Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee fields an ‘excellent', four-partner-strong team, which covers the full scope of contentious work, demonstrating particular prowess in the banking and energy sectors. The firm has a thriving international arbitration practice, with a stellar track record in investment treaty disputes, as well as in commercial arbitration proceedings in the construction sphere. On the litigation front, the team is skilled in civil, commercial and administrative cases, standing out for its representation of some of Panama’s largest banks. Alejandro Ferrer, a high-profile name for international arbitration, leads the practice, which also leans on the vast experience of Jorge Federico Lee, who is particularly well known for labour litigation. Eduardo Gómez, whose areas of expertise span international arbitration and commercial litigation, and Jaime Castillo, a specialist in energy-related disputes, are other key names at partner level, while the talented cohort of associates includes Arcelio Vega, Anel Roach, Doris Nieto and Ana Gabriela Santiago.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega is particularly distinguished by its prowess in multi-jurisdictional disputes, drawing on the strong international experience of many of its team members. The firm continues to expand its domestic and international arbitration offering, with an impressive record in commercial arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Panama, while its recent caseload also reflects its expertise in high-profile litigation covering all key pillars of civil, commercial and administrative law (including cases before the Supreme Court). Claudio De Castro, an expert in cross-border litigation and arbitration, leads the sizeable team alongside co-managing partner Fernando Arias, while Sofía Cohen, a specialist in regulatory cases (with an emphasis on antitrust litigation), Fernando Aued, who has extensive experience in maritime disputes, and Juan Corro are other key figures at top level. Associate Mariel Núñez, whose broad practice spans international arbitration and civil and commercial litigation, is also a name to note.

Galindo, Arias & López houses a diverse dispute resolution practice, which attracts strong praise for its ‘technical ability, strong teamwork and organisation’. The firm enjoys a stellar reputation in domestic litigation, representing leading names from Panama’s energy, healthcare, aviation and banking sectors before the courts of all levels, including the Supreme Court, and also has growing expertise in mediation. The team is particularly adept at handling contentious-administrative claims, but its broad practice also covers civil and commercial cases. At the helm of the practice, Diego de la Guardia is a go-to figure for healthcare, construction and energy-related disputes, and Selva Quintero is renowned for her expertise in administrative litigation, in particular. The deep associate bench includes Jeimy Lasso, who is skilled in administrative, IP and labour disputes, Gabriela Vásquez and María Dorado. Former of counsel, damages expert and accredited arbitrator Adán Arjona left the firm in mid-2024.

Lauded as ‘the benchmark for disputes in Panama', Morgan & Morgan is home to a comprehensive practice covering the full range of high-stakes litigation and arbitration. The team has broad expertise in the litigation arena, but is particularly noted for its strength in contentious-administrative proceedings, recently handling significant cases in the telecoms, utilities and energy sectors, and in white-collar crime cases. In addition, the firm has a formidable arbitration offering and over the past year has represented clients in some of the most high-profile international commercial and investment arbitrations involving Panama. Jose Carrizo and Luis Vallarino, who enjoy strong profiles in both litigation and arbitration, oversee the sizeable team, while Mayte Sánchez González, a particularly standout name for arbitration, Rodrigo Arias and Omar Rodríguez, who takes the lead in criminal litigation, are also prominent figures. The impressive line-up of junior lawyers includes senior associates Orlando Tejeira and Alejandro Chevalier (an arbitration specialist) and associates Joy Torres and David Ramos.

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez enjoys a strong reputation for domestic litigation and arbitration, representing a host of leading Panamanian and multinational companies from the insurance, banking, telecoms, ports and aviation sectors, among others. Civil and commercial disputes make up the key pillars of the practice; in particular, the firm has recently been active in litigation and arbitration proceedings concerning the construction of major projects. Katherine Aparicio, who maintains a broad all-round disputes practice covering commercial, financial and insurance litigation and domestic and international arbitration, leads the team with Alfredo Ramírez Jr. At associate level, Joelis Araúz and Juan Diego Ng, who is well versed in civil litigation and domestic commercial arbitration, are the names to note.

In a significant development, in February 2024 litigation and arbitration-focused boutique Britton & Iglesias expanded its offering in relation to multi-jurisdictional disputes with the launch of its office in Bogotá, led by firm founder Eric Britton (who is admitted to practise in Panama and Colombia) with the support of foreign legal consultant Marcela Olarte, a specialist in international arbitration and cross-border insolvency. Construction disputes are a mainstay of the practice, which is frequently active in claims stemming from high-profile infrastructure and energy projects. Britton, ‘one of the best litigators and specialists in international arbitration in Panama’, leads the arbitration practice (with an emphasis on construction cases). Graciela Dixon, who has vast experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, and associate Elaine Toribio are also key members of the team. Litigator Diego Maximín left the firm in June 2024.

