Skip to main content
    About
    c

    Share your ALB moments on social media
    #albawards

     
     Welcome to the ALB Philippine Law Awards 2022! 

     

    Date: Friday, 25 November 2022                                                    
    Time: 6:30 p.m. sharp, cocktail
    Venue: 

    The Peninsula Manila; Rigodon Ballroom

    Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, 1226, Makati, 1226 Metro Manila, Philippines                                          

    Asian Legal Business is pleased to announce 7th Annual ALB Philippine Law Awards 2022 set to be hosted on November 25, 2022. Recognize the accomplishments and efforts of your own law firm, in-house team, or other teams you have worked with in the last year.

    The process will conclude with an awards ceremony in November 2022. Come celebrate legal excellence with us!

    WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED. Congratulations to all the winners!

    For questions about the submission or the event, please contact
    Lokesh Bogati at lokesh.bogati@tr.com or +91 7666 872611.

    For questions about sponsorship opportunities, please contact
    Amantha Chia at amantha.chia@tr.com or +65 6973 8258.

    1

    CATEGORIES

    Individual Categories
    Data Privacy and Protection Lawyer of the Year
    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Fintech Lawyer of the Year (NEW)
    Managing Partner of the Year 
    Woman Lawyer of the Year
    Young Lawyer of the Year

    In-House Categories
    Construction and Real Estate In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
    Energy and Resources In-House Team of the Year (NEW)
    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
    Philippine In-House Team of the Year

    Law Firm Categories
    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 
    Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Construction and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
    Data Privacy and Protection Law Firm of the Year 
    Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year 
    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    Immigration Law Firm of the Year 
    Innovative Technologies Law Firm of the Year 
    Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
    International Law Firm of the Year
    Labor and Employment Law Firm of the Year
    Litigation Law Firm of the Year
    Philippine Deal Firm of the Year
    Projects and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year
    Private Equity and Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year (NEW)
    Rising Law Firm of the Year
    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Transportation and Logistics Law Firm of the Year 
    Philippine Law Firm of the Year

    Deal Categories
    Debt Market Deal of the Year
    Equity Market Deal of the Year 
    M&A Deal of the Year 
    Finance Deal of the Year

    If you have suggestions for categories to be introduced or you wish to join our mailing list for the latest update on the event, contact Joyce on joyce.luk@thomsonreuters.com.

            SUBMISSION FORMS         

    Submission Closed.

              IMPORTANT DATES         

    Opening of nominations - Wednesday, 24 August
    Deadline for submissions - Friday, 7 October
    Announcement of finalists - Last week of October
    Awards ceremony - Friday, 25 November

               SUBMISSION INQUIRIES          

    Lokesh Bogati
    Events Researcher
    Phone: +91-22-68414325
    lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com

    JUDGING PANEL 

    Each year, ALB invites an independent judging panel of senior and expert legal industry leaders from various sectors corresponding to the diverse list of award categories. ALB is pleased to introduce some of the distinguished judges. The rest of the panel will be revealed on the evening of the awards.

    j

    Hon. Roman G. Del Rosario
    Presiding Justice, Court of Tax Appeals

    Hon. Roman G. Del Rosario was appointed on March 13, 2013, as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA). At present, he presides over the proceedings of the CTA En Banc, serves as Chairperson of the CTA First Division, member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and member of the PHILJA Corps of Professors and PHILJA Academic Council. He is the Chairperson of the PHILJA Tax Department.

    Presiding Justice Del Rosario is also a member of various committees created by the Supreme Court including the SC Governing Council for Mental Health, Committee on Research on Salient Jurisprudence; Judiciary Budget Committee; Committee on Security; Technical Working Group on Judicial Integrity (Committee on Continuing Legal Education and Bar Matters of the Supreme Court); Special Committee to Review the Plantilla Position and Salary Grade of Officials and Employees in the Judiciary; Special Judiciary-Wide Committee on Annual Report; Judiciary-Wide Committee on Performance Based Bonus; Committee on Computerization and Library; Sub-Committee for the Revision of the 1997 Rules on Civil Procedure; and, Sub-Committee on the Revision of the Rules on Criminal Procedure.

    ben

    Ben Ferdinand Cruz
    Asia Cluster ERC Head, Sandoz (a Novartis Division)

     
    Has extensive legal training and professional work experience for 15+ years now as a Commercial Law practitioner and Compliance and Business Ethics expert in various corporate settings: both in private local and multinational corporations (MNCs), the Philippines’ SEC, government-owned and controlled corporation, and also in the academe.
     
