Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee provides a variety of services ranging from collective bargaining negotiations to labour litigation before the labour courts for a range of domestic and international clients seeking advice on labour law in Panama, with sectors serviced including banking and transport. Jorge Federico Lee previously served as a Minister for Labour and a Supreme Court judge; he and associate Leopoldo Padilla are the key contacts.

The labour department at Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez covers the gamut of services in labour and immigration law for both domestic and multinational companies engaged in a diverse range of sectors, including aviation, ports, hospitality, healthcare and financial services. Enna Ferrer and Juan Gabriel González are active in litigation involving labour issues, as well as union disputes, drafting and reviewing employment contracts and day-to-day advice, and Francisco Iglesias also covers advisory services related to work permits and employment litigation. Nelson Sales was promoted to partner in January 2024 and has been involved in strategy to safeguard employees' severance during bankruptcy proceedings.

Noted for being ‘prompt and very professional,’ the labour and employment department at Morgan & Morgan offers a comprehensive practice servicing local and multinational companies in establishing their operations in Panama, and drafting confidentiality agreements and non-compete clauses. Sophia Lee leads the practice and focuses on a range of services including judicial litigation and extrajudicial representation of clients in individual and collective labour conflicts. Ricardo Alemán advises on the employment issues that arise during corporate restructurings, collective bargaining negotiations and termination agreements, while Milagros Caballero, who was promoted to partner in January 2025, is active in individual and collective matters, as well as labour conflicts. María Teresa Mendoza departed the firm in December 2024.

Arias‘ labour law practice provides clients with a full suite of advisory services surrounding employment, health and occupational safety law. The firm is adept at handling the labour issues which arise in connection to M&A, spin-offs and joint ventures. Managing partners Liz Gordilllo, who is based in Guatemala, Siaska SSS Lorenzo and Ana Teresa Rizo, who is based in Nicaragua, are the key names.

ECIJA represents employees and employers in a range of labour proceedings before Panama's labour courts, with team members also experienced in defending the rights of clients in negotiation and mediation. Clients benefit from the firm's experience defending both employers and employees. Antonio Alberto Vargas leads the practice and specialises in labour law services and is part of the list of arbitrators for the resolution of labour disputes of the General Board of the Panama Canal Authority.

Fabrega Molino provides a wide range of employment and labour law services, drawing on its transactional experience to advise on the employment and labour law aspects of international corporate reorganisations and M&A. The practice is adept at advising a variety of clients, from large and small corporations to trade associations, on issues relating to the relationship between employees and employers. Lourdes Bishop is the key contact.

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán's team of labour experts provide clients with advisory services to help manage their labour relations from the inception of a company’s operations in Panama to the day-to-day support including employer registration under the Social Security Fund, to drafting and processing Internal Labour Regulations. Javier José Vallarino is considered ‘one of the most recognised labour law professionals nationwide’ and co-leads the practice with Ana Graciela Medina, who offers robust support in immigration and naturalisation matters. Associates Karen Tejeira and Ayleen Quintero are key names.

LOVILL covers a broad range of services relating to labour and immigration law, with the team specialising in a number of areas, including advising on labour regulations and contract drafting, to helping clients set up employee training programmes and representing clients before labour courts. Jeannette Bravo leads the practice, with her expertise extending to administrative and regulatory matters covering day-to-day labour consulting and litigation. Bravo also stands out for being the sole Panamanian representative in the Latin American Labour Attorneys Network, a non-profit organisation spanning eighteen jurisdictions which provides updates to multinational clients and analyses market trends.

Galindo, Arias & López's labour and immigration practice covers the interpretation and application of Panamanian labour legislation and all aspects surrounding immigration law. The team regularly assists with drafting and structuring labour contracts, and developing and formalising internal work policies in compliance with local labour regulations. Selva Quintero specialises in labour-related disputes and serves as an arbitrator at the Centro de Solución de Conflictos. Associate Gabriela Vásquez represents domestic and international companies in labour administrative proceedings and arbitration, and associate María Dorado is experienced in immigration procedures including visa approvals and work permits.