ANA SILVIA VELASQUEZ 1

Ana Silvia Velásquez Chin

Ana Silvia Velásquez Chin joined Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán in 2023 and is a member of the Banking & Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions teams.

She has been admitted to practice law in the Republic of Panama and the State of New York, and also holds a FIBA AMLCA (Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate) certification. As she has previously acted as a Compliance Director, she has a wealth of knowledge in this area.

In addition to her legal expertise, Ana Silvia is a certified spanish-english-spanish translator.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Sciences, Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, Panama, Cum Laude, (2016).
  • Master of Laws (LLM), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A., (2018).
  • Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Legal Tech and Innovation, Aden University, (ongoing)
  • License Certificate: 
    • 2016 (Panama)
    • 2021 (New York)

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Associate since 2023
  • Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee
    • Associate – Compliance Manager  (2022-2023)
    • Junior Associate (2019-2022)
  • Arias Law
    • Junior Associate (2018)
  • Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee
    • Corporations Assistant (2014-2017)
    • Compliance Assistant (2013-2014)

Adolfo Gonzalez-Ruiz

Adolfo A. González-Ruiz Arias

Adolfo González-Ruiz has been an Associate Attorney at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán since 2017, specializing in Corporate Law, Public Contracting, and Data Protection.

He has been part of the team in charge of important project financing transactions and has spoken at virtual events for Cámara del Pacífico, PromPerú and ProColombia, presenting topics such as Investments in Panama and Public Contracting.

Adolfo is a member of the Panamanian Bar Association and the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), where he participates in the Trade and Investment Committee.

In 2021, he was recognized by the Panama Bar Association for his extraordinary work on behalf of the Panamanian legal profession.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Sciences, Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, Panama, (2016).
  • Master of Laws (LLM), Loyola University New Orleans Law School, U.S.A., (2016).
  • Specialization in Law, Contracts and Damages, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, (2017).
  • Master of Taxation and Fiscal Policy, Universidad Especializada del Contador Público Autorizado (UNESCPA), Panama, (anticipated completion, 2021).
  • License Certificate: 2016

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Associate since 2017
  • De Obaldía & García de Paredes
    • Legal Assistant, (2014-2015)
  • Tejada Lawyers
    • Legal Assistant, (2012)
  • Citi Bank
    • Legal Intern, (2010)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Member of the Committee of Trade and Investment.
  • Panamanian Debate Association (ASPADE)

Hobbies

In his free time, Adolfo enjoys cooking and playing padel.

ALFREDO FONSECA

Alfredo R. Fonseca Zauner

Alfredo Fonseca is a Partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán with fifteen years of experience in the profession. He specializes in Energy & Hydrocarbons, Maritime and Admiralty Law, Banking & Finance, and Corporate Law.

He has been part of the team involved in several high-profile transactions in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors, specifically for project financing and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he has contributed to publications such as Latin Lawyer Regulator in the chapter regarding the National Public Service Authority of Panama.

Alfredo is a member of the Panama Bar Association and American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), participating in the Electricity and Energy, Hydrocarbons, Legislation and Taxes, Trade and Investment, and Transportation and Logistics Committees.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Sciences, cum laude, Universidad Catolica Santa María la Antigua, Panama City, Panama, (2007).
  • Master of Law, with merit, King´s College London, London, United Kingdom, (2009).
  • International MBA, IE Business School, Madrid, Spain, (2015).
  • Specialization in Electricity and Gas Regulation, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia, (2018).
  • License Certificate: 2008

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner since 2023
    • Associate since 2015
  • Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega – Panama City, Panama
    • Associate (2013)
  • Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega –  London, United Kingdom
    • Associate, Office Manager (2009 – 2012)
    • Solicitor (2009)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association.
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Member of the Committees of Electrical and Energy, Hydrocabons, Legislation and Taxation, Trade and Investment and Transportation and Logistics.

Hobbies

Alfredo enjoys diving, sailing, piloting airplanes, and photography in his spare time.

Luis Chalhoub

Luis A. Chalhoub M.

Luis Chalhoub has been a partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán since 2013. With over thirty years of experience, he specializes in Administrative Law, Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Consumer Protection & Competition, Mergers & Acquisitions, Insurance, and Re-Insurance, and Trust Services.

He is a consultant on Commercial Law in general, Banking Law, Capital Markets, International Trade, Economic Integration, Competition Law, Consumer Protection, and Free Zones. Due to his expertise, Luis is regularly involved in high-profile banking and capital market transactions.

