Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)

The firm: Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) was established by Aris L. Gulapa in September 2015. From a complement of 6 lawyers, Gulapa Law now has a total of 36 legal staff (29 lawyers and 7 underbar associates).

Before setting up Gulapa Law, Aris was a partner at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio from October 2011 to September 2015. Previously, Aris has advised sponsors and lenders in relation to the financing of important government projects in Manila, Singapore, Vietnam, and Tokyo. Aris worked at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (December 2003-June 2006); Kelvin Chia Partnership (Singapore and Vietnam offices, July 2006- June 2008); and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune (Tokyo office, July 2008- June 2010). He also worked as research assistant to Harry First, former head of the Antitrust Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General of New York, from September 2010 to May 2011.

In February 2017, the firm became the first Philippine-based law firm to establish an office in New York City through its affiliate, Gulapa & Baclay LLP. Earlier in 2017 as well, the firm expanded its capabilities, particularly by developing its litigation practice.

Meanwhile, in June 2018, the firm established a representative office in San Francisco to liaise with its US West Coast-based clients with Philippine bound legal concern.

On December 18, 2020, Gulapa Law continued to expand within the Philippines by officially launching its fourth office in Cebu City, Gulapa & Ismael. The Cebu office currently has 5 lawyers.

In 2022, Gulapa Law will take root in one of the emerging cities in Southeast Asia.

Through the years, Gulapa Law has achieved various forms of recognition, specifically:

Chambers & Partners (Global)

• Projects, Infrastructure & Energy, Band 3 (2022)

Chambers & Partners (Asia Pacific)

• Projects, Infrastructure & Energy, Band 3 (2022)

Asian Legal Business Southeast Asia Law Awards

• Rising Law Firm of the Year, winner (2019)

Asian Legal Business Philippine Law Awards

• Boutique Law Firm of the Year, winner (2017)
• Rising Law Firm of the Year, winner (2018)

Asian Legal Business

• One of the “Firms to Watch” and “Best Boutiques” in Asia (2017)

International Financial Law Review — Financial & Corporate Guide

• Ranked Tier 3, Project Finance (2022)
• Notable Law Firm, Banking and Finance (2022)
• Ranked Tier 3, M&A (2022)
• Ranked Tier 2, Project Development (2022)
• Notable Law Firm, Restructuring and Insolvency (2022)

The Legal500

• Real Estate and Construction (Tier 2) (2022)
• Corporate/M&A (Tier 4) (2022)
• Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (Tier 3) (2022)
• Project and Energy (Tier 2) (2022)
• Antitrust and Competition (Tier 2) (2022)
• Intellectual Property (Tier 3) (2022)
• Dispute Resolution (Tier 4) (2022)

Asialaw Profiles

• Competition/Antitrust (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Construction (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Corporate/M&A (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Real Estate (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Energy (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Infrastructure (Recommended Law Firm) (2022)
• Technology and telecommunications (Notable Law Firm) (2022)
• Intellectual Property (Notable Law Firm) (2022)
• Dispute Resolution (Notable Law Firm) (2022)

Asia Business Law Journal

• One of Asia’s Dealmakers of the Year (2017)
• Private Equity & Venture Capital Firm of the Year (2021)
• Projects & Infrastructure Firm of the Year (2021)

In-House Community Awards

• Philippine Firm of the Year in Compliance & Regulatory (2021)
• Honorable Mention, International Arbitration (2021)
• Honorable Mention, Banking and Finance (2021)
• Honorable Mention, Competition and Corporate/M&A (2021)