Francisco J. Linares F., BA (Phil. & Econ./PPE), JD (cum laude), is a Partner at Morgan & Morgan and currently serves in the Maritime Litigation practice group of the firm. Mr. Linares is admitted to practice law in the Republic of Panama.

Mr. Linares career includes more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of maritime dispute resolution and claims at the Maritime Courts of Panama, dealing with collisions, cargo claims, oil spills and pollution, charter party disputes, personal injury, maritime liens, marine insurance claims, ship mortgage executions, among others. His client portfolio includes shipowners, P&I Clubs, charterers, bunker traders, hull and cargo underwriters, banks and other shipping interests.

Mr. Linares is a current member of National Bar Association of Panama and of the Panama Maritime Law Association. Through the years, Mr. Linares has held various positions in the Board of Directors the Panama Maritime Law Association, formed part of important commissions in it dealing with law reform, and was its President for two consecutive terms, from 2017 to 2019.

Mr. Linares has given lectures on Panamanian Maritime Law in various international venues, ranging from Asia, Europe and the Americas. He has provided comments on current topics on Panama’s maritime sector and law in international publications, such as Marine Money International and Market Intelligence. Chambers and Partners have recognized Mr. Linares as a leading individual in Shipping-Litigation.

Mr. Linares has taught Maritime Law at the Universidad Santa María La Antigua’s Law School, and has been a member of that Law School’s Board of Advisors.

Mr. Linares holds a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, US), in Philosophy and Economics, with a concentration in PPE (1992). He also holds Juris Doctor degree (with honors) from Tulane University Law School (Louisiana, US), specializing in Maritime Law (1996). Additionally, Mr. Linares holds a diploma on IMO Conventions from the Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá (2010).