Noted for its ‘thorough understanding of process management and the local and international judicial and arbitration systems’, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee specialises in the gamut of arbitration and litigation proceedings. In arbitration, Jorge Federico Lee and Eduardo Gómez have been active in high-profile international arbitration under ICC Rules and in ICSID investor-state matters, including overseeing interconnected ICC matters arising from the expansion of the Panama Canal. In the banking litigation space, the firm retains its status as a leading firm having regularly represented Panama’s largest banks in commercial litigation, as well as representing creditors in judicial reorganisations, with further specialisation in administrative proceedings before public agencies. Head of the practice Alejandro Ferrer has led on a number of international arbitration cases, as well as civil litigation claims, while Jaime Castillo is active in commercial disputes and antitrust litigation. Associate Arcelio Vega stands out for his litigation experience, including acting as a judge and alternate magistrate of the Court of Appeals. Associates Anel Roach, Doris Nieto and Ana Gabriela Santiago are also key names.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega maintains a broad litigation and arbitration practice spanning administrative litigation, international arbitration, and commercial, labour, IP, shipping and tax litigation for companies engaged in a variety of industries. Claudio De Castro and Fernando Aued co-lead the litigation and arbitration practice, while Rodrigo Cardoze is a key name in the labour litigation department and Estif Aparicio is a key contact for tax litigation.

The team at Galindo, Arias & López handles a wide variety of domestic and cross-border disputes, drawing upon the firm’s strengths in labour, immigration, estates and succession planning. Administrative litigation and public procurement expert Diego de la Guardia leads the team alongside Selva Quintero, who is active in disputes in the telecoms and energy sectors. Associate Jeimy Lasso represents corporations and public agencies in commercial litigation as well as arbitration, and associate Gabriela Vásquez is noted for her experience in cross-border arbitration.

Fielding a diverse team of specialists within litigation and dispute resolution, Morgan & Morgan covers the full gamut of litigation and arbitration processes involving Panamanian law before a variety of jurisdictional bodies including the civil and maritime courts, and labour tribunals. The firm has been involved in a series of landmark cases regarding civil, administrative and banking matters, and have provided legal solutions to clients seeking counsel on disputes internationally, including in arbitration where the firm has served as lead and co-counsel in international arbitration matters. Co-heads of the practice Jose Carrizo and Luis Vallarino has led on a large variety of litigation proceedings, and has been active in domestic and international arbitration. Omar Rodríguez utilises his criminal law expertise to aid in litigation arising from civil and criminal cases, and Rodrigo Arias is active in civil and commercial matters. Mayte Sánchez González co-heads the arbitration practice and is experienced in commercial and corporate litigation matters, as well as arbitration proceedings, and senior associate Rodolfo Palma stands out for his expertise in criminal and administrative proceedings.

Noted for its diverse experience in commercial litigation, arbitration and disputes involving construction, energy and public concessions, Britton & Iglesias maintains a multi-jurisdictional practice covering Colombia and Panama. Eric Britton heads the department and has served as legal counsel and arbitrator in multiple mediation processes based on the rules set by arbitration centres of the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, the Panamanian Chamber of Construction, the ICC, UNCITRAL and CIADI. Graciela Dixon benefits from her experience as the President of Panama’s Supreme Court to aid in her commercial litigation and arbitration practice, and associate Marcela Olarte is also a key name. Associate Alejandro Chevalier, who is experienced in international arbitration and litigation, joined from Morgan & Morgan in January 2025.

Fabrega Molino fields a team of experienced professionals in domestic litigation and arbitration, with expertise in securities and bond-related claims, trademarks and patents, competition, class actions and finance litigation. Jorge Molina co-leads the practice alongside Juan Pablo Fábrega. Molina is called upon to advise global clients in matters throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in litigation and arbitration before various Panamanian courts and arbitration panels, while Fábrega is active in sports arbitration and has served as the president of the Sports Arbitration Commission of Panama.

Under the leadership of founding partner Isabel Cristina López, who is active in international arbitrations under CeCAP, ICC and ICSID rules, LOVILL is recognised for its expertise in managing domestic and cross-border disputes across various industries. The practice specialises in both commercial and investor-state arbitration, as well as in asset recovery in civil cases and white-collar criminal law matters. Elizabeth Heurtematte acts for multinational companies and family offices in corporate disputes and is active in the mediation and negotiation of disputes. Christopher Glasscock, who was promoted to partner in August 2025, is noted for his experience in international arbitration and in disputes related to a variety of industries, including logistics. Associate Andrés Chanis joined the firm from FACA Abogados in September 2024, and associate Dagoberto Rodríguez joined the firm from Morgan & Morgan in August 2024.

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez is renowned for its domestic litigation and alternative dispute resolution practice, with team members skilled in handling a broad range of services, including arbitration, business disputes, civil and commercial law and fiduciary litigation. Co-head of the department Alfredo Ramírez Jr is experienced in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, with a particular focus on banking and project finance-related cases. Katherine Aparicio jointly leads the practice and specialises in contract litigation, as well as local and international arbitration proceedings. Aparicio is also a representative at the Conciliation and Arbitration Centre of Panama (CeCAP) and is adept at handling insurance-related disputes in the medical and financial sectors. Joelis Araúz is a key contact at the associate level.

Guevara Legal Bureau is active in a range of disputes relating to financial matters such as financial misconduct and economic crime, as well as medical negligence and tortious damages claims. Founding partner Eduardo Guevara leads the practice and is experienced in high-stakes dispute resolution and white-collar criminal law cases.

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán is experienced in litigation for clients engaged in a variety of sectors, covering civil and commercial disputes, IP litigation and labour claims, as well as national and international arbitration. Marisol Ellis co-leads the practice with Carlos Villalobos, with Ellis currently serving as a representative of Panama at the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, and Villalobos active in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Benefiting from its 'extensive network of experts and vast experience', MDU Legal is focused on cross-border disputes, including asset recovery and insolvency litigation. Founding partner David Mizrachi leads the practice and covers a broad practice of litigation and arbitration both in Panama and Florida. Marlyn Narkis is another key contact.