Elmer Serrano heads the department at Serrano Law, which regularly acts as counsel on acquisitions involving both equity purchases and asset sales. The team has particular experience in sectors such as shipping, logistics, real estate, energy and retail. It is well-equipped to handle all aspects of transactions, from conducting due diligence reviews to obtaining the relevant regulatory approvals for key deals. Phil Ivan Chan and Tephanie Gandia are among the other notable members of the group, with Chan bringing experience in dealing with the Philippine Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission, while Gandia advises on M&A and financing, particularly in the banking sector.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Serrano Law team is composed of dynamic and progressive legal practitioners who are equipped with the general and technical legal knowledge in corporate and securities regulation, merger and acquisitions, accounting and finance, mining, among others. ’
‘Atty Elmer Serrano takes a personal hand in tackling legal queries and provides legal opinions in a practical and reasonable manner. His ability to provide legal views in a layman's perspective makes it easier for the principals to comprehend and grasp.’
‘1. They have the ability to process and analyse complex materials, and make practical sense of the issues therein. 2. Effective multitasking and communication skills. 3. Provides useful information that guides client on how to mitigate business and legal risks.’
‘The team is very easy to work with, highly responsive to our needs and requirements and can handle complex issues. They are highly knowledgeable and experienced in the banking and financial industry hence often offer practical solutions to complex issues. ’
‘We’ve been working with Elmer Serrano and Phil Ivan Chan for more than a decade. Aside from their legal expertise, they have a deep understanding of our businesses.’
‘Elmer Serrano and Phil Ivan Chan are very professional, knowledgeable and experienced in what they do. They are highly effective in communicating potential issues or implications of certain options. They always provide sound and practical legal advice.’
‘The firm is relatively young, but we have had a long history with the partners from their work in their previous law firms. We have a good working relationship with Atty Teph Gandia.’
‘The team is customer-centric. They specifically attend and easily grasp the uniqueness of our requirements. Atty Tephanie Gandia deals with day-to-day queries and requirements in a timely manner. She easily provides her opinion and recommends resolutions.’

Key clients

BDO Unibank, Inc.
SM Investments Corporation
2GO Group, Inc.
Udenna Corporation
Hitachi (Japan)
Hitachi Digital Payments (Sri Lanka)
Megalink, Inc.
Human Managed Pte. Lte.
Invicta Cyber Defence Inc.
Premium Leisure Corp.
Premium Leisure Amusement, Inc.
Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp.
Dominion Holdings, Inc. (formerly BDO Leasing and Finance, Inc.)
BDO Finance Corporation
Udenna Land/Clark Global City Corp.
Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.
Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation
Carmen Copper Corporation
BDO Life Assurance Company
Asian Appraisal Company, Inc.
Armstrong Pacific Inc.
Rockland Overseas Limited
Bankers Association of the Philippines
Philippine Payments Management, Inc.
Neo Group of Companies (formerly Net Group)
Armscor Global Defense, Inc.
JACCS Finance Philippines Corp.
NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc.
AG Finance Incorporated
BAP Data Exchange, Inc.
BDO Network Bank TFB, Inc. (Giordano Philippines)
Lodestar Investment Holdings Corporation
Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
BDO Securities Corporation
RYM Business Management Corporation
Industry Holdings and Development Corporation
DFNN, Inc.

Work highlights

Advised BDO Unibank, Inc (BDO) on the acquisition of the entire equity interest in SM Keppel Land, Inc from Keppel Philippines Properties, Inc and Opon-KE Properties, Inc, companies owned and controlled by Keppel Corporation, a publicly listed conglomerate in Singapore.
Advised Industry Holdings in its acquisition of a substantial stake in EEI Corporation, one of the leading construction and engineering companies in the Philippines.
Advised on the merger of SM Investments Corporation and Allfirst Equity Holdings, Inc.