Mergers and acquisitions

Practice area

Strategically located at the center of the American continent, Panama has become the headquarters for multinational companies and businesspeople seeking to expand their presence in the region while taking advantage of a robust legal framework that promotes and safeguards investments. For this reason, Galindo, Arias & López (GALA) advises public and private companies, financial institutions, governmental entities, and individuals on almost all types of transactions or corporate matters, making it the go-to commercial law firm in the country.

The team provides counsel on nearly all types of transactions or corporate matters, including:

The formation of all types of companies and businesses, and the organization of their governance structures.
Complex and cross-border mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions and public and private companies in highly regulated industries.
The issuance of debt and equity instruments in local and international markets.
Corporate governance, including advice on directors’ duties and responsibilities, board and committee structures, corporate preparedness, and contingency planning, among others.

Corporate finance matters, including:

Financing mergers and acquisitions.
The formation and operation of private equity funds and other investment vehicles, including venture capital funds, bridge funds, vulture funds, and offshore funds.
Corporate restructurings, including subsidiary techniques and others to refocus the value of restructurings.
Representing companies managing financial recapitalizations, business renegotiations, and liquidations.
Advising on insolvency issues in corporate and financial transactions.
Advising on the purchase and sale of assets of insolvent companies.
Avoiding or mitigating the adverse effects of liquidity or other crises through contingency planning.
The establishment, operation, and termination of