Galindo, Arias & López – also known as GALA – is one of the larger firms in the Panama section, and with more than 50 years in the Panamanian legal market, it is certainly an established name. The firm is known for its work in corporate and M&A transactions, also specialising in highly regulated areas such as the energy sector and aviation. It has the strength in depth to work on major projects, which enables the firm to maintain an international profile. Notably, it worked on the Panama Canal expansion, perhaps the most significant infrastructure project that has taken place in Panama in recent years.
GALA is one of the market-leading firms for banking and finance work, and its corporate practice is similarly busy. Lawyers have been visible on some headline-grabbing deals in recent years, including regional acquisitions by telecoms company Millicom, holding company Drake and department chain store El Machetazo. Although deal volume was inevitably hampered by covid-19 and Panama’s substantial economic contraction, the firm was still able to work on sizable transactions, including the Claro Panamá sale to Liberty for $200 million.
The firm has subsidiaries that deal with estate management and the incorporation of companies, foundations and trusts. It has never depended too heavily on offshore work for its revenue and was therefore able to steer clear of the reputational damage that hit some rivals.
GALA has invested heavily in technology to thwart possible cyberattacks, and it has also invested in professional management and its human resources capabilities.
Some of the firm’s most notable clients are Panamanian financial group Bicapital Corp, Colombian holding company Grupo Aval and Ecuador’s Banco Pichincha.
Alliances & networks
The firm is a member of the TAGLaw network.