We advise clients on types of business organisations, capital structures, registration requirements, and special licenses. We register the company and apply for licenses.

CORPORATE PRACTICE

We counsel on a wide range of corporate matters, including:

Local, Cross-Border, and International Mergers and Acquisitions
Spin-offs and Split-ups
Corporate Governance
Venture Capital and Startups

CORPORATE HOUSEKEEPING

We prepare minutes of meetings of shareholder and board meetings, issue stock certificates, and maintain the stock and transfer book. We handle renewals, periodic filing, payment, reportorial obligations to various government agencies, deadlines, and other legal and regulatory compliance responsibilities. Special or incidental, we take care of it.

Learn how our Tax Practice complements our Corporate Practice.

Tax Law [top]

“We optimize taxes. We structure legal models for incorporations, mergers and acquisitions, and international transactions. We defend against tax assessments and cases. We design employee compensation plans and plan estates for minimum tax exposure.”

BIR ASSESSMENTS

When you receive a tax assessment from the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), we step in. Our CPA-lawyers will examine your financials and present them in sound order before the officer. We strive to negotiate a compromise and end the audit out of court.

TAX LITIGATION

If the case goes to court, our we will defend you.

TAX REFUNDS

We assist you in applying for tax refunds with tax authorities.

EFFICIENT BUSINESS STRUCTURE

Your business structure determines your tax liabilities. We design your organisation for optimal tax exposure.

INTERNATIONAL TAX

Cross-border transactions and acquisitions give rise to complex international tax consequences. We structure your transactions and companies for minimum taxes.

We also provide advice on customs laws.

TAX AVOIDANCE

Minimise your taxes with the ideal vehicle in the right jurisdiction. No matter how large your income, transaction, or property, we strive to bring the tax bill down.

COMPLEX BUSINESS SET-UPS

We know the tax implications of complicated business structures. Whether you are a joint venture or a product licensee, we help you do it the right way, at the right tax.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Business combinations and acquisitions are costly. Save by building the optimal relationship among the entities by letting us draw the right model.

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

We design employee compensation plans, pension plans, retirement plans, and stock-option plans.

ESTATE-PLANNING

We minimise the taxes your estate will pay when you pass on.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TAX-AVOIDANCE

Intellectual Property Law [top]

“We assist with the registration of trademarks, patents, and other intellectual assets. We enforce intellectual property rights and prosecute infringements. We represent local and international clients.”

APPLICATION

We apply for the registration of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual assets.

ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION

We pursue counterfeiting, misappropriation, piracy, unfair competition, and other infringements of intellectual property rights.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL

We represent local and foreign clients that own internationally recognised trademarks, inventions, designs, utility models, literary and artistic works, and other proprietary intangibles.

Get-It-Done Matters [top]

We leverage our experience and relationships in government and across industries to achieve your success.

Criminal Cases & Investigations [top]

“We handle all matters of criminal nature. We settle, litigate, rescue, and pursue.”

SETTLEMENTS

If you are after compensation, we negotiate with the counterparty. We endeavour to collect your rightful compensation.

LITIGATION

We defend you in court. We strive to get you out of jail rightfully, including during the pendency of the case.

If you are the victim, we work with the prosecutor to keep the accused accountable.

RESCUE FROM ARREST

We rescue you from arrests and get you out of detention in the right situations.

INVESTIGATIONS AND PURSUITS

We coordinate with criminal investigation agencies to chase and prosecute a perpetrator.

Litigation [top]

“We participate in in- and out-of-court proceedings. We also appear in government inquiries.”

GENERAL

In any case of whatever nature, we represent you.

OUT-OF-COURT REMEDIES

We appear for you in arbitrations, mediations, and other out-of-court remedies.

GOVERNMENTAL INQUIRIES

We represent whistleblowers and persons appearing before government-inquiry bodies.

Money Claims [top]

We negotiate rightful compensation for loss or injuries from negligence, accidents, and intentional acts.

Medical Malpractice [top]

“Demand indemnification for medical-malpractice injuries. Bring a malpractice suit.”

Medical Malpractice Guide

SETTLEMENTS

Settle via a quick out-of-court negotiation and avoid the costs of litigation.

LITIGATION

When the doctor or hospital refuses to settle, a court process is an option.

Labor Law [top]

“We carry out the whole range of labor law concerns. We represent employees in demanding and prosecuting claims and in defence against termination and the employer in the management of labor procedures, of employee expectations, and of labor suits. We also handle seaman and OFW claims.”

