LOVILL

Firm Details:
Managing Partners: Cristina Lopez/ Elizabeth Heurtematte
Senior Partners: Cristina Lopez/ Elizabeth Heurtematte
Number of partners: 2
Number of other lawyers: 10
Languages: English / Spanish

Contacts:
Dispute Resolution: Cristina López
Corporate/M&A: Elizabeth Heurtematte, Cristina López
Real Estate: Alejandro Fung
Tax Law & Estate Planning: Ana Carolina Urena
Immigration/ Labour: Jeannette Bravo
Finance, Banking & Securities: Elizabeth Heurtematte

Firm Overview:
LOVILL is recognised by clients and international publications as a leading firm in Panama. It is well known for its capacity to manage complex legal disputes, including civil and commercial litigation, national and international arbitration, mediation and extrajudicial negotiations in industries such as construction, logistics, retail, financial and insurance services, representing investors and sovereign states. The firm is also recognised for its corporate expertise and transactional work with multinational corporations and companies investing in Panama. LOVILL combines true multidisciplinary teams in said areas, making the firm a preferred choice for advising on local and international transactions.
LOVILL uses a creative, pragmatic and business oriented approach to solving problems. The firm typically acts as leading counsel, managing on behalf of clients all legal matters related to their operations in the country. The firm acts as their trusted advisors, assisting in all legal matters and providing guidance on how to navigate the complexities of doing business in Panama. LOVILL uses a custom-made knowledge management system (intelligent checklists, workflow systems, document assembly and Intranet), which allows attorneys in all practice groups to work more efficiently focusing on what really matters to the client: effective and efficient legal work and strategy. All attorneys are bilingual and hold degrees from top ranked universities in Panama, US and Europe.

Main Areas of Practice:
Dispute Resolution: 30%
Corporate/ M&A/ Real Estate: 35%
Tax Law: 10%
Labour/ Immigration: 10%
Intellectual Property: 5%
Finance, Banking & Securities: 10%

Dispute Resolution:
LOVILL is experienced representing clients in actions before Panamanian courts, and in local and international arbitration. The team provides creative and innovative strategies for complex cross-border disputes. Attorneys and legal assistants in the department have represented Panama before the International rounds of the Philip C. Jessup Law Moot Court Competition, the most prestigious moot court competition in the world. This experience deeply shapes the attorney's experience and perspective on International law and the ability to present persuasive arguments. LOVILL has been the national sponsor of this competition for almost ten years. At LOVILL each client is given a tailor-made solution and strategy that takes into account law, process, and commercial Impact.

Corporate/M&A:
LOVILL offers comprehensive Iegal advice to clients currently established or in process of establishing business operations la Panama. The firm assists companies and individuals in the formation of the best corporate structure for their business, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, drafting shareholders agreements, compliance and other related services. It also provides legal advice and guidance for due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructuring of companies, amongst others.
LOVILL assists clients to manage complex administrative regulations required to do business in Panama, especially in the areas of tourism, energy, mines and telecommunications. LOVILL also focuses in matters related to the state, governmental entities and in the guidance, preparation and reviews of files to submit public bids, applications for concessions, procurement permits, as well as licensing and permitting in general.

Real Estate:
LOVILL has highly qualified professionals offering innovative legal advice on all matters related to property law in Panama such as: purchase and sale of properties, low-density and high-density, real estate project development, incorporation to the condominiun ownership regime, drafting of co-ownership regulations, zoning changes, possessory rights, titling processes, and development planning in general, amongst others.

Tax Law:
LOVILL is experienced in preparing and developing corporate structures and giving tax advice to international clients that seek to invest or start operations in Panama. Services in this area include tax advice to companies for the acquisitions of local businesses and investments, legal advice on taxes in general and application for special tax regimes, advise on international taxation treaties, representing clients before the tax authority, among others.

Private Clients:
LOVILL advises local and international clients in estate planning with the purpose of securing non judicial and tax effective succession process. Services in this practice areas include: drafting wills, formation of Private Interest Foundations and regulations, preparing family protocols, amongst others, LOVILL works closely, with clients’ counsel and tax advisors in country of origin to create the best solution for each case. Lovill also advises local and international clients seeking to invest in Panama or clients with investments that seek to form a family office.

Immigration & Labour Law:
LOVILL offers comprehensive advice on immigration law. Its services include an analysis of each client's situation and needs, guidance on the different types of visas available, and assistance to select the visa type that best fits each client offering timely responses and a systematic follow-up if the clients process. The firm assists both companies acting on behalf of employees and private clients.
LOVILL advises client on the drafting, reviewing and termination of employment contracts, work permits for foreign nationals, and compliance with labour laws. Likewise, LOVILL represents corporations before the Conciliation Boards of the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL).

Finance, Banking & Securities:
LOVILL provides advice to banks, brokerage firms, investment managers, and other financial institutions on regulatory matters, including compliance, licensing, and other related processes. LOVILL is an expert in carrying out due diligence processes in connection with the purchase and/or sale of banks, brokerage houses, security advisory firms, amongst other financial regulated entities and in the preparation, negotiation and review of finance agreements, secured transactions, guarantee agreements, and other related complementary financial contracts.

INTERNATIONAL WORK:
Over 70 percent of clients are international, whether corporations, sovereign states or individuals. The firm is known for managing multijurisdictional cases, transactions and operations that require working with international law and its attorneys are trained to work effectively with international teams. All attorneys are bilingual and hold degrees from top ranked universities in Panama, US and Europe.

Clients:
LOVILL's clients are both national and global players from the private and public sector, including multinational companies, sovereign states and international law firms seeking assistance on behalf of their clients. Client portfolio includes: Procuraduria del Estado del Ecuador, BAC; Scotiabank; VISA, Unilever, Grupo Q, Grupo Terra; Del Monte, Grupo Riba Smith, Select Management LLC, Grupo Almo, FCC, SGS (SGS Panama Control Services Inc.), Neptune Lines, CEVA FREIGHT MANAGEMENT PANAMA S. de R. L., Standard & Poor; Banco Agricola, NH Hotels, Constructora Chufani, Petroecuador, Pearl Island, Kio Networks and Canadian Commercial Corporation and numerous family offices established in Panama and abroad.