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Español Morgan & Morgan achieves top ranking in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
Panama, July 29, 2020.
Morgan & Morgan is pleased to announce that, for the fifth consecutive year, the firm´s Private Wealth Law practice group earned top ranking (Band 1) in the 2020 Chambers Hight Net Worth Guide, a publication aimed at the international private wealth market and a key reference point of the world´s leading firms in terms of service excellence and reputation.
“This is a big player in the Panamanian market, capable of dealing with complex tax matters. They are excellent at resolving problems with a practical and effective approach.”, a market commentator says to Chambers.
Three of Morgan & Morgan partners were also distinguished with top rankings in the guide:
Roberto Lewis Morgan, head of the practice with a depth of expertise in wealth preservation and distribution matters, including private foundations and corporate vehicles. A client comments to Chambers that he “gets things moving within the firm” and is “receptive to clients.”
Raul Castro, partner and advisor to the Panamanian government regarding international tax matters, CRS and FATCA implementation. One market insider says to Chambers Castro “is absolutely outstanding,” explaining: “He is the go-to person when you have something complex in Panama or the BVI. He has a very practical approach towards client needs.”
Luis Manzanares, partner and with substantial experience in wealth preservation matters, including tax and succession planning advice on investment funds, trusts and private interest foundations. “A savvy lawyer with huge international experience,” says one client to Chambers.
Morgan & Morgan has a seasoned team of lawyers with vast experience in traditional wealth protection and management structures such as discretionary and non-discretionary trusts, private interest foundations and corporations. More than five years ago, the firm started a new practice led by a group of young lawyers with vast knowledge in modern structures tailored for HNW individuals and families.
More information on this recognition is available here.
- Published in 2020, Estate Planning, Luis Manzanares, News, Raul Castro, Roberto Lewis
Latin Lawyer highlighted Morgan & Morgan
The 2019 edition of Latin Lawyer recommended Morgan & Morgan as the largest firm in Panama. “A large headcount and an established presence in the market gives Morgan & Morgan the manpower and experience required to guide some of Panama’s most significant transactions”, states the guide.
Partners Juan David Morgan Jr., Francisco Linares, Enrique De Alba, Jazmina Rovi, Inocencio Galindo, Francisco Arias, Ramon Varela, Roberto Lewis, Raul Castro, Ricardo Aleman, Albalira Montufar, Maria Teresa Mendoza, Mercedes Arauz de Grimaldo, Enrique Jimenez and Jose Carrizo, received mentions as key players.
Morgan & Morgan contributed in the Chambers & Partners Private Wealth Guide 2019
Partners Roberto Lewis, Raul Castro, Luis Manzanares and Fernando Boyd contributed with the Panama chapter of Chambers & Partners Private Wealth Guide 2019.
The guide provides expert legal commentary on the key issues for high net worth individuals and covers the important developments in twenty-seven jurisdictions, including Panama.
The complete guide is available here.
- Published in 2018, Estate Planning_publi, Estate Planning-es_publi, Fernando Boyd, Luis Manzanares, News, Raul Castro, Roberto Lewis
Latin Lawyer highlighted Morgan & Morgan
Once again, Latin Lawyer 250 recommended Morgan & Morgan as the largest firm in Panama. “A large headcount and an established presence in the market gives Morgan & Morgan the manpower and experience required to guide some of Panama’s most significant transactions”, states the guide.
This 2018 edition looks at each jurisdiction firm by firm and presents a complete analysis of most recent developments, practices and leading professionals field by field.
Partners Juan David Morgan Jr., Francisco Linares, Enrique De Alba, Jazmina Rovi, Inocencio Galindo, Francisco Arias, Ramon Varela, Roberto Lewis, Raul Castro, Ricardo Aleman, Albalira Montufar, Maria Teresa Mendoza, Mercedes Arauz de Grimaldo, Enrique Jimenez and Jose Carrizo, received mentions as key players.
Morgan & Morgan advises the issuer in a senior notes issue for an amount up to US$600 million to complete the acquisition of Corredor Norte
As part of the acquisition of the Corredor Norte, Morgan & Morgan also represented the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Empresa Nacional de Autopista, S.A. (ENA), and ENA Norte, S.A. (an affiliate of ENA), in a U.S. $600,000,000 issuing of 4.95% Notes due 2028, registered before the National Securities Commission of the Republic of Panama and successfully placed through the Panama Stock Exchange.
The acquisition of the Corredor Norte was one of the centerpieces of the Panamanian government’s infrastructure improvement plan, and was implemented through ENA Norte, S.A. As collateral on the Notes, ENA Norte, S.A., assigned its rights under the Concession to the ENA Norte Trust, a trust created in order to act as issuer of the Notes.
HSBC Securities (USA), Inc., and Global Bank Corporation acted as Joint Lead Managers, while HSBC BANK (PANAMA), S.A., was selected to act as trustee of the ENA Norte Trust.
Fitch Ratings assigned a BBB rating in the International Scale, and an AAA in the National Scale to the Notes. The issue of these secured notes was structured with a pass-through repayment mechanism, with all excess cash to be used to repay the principal. The proceeds from the Notes, which were issued under Rule 144-A/Reg S, were used to finance part of the US$647MM purchase price for the Corredor Norte concession.
Morgan & Morgan acted as Panamanian counsel for MEF, ENA and ENA Norte. Partner Inocencio Galindo led the Morgan & Morgan team, which was also comprised of partner Ramon Varela and associates Roberto Vidal, Ricardo Arias, Gilbert Mallol and Ana Carolina Castillo. And partners Raul Castro, Eduardo Gonzalez, and associate Nestor Broce, were all assumed the principal responsibility in the trustee operation.
Morgan & Morgan advise AES El Salvador in US$300 million bonds issuance
On February 14, 2006, global power company AES issued US$300 million worth of bonds in the international market, guaranteed by four electricity distribution companies it controls in El Salvador. This issuance was the first by a private company to be guaranteed in this way originating from Central America. It was also the first investment grade issue by a private company in Central America.
The issuance, placed in the international markets under Rule 144A and Regulation S, was underwritten by Credit Suisse First Boston.
For this transaction, Morgan & Morgan acted as counsel for the trustee and Panamanian counsel for AES El Salvador, thus confirming its presence in regional transactions of the highest order. Partners Inocencio Galindo, Rómulo Roux and Raúl Castro, as well as associate Ramón Varela, were the key participants for Morgan & Morgan.
- Published in Energy, expertise, Inocencio Galindo, Projects, Ramon Varela, Raul Castro, Romulo Roux, Securities and Capital Markets