Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez wins praise for striking an ‘excellent balance between consulting and litigation‘, advising on employment contracts and the employment aspects of corporate transactions, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions, and representing clients in labour disputes. The team is also well versed in immigration law, including obtaining work and residency permits for foreign nationals. Its broad domestic and multinational client base spans the aviation, ports, hospitality, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and financial sectors, among others. The highly experienced leadership group is made up of ‘eminent practitioner‘ Enna Ferrer (an expert in both labour and immigration law), Juan Gabriel González and ‘dedicated labour litigator‘ Francisco Iglesias. ‘Young talent‘ Nelson Sales stands out at the associate level.
Labour in Panama
Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez
Responsables de la pratique:
Enna Ferrer; Juan Gabriel González; Francisco Iglesias
Les références
‘AFRA’s employment law team is very well structured. They combine youth with a lot of experience and have an excellent balance between consulting and litigation, as well as union issues. A diverse team that is fast working, has a clear understanding of the client’s needs and is with us throughout the process. Compared to other firms in this area, I think they are more assertive and direct with what the client needs. Billing is very well detailed in terms of hours, type of consultation, description, etc.’
‘Enna Ferrer is an eminent practitioner in this field, with vast experience in all aspects of the law and excellent ease in the negotiation and structuring of cases.‘
‘Francisco Iglesias is a dedicated labour litigator, who knows how to structure a case very well and advise on the realistic outcome. He guides you by the hand throughout the process.‘
Principaux clients
L’Oréal Panama
DHL Panama
Port of Singapore (PSA)
Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)
International School of Panama (ISP)
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)
Ricardo Perez (Itochu Group)
Hospital Paitilla (Hospiten Group)
ALS Global Panama
Productos Toledano
Industrias Lácteas (Estrella Azul)
Sony
Hilti Latin America
Puma Energy
Servier
Citibank
Felix (Importadora Maduro)
Adidas
Banistmo (Grupo Bancolombia)
Cervecería Nacional (AB InBev Group)
Cinemark
Cummins
Trane Technologies
Farmacias Arrocha
Liebherr
Alimentos del Istmo (PepsiCo)
Stanley Black and Decker
UBS
Vopak
Western Union
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Cervecería Nacional (part of the AB InBev Group) with the successful negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with its union, amidst the announcement of a strike.
- Assisted Papelera Istmeña with the negotiation of a new collective agreement with the paper union.
- Advised Logytech Mobile on the employment aspects of the strategy and execution of the reorganisation process.
Morgan & Morgan
Counting key local and international players from the retail, manufacturing, hospitality, technology and ports sectors among its clients, Morgan & Morgan houses a comprehensive labour practice, which ranges from advising on employment contracts and employee dismissals to assisting with collective bargaining negotiations with unions and labour litigation. The firm also has an active immigration practice group, which is overseen by Albalira Montúfar. Ricardo Alemán, who brings to bear four decades of experience in employment law, steers the team alongside Maria Teresa Mendoza, whose wide-ranging practice also takes in social security matters. Senior associate Milagros Caballero is a name to note for employment issues relating to establishing regional headquarters in Panama.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ricardo Alemán; Maria Teresa Mendoza
Principaux clients
3M
Acino
Banco Davivienda
Bavarian Motors
Calox Panameña
Canon de Panama
Chanel Panama
Christian Dior
Clorox
Damco
Dolce & Gabbana
Esteé Lauder
Grainger
Marriott Hotels
Nikon Latin America
Nippon Express
Panama Ports Company (subsidiary of Hutchinson Ports Holding)
Philips
PriceSmart Panama
Ralph Lauren
Walter P Moore
Indra
Maersk
Minera Panamá (subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals)
DHL
Hitachi
Grupo Roble
Delivery Hero (Pedidos Ya)
Arias
Arias has a regional presence, making it a strong choice to advise multinational companies, with a diverse client base including high-profile names in the pharmaceutical and media sectors. The team regularly assists with day-to-day labour, immigration and social security matters, as well as joining up with the active corporate department and the firm’s Central American offices to provide support with the labour aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A. Its recent workload also includes handling sensitive investigations involving fraud and sexual harassment allegations. ‘Very responsive‘ Panama managing partner Siaska SSS Lorenzo heads the practice, bringing extensive regulatory and compliance expertise to the table.
Responsables de la pratique:
Siaska SSS Lorenzo
Les références
‘Siaska is very responsive and provides sound legal advice in a friendly and sensible manner. She understands our business needs and properly assesses the risks.’
Principaux clients
Johnson & Johnson
Mondelēz
Miguélez Cables
TrueBlue
Nielsen IQ
Master Builders Solutions (MBS)
Honeywell Aerospace
FedEx
Baker McKenzie
Amway
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Honeywell Aerospace on sensitive labour and employment matters in Panama.
