‘Among the best firms on the market', Morgan & Morgan is widely recognised for its prowess in the development of major energy, public transportation and utilities projects, including advising both government institutions and private contractors on Panama’s first PPP projects. The enviably broad practice covers public tenders, concession contracts, project finance, and corporate, regulatory, litigation and environmental issues. Inocencio Galindo leads the mining and natural resources, project development and public procurement practices, while Ramón Varela heads the energy and ESG department. Other notable contacts include Ana Carolina Castillo, who is skilled in transactional and regulatory energy matters; Aristides Anguizola, an expert in the mining sector; and finance specialist Kharla Aizpurúa. The team was further strengthened by the addition of associates Clarissa Vega from the Panama Fourth Bridge Consortium and Ariana Linares from BAC Credomatic in June 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Morgan & Morgan has excellent skills as a firm, with in-depth knowledge of the energy industry and the financial sector, which allows for the preparation of specialised and complex legal documents that result in effective solutions.'
  • 'Ramón Varela and Ana Carolina Castillo have the experience and deep knowledge to be able to write complex documentation, analyse scenarios and translate the clients' requirements into solutions within the energy and financing industry.'
  • 'The team is very creative and resourceful when proposing actions and defending the client's position.'
  • 'We value ​​the experience they have shown in contentious-administrative processes examining complex energy issues.'
  • 'The team have a lot of experience in various branches of law. They are among the best firms on the market - always up to date from a technological point of view and in terms of national and international jurisprudence.'
  • 'Inocencio Galindo and Aristides Anguizola are very experienced. They deal candidly with clients and counterparties.'
  • 'Morgan & Morgan has a strong team in the energy sector with lots of experience accumulated through the years.'
  • 'Ramón Varela is a very competent lawyer with a unique approach to problem solving that gives an advantage to his clients. Ana Carolina Castillo has great problem-solving skills and is very tenacious in her approach to her work.'

Key clients

  • International Finance Corporation (IFC)
  • Maersk Oil Trading Panama
  • Seven Seas Water Corporation
  • Strabag
  • Parque Eólico Toabré
  • Hitachi
  • Hitachi Rail
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • Elecnor
  • Minera Panama
  • First Quantum Minerals
  • Metro de Panama
  • First Transit de Panama
  • Panama Ports (subsidiary of Hutchinson Ports Holding)
  • The AES Corporation
  • Electron Investment
  • Avanzalia Panamá
  • Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura
  • Ecosolar
  • Greenwood Energy Central America

Work highlights

  • Providing ongoing advice to Hitachi, Hitachi Rail and Mitsubishi Corporation in connection with the nominated subcontractor agreement for the Metro of Panama Line 3 project.
  • Advising Avanzalia Panama, an affiliate of Avanzalia Solar, on the operation of the Penonomé solar PV project in the province of Coclé and the development of the Penonomé II project.
  • Advising the International Finance Corporation and Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica on the development and bidding of a project for the engineering design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of Panama's fourth power transmission line.

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.

Ramón Varela, Inocencio Galindo