    Experienced country Legal & Compliance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the pharmaceutical industry, and is currently responsible for countries in Asia, which include Bangladesh, Maldives & Sri Lanka, Malaysia & Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines as ASIA Cluster Ethics, Risk & Compliance (ERC) Head for Sandoz.

    Daisy Arce

    Daisy P. Arce
    President, Capital Markets Integrity Corporation

     
    A corporate lawyer with extensive experience in organizing and restructuring business corporations, mergers, divisions and acquisitions, capital restructuring, and their customized documentations, Ms. Arce was a partner in Quasha Ancheta Pena and Nolasco, one of the oldest law firms in the Philippines and had charge of its Banking and Corporate Finance group handling diverse and complex financial transactions of local and international investors covering syndications, FX loans and facilities, project financing, structuring security and collateral arrangements, remedial strategy and asset recovery. She was legal advisor to the Philippine Stock Exchange and the latter’s wholly owned subsidiary and regulatory arm, the Capital Markets Integrity Corporation. Currently she is President of the Capital Markets Integrity Corporation.

    Fernando Penarroyo

    Fernando S. Penarroyo
    Chairperson, Professional Regulatory Board of Geology
    Professional Regulation Commission

    FERNANDO S. PEÑARROYO is currently the Chairperson, Professional Regulatory Board of Ge-ology at Professional Regulation Commission. He is also the Managing Partner at the Peñarroyo and Palanca Law Offices. He was the former Group Legal Counsel and General Manager for Busi-ness Development of Polyard Petroleum International Group Co. Ltd. He practices in the area of en-ergy, resources, environment, infrastructure, and corporate law and possesses the required legal, financial, and technical educational background and experience having worked for the government (Department of Energy) and private sector, both locally and internationally (Australia). 
     
    He is the former President of the Geological Society of the Philippines, current Vice President of the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association, and former Director of the International Geothermal Association. He was actively involved as an officer and legal counsel in industry associations like the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Phil-ippine Petroleum Association of the Upstream Industry, and Philippine Chamber of Coal Mines. He lectured at the Asian Institute of Technology, MBA-JD Program of the De La Salle-FEU Institute of Law, and the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences. He regularly contributes articles and commentaries on legal, regulatory, and policy issues on resources, energy, and infrastructure to the Philippine Resources Journal. His commentaries are also archived at his personal blog site - https://penarroyo.com/.

    GMT

    Geraldine Meneses-Terrible
    Interim General Counsel – SEA, Jones Lang LaSalle

    Geraldine Meneses-Terrible is the Interim General Counsel for Southeast Asia of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a global commercial real estate services company.  She provides legal support to the management and business lines of JLL on various commercial, operations, compliance and regulatory issues, as well as acquisitions, restructuring and cross-border transactions in Southeast Asia. Prior to working as an in-house counsel, she was a Senior Associate at Fortun Narvasa & Salazar where she performed corporate and litigation work.  She has more than 14 years of litigation and commercial law experience.

    Geraldine obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines where she graduated cum laude and earned her law degree from San Beda College.  

    s

    Jhimmy Portugal Santiago
    General Counsel, Light Rail Manila Corporation

    Atty. Santiago is the General Counsel for Light Rail Manila Corporation, the private concessionaire operating the Light Rail Transit Line-1 system. Prior to holding this position, he was the Governance and Compliance Head of LRMC. Before joining LRMC, he was a partner for Litigation and Labor of the Carag Zaballero San Pablo and Abiera Law Office.

    He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management Economics from the Ateneo De Manila University in 2001 and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 2006.

    He is also an Investigating Commissioner of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Commission on Bar Discipline.

    Jun P Bautista

    Jun P Bautista
    Counsel, King & Spalding (Singapore) LLP

    Jun Bautista is counsel in King & Spalding’s Singapore office and is a member of the International Arbitration practice group.  He has represented clients across a number of industries in international arbitrations under various rules.  He has been recognized by Chambers, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal.

