Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz, also known as ACCRALAW, is especially known for its litigation practice. However, its exceptional project finance team, which is led by senior partner Francisco Ed Lim, also garners accolades.

Lim only returned to the firm midway through 2010 after a six year tenure as the President and CEO of Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines. But he re-established himself quickly in the firm and is already taking part on a number of large project financing deals, especially in the energy sector.

“Although the firm is perhaps best known for its litigation practice, the banking and corporate practice is an up and coming player in the Philippine market,” says one peer.

Partner Judy Hao has acted for San Miguel on two acquisitions of transportation infrastructure companies this year. In the first, San Miguel invested in Universal LRT Corporation, which has the right to finance, design, construct and commission the MRT Line-7 project.

The other matter involved San Miguel’s purchase of 97% of the capital stalk of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation. This corporation possessed the rights, from design to construction to operation, of the Caticlan airport.

ACCRALAW regained a key figure from its past when senior partner Francisco Ed Lim rejoined the firm following his tenure as the longest service President and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Upon his return, he immediately settled into his position as partner in the corporate and special projects department, the practice in which ACCRALAW’s real estate and construction group is categorised.

The firm’s expertise on Reits is outstanding. For example, the firm is advising clients on two separate Reits, one for JP Morgan and Ayala Land and the other for Macquarie Capital Securities and SM Prime Holdings.

An asset to the practice is the firm’s strong litigation capability, which can assist clients with any kind of dispute that might arise from construction and real estate work.

ACCRALAW possesses a remarkably strong full service offering, but its standout area is dispute resolution. Its practice, which sits alone in the top tier, has been bolstered with over 15 new associates and the return of senior partner Francisco Ed Lim. Despite senior partner Teresita Herbosa’s departure for a prestigious post as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the outstanding depth and expertise of ACCRALAW’s dispute resolution practice, as well as the return of Lim, means the practice remains in safe hands.

In one landmark dispute, partners Victor P Lazatin and Gilbert D Gallos represented Smartmatic International in a Supreme Court petition that challenged the legality of the first automated election project. This eventually resulted in the first automated presidential and local elections in the Philippines.

Lazatin, along with partners Oliver L Pantaleon and Arnold M Corporal, also advised Manila Electric in a dispute, now in the Court of Appeals, regarding a PhP14.3 billion (US$337 million) settlement between the company and National Power.

“ACCRALAW is one of the largest firms in the country but in IP, its litigation practice sets it apart,” says one practitioner. The firm’s expertise in IP mediation and arbitration is especially well regarded.

In its largest case this year, IP practice head Alex Ferdinand S Fider represented the US Polo Association against an individual in a trade mark infringement case regarding its logo. The case established a new precedent for competing marks. Rather than comparing the technical features of each mark, the court now considers the visual concept of the mark in determining whether it is infringing a trade mark.

ACCRALAW’s esteemed litigation practice provides a strong foundation for its outstanding labour and employment practice. Its strength on disputes means that it is often the first port of call for multinational companies handling unfair termination cases.

With an office in Manila, as well as smaller satellites branches in Cebu and Davao, ACCRALAW is a popular choice for employment matters in developing areas of the Philippines.

Notable practitioners include senior partners Emerico O de Guzman, Emiterio Manibog and Ernesto R Añasco. The firm has advised prominent international clients such as Proctor & Gamble, Eurofragrance, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Mapua Institute of Technology and Mapua Institute of Technology.

ACCRALAW strengthens its outstanding litigation practice with expertise in the shipping, maritime and aviation areas. Although particularly known for its litigation capability, ACCRALAW’s strong reputation means it is a popular choice for all types of litigation in this area.

The firm’s former head of litigation and co-managing partner Teresita Herbosa was recently appointed chair of the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission by President Aquino, and has since left ACCRALAW. However, partner Francisco Ed Lim’s return from government office means that the firm should be relatively unaffected by Herbosa’s absence.

Senior partners Victor Plazatin and Luis A Vera Cruz have handled cases in the area and are also well known for their litigation abilities.

ACCRALAW’s tax practice holds steady in the rankings this year because of its close relationship with the strong litigation and corporate practice groups. Head of practice Ruby Rose J Yusi is characterised by one competitor as “a formidable attorney with considerable tax expertise”.

The firm is working with Smartmatic International in structuring its transactions with an independent constitutional commission with the goal of finalising one of the largest IT public projects in Asia. The firm also works closely with government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs and the Department of Finance.