Adolfo Gonzalez-Ruiz

Adolfo A. González-Ruiz Arias

Adolfo González-Ruiz has been an Associate Attorney at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán since 2017, specializing in Corporate Law, Public Contracting, and Data Protection.

He has been part of the team in charge of important project financing transactions and has spoken at virtual events for Cámara del Pacífico, PromPerú and ProColombia, presenting topics such as Investments in Panama and Public Contracting.

Adolfo is a member of the Panamanian Bar Association and the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), where he participates in the Trade and Investment Committee.

In 2021, he was recognized by the Panama Bar Association for his extraordinary work on behalf of the Panamanian legal profession.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Sciences, Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, Panama, (2016).
  • Master of Laws (LLM), Loyola University New Orleans Law School, U.S.A., (2016).
  • Specialization in Law, Contracts and Damages, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, (2017).
  • Master of Taxation and Fiscal Policy, Universidad Especializada del Contador Público Autorizado (UNESCPA), Panama, (anticipated completion, 2021).
  • License Certificate: 2016

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Associate since 2017
  • De Obaldía & García de Paredes
    • Legal Assistant, (2014-2015)
  • Tejada Lawyers
    • Legal Assistant, (2012)
  • Citi Bank
    • Legal Intern, (2010)

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Member of the Committee of Trade and Investment.
  • Panamanian Debate Association (ASPADE)

Hobbies

In his free time, Adolfo enjoys cooking and playing padel.

ANA GRACIELA MEDINA

Ana Graciela Medina

Ana Graciela Medina began her career at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán in 1998, being named Partner in 2013. She provides solid legal support to a large number of clients as Director of the Immigration and Naturalization Department, Director of the Real Estate and Tourism Department, and as part of the Public Contracting team. She also provides specialized professional services in corporate, real estate, tourism, and investment projects. In addition, she has extensive experience in New Technologies Law, Data and Software Legal Protection, I.T. contracts, and Banking Systems.

Ana Graciela is currently a member of the Immigration Law Commission of the National Bar Association.

Among her representative work, she has acted as legal advisor for: immigration matters for the company CHEC Panamá, S.A. (China Harbour Engineering Company), which is in charge of Phase III of the Expansion of the Port of Balboa and the Cruise Port of Amador; Legal Counsel for the company First Quantum Minerals, which is in charge of the Copper Mine Project in Donoso, Province of Colon, Legal Counsel for leading companies that are part of the Panama Canal Expansion Project awarded to the Consortium Grupo Unidos por el Canal, such as JAN DE NUL N.V., SACYR, TECOZAM, GRUAS DEL PACIFICO, GLOBAL BUSINESS, among others.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science, Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología, ULACIT, Cum Laude Probatus, Panama (2001).
  • Master’s degree in Information and Law, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain (2002). Master thesis: “The Tax Reality of the Offshore International Centers and the Development of the Digital Economy”. 
  • Executive Program – Focus on Corporate Law and Management at Instituto de Empresa de Madrid (IE), Spain (2002). 
  • International Studies, focus in Latin America, Saint Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, USA (1995 – 1997).
  • License Certificate: 2001

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner since 2013.
    • Associate (2003 – 2012).
    • Legal assistant (1999 – 2001).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • Panamanian Association of Law and New Technologies.

Hobbies

Ana Graciela enjoys exercising and horseback riding in her spare time.

Alexis-Herrera-

Alexis V. Herrera Jr.

Alexis Herrera Jr. is a partner at Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán, with more than twenty-five years of experience. He specializes in Public Procurement, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Law, Maritime Law, Environmental Law, Labor Law, and E-Commerce.

He is the partner in charge of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Public Procurement departments. He has advised the Panamanian government and business groups in public bidding and financing processes, as well as for M&A transactions in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and trading.

Alexis is also part of the team of arbitrators for labor matters at the Panama Canal Authority.

His work has been recognized by legal publications such as Chambers & Partners, LACCA, IFLR1000, and WWL.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor Degree in Finance and Economics, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., (1993).
  • Juris Doctor, Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. Honors: Cum Laude, Exxon Scholar. (1996)
  • Maritime Certificate, Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., (1996).

License Certificate:

  • 1996 – Louisiana State Bar and Federal Courts of the Fifth Circuit, U.S.A.
  • 1997 – Panamanian Bar Association

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
    • Partner. Lawyer since 1996.
  • Member of the Drafting Commission of the Preliminary Draft of a Bill which proposes amendments to Book II of the Panama Commercial Code (2013-2014).
  • Panama Canal Authority
    • Labor arbitrator (2010 – present)
  • Member of the drafting commission of the Regulation for the Panama Maritime Labour Convention of ILO, (2006). 
  • Exxon Company (U.S.A.)
    • Legal Department, (1995).
  • Gordon, Arata, McCollan & Duplantis (U.S.A.)
    • Legal Assistant, (1994).
  • Coordinator of the Drafting Commission on the regulation of the Labor Law at Sea and Navigable Waterways.

Academic Experience

  • Santa Maria La Antigua University and Deusto´s University (Bilbao, Spain).
    • Professor in the Master’s Program in Maritime Law, (2003 – 2005)
  • Santa Maria La Antigua University
    • Professor of “Problems in Contemporary Corporate” (Electronic Commerce and Telecommunications). Master’s Program in Commercial Law, USMA (2001 – 2005).
  • Escuela Nautica de Panama
    • Alternate Professor of Maritime Law (1997 – 2001).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • Lousiana Bar Association
  • American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Asociación Profesionales de la Nueva Generación Jurídica (Tesorero, 1999 – 2002)
  • Asociación Panameña de Derecho y Nuevas Tecnologías
  • Panama Maritime Law Association
  • International Bar Association
  • Phi Delta Phi (International Legal Fraternity) 
  • American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), 
    • Member of the Committees of Environmental, and Hydrocarbons. 

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers and Partners Global,
  • Chambers and Partners Latin-America;
  • LACCA
  • IFLR 1000 

Publications

  • “Ciertos Aspectos Legales del Comercio Electrónico”, (Semanario Jurídico Empresarial, Sistemas Jurídicos, October, 2000).
  • Panama Chapter of the book “International Execution Against Judgment Debtors” (Oceanía Publications, Inc.,1999).

Hobbies

In his spare time, Alexis enjoys basketball, music, and gadgets.

Gabriel González-Ruiz

Gabriel González-Ruiz A.

With over 40 years of experience, Gabriel González-Ruiz is a partner at ICAZA, GONZALEZ-RUIZ & ALEMAN, specializing in Public Procurement and Privatizations, Administrative Law, Commercial Law, Banking Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Project Finance.

He has provided legal advice on a wide range of project financing transactions that have been carried out in Panama on behalf of international consortiums. In addition, he has acted as legal advisor for the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank projects. Likewise, he has advised the Republic of Panama on multiple occasions in the areas of public finance, special laws, financial assets, loans, public debt, derivatives, public credit, and the Panama Savings Fund.

Gabriel has also led the banking and finance practice group in financing transactions under the factoring modality.

He has been recognized as a leader in his field throughout his career by Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000, and Who’s Who Legal.

Academic Instruction

  • Bachelor of Law and Political Science, University of Panama, (1978).  Thesis:  “The Autonomy of Commercial Law” (publication recommended by the grading jury), (1978).
  • License Certificate:  1979

Experience

  • ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN,
    • Partner since 1990.
    • Associate (1979 – 1989).

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association.

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers and Partners Global
  • Chambers and Partners Latin-America
  • IFLR 1000 (Financial and Corporate)

Hobbies

Gabriel enjoys mountain biking and kayaking in his spare time.

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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