    Prior to joining King & Spalding, Jun was based in Hong Kong and worked in the international arbitration groups at Herbert Smith Freehills and Baker Botts.  He was also the founding director of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in Singapore, an associate at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, and a law clerk for Justice Conchita Carpio Morales at the Supreme Court.

    Jun has been teaching international arbitration in the Philippines since 2009.  He is a founding member and a former co-chair of HK45, the HKIAC’s young practitioners’ group. He was also a member of the ICC Taskforce on the New York Convention.

    D

    Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre
    Deputy Commissioner, Philippine National Privacy Commission

    Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre is the Deputy Commissioner of the Philippine National Privacy Commission and has served in that role since February 2018.

    He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law and his Master of Laws from Harvard Law School. He is a member of both the Philippine Bar and the New York State Bar.
    He is also member of the academe having taught various subjects in the University of the Philippines College of Law since 2013. He served as an advisor on the bill that eventually became the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

    Maria Lim

    Maria Lourdes P. Lim
    Tax Managing Partner, PwC Philippines

    Malou leads the tax practice of the Philippine office. She has more than 26 years of professional and extensive experience in providing tax services for various multinational and local companies of different industries such as Financial Services, Real Estate, Consumer & Industrial Products and Services (CIPS), Business Process Outsourcing, Energy, Oil & Gas.

    Her core experience includes corporate structuring and taxation, with emphasis on in-bound and out-bound investment planning; crossborder acquisitions; advisory on the application and interpretation of domestic laws on tax, investment, corporate and securities regulations; restructuring/reorganization; mergers & acquisitions; tax due diligence/tax health check review; tax assessments and refund claims.

    From April 2001 to December 2002, Malou joined the government upon invitation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue as Technical Consultant for Legal and Operations.

    Prior to joining the firm, her other professional experience includes working as an accountant and as a financial analyst.

    Weng

    Maria Rowena Espiritu    
    Philippine Country Counsel, IBM Philippines

    Maria Rowena Espiritu had been an in-house lawyer for multinational and domestic companies in the Philippines for almost two decades. She was Philippine Country Counsel and Data Protection Officer of IBM Philippines, Incorporated and its related companies before migrating to the US in early 2022. She is now the Contract Manager for Blount County Government in Tennessee, USA.
     
    Prior to IBM and Blount County Government, Espiritu was the Legal Affairs Director of Huawei Technologies Phils. for almost five years. She has also been a Resident Agent and Legal Counsel of VEECO APAC, INC. (Philippine Branch) Legal Manager of Directories Philippines Corporation; Assistant Corporate Secretary of Asian Terminals Inc. in previous years.
     
    Espiritu holds a Postgraduate Diploma (With Merit) in Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Law from Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom). She also finished various certification courses by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy (Switzerland), namely Advance Course on Electronic Commerce and Intellectual Property, Advance Course on Copyright and Related Rights and Advance Course on Arbitration and Mediation Procedure. She also holds a Master degree in Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business (Philippines). Espiritu finished her Bachelor of Laws from Saint Louis University (Philippines) and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Far Eastern University (Philippines).
    Enojo Mark

    Mark Enojo
    Head of Compliance - Zone ASEAN
    Head of Legal and Compliance - Philippines
    Siemens Healthineers

     
    Mark Enojo is the Head of Compliance in ASEAN of Siemens Healthineers, a leading publicly listed medical technology company headquartered in Germany.  In this role, he oversees the ASEAN countries and acts as a partner to the business in risk management in the key compliance areas of anti-bribery and corruption, data privacy, anti-trust and competition, and anti-money laundering.  He also serves as the Head of Legal and Compliance and as Data Protection Officer in the Philippines.   He started his career in various law firms: Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas in the Philippines and the Vietnam offices of Kelvin Chia Partnership and Mayer Brown, mainly focusing on M&A and corporate law.  Prior to working for Siemens Healthineers, he was with the business process outsourcing sector through RR Donnelley and then SPi Global (now, Straive). He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the Ateneo de Manila University and where he also serves as a professorial lecturer in the Civil Law and Political Law departments at the School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the Philippines and previously held a foreign practicing license as a lawyer in Vietnam.  He has been invited to speak in the Philippines on the topics of Business and Human Rights and Compliance.

