stock Exchange; Citigroup in multiple Tocumen Airport debt bond issuances; bookrunners in Promerica’s first US issuance, worth US$200 million; initial purchasers in Banistmo’s debut international bond offering.

M&A and corporate: One of Panama’s M&A leaders by deals value, complexity and number of transactions.

Most recently participated in Corporación Favorita’s acquisition of 73 percent stake in Grupo Rey, one of the leading supermarket chains in Panama; United Airlines’ simultaneous transactions in connection with a joint venture with Avianca and Copa; the sale of 80 per cent of Cable Onda to Millicom; Assicurazioni Generali’s asset sale agreement with respect to its Panamanian operations to ASSA; Inchcape acquisition of Rudelman; and Ambev’s acquisition of E León Jimenes.

Corporate services and trusts: With more than 50 years in this sector, ARIFA is a leading offshore brand. Its network of affiliated offices in Panama, London, Luxembourg, Geneva, Hong Kong, BVI, Belize and Uruguay serves clients around the world. Services include company formation and management services, and trust and estate planning foundation services.

Litigation: The firm has built a specialised practice on complex cross-border dispute resolution, representing foreign and international companies in high-value Panamanian judicial proceedings and domestic or international arbitration against either the Panamanian government or Panamanian corporations, involving, among others, sectors as diverse as construction, bankruptcy, oil, aviation and government contracts.

Real estate: ARIFA covers the spectrum of real estate activities. Its lawyers are experts in the complex regulations for all real-estate related areas. ARIFA clients include the largest foreign hotel chains in Panama and Regus, the world’s largest office space provider.

Infrastructure projects and government concessions: The firm has been involved in all major private and public infrastructure projects as well as in every major power generation and transmission project in Panama.

Recently participated in financing for the construction of: Panama City’s second metro line; Panama’s new convention center; Costa Norte LNG Terminal; beach roadway project “Corredor de las Playas” 1; infrastructure project to expand the Pan-American Highway; and in a liability management transaction in connection with the 4th Bridge over the Panama Canal.

Shipping: A premier firm for ship financing in Panama, with a growing maritime litigation practice, ARIFA facilitates vessel registrations and financings for clients around the world through a proprietary office network in London, Hong Kong and Panama. ARIFA also represent the largest number of platforms and drilling reef structures and vessels under the Panamanian registry, and clients in the bulk, tanker, container and other commercial ventures.

Intellectual property: ARIFA offers a full range of IP services. Through a well-established network of corresponding IP firms, ARIFA coordinates trademarks registrations and other IP rights around the world, particularly in Latin America.

PH ARIFA, 10th Floor
West Boulevard,
Santa María Business District
Republic of Panama
Tel: +507 205 7000
Fax: +507 205 7001 / 2