MARIANO OTEIZA JR

Mariano J. Oteiza Díaz

Mariano Oteiza Díaz has been an associate specializing in corporate and administrative law at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán since 2011 and was named partner in 2021. He has more than ten years of experience in corporate services and the areas of Asset Protection and Tax.

As part of the firm’s international services team, he enjoys most of his day-to-day work by interacting with colleagues and maintaining permanent contact with clients from other jurisdictions. He is passionate about learning about legal situations and understanding the problems and obstacles that other jurisdictions face to offer efficient solutions and proposals to clients.

He is currently a member of the National Bar Association and the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama (AMCHAM), participating in the Legislation and Taxation and Trade and Investment committees.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor of Law and Political Science, Universidad Santa María La Antigua, Summa Cum Laude, (2010).
  • Master in Law with emphasis in Corporate Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, U.S.A., (2011).
  • Post Graduate Specialization in Taxation, Universidad Especializada del Contador Público Autorizado (UNESCPA), Panama, 2012.
  • License Certificate: 2010

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁNALEMÁN
    • Partner since 2021.
    • Associate since 2011.
    • Legal assistant (2006 – 2010)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), member of the Committees of Legislation and Taxation, and Trade and Investment

Hobbies

Mariano enjoys sports in general and spending time with his family in his free time.

Joaquin Díaz Strunz

Joaquín A. Díaz S.

Partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán since 1991, Joaquin Díaz, specializes in Corporate Law, Labor Law, Panama Private Interest Foundations, and Company Formation.

Joaquin is a member of the arbitrators list of the Panama Canal for labor disputes under arbitration. He is an active member of the Panama Bar Association, the German Chamber of Commerce of Panama and the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

In recent years, he has been involved in the discussion of Panama’s legislation regarding Beneficial Ownership and Accounting Records.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor of Science in Economics and General Management, Boston College, Massachusetts (1988).
  • Juris Doctor, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, School of Law, Puerto Rico, (1991). Thesis: “Propiedad Intelectual y Sociedad de Gananciales”.
  • License Certificate: 1992 

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner since 1991.
  • Member of the Arbitrators list of the Panama Canal, for labor disputes under arbitration.

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association.
  • German Chamber of Commerce of Panama.

Hobbies

In his spare time, Joaquin enjoys biking, deep-sea fishing and boating.

MARIANO OTEIZA ICAZA

Mariano J. Oteiza Icaza

Mariano Oteiza Icaza became a partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán in 1996. With over 35 years of experience in the profession, he specializes in Banking Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate and Tourism.

Over the course of his carreer, he has served as Director of several Banking entities, which grants him extensive experience in this area.

He actively participates as a member in associations such as the Panama Bar Association, the International Law Association, and the International Lawyer Association of Panama.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree of Law, Cum Laude, Santa Maria La Antigua University, Panama, (1985). Thesis “Study on Mortgage Bonds and Recommendations for Adequate Laws in Panama”.  
  • LL.M., Comparative and International Law, Southern Methodist University Law School, Dallas, Texas, USA (1986).
  • License Certificate: 1985

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN, Partner since 1996
  • Legal Assistant, CAMERON, HORNBOSTELL, ADELLMAN & BUTTERMAN, New York, USA, 1984.
  • Director of Primer Banco de Ahorros (PRIBANCO), (1999 – 2000).
  • Director of Compañía Nacional de Seguros S.A. (CONASE), (1994 – 2001).
  • Alternate Director of Banco Internacional de Panamá (BIPAN),(1999 – 2002)
  • Alternate Representative to the Second Vice-Presidence of the Executive Council of Conciliation and Arbitration Center of Panamá (1995 – 1997)
  • Alternate Director of Banco Provincial de Ahorro (PROBANCO) – (1992 – 1995)
  • Director of Grupo Financiero Continental (2002 – 2007).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association, President of the Civil Rights Commission and Professional Ethics Commission (1995 – 1997).
  • International Law Association.
  • International Lawyer Association of Panama (Director).

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).

MARIELA DE LA GUARDIA

Mariela I. de la Guardia Oteiza

Mariela de la Guardia Oteiza is a partner with twelve years of experience, specializing in Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Estate Planning, Public Procurement and Data Protection.

She regularly provides advice to multinationals interested in establishing their operations in Panama through special economic zones and regimes such as SEM, Colon Free Zone, Panamá Pacífico, and EMMA.

Mariela is a Director and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (AmCham) for 2021-2022. In addition, she is an active member of INTA, participating in the Famous and Well-known Trademark Committee from 2020 through 2021, and has been selected as a member of the Brand Restrictions Committee for the 2022-2023 period.  She is also member of the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law (APADEPI), among many other organizations. Recently, Mariela was also named as a Mentor of AEI Panama, the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Academic Instruction

  • Master of Law (LL.M.), Northwestern University, School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, USA. (2009).
  • Bachelor Degree in Law and Political Sciences, Santa Maria La Antigua University, Cum Laude. Panama, (2007).
  • Tax Diploma, Universidad Especializada del Contador Público Autorizado (UNESCPA), Panama,(2012).
  • Postgraduate Degree in Public Procurement, Santa Maria La Antigua University, (2018).
  • License Certificate: 2008

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner since June, 2019
    • Associate Attorney since 2009
    • Legal Assistant: Intellectual Property; Corporate Law; Litigation (2004 – 2007)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce
    (AMCHAM) – Secretary of the Board of Directors and Director 2019-2022, former Vicepresident of the Board of Directors 2020, former Director of the Tax and Legislation Committee, Member of the Trade and Investment Committee;
  • Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law (APADEPI)
  • International Trademark Association (INTA), Famous and Well Known Trademarks committee member
  • WIP Panama
  • Member of the Women’s Corporate Directors (WCD)

Hobbies

Mariela enjoys cooking, reading historical novels, playing soccer and baseball in her spare time.

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