    Teodoro Kalaw

    Teodoro Kalaw IV. C. Arb.
    Chartered Arbitrator & President Emeritus, Philippine Institute of Arbitrators

    Teddy Kalaw is the first and only Filipino to be installed as a Chartered Arbitrator as well as certified as an Accredited Mediator by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) of the United Kingdom. He is also the first and only Filipino diplomate in both international commercial arbitration and mediation of CIArb and is the only Filipino CIArb Fellow in both the international arbitration and mediation disciplines. He was the President of the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb) in 2014 and 2015 and then the Chair of its Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2017. He is presently a President Emeritus of PIArb. He is among the youngest to be elected a Fellow of CIArb, PIArb, the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, and the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. since 2017.

    Winnie - Engie Asia Pacific

    Winnie R. Lardizabal-Morales
    Deputy General Counsel
    ENGIE Asia, Middle East & Africa 

    Winnie is the Deputy General Counsel of ENGIE Asia-Pacific Middle East Africa (AMEA) Regional Hub and is currently based in Dubai, U.A.E.  ENGIE is a global leader in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, renewable energy, natural gas, and client solutions, headquartered in La Défense, Courbevoie, France. Winnie has been with ENGIE since 2015, starting with ENGIE Philippines as senior legal counsel, then transferring to ENGIE Asia-Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand and later on moving to Singapore where she held the role of Deputy General Counsel-Interim General Counsel of ENGIE Asia Pacific, before assuming her new role in the ENGIE Dubai office.  Prior to joining ENGIE, Winnie started as an associate/senior associate in various top tier law firms in the Philippines. She then became the head of legal and compliance of CalEnergy RHQ (now, Berkshire Hathaway Energy) and thereafter assumed the role of General Counsel of Enfinity Asia-Pacific RHQ, both of which were engaged in the management, operation, maintenance, acquisition, and development of renewable energy projects in Asia-Pacific. Winnie’s legal practice is primarily focused on corporate/commercial, tax, and power/energy law related matters.

    V

    Valeriano del Rosario
    Managing Partner, VERALaw

    Valeriano has extensive education and business experience in the United States and Europe. His clients who are doing business in the Philippines, include companies from the U.S., Europe and Japan. 
    Valeriano del Rosario is a specialist shipping lawyer based in the Philippines. He obtained his LLM in shipping law and policy from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology in 1983. He started his shipping career in London at Sinclair Roche and Temperley. He was trained in admiralty law and ship finance. He returned to the Philippines in 1987 and joined the law firm, VeraLaw, which his father established soon after the War in 1949. In the Philippines, Valeriano concentrated in both contentious as well as non-contentious matters. He continued his shipping practice, but also branched out to construction arbitration. On the non-contentious side Valeriano has advised overseas clients on mining law and cross border transactions.
     
    Valeriano was president of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines in 2000. He has been elected as an independent director of the MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy since 2018. 

    And many more...

    FINALISTS

    We are pleased to announce the finalists for ALB Philippine Law Awards 2022. *

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Data Privacy and Protection Lawyer of the Year

    Arnel D. Mateo – ADM & Partners Data Privacy and Consulting 
    Carlo E. Abarquez - VAL Law
    Divina Pastora Ilas-Panganiban - Quisumbing Torres
    Enrique Dela Cruz Jr. - DivinaLaw
    Francis Euston R. Acero - MERALCO
    Phillip Don G. Recentes - Gulapa & Lim
    Ramon Manolo A. Alcasabas - Cruz Marcelo and Tenefrancia 
    Ryan Espiritu - 3M Global Service Center-Philippines

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year 

    Anzen Dy - Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    Christopher Louie D. Ocampo - ACCRALAW
    Elmar B. Galacio - Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Enrique Dela Cruz Jr - DivinaLaw
    Michael Marlowe Uy - SKY Law
    Oscar Carlo F. Cajucom - Gulapa & Lim
    Ramon André F. Cedro - Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Salvador Paolo A. Panelo - Panelo Rabonza Zamora

