Competitors and clients praise Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee for its strength in international transactions. "They have a good corporate department," one competitor says, with one long-standing client confirming the view: "Some of their lawyers have the connections to do transactions outside Panama, mainly in the US and even in Central America....
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Competitors and clients praise Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee for its strength in international transactions. "They have a good corporate department," one competitor says, with one long-standing client confirming the view: "Some of their lawyers have the connections to do transactions outside Panama, mainly in the US and even in Central America."
Clients are also happy with the firm's legal expertise and quick response time, with one noting: "They are very well-prepared in dealing with laws related to pensions and securities." Another adds: "If they can't help you right away, they'll tell you right away when they can help you. If they can't take the call right away, they always call you back."
Partner Arturo Gerbaud, who heads the financial and corporate division, is popular among clients. "Arturo is one of the best-regarded lawyers in the banking and securities sector," one states, while another agrees: "He is accessible and knows a lot about banking and how banks work."
Deals
The firm's banking practice was kept busy last year. Gerbaud advised UBS Investment Bank as agent in a $450 million credit facility to Mercantil Colpatria and the local branch of Citibank as lender in a $15 million loan to Metrobank. Partner Eloy Alfaro also acted for JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch in connection with their initial purchase of $300 million notes issued by Intercorp Retail Trust.
In addition, the firm also represented FCC Construcción on the assignment of $115 million in credits from a governmental contract to HSBC Bank Panamá and others for the design, construction, equipment and financing of the Luis "Chicho" Fabrega Hospital in Santiago.
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