- Assisted Spectrum Brands with the labour aspects of the plan to carve out its Home and Personal Care (HPC) segment.
- Advising Master Builders Solutions on sensitive labour and employment matters in Panama.
ECIJA
Praised by clients for its ‘exemplary service‘, the labour practice of global firm ECIJA is frequently engaged by well-known multinationals to advise on compliance with local labour regulations, employment contracts, employee transfers and dismissals, social security, immigration and human resources policies. The team’s extensive client roster covers the logistics, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and retail industries, and it also has niche expertise in the sports sector. The ‘exceptional‘ Antonio Alberto Vargas combines his strengths in employment law and litigation and arbitration to represent employers in labour disputes before the Ministry of Labour and the national courts. Associate Diana Tejada is highly regarded.
Responsables de la pratique:
Diana Tejada
Les références
‘ECIJA Panama’s support has been invaluable in providing a quality service to deal with local labour issues, given the particularities of the Panamanian market. They provide an exemplary service, and they are always available despite the difficulties faced on a project.’
‘Antonio Vargas is an exceptional lawyer. He provides great management of labour issues, and is always available to assist with the various projects on which we require advice in Panama.‘
‘Diana Tejada’s willingness to resolve client issues has been invaluable. She is always positive, and achieves the objectives despite the strict deadlines that we are working to. A lawyer with a bright future.’
Principaux clients
DHL Panama
Mercantil Farmacéutica (Mefasa Panama)
Foster International Corporation
Jeancenter Corp
Distribuidora Panatex
Fundación Danilo Pérez
Fútbol con Corazón (FCC)
Denim Retail Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Helix International on labour issues in Panama, including the termination of employee contracts and Panamanian legislation relating to wages.
- Advising Mercantil Farmacéutica on employment matters relating to the impact of Covid-19, including labour contract suspensions and terminations, reduced working hours and the implementation of teleworking.
- Successfully represented Foster International in a claim brought by an employee before the Colón provincial court for unpaid benefits.
Fabrega Molino
Fabrega Molino‘s labour team is highlighted by clients for its ‘experience and mastery of the subject‘, covering the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm frequently assists with day-to-day issues such as the drafting of employment contracts and compliance with local labour regulations, in addition to handling labour disputes and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. Practice head Miguel Urriola has a strong track record in labour litigation and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. He receives stellar support from the ‘outstanding‘ Carlos Molino, who heads the immigration department, and senior associate Lourdes Bishop, who has a focus on advising multinational companies.
Responsables de la pratique:
Miguel Urriola
Les références
‘Fabrega Molino has a highly qualified team, with a strong track record and excellent client service. They have been our legal advisers for more than 30 years.’
‘Carlos Molino is an outstanding professional, who is very knowledgeable about our company and industry, enjoys a strong network locally and internationally, which is very valuable, and has been highly effective in understanding our needs and providing an excellent service.’
‘Fabrega Molino is very responsive. I like the relationship that has been built with this firm because, despite the fact that we have not been working together for very long, they have exceeded my expectations. Fabrega Molino has interesting programmes that make the firm an inclusive entity, which today is very important.’
LOVILL
Standing out for its ‘response times, flexibility with fees and quality of responses‘, LOVILL advises a host of multinationals and local SMEs on the drafting of employment contracts, adapting global policies to their operations in Panama, employee dismissals (including in sensitive cases) and immigration matters, as well as the labour aspects of corporate transactions. In addition, the team handles the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with unions and frequently represents employers in labour litigation. The ‘exceptional‘ Jeannette Bravo, who was elevated to the partnership in July 2023, leads the team and is particularly sought after for her advice to major multinationals on day-to-day employment issues.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jeannette Bravo
Les références
‘The firm stands out for its response times, flexibility with fees and quality of responses.‘
‘It is very easy to work with them – they have a great capacity to adapt to working with our team. Swift and thorough responses.‘
‘Lovill’s labour team work in a very professional, timely and reliable manner.‘
Principaux clients
Unilever
SGS Panamá
Banco Lafise Panamá
Ceva Logistics
Grupo Terra
Dekel
Gresinsa
Atrio Mall
Telecable
Visa
Isthmian Investment Corporation
Hacienda San José
SBA Communications Panama
Financiera Turbocash
Mexichem Panama/Wavin
Colliers
UDI Services
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Gresinsa on all labour matters related to the winding down of the company and assessment of its relationship with the employees’ union.
- Acting as local counsel to SBA on day-to-day labour and immigration issues.
- Acting as local counsel to Unilever on all labour and immigration law matters, including advising the company on the relocation of C-level executives as part of the company’s global strategy.