    In-House Lawyer of the Year

    Cecily Nerisse C. Ramirez-dela Cruz - 3M Philippines, 
    Isabel Guidote - Enjin
    Millicent Joie L. Desiderio-Dime - Accenture
    Nikki Neil R. Santos - Union Bank of the Philippines
    TJ Mendoza - Prime Asset Ventures 

    Fintech Lawyer of the Year 

    Isabel Guidote - Enjin
    John Henley Godinez - Godinez Villanueva Espiritu & Soliman
    Mark S. Gorriceta - Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Reginald Anton ("Gino") J. Puno - VAL Law

    Managing Partner of the Year (Midsize Firm)

    Charmaine Rose K. Haw-Lim - Gulapa & Lim
    Maria Elizabeth E. Peralta Loriega - Sarmiento Loriega Law Office
    Mario Cerilles - CFIP Law
    Marvi Abo - Abo and Peñaranda Law Firm
    Mila Federis - Federis and Associates
    Paolo E. Abarquez - VAL Law
    Salvador P. Escalante - EPEEQ Law
    Salvador Paolo A. Panelo - Panelo Rabonza Zamora

    Woman Lawyer of the Year

    Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez-dela Cruz - 3M Philippines, 
    Elizabeth Liceralde - Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    Isabel Guidote - Enjin
    Maria Elizabeth E. Peralta Loriega - Sarmiento Loriega Law Office
    Melissa Ester E. Chavez-Dee - Gulapa & Lim
    Mila A. Federis - Federis and Associates
    Millicent Joie L. Desiderio-Dime - Accenture
    Patricia Tysmans-Clemente - ACCRALAW
    Rachel Uy- San Juan - R. Uy-San Juan & Associates Law Firm

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)

    Iniego Carl Varon - ZEN Eservices
    Isabel Guidote - Enjin
    Juan Miguel Tuason - FactSet Philippines
    Kristian Nico Calugay Acosta – The Penshoppe Group
    Nikki Neil R. Santos - Union Bank of the Philippines

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)

    Arnel D. Mateo - ADM & Partners Data Privacy and Consulting
    Edson Sy - Sky Law
    Jon Daryl Anton Chua - Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Jose Maria Angel P. Machuca - Gulapa & Lim
    Justin Mendoza - Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    Kristine T. Torres - Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Maria Celia Poblador- ACCRALAW
    Rachel Uy- San Juan - R. Uy-San Juan & Associates Law Firm
    Raegan L. Capuno - Siguion Reyna, Montecillo and Ongsiako
    Timothy Joseph N. Lumauig - VAL Law

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Bayer
    Kumu
    The Penshoppe Group 
    Union Bank of the Philippines

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year

    FactSet Philippines 
    Grab
    Lazada E-Services Philippines 
    Maya Philippines

    Philippine In-House Team of the Year

    Accenture
    Bayer
    Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines 
    Enjin
    Foodpanda Philippines
    Shell Companies in the Philippines
    Union Bank of the Philippines

    LAW FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    DivinaLaw
    Gulapa & Lim
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    VAL Law

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year 

    Abo and Peñaranda Law Firm
    Avenida and Diaz Law Office
    Castillo and Bello Law Offices
    CFIP Law
    Federis and Associates
    Meer Law
    Panelo Rabonza Zamora
    R. Uy- San Juan & Associates Law Firm
    SKY Law
    Tolosa Javier Lim and Chua Law Firm 

    Construction and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year

    C&G Law
    Castillo and Bello Law Offices
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Data Privacy and Protection Law Firm of the Year 

    ADM & Partners Data Privacy and Consulting
    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    De La Paz Castillo Ilas Herrera
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Quisumbing Torres
    VAL Law

    Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year 

    ACCRALAW
    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    DivinaLaw
    Gulapa & Lim
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Dime & Eviota
    Fortun Narvasa & Salazar
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra.
    Gulapa & Lim
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    Sunga Salandanan
    Tolosa Javier Lim and Chua Law Firm
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Immigration Law Firm of the Year 

