Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez remains a preferred choice to advise local and international lenders, including major Panamanian banks and an array of multilateral development agencies. The practice strikes a balance between transactional and regulatory work, with a strong record of assisting with cross-border loans, project finance (particularly in the renewable energy and healthcare sectors) and real estate finance, as well as clients’ dealings with the financial services regulator. The ‘excellent’ Roberto Harrington, a go-to adviser to international clients, and María Alejandra Cargiulo, who focuses on the regulatory side, lead the practice alongside Luis López Alfaro and Alfredo Ramírez Jr. On the project finance front, the team also benefits from the expertise of Annette Bárcenas and Juan Antonio Alfaro. Associate Alfredo Ramírez Pabón and international associate Ana Cristina Negrón stand out at junior level.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'My experience with Afra has been 100% satisfactory. Not only do they provide an excellent service, but it is also personalised, fast, efficient and very trustworthy.'
- 'We have been working with Afra for many years and we can only confirm that it is one of the best firms we have worked with in Panama. In the banking and financial field particularly, the team has a lot of experience.'
- 'Roberto Harrington is an excellent lawyer, with a great track record, experience, people skills and the relevant contacts, who inspires confidence and who provides a personalised service of excellent quality. He is very accessible, his response times are very fast and the solutions he provides to different issues are always of great importance.'
Key clients
- Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG)
- Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest)
- Global Bank Corporation
- Banco Aliado
- Banesco
- FMO
- Citi
- Development Finance Corporation
- Financiera del Sol
- Responsibility
Work highlights
- Advising DEG on the financial regulatory matters associated with the operations of its hub in Panama.
- Advised IDB Invest on the provision of a working capital loan for up to $5m to Namu Travel Group to finance a programme for the advance purchase of hotel stays, tourism services and transportation for its service providers.
- Advising Global Bank on the Sola Pro transaction, which involved the greenfield project financing of two solar projects belonging to the Eleta Group in Panama.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Roberto Harrington, Alfredo Ramírez Jr, Luis López Alfaro, María Alejandra Cargiulo