He is also a professor at Universidad Santa María La Antigua, Graduate School of Law, Commercial Law, and Banking Law. In addition, he has been a Professor in the International Trust Training Diploma of the Latin American Federation of Banks.

Luis has been recognized as a leader in Banking and Finance in Panama in publications such as IFLR 1000 and Who’s Who Legal.

In 2021, he was elected President of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of the Securities Market of Panama, and he is an active member of STEP’s Panama branch.

Academic Instruction

  • Southern Methodist University, USA: Research Assistant in the Chair of Private International Law, 1986.
  • Santa María La Antigua University, Panama: Professor of Commercial Law, Introduction to Law and Fiscal Law at the Law School.
  • Inter-American University of Panama: Professor of Principles of International Commercial Contracts, Banking Contracts and New Commercial Contracts, Law School (Post-Graduate).
  • University of Panama: Professor of Principles of International Commercial Contracts, Faculty of Law (Post-Degree).
  • License Certificate: 1985

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN, Partner since 2013 – Associate (2000 – 2012).
  • Commission of Free Trade and Consumers Affaires (CLICAC), Legal Executive Director (1997 – 1999)
  • Colon Free Zone, Legal Counsel (1991 – 1997).
  • Sistemas Jurídicos, S.A., Director of Legislation (1989 – 1990)
  • Arellano, Chalhoub & Asociados, Partner

Memberships

  • Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Responsible of the Academic Commission, President of the Panama Chapter (2012-2014).
  • International Law Society.
  • Panama Bar Association, Panamanian Association of Executives (APEDE), of which he has been the Chairman of the Juridical Commission of APEDE (2002 – 2003 and 2003 – 2004) Director and Secretary to National Matters (2003-  2004 and 2004 – 2005), Chairman of the CADE Commission (2009), Assistant General Secretary (2011 – 2012).

Publications

  • Panama contributor of the publication “Doing Business” of the World Bank, (2006 2015)
  • “Mergers & Acquisitions” 2013 – 2015 – Panama Chapter, Getting the Deal Through, Law Business Research, London.
  • Co-author of the “Conferences about Panama Trusts, Panama Private Interest Foundations and its main uses in Panama, 2005.
  • Casuistry of the Trust subject to the Analysis of the Panamanian Courts.
  • Co-author of the Panamanian Chapter on the International Commercial Fraud, published by Sweet & Maxwell (2002).
  • Author of Legislation Index (Indice de Legislación), Sistemas Jurídicos (1990).
  • Co-author of the West’s Spanish-English / English-Spanish Law Dictionary (1986).

Alexis Herrera Jr.

Alexis V. Herrera Jr.

Alexis Herrera Jr. is a partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán, with more than twenty-five years of experience. He specializes in Public Procurement, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Law, Maritime Law, Environmental Law, Labor Law, and E-Commerce.

He is the partner in charge of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Public Procurement departments. He has advised the Panamanian government and business groups in public bidding and financing processes, as well as for M&A transactions in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and trading.

Alexis is also part of the team of arbitrators for labor matters at the Panama Canal Authority.

His work has been recognized by legal publications such as Chambers & Partners, LACCA, IFLR1000, and WWL.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor Degree in Finance and Economics, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., (1993).
  • Juris Doctor, Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. Honors: Cum Laude, Exxon Scholar. (1996)
  • Maritime Certificate, Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., (1996).

License Certificate:

  • 1996 – Louisiana State Bar and Federal Courts of the Fifth Circuit, U.S.A.
  • 1997 – Panamanian Bar Association

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner. Lawyer since 1996.
  • Member of the Drafting Commission of the Preliminary Draft of a Bill which proposes amendments to Book II of the Panama Commercial Code (2013-2014).
  • Panama Canal Authority
    • Labor arbitrator (2010 – present)
  • Member of the drafting commission of the Regulation for the Panama Maritime Labour Convention of ILO, (2006). 
  • Exxon Company (U.S.A.)
    • Legal Department, (1995).
  • Gordon, Arata, McCollan & Duplantis (U.S.A.)
    • Legal Assistant, (1994).
  • Coordinator of the Drafting Commission on the regulation of the Labor Law at Sea and Navigable Waterways.