    Abo and Peñaranda Law Firm
    ACCRALAW
    Avenid and Diaz Law Office
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Quisumbing Torres
    Tiongco Siao Bello and Associates
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Innovative Technologies Law Firm of the Year 

    Castillo and Bello Law Offices
    CFIP Law
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 

    ACCRALAW
    CFIP Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    DivinaLaw
    Federis and Associates
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Hechanova Group
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    VAL Law

    International Law Firm of the Year

    Allen & Overy
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Latham & Watkins

    Labor and Employment Law Firm of the Year 

    ACCRALAW
    De La Paz Castillo Ilas Herrera
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Tolosa Javier Lim and Chua Law Firm
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year 

    ACCRALAW
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra.
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Philippine Deal Firm of the Year

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Projects and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year

    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Private Equity and Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year 

    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Meer Law
    Sarmiento Loriega Law Office
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Rising Law Firm of the Year 

    ADM & Partners Data Privacy and Consulting
    Aquende Aniag Que & Associates
    Avenida and Diaz Law Office
    Castillo and Bello Law Offices
    CFIP Law
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    Panelo Rabonza Zamora 
    Sarmiento Loriega Law Office

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year

    ACCRALAW
    C&G Law
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres Ibarra Sison & Damaso
    Sarmiento Loriega Law Office
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco 
    ZGLaw

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year

    C&G Law
    CFIP Law
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    Tiongco Siao Bello and Associates Law Offices
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Transportation and Logistics Law Firm of the Year 

    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Insights Philippines Legal Advisors
    Quisumbing Torres
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Philippine Law Firm of the Year

    ACCRALAW
    C&G Law
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    DivinaLaw
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    Gulapa & Lim
    Quisumbing Torres
    Sarmiento Loriega Law Office
    VAL Law
    Villaraza & Angangco

    DEAL CATEGORIES**

    Debt Market Deal of the Year

    ACEN Finance's MTN Programme
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Milbank

    Globe Telecom's Senior Perpetual Capital Securities Issuance
    Law firms: Latham & Watkins; Milbank; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles

    Jollibee's Tender Offer Launch
    Law firms:Allen & Overy; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

    Republic of Philippines’ Retail Onshore Dollar Bonds Issuance
    Law firm: PJS Law

    Rizal Commercial Banking Corp's MTN Programme
    Law firms: Allen & Overy; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles

    SM Prime Holding's Fixed Rate Bonds Issuance
    Law firm: ACCRALAW 

    Union Bank of the Philippines' Digital Bond Issuance
    Law firm: ACCRALAW

    Equity Market Deal of the Year 

    AEV's Sale of Stake in AboitizPower to JERA
    Law firms: Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia; King & Spalding; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
    Banks: Nomura; Standard Chartered Bank

    Emperador's Listing in SGX-ST 
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Allen & Gledhill; Allen & Overy; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos; Latham & Watkins

    Filinvest REIT Corp's IPO 
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Milbank; Latham & Watkins; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

    Megaworld REIT's IPO 
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Milbank; Latham & Watkins; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

    RL Commercial REIT's IPO
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Allen & Overy; Latham & Watkins; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles

    Synergy Grid's IPO 
    Law firms: Latham & Watkins; Milbank; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

    Unionbank's Share and Business Transfer Agreement
    Law firms: Linklaters; Milbank; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles; Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

    Voyager Innovations' Series C Funding
    Law firms: Allen & Overy; PJS Law

    M&A Deal of the Year 

    AEV's Sale of Stake in AboitizPower to JERA
    Law firms: Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia; King & Spalding; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
    Banks: Nomura; Standard Chartered Bank

    AION Capital's Sale of Rights and Interests in IGT Solutions
    Law firms: King & Spalding; PJS Law

    Ayala Land's 5 Way Merger
    Law firms: C&G Law; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & Delos Angeles

    Edgepoint's Acquisition Financing for PLDT 
    Law firms: PJS Law; Sidley Austin

    Hinduja Global Solutions' Divestment of Healthcare Businesses 
    Law firms: J. Sagar Associates Law; Dentons; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles; Ropes & Gray

    UnionBank's Acquisition of Citi
    Law firms: Linklaters; Milbank; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles; Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

