The agile team at Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law) is jointly led by Aris Gulapa and Melissa Ester Chavez-Dee. The group garners praise for its work on public-private partnerships, and is adept at advising clients on obtaining regulatory approvals. It has considerable experience of handling mergers in the insurance sector, and of assisting clients in the establishment of new corporate entities. Gulapa is a known name for his work with multinational clients on major cross-border share and asset acquisitions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Aris Gulapa is an M&A practitioner through and through. He is well regarded and sought after because of his expertise and keen understanding of his client's business.’

  • ‘Aris Gulapa understands the business and the commercial considerations of the project team.’

  • ‘The team is very easy to talk to. Gives feedback when urgent and delivers on time.’

  • ‘The managing partner Atty Aris Gulapa makes sure that he is aware of every case we bring to the firm. He is hands on and makes sure that all cases are attended to.’

  • ‘Gulapa Law is a very commercial-minded law firm. Aris steers his firm towards becoming more effective and responsive advisers. They also offer very competitive rates and are easy to deal with.’

  • ‘Aris is clearly the standout. The standard of his associates is very high, of which we have grown accustomed to expecting even from others.’

Key clients

  • Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC)
  • AXA Philippines
  • Ayala Corporation
  • Kyushu Electric Power Corporation (Kyuden)
  • AC Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health)
  • Ayala Land, Inc
  • Aboitiz Power Corporation
  • AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation
  • Aboitiz Renewables, Inc.
  • Metro Pacific Investment Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advised AIC on its acquisition of shares in GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation and its affiliates.
  • Advising Ayala Corporation on the acquisition of shares in a special purpose vehicle in relation to one of the country’s flagship PPP projects.
  • Assisting AXA Philippines, which is engaged in the business of life insurance, with processing its merger with a wholly owned subsidiary, Charter Ping An Insurance Corporation, which is engaged in the business of non-life insurance.

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.

Aris Gulapa, Melissa Ester Chavez-Dee