Latin Lawyer announces Morgan & Morgan as winner of the “Pro Bono Project of the Year” award for its support of Panama’s Food Waste Law.

Panama, January 16, 2026. Morgan & Morgan is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious Pro Bono Project of the Year Award by Latin Lawyer, in recognition of its role in the development and passage of Panama’s Food Waste Law.

This initiative was driven by the Food Bank of Panama, which sought to modernize the country’s food donation framework based on international guidelines and successful experiences from other jurisdictions. As a founding partner of the Panama´s Food Bank and a firm with a strong pro bono program, Morgan & Morgan was invited to provide legal support to transform this policy vision into a workable and impactful legislative proposal.

The law prohibits the destruction of food that is safe for human consumption, encourages and facilitates donations by businesses, and requires government agencies to prioritize the donation of confiscated or abandoned goods fit for consumption. It also introduces amendments to Panama’s Food Banks Law to expand operational capacity and empowers the Ministry of Health to issue detailed regulations on food safety standards and handling protocols.

Mayte Sánchez, partner at Morgan & Morgan and lead attorney on the project, stated:

“This recognition reflects our commitment to sustainability and access to justice. The process was complex, requiring us to balance ambition with practicality and address misconceptions about liability risks in food donations. Ultimately, the result is a robust law that positions Panama as a regional leader in responsible consumption and food security policy.”

The initiative, launched in 2020, involved drafting and refining statutory language, conducting comparative legal analysis, preparing technical notes, and supporting legislative consultations with policymakers and stakeholders.