    Warburg Pincus and Insight Partners' Investment in Gcash 
    Law firms: ACCRALAW; Latham & Watkins

    Finance Deal of the Year

    Exim Bank of China's Loan to the Republic of the Philippines
    Law firms: C&G Law; FenXun Partners

    Financing of New Manila International Airport
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Latham & Watkins

    Financing of the 80MWp 65 MWac Solar Photovoltaic Power Generating Facilities
    Law firms: Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose Law Office; PunoLaw

    Loan Facility to SMC Global Power 
    Law firms: Allen & Overy; Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

    **COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

    Please note that the inclusion of banks and legal advisors in the transactions essentially reflects the information provided by nominating organizations. Therefore, any omission of a party involved in any of these transactions should not be taken as a commentary on the role assumed by that party. For queries about the shortlist, please email Lokesh at lokesh.bogati@thomsonreuters.com.

    * The above list will be regularly updated until final. 

    WINNERS

    INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

    Data Privacy and Protection Lawyer of the Year
    Divina Pastora Ilas-Panganiban - Quisumbing Torres

    Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year
    Christopher Louie D. Ocampo – ACCRALAW

    In-House Lawyer of the Year
    Cecily Nerisse C. Ramirez-dela Cruz - 3M Philippines

    Fintech Lawyer of the Year 
    Isabel Guidote – Enjin

    Managing Partner of the Year (Midsize Firm)
    Maria Elizabeth E. Peralta Loriega - Sarmiento Loriega Law Office

    Woman Lawyer of the Year
    Elizabeth Liceralde - Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices

    Young Lawyer of the Year (In-House)
    Isabel Guidote – Enjin

    Young Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm)
    Justin Mendoza - Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices

    IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES

    Innovative In-House Team of the Year
    Bayer

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications In-House Team of the Year
    Lazada E-Services Philippines 

    Philippine In-House Team of the Year
    Union Bank of the Philippines

    LAW FIRM CATEGORIES

    Antitrust and Competition Law Firm of the Year 
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Arbitration Law Firm of the Year 
    DivinaLaw

    Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

    Boutique Law Firm of the Year
    Meer Law

    Construction and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
    Gulapa & Lim

    Data Privacy and Protection Law Firm of the Year 
    DivinaLaw

    Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year 
    Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices

    Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year 
    C&G Law

    Immigration Law Firm of the Year 
    ACCRALAW

    Innovative Technologies Law Firm of the Year 
    VAL Law

    Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

    International Law Firm of the Year
    Allen & Overy

    Labor and Employment Law Firm of the Year
    ACCRALAW

    Litigation Law Firm of the Year
    ACCRALAW

    Philippine Deal Firm of the Year
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

    Projects and Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

    Private Equity and Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

    Rising Law Firm of the Year
    Sarmiento Loriega Law Office

    Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year
    Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

    Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year
    Villaraza & Angangco

    Transportation and Logistics Law Firm of the Year 
    Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

    Philippine Law Firm of the Year
    ACCRALAW

    DEAL CATEGORIES

    Debt Market Deal of the Year
    Rizal Commercial Banking Corp's MTN Programme
    Law firms: Allen & Overy; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles

    Equity Market Deal of the Year 
    AEV's Sale of Stake in AboitizPower to JERA
    Law firms: Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia; King & Spalding; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
    Banks: Nomura; Standard Chartered Bank

    M&A Deal of the Year 
    Ayala Land's 5 Way Merger
    Law firms: C&G Law; Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & Delos Angeles

    Finance Deal of the Year
    Financing of New Manila International Airport
    Law firms: Clifford Chance; Latham & Watkins
     

    RESERVATIONS ARE CLOSED

    For inquiries related to memorabilia, please contact:
    Romulus Tham on romulus.tham@thomsonreuters.com

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    ELIGIBILITY

    How do I know if I am eligible to make a submission? 

    We highly encourage all firms, individuals and in-house teams to submit, as we have numerous award categories to choose from. We welcome both past participants and newcomers to join the submission for the awards. 

    Is self-nomination permitted?

    Yes, we accept self-nominated submissions. We also accept third-party submissions, should you wish to nominate an external party or vice versa.

    Is there a fee required to make a submission in the law awards?