EMPLOYEE CLAIMS

We lodge claims against employers for violations of labor laws, including illegal dismissals. We appear before the National Labor Relations Commission and other courts.

EMPLOYER-SIDE NEGOTIATIONS

We protect you from ruinous compensation to employees. Our talented lawyers negotiate with workers with the objective of striking a minimal settlement.

EMPLOYER DEFENCE

When the case goes to court, we save you. We aim to end the proceedings fast and with the least damage.

ADVISORY

We advise on labor standards and practices. We draft and review employment contracts and other employment-management processes.

DISMISSING EMPLOYEES

Avoid the crippling cost of illegal dismissals. When you terminate employees, we manage the process and keep you from future cases.

SEAMEN AND OFW'S

We enforce seaman and OFW claims against employers, agencies, and insurance companies.

Immigration Law [top]

“We help you secure visas for entry to the Philippines and to other countries. We also provide assistance for immigration to the Philippines and to other nations. And when you find yourself in trouble with the authorities, we intervene on your behalf.”

RETIREMENT VISAS

When you wish to retire in the Philippines, we help you apply for the visa. We assist all applicants from all countries.

TOURIST VISAS

We apply for and renew tourist visas.

WORK VISAS

When you intend to work in the Philippines, your options for a visa are many. Some are expensive, and some are slow to issue. We advise you on the visa that is most economical and the easiest to procure but still is as effective.

SPECIAL VISAS

Whatever your circumstances, we help you find the right visa.

US FIANCÉ VISA AND OTHER US VISAS

We help you, your family, and your friends get to the United States. Thanks to the relationships we've developed through years of dealing with the embassy, we've assisted many US citizens and residents bring their relatives, visitors, and girlfriends to America.

VISA AND IMMIGRATION PROCESSES

We work at any stage of any visa or immigration application, in the Philippines or in another country.

FOREIGN VISA AND IMMIGRATION APPEALS

When you are denied a visa or immigration, we take over the appeals process and write an appeal.

OTHER FOREIGN VISAS

Wherever you need to go, we help you go there.

BLACKLIST

We apply for the removal of your name from the blacklist. We help you pass the immigration freely and keep you out of trouble.

IMMIGRATION NIGHTMARES

In the Philippines, you just do not know what can happen to you. You can be arrested, denied travel into and out of the country, or have your passport confiscated. In the right situations, we rescue you and ensure your safety.

Family Law & Marriage [top]

“We represent clients in cases of annulment and nullification of marriage and recognition of divorce.”

CUSTODY

We represent you in getting custody of your child.

ANNULMENT AND DIVORCE

We represent clients in annulment and nullification of marriage cases. When your foreign spouse got a divorce abroad, we help you apply for the recognition of the divorce decree in the Philippines so that you can marry again.

WILLS AND SUCCESSION

We distribute the estate of the deceased. We file cases and chase holders to get you your rightful inheritance.

We write wills and other wealth-planning documents. We plan the estate with the aim of minimising taxes.

SUPPORT

We help you get the support you or your child deserves.

Asset Protection & Perpetuation [top]

“We help you protect your assets from unjust claims. And with our capabilities in international law and trusts, you can dispose of your assets and estate without the burdens, limitations, and taxes under Philippine laws.”

ASSET PROTECTION

We keep your assets away from liabilities from unjust obligations and litigation that may arise in the future. With our international capabilities, we keep your assets beyond the reach of the jurisdiction of any state. What is more, our strategic international approach lets you preserve the privacy of your identity, of the assets and their value, and of the arrangement itself.

WEALTH PERPETUATION

Avoid state succession laws by moving your assets into an intelligent vehicle abroad. With tactical jurisdiction positioning, you can keep your properties intact indefinitely and optimise taxes. Best of all, you can specify how your beneficiaries will receive dispositions from your estate—in whatever way.

Election Law [top]

“We assist candidates during campaign, election, and canvassing. If one has lost, we represent one in protest.”

CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION

We work with candidates during the critical periods of the campaign and the election. We give on-call advice and manage strategic tactics.

COUNTING AND CANVASSING

We man the counting of ballots and the canvassing. We raise objections and lodge complaints as need be. We ensure that when you have won, you win.

PROTESTS

We represent candidates in pre-proclamation controversies, election protests, and quo warranto proceedings.