Patton, Moreno & Asvat 

THE EXPERIENCED GUIDANCE YOU CAN TRUST

With a strong international focus, Patton, Moreno & Asvat was established in Panama on May 14^th, 1981, enjoying a practice of more than 35 years, been the trusted legal advisor of a large number of local and multinational companies that are leaders in their respective fields, and of government, financial institutions, NGO’s, among other entities from all over the world, that demand a quality knowledge for critical business decisions. 

Developing new business and commercial relationships in Latin America will inevitably require the services of a law firm. The choice of the firm that will respond fast to your needs, whether you are calling from Tokyo, Dubai or London can be fundamental to your success. 

The head office of Patton, Moreno & Asvat is located at the heart of the business centre of Costa del Este in Panama City. In addition, other offices are based in London, Uruguay and other relevant jurisdictions, all focusing on meeting our customers’ needs and assisting them to carry out their goals and objectives.

Each of our lawyers is a multi-specialist rather than a technician, which enables us to offer not only depth of expertise but also breadth of experience. We strongly believe in the constant update and international projection of its lawyers and personnel, promoting their participation in local and international conferences and seminars. Our lawyers have also participated in the drafting of laws, thus contributing to the legislative work of the Republic of Panama.

Key Practice Areas

Maritime Law: Since 1981, Patton, Moreno & Asvat began its legal practice as a law firm primarily focused on Maritime Law and Commercial Law. Today, we are still leaders in maritime financing, maritime litigation and ship registration in the Republic of Panama, as a result of the continued trust of our clients and the high level of service rendered by our team of professionals.

Our experienced lawyers of the Maritime Department have a real and deep knowledge of the industry, and have an active participation within the major maritime associations. Our clientele include shipowners, charterers, shipyards, ports and port terminals owners, insurance companies, international banks and financial institutions, private equity investors, consortiums and other players of the maritime sector.

We provide a complete service in each of the areas of the legal maritime industry: Ship Registry & Finance, Maritime Litigation & Arrest of Vessels, Panama Maritime Authority - Administrative Matters.

“The team is known for: Acclaimed shipping practice advising on matters across the shipping space, including finance, mortgages and the registration of vessels in Panama, Belize, the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. Also benefits from expertise in complex disputes within the Panamanian shipping arena. Boasts an impressive roster of multinational clients, including respected financial entities.” Chambers & Partners 2019

Corporate and Business Law: Investments and Special Economic Zones.

Our multidisciplinary team provides legal advice to International companies for the establishment of its operations in Panama in a wide range of economical activities.

Special Economic Zones: The Republic of Panama has created laws and regulations that promotes and allows local and foreign investors to establish companies in segregated special areas with a variety of fiscal, migratory and labour incentives. The main objective of this “Special Economic Regimes” is to develop different kind of activities and to promote international trade, manufacturing, innovation and complimentary services. Some of those Special Economic Regimes are: Multinational Headquarters Regime; City of Knowledge; Panama Pacific Special Economic Zone; Colon Free Zone; Free Zones; Film Industry and others.

The team is known for: Long-standing corporate department. Regularly handles restructurings and the acquisition of listed companies. Benefits from notable experience assisting an assortment of international clients with establishing their operations in Panama. Also offers expertise in the management of trusts and private interest foundations. Chambers & Partners 2019.

Banking Law and Capital Markets:  Our firm provides legal advice to both national and international banking institutions on the regulatory practices and obligations with the Superintendency of Banks and the different areas that regulate the banking industry, commercial banks, savings and loan associations and financial companies.

Also, for decades our firm has advised the main economic groups and the most important financial institutions, banks and brokers, local and international in their offers of debt and capitalisation.

Our services include advice regarding: initial and secondary public offerings of securities (equity and debt); establishment of brokerage and investment advisory companies; securitisation of assets; establishment and structuring of investment funds; derivatives, swaps, ISDA Master Agreements; regulatory advice on securities.

Private Wealth Services: Trusts and estates, private interest foundations and corporate services.

Our firm specialises in counseling our clients regarding assets planning and management, as well as in offering counseling services with regards to tax matters.

Services include: counseling in family equity planning; counseling in the formation and structuring of schemes for the orderly transfer of family assets; formation and management of private interest foundations; structuring and management of trusts; tax counseling; counseling in inheritance matters.

The team is known for: “Established name in the Panamanian offshore industry, benefiting from expertise in tax issues such as asset planning and management. Shows a notable focus on private interest foundations, trusts and cases concerning inheritance and family equity planning. Retains offices in Panama and London.” – Chambers & Partners 2019

Aeronautical Law:  Aircraft finance, contracts and transactions with the Civil Aeronautical Authority.

Patton, Moreno & Asvat is the firm that represents the Republic of Panama within the L2B Group, a leading association of law firms in the Aeronautical field. We provide legal advice to the main airlines, both commercial and private, creditors, lessors, lessees, mortgage creditors, and other actors in the aeronautics industry.

Within the advisory services we offer to airlines and private entities involved in civil aviation, we can mention: aircraft financing; aircraft registration; registration of mortgages on aircraft or parts and security documents; aircraft purchase/sale agreements; aircraft leasing agreements; counseling, management, approval and securing of operation permits, exploitation certificates of commercial aeronavigation services for entities in diverse modalities (transportation or work onboard), operation certificates for entities, fee schedules and general counseling in so far as transportation conditions, passengers, cargo and limits of responsibility, among others; handling of claims and commercial or civil disputes related to the matters herein listed by means of our litigation department; administrative proceedings before the Civil Aeronautics General Bureau of the Republic of Panama.

Public Bidding and Concessions: Our public contracting specialists have advised on several of the most relevant government privatisation and contracting projects in the Republic of Panama. The laws regulating public procurement in Panama were reformed in 2006 and are still subject to review to modernise and reduce bureaucracy in their procedures.

The regulation of investment in infrastructure and public works has been the legal framework of major highway projects, bridges and port development, multimodal logistics and transportation centres, among others.

We represent national and international clients, including international non-governmental entities, in the complete process, from the legal structure for the processes, on regulatory matters, of compliance and all the legal and commercial issues related to the negotiation and preparation of the terms of the agreements until the conclusion of the process.

Administrative Matters and Government Permits: Patton, Moreno & Asvat regularly represents local and international clients in their dealings with the Panamanian Government offices, including Municipal Authorities, Ministries, Public Services Authority and the Superintendences of Securities and Banking. Our firm assist in the obtainment of registrations, certificates, licenses and permits, inscriptions and concessions, among others.

Our services, includes, without limiting: commercial and industrial registrations; public procurement; health registries; safety certificates; patents, intellectual and industrial property registrations; professional licenses for the practice of regulated professions and activities; fishing licenses; licences to operate in Panamanian waters and ports;  social security issues; regulating board for games and gambling; others.

Litigation & Arbitration: General litigation, maritime litigation, national and international arbitration.

Patton, Moreno & Asvat litigation experience dates back to admiralty cases tried before the former Federal Maritime Courts of the Panama Canal Zone. In its beginnings, the firm’s litigation practice was essentially focused on maritime matters, which allowed the firm to establish itself as one of the top Panamanian maritime litigation firms.

The firm has since evolved from an admiralty focused practice, to a comprehensive, general litigation and arbitration practice, including civil, commercial, administrative, constitutional, criminal, and regulatory litigation. Patton, Moreno & Asvat regularly represents clients in sensitive, complex cases, and has managed to establish itself as a relevant player in the field.

Patton, Moreno & Asvat boasts a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers from different fields and backgrounds, including former members of the public and private sector, certified arbitrators, constitutional and regulatory experts.