    No, there is no fee payment required for you or your firm/team to make a submission. 

    TIMELINE OF EVENTS

    When will the finalists and winners be announced?

    The shortlist of finalists will be released around 4-8 weeks prior to the awards ceremony. The winners will be exclusively announced at the awards ceremony on 25 November 2022.

    NOMINATION PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT 

    How are the finalists chosen?

    Asian Legal Business will compile all of the submission entries, and the ALB editorial and research teams will extensively review each submission to ensure the criteria are met in order to advance to the shortlist of finalists. We stress that this process is fair, impartial and not subject to external influences. 

    How are the winners chosen? 

    Once the shortlist of finalists have been announced, an independent judging panel will review and select their top three choices for the award categories they are assigned to. The scores for each award category will be tabulated, and the individual/firm/team with the highest score will be announced as the winner. 

    What are the award categories that I can take part in?

    Any law firms, in-house teams or individuals may take part in multiple award categories if appropriate. The researchers reserve the right to move entries from one category to another if they feel it appropriate. The researchers’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

    Who will be on the judging panel for ALB Law Awards? 

    There will be an independent judging panel of at least 25 senior and expert legal industry leaders to review the submission materials. The judging panel will be selected on the basis of their expertise and knowledge, and will be comprised from various sectors to correspond to the diverse list of award categories. A partial list of judges’ names will be released prior to the awarding ceremony, and the remaining judges will be revealed on the evening of the awards. 

    What will my contact information/my client’s information be used for?

    All contact information provided will not be disclosed to external parties; and will only be seen by our ALB research team and the judges panel. We keep the information on record internally, in case we need to contact you or your client regarding any questions or discrepancies in the submission form. 

    Where will my name/firm name/team name be published if we are a finalist or winner?

    As a finalist and/or winner, your firm/team/individual name will be published in ALB awards materials and print magazine. For more information, please contact us.

    Is my submission confidential?

    Any information you submit will only be reviewed by the ALB team and independent judging panel, whose names will be published. The material submitted will only be disclosed to the above; if there is any information that is strictly confidential, please mark clearly on the nomination form. Though we do our best to maintain the security of the information you provide, any information you transmit to us is done at your own risk and Thomson Reuters is not responsible for any unauthorized transmission of information.  

    SPONSORSHIP, PARTICIPATION AND OTHER 

    I would like to sponsor the ALB Law Awards.

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258 for further details regarding sponsorship. 

    I am interested in being an official partner of the ALB Law Awards, as a media/legal association.  

    Please contact joyce.luk@thomsonreuters.com.

    My practice area or specialty is not listed, but I would like to participate in the Awards.

    Please get in touch with our ALB Law Awards research team at lokesh.bogati@tr.com.

    Can I participate in Awards across the region?

    Yes, you can participate in more than one market. Please note there may be specific criteria for each market.

    Who should attend the Awards Ceremony? Can I attend?

    We welcome all finalists and non-finalists to join the Awards Ceremony; please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    I would like to order a winner’s trophy and/or certificate (for finalists and winners).

    Please contact Amantha.Chia@thomsonreuters.com or (+65) 6973 8258.

    How can I receive communications related to the ALB Law Awards?

    Please email joyce.luk@thomsonreuters.com to subscribe to the ALB mailing list. 

     

    Asian Legal Business – Who are We?

     Asian Legal Business (ALB) is owned by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals. With its portfolio of leading titles, law awards, in-house legal summits and online services, ALB provides authoritative and unbiased insights and unmatched networking and business development opportunities to legal professionals throughout the Asia-Pacific.

     ALB combines news and analysis from its team of professional legal journalists and the expert opinions of senior industry professionals with Reuters news and insights that power businesses across the globe.

     Please visit legalbusinessonline.com for further information.

     Asian Legal Business – Law Awards

     The ALB Law Awards are the pre-eminent legal awards in Asia-Pacific, held annually in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and China. The Awards are comprised of months of intensive research and culminate in a black-tie Awarding Ceremony in each of the markets. We cordially invite you to take part in these prestigious awards – and celebrate legal excellence with us.

    OFFICIAL RECRUITMENT WEBSITE

     

     PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

    ALB           https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en.html