Mariela I. de la Guardia Oteiza
PARTNER
Areas of Practice
- Administrative Law
- Environmental Law
- Special Economic Zones
Career Trajectory
Mariela de la Guardia Oteiza is a partner with fifteen years of experience specializing in Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Estate Planning, Public Procurement, and Data Protection.
She regularly advises multinationals interested in establishing operations in Panama through special economic zones and regimes such as SEM, Colón Free Zone, Panamá Pacífico, and EMMA.
Beyond her legal practice, Mariela is deeply engaged in the business and professional communities she serves. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (AmCham), having previously served as Director and Secretary of the Board.
Mariela is also an active member of INTA, where she participated in the Famous and Well-Known Trademark Committee from 2020 through 2021 and was selected as a member of the Brand Restrictions Committee for the 2022–2023 period. She further contributes to the field through her membership in the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law (APADEPI), among other professional organizations. In recognition of her commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, she was also named a Mentor of AEI Panama, the Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
- 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
- ICAZA, GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ & ALEMÁN
- Partner since June, 2019
- Associate Attorney since 2009
- Legal Assistant: Intellectual Property; Corporate Law; Litigation (2004 – 2007)
- Panama Bar Association
- American Chamber of Commerce
(AMCHAM) – President of the Board of Directors 2026-2027, Secretary 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)
