Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramirez (AFRA) was established in 1965, and since then has grown into one of Panama’s leading full-service law firms.

The firm is recognized for its solid integrity, ability to successfully address legal issues in sophisticated deals, and the reliability and trust offered to its clients by its lawyers and staff. AFRA has a strong local practice and is focused on international companies coming to Panama to carry out business operations. In addition to that, it has a representative group of local companies engaged in important sectors of the economy. The firm’s corporate practice is complemented by the services offered through its BVI office.

AFRA has become a leading firm in advising on and handling complex M&A transactions involving international companies, public procurement on high-profile infrastructure contracts sought by international engineering firms, and internationally known companies establishing their regional offices in Panama.

Areas of practice
The following are only a few of the firm’s representative areas of practice:

Intellectual property: AFRA’s intellectual property department is perhaps one of the strongest and most prominent in the country. AFRA’s experienced intellectual property lawyers and staff provide services in registration and protection of trademarks, patents, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets, franchises, industrial designs, domain names and commercial names in general.

Banking and finance: the firm serves as external counsel for local banks and private international finance institutions, and multilateral agencies operating in Panama. Its services range from addressing everyday regulatory questions, to structuring complex finance and securitization deals.

Public contracting and infrastructure: over the last 20 years, Panama has witnessed an outstanding increase in infrastructure projects. The firm has attained experience acting as legal counsel to many international engineering and telecommunications firms that have been awarded contracts for the construction of highways, roads, hydroelectric facilities, energy transmission systems, ports, airport expansion and Metro.

Labor and immigration: the firm provides extensive experience to international clients carrying out business activities in Panama in connection with labor disputes and litigation, as well as in regulating the presence of expatriate officials sent to Panama by multinational companies.

Taxation: the firm offers practical tax advice to international clients and guides them in attaining tax efficiency in their local operations.

Commercial, M&A: the firm handles a variety of general commercial matters, and is frequently retained to handle sophisticated and high-profile M&A deals.

Capital markets: the firm has expertise in securities regulation issues and serves as legal advisor for the most prominent players in the capital market industry. The firm has been actively involved in structuring secured and unsecured financing, from debt and equity offerings to bonds, equity-related debt and establishment of mutual funds.