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Panama remains one of the most attractive hubs for international business in the region. Its strategic geographic position, strong banking sector, dollarized economy, territorial tax system, and business-friendly legal framework make it a standout jurisdiction for regional operations. Add to that its world-class logistics and connectivity infrastructure, multilingual workforce, Special Economic and Free Trade Zones, and stable political and economic environment — and Panama offers an ideal setting for multinational growth.

With ARIFA’s Corporate Counsel and 360 Legal Solutions team by your side, navigating the Panamanian landscape has never been easier.

“We have been highly impressed with the lawyers' knowledge of Panamanian corporate law, as well as their responsiveness and practicality”. Chambers LatAm

Corporate Counsel and 360 Legal Solutions

Whether you're expanding, consolidating, or simply maintaining operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, our legal group is your one-stop legal partner - delivering strategic, integrated, and practical solutions so your team can focus on business outcomes, not bureaucracy. We are legal enablers of your business strategy: your boots on the ground - efficient, responsive, and fully aligned with your corporate governance standards.

We are organized to simplify complexity, providing services in a broad spectrum of practice areas, catering to multinational and local clients seeking to establish their business operations in our country or a legal partner to help with their ongoing day-to-day operations in Panama.

Our model is designed around the core legal pillars your business needs to operate effectively in Panama: labor and employment, immigration, commercial contracts, government permits and administrative matters, special economic zones and any other advisory service related to the set-up of a business or its daily operations.
 

Commercial Transactions and Contracts

We are well-known for providing superior and comprehensive legal advice to leading multinational companies, as well as to some of the largest Panamanian business, in connection with all aspects of commercial operations in Panama, in the negotiation and drafting of complex agency and distribution agreements for clients in the pharmaceutical, health and beauty, food, spirits, electronics and car dealership industries. We also advise clients in connection with manufacturing and packaging agreements, franchise and licensing agreements and bottling agreements.

Labor and Employment

Our labor and employment team are one of the leading providers of legal services in this field in Panama, frequently advising multinational corporations and leading Panamanian companies.

Lawyers in the labor and employment area frequently work with members in the M&A and corporations practice groups to provide guidance in connection with complex acquisitions and mergers.

They also team up with lawyers in the litigation and arbitration practice group to litigate and settle labor disputes and claims.

Immigration

Through expert lawyers and highly trained staff, we provide effective assistance to clients in their negotiations with local immigration authorities and simplified their visa application processes.

With a high standard of living, access to international schools, private healthcare, modern housing, and a cosmopolitan city life with a mix of Latin American and international culture, Panama offers a good quality of life for expats and executives. ARIFA legal team is comprised of lawyers with proven capability and understanding of the wide range of immigration legal requirements and labor procedures applying to private companies hiring foreign personnel in Panama.

Government Permits and Administrative Matters

We take a one-stop shop approach to assist and guide clients in the establishment of their business operations in Panama.

Our expert team of dedicated and driven lawyers ease our clients with the start-up of their operations by providing the comprehensive services they need.

Our experienced team of lawyers in this practice area has also developed a unique understanding of the laws and regulations applicable to Special Economic Zones. We are instrumental in assisting clients to establish and carry on their operations in Special Economic Zones, such as the Colon Free Trade Zone, the Howard Special Development Zone, the City of Knowledge, call center areas, petroleum free zones and export processing zones.

Doing Business and Multinationals in Panama

Panama offers a compelling value proposition for companies looking to establish regional operations in Latin America. If you're operating—or planning to operate—in Panama, let's talk about how our specialized multidisciplinary group can support you with a frictionless legal experience.

This group draws on a team of lawyers that are each expert in their respective fields, offering comprehensive and integrated legal services for companies establishing regional HQs, including corporate matters, tax incentives, business and operation licenses, labor matters and immigration benefits, regulatory support, intellectual property issues, real estate, and commercial transactions.