Fabrega Molino is commended for its ‘excellent experience’ in domestic litigation and arbitration, with a practice spanning civil, commercial and administrative law. The team has a notable strong suit in shareholder disputes and in representing banking clients in debtors’ insolvency proceedings, as well as frequently handling disputes involving high-net-worth individuals. Jorge Molina leads the practice, bringing to bear a wealth of expertise in commercial, banking and insurance litigation and arbitration. Miguel Urriola, who has a particular focus on labour disputes, arbitration specialist Juan Pablo Fábrega and senior associate Carla Arritola, an expert in aviation litigation, are other key names in the team, which was further strengthened in 2023 with the additions of highly experienced senior associate Maximiliano Quintero from Patton, Moreno & Asvat and associate Andrés Beck, a former law clerk of the Supreme Court.

Cross-border disputes are a cornerstone of the practice at LOVILL, which is widely recognised for its representation of local and multinational companies, sovereign states and foreign individuals before domestic and international arbitral tribunals and Panamanian courts of all levels. The team's wide-ranging practice takes in both commercial and investor-state arbitration, as well as the full spread of civil, commercial, constitutional and criminal litigation. Co-founding partner and practice head Isabel Cristina López garners praise for her 'excellent 360-degree vision of legal and business matters', with specialist expertise in cross-border commercial disputes in the construction, real estate and banking spheres. 'Exceptional' senior associate Christopher Glasscock, who is dual-qualified in Panama and New York, provides capable support, particularly in the field of international public law.

The ‘high-calibre' litigation and arbitration team at Infante & Pérez Almillano acts for an impressive client roster, which includes some of Panama’s largest banks and real estate developers. In particular, the team is noted for its expertise in insolvency claims and construction disputes, particularly in relation to major projects, as well as in criminal litigation. At the head of the practice, Héctor Vidal and Jorge Núñez have a wealth of experience spanning civil, commercial, administrative and criminal litigation and arbitration. Notable names at the associate level include Adbel Almengor, who was appointed as head of the criminal litigation practice in April 2024, and Marilena Cano, whose areas of strength include criminal, family and administrative cases, while founding partner Héctor Infante adds senior expertise to the team.

Patton, Moreno & Asvat's ‘excellent' dispute resolution team is adept at handling both litigation and arbitration, acting for a broad client base which ranges from family offices to large multinationals in the oil and gas, tech and construction sectors. The firm is particularly well known for its expertise in shipping litigation, with significant experience in handling cross-border disputes with the support of its London office, but its practice extends across the full range of civil, commercial and constitutional cases. Khatiya Asvat leads the practice, which also benefits from the experience of managing partner Ebrahim Asvat and Joaquín de Obarrio, who was promoted to the partnership in April 2024 and is a key contact for maritime disputes.

Acting for leading international and Latin American clients from the automotive, transport, real estate, retail and telecoms sectors, Cedeño & Méndez' ‘effective and high-quality' dispute resolution practice handles a wide range of civil, commercial, maritime and labour litigation, and also has growing experience in domestic arbitration. Notably, the team has recently undertaken a high volume of debt recovery actions and is also active in disputes concerning real estate sales and leases. Director Ricardo Arosemena leads the practice, bringing additional expertise in regulatory and administrative law to the table. Associate Javier Cortez provides capable support.

Disputes-focused boutique Evans Group plays an active role in domestic litigation and arbitration, acting for a diverse roster of Panamanian and international clients from the banking, construction, retail, infrastructure and energy sectors. The team is well versed in civil, commercial and criminal litigation, and also has a strong skill set in maritime disputes, which is a key area of expertise for practice head and founding partner Evans González, who is also a qualified arbitrator. He is supported by a sizeable team, most notably senior associate Rubén González.

Boutique firm Guevara Legal Bureau is renowned for its expertise in defending clients ranging from high-profile public figures to major banks and corporations in criminal cases, with a strong emphasis on white-collar crime litigation, as well as complex civil disputes. Managing partner Eduardo Guevara is lauded for his ‘honesty and mediation skills’ and for his ‘extensive experience in criminal law’, drawing on a 20-year stint serving in the Public Ministry. His team includes several lawyers with a history in the public sector, including junior partner Luis Carlos Hidalgo and former prosecutor Markel Mora Bonilla.

The dispute resolution practice at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán runs the gamut of civil, commercial and administrative litigation, as well as domestic and international arbitration. The team’s areas of strength include family, tax, consumer protection and antitrust disputes, and it also benefits from the support of the full-service firm’s IP, maritime and labour departments in related cases. Marisol Ellis, who is skilled in both litigation and arbitration, with notable recent experience in financial and construction-related cases, leads the team with Carlos Villalobos. Associate Albany Broce is also a key member of the civil litigation practice.

‘Remarkable' boutique MDU Legal has a strong international dimension to its dispute resolution practice, with a marked emphasis on cross-border asset recovery and insolvency litigation – strengthened by its membership of asset-tracing network ICC FraudNet – and international arbitration. The firm routinely acts for foreign clients from Europe, Latin America and the US with operations in Panama, in addition to representing local companies and private individuals. The ‘excellent' David Mizrachi, who is dual-qualified in Panama and Florida, steers the practice. Marlyn Narkis (an expert in cross-border insolvencies), senior associate Carmen Concepción and associate Donald Sáez round out the team.