Academic Experience

  • Santa Maria La Antigua University and Deusto´s University (Bilbao, Spain).
    • Professor in the Master’s Program in Maritime Law, (2003 – 2005)
  • Santa Maria La Antigua University
    • Professor of “Problems in Contemporary Corporate” (Electronic Commerce and Telecommunications). Master’s Program in Commercial Law, USMA (2001 – 2005).
  • Escuela Nautica de Panama
    • Alternate Professor of Maritime Law (1997 – 2001).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • Lousiana Bar Association
  • American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Asociación Profesionales de la Nueva Generación Jurídica (Tesorero, 1999 – 2002)
  • Asociación Panameña de Derecho y Nuevas Tecnologías
  • Panama Maritime Law Association
  • International Bar Association
  • Phi Delta Phi (International Legal Fraternity) 
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), 
    • Member of the Committees of Environmental, and Hydrocarbons. 

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers and Partners Global,
  • Chambers and Partners Latin-America;
  • LACCA
  • IFLR 1000 

Publications

  • “Ciertos Aspectos Legales del Comercio Electrónico”, (Semanario Jurídico Empresarial, Sistemas Jurídicos, October, 2000).
  • Panama Chapter of the book “International Execution Against Judgment Debtors” (Oceanía Publications, Inc.,1999).

Hobbies

In his spare time, Alexis enjoys basketball, music, and gadgets.

Michelle de de la Guardia

Michelle O. de de la Guardia

Michelle O. de de la Guardia is a partner specialized in Administrative Law, Banking Law, Capital Markets, Insurance and Re-Insurance, Mergers & Acquisitions and Trust Services. Since 1991, she has provided legal advice to multiple companies in the structuring and issuance of public offering of securities. She became a partner of Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán in 1993.

Michelle has been recognized for her expertise in Banking & Finance in publications such as Who’s Who Legal.

She is a founding member of the Panamanian Chapter of the Women Corporate Directors foundation and she is an active member of the Panama Bar Association.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor of Law and Political Science, University Santa Maria La Antigua, Panama (Cum Laude, 1983). Thesis:  “The Nationality of Corporations under Panamanian Law and in Comparative Law” (publication recommended by the grading jury).
  • License Certificate:  1983

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZALEZ-RUIZ & ALEMAN, since 1983, partner of the firm since 1993.
  • Since 1991 has been legal counsel to multiple companies in the structuring and issuance of public offering of securities.

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • Trustee of a Foundation for the promotion of Women. Women Corporate Directors, founding member of the Panamanian Chapter.

Awards and Recognition

  • Who´s Who Legal (Banking – Panama Chapter).

Gabriel González-Ruiz

Gabriel González-Ruiz A.

With over 40 years of experience, Gabriel González-Ruiz is a partner at ICAZA, GONZALEZ-RUIZ & ALEMAN, specializing in Public Procurement and Privatizations, Administrative Law, Commercial Law, Banking Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Project Finance.

He has provided legal advice on a wide range of project financing transactions that have been carried out in Panama on behalf of international consortiums. In addition, he has acted as legal advisor for the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank projects. Likewise, he has advised the Republic of Panama on multiple occasions in the areas of public finance, special laws, financial assets, loans, public debt, derivatives, public credit, and the Panama Savings Fund.

Gabriel has also led the banking and finance practice group in financing transactions under the factoring modality.

He has been recognized as a leader in his field throughout his career by Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000, and Who’s Who Legal.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor of Law and Political Science, University of Panama, (1978).  Thesis:  “The Autonomy of Commercial Law” (publication recommended by the grading jury), (1978).
  • License Certificate:  1979

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN,
    • Partner since 1990.
    • Associate (1979 – 1989).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association.

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers and Partners Global
  • Chambers and Partners Latin-America
  • IFLR 1000 (Financial and Corporate)

Hobbies

Gabriel enjoys mountain biking and kayaking in his spare time.

ALVARO ALEMÁN

Alvaro A. Alemán Healy

Alvaro Alemán joined Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán in 1986 and became a partner in 1996. He specializes in Tax Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers & Acquisitions.

Alvaro has held public office positions in Panama such as General Director of Revenue at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (1993-1994), Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009-2010), Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs (2010-2011), and Minister of the Presidency of Panama (2014-2018).

He has also held positions on the Board of Directors of Institutions and Associations such as the Public Registry of Panama, the Panama Maritime Authority, and the International Bar Association.

Alvaro has been recognized as a leading lawyer in Banking and Finance by Who’s Who Legal and in Capital Markets by LACCA.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science,
    Universidad Santa María la Antigua, Panama, (1985).
    Thesis: “Relevant Aspects of Panamanian Electoral Law” (Publication recommended)
  • Master of Laws (L.L.M.), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A., (1986).
  • License Certificate: 1986

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner since 1996
    • Associate (1986-1996)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association and International Bar Association.

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