The Philippines was largely affected by pandemic and has experienced a roller coaster of a year with severe lockdowns. To advise their clients, law firms had to reinvent themselves in order to help their clients face unprecedented problems.
Companies had to adjust to hard economic realities and rapidly changing regulatory environments, placing enormous demands on legal firms. The importance of having a professional and trustworthy legal counsel was never more vital. There are a few that stand out among these obstacles, the big-name firms were not to be surpassed even in a pandemic year, but there were also some smaller developing firms that emerged as successful firms, because of their tech-driven and adaptability strategy. So, here is a list of the top ten law firms in the Philippines that stand out among others.
1. ACCRALAW
Website: https://accralaw.com/
ACCRALAW is one of the most well-known and recognized law firms in the Philippines. With 177 lawyers, including 44 partners, the company has earned a reputation as one of the best in the country in its nearly half-century of existence.
Many of the top firms in the country along with worldwide corporations trust the Accralaw full-service firm. Emerico who is the company’s managing partner, and Salvador L Pea, the firm’s co-managing partner, have an outstanding track record in lawsuits and dispute resolution, intellectual property, M&A, capital markets, employment law, and corporate and commercial law, having been involved in landmark corporate transactions and landmark litigation cases.
2. PICAZO BUYCO TAN FIDER AND SANTOS
Website: https://picazolaw.com/
This is a full-service law firm that has made a reputation for itself in the competitive legal market in the Philippines. The business has acquired a formidable reputation across practice areas but is best known for its capital markets and banking and finance expertise.
The firm is best known for its venture capital, capital markets, banking, finance, and real estate practices, as well as strong IP, labor, immigration, litigation, tax, energy and gaming practices.
3. SARMIENTO LORIEGA
Website: https://www.sl-lawoffice.com/
Sarmiento Loriega is a full-service legal company based in Pasig City, Manila, led by partners with substantial experience in M&A, corporate law, project financing, and tax. Sarmiento Loriega was founded in 2020 during an economic catastrophe and global epidemic, and has already attracted the attention of clients and peers.
For a newbie, the firm has made an impression not just among domestic business leaders, but also among multinational corporations and worldwide law firms. Julito Sarmiento and Elizabeth Peralta-Loriega who are the firm’s founding partners have a fantastic reputation that has certainly helped the firm’s early success.
- ROMULO
Website: http://www.romulo.com/
Romulo is one of the country’s largest and most prominent law firms. Romulo is in high demand both domestically and internationally because of its international presence.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles have created a good reputation across practice areas such as private equity and venture funding, real estate, M&A, capital markets, and are one of the go-to firms for both local and foreign clients in the country.
5. SYCIP SALAZAR HERNANDEZ & GATMAITAN
Website: https://www.syciplaw.com/
In 2020, SyCipLaw celebrated its 75th anniversary, making it one of the Philippines’ oldest law firms. It has developed a transactions portfolio that includes some of the country’s largest and most challenging transactions.
SyCipLaw is a full-service law firm with a strong presence in almost every practice area, representing top-tier clients in a wide range of industries, from traditional practices like litigation, aviation, shipping, and taxation to emerging ones like antitrust, data privacy, arbitration, and technology.
6. QUISUMBING TORRES
Website: https://www.quisumbingtorres.com/en
Quisumbing Torres, a Baker & McKenzie’s member firm, is a full-service firm with a stellar reputation among local and international clients and associates. The firm has received distinction in a variety of practice areas, particularly in the fields of arbitration and conflict resolution.
Quisumbing Torres is led by Ramon J Quisumbing, who is widely regarded as one of the country’s best conflict resolution lawyers. The firm also has a strong aviation practice, as well as mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and intellectual property expertise. It provides its clients with a significant international network and expertise as a member firm of Baker McKenzie.
7. CRUZ MARCELO & TENEFRANCIA
Website: https://cruzmarcelo.com/
This law firm has established a reputation for dispute resolution competence and has expanded its exceptional credentials to include alternative dispute resolution and arbitration.
It has formerly served a varied range of customers, including the Philippine Monetary Board and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The full-service firm has 20 partners and is well-known for its commercial, energy and infrastructure, intellectual property and corporate practices.
8. OCAMPO MANALO BERNABE VALDEZ & LIM
Website: https://omlawphil.com/about/
Ocampo Manalo Bernabe Valdez & Lim is a full-service law firm with a stellar reputation in the aviation industry. The business is led by founding partners named Manolito Manalo and Carlos Ocampo, who are both well-known lawyers with expertise in corporate law, aviation, and litigation. The firm’s clientele includes both domestic and international airlines, many of which are well-known in the region.
This law firm provides advice and helps in the organization and vital regulatory matters for various aviation companies that includes Xiamen Airlines, Cambodia Airways, Turkish Airlines, TigerAir Taiwan, JC Cambodia Airlines, YTO Cargo Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa, Airswift Transport, Philippines AirAsia, Condor Airlines, Starlux Airlines and Magnum Air.
9. DIVINALAW
Website: https://www.divinalaw.com/
DivinaLaw is a full-service law firm that has earned a reputation as one of the Philippines’ most renowned law companies in just over a decade of existence. It is highly rated among domestic and international clientele, with more than 50 lawyers in two offices that are Manila and Cebu.
DivinaLaw simplifies an otherwise difficult perspective or approach while staying two or three steps ahead in terms of overall approach, which is exactly what is required when dealing with a legal issue.
- PLATÓN MARTINEZ FLORES SAN PEDRO LEAÑO
Website: https://platonmartinez.com/
This law firm was founded in 1996 and is a full-service business primarily renowned for its exceptional aviation practice. The firm is also well-known for its employment and IP practices.
The firm comprises five senior partners, six partners, and ten lawyers, and has a remarkable client roster, guiding several big domestic and international businesses. Eva Airways, Swiss Air, China Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines are among its aviation clients.