Author Archive

We provide advice to national and foreign clients in:

• Interpretation of Panamanian labor laws.
• Preparation and revision of employment contracts.
• Processing of work permits for foreigners.
• Individual conciliations and collective mediations.
• Preparation and application of the necessary regulations for companies that carry out operations in Panama.
• Projection of labor liabilities.
• In general, all aspects of labor law that affect the employer-employee relationship and that have a great impact on their business.

Williams & Williams advises you from the incorporation, operation and maintenance of a Panamanian companies or others jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands (BVI), private interest foundations; elaboration of shareholder agreements to complex operations such as mergers, acquisitions and the elaboration of corporate structures. Over all, we provide legal advice required for the operation, efficiency and security of your investments.

We advise you on the most appropriate mean, whether corporate or non-corporate, considering your type of business, your specific needs and your profile.

Our lawyers possess the knowledge to fulfill, in a promptly manner, all the required formalities by law in the establishment of a business within the Republic of Panama.

We advise on various commercial issues, particularly in the preparation and execution of domestic and / or international contracts. At the same time, we have a large experience in purchase-sale agreements, real and personal guarantees, escrow agreements, factoring, franchises, financial leases, among others.

Our professionals have a distinguished career and advise you comprehensively a legal and accounting approach when defining your obligations with the Government.

• Tax compliance.
• Procedures and consultations with the National Authority of Public Revenues.
• Advising foreign clients who carry out business and investments in Panama to structure their operations in an efficient manner.
• To give advice for specific operations, including income tax (withholdings, deductions, exemptions, etc.), municipal taxes and other special taxes.
• Advising on the design and execution of business and family tax planning strategies that will enable our client to effectively comply with their tax obligations, as well as the tax planning of corporate mergers and acquisitions.
• To give advice on the interpretation and application of international treaties signed by the Republic of Panama to avoid double taxation.

The types of migratory permits available in Panama are diverse, for which we offer our expert advice. The most recurrent are:

• Non-Resident (transist visa or temporary workers visa)
• Temporary Resident (foreigner hired by companies under the Marrakesh Agreement or worker hired by headquarters of multinational companies)
• Permanent resident:
• For economic reasons (small business investor, forestry activities, economic solvency for investment).
• By special policies (retired visa).
• By special laws (Treaty of Friendship between the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Italy, antional foreigners of specific countries that maintain friendly relationships with the Republic of Panama, and professional foreigners).

At Williams & Williams we assist international clients interested in obtaining the following:

• Panamanian nationality
• Work permits
• A second passport under Panamanian laws, special for investors.

At WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS we have extensive experience advising on the legal structures for the processes, providing advice on regulatory issues, compliance and all legal and commercial issues related to the negotiation and preparation of contracts terms until the conclusion of the process. Our lawyers have the capacity to offer the most appropriate and profit-earning solutions to achieve your business objectives.

Our specific strength is our long trajectory of participation in the consultancy stages with government agencies and lawmakers. In this capacity, we have frequently been able to influence public policy decisions and have earned our reputation as forgers of legal advances.

Our clients include international banks, financial institutions, multinational corporations and public sector entities.

We advise you on the planning and administration of assets and tax matters. Our services within this area include:

• Advice on family capital planning.
• Advice on the formation and structuring of schemes for the orderly transfer of family assets.
• Training and administration of Private Interest Foundations.
• Structuring of Trusts.
• Tax advice.
• Advice on inheritance matters.

We represent corporate clients in tax planning issues as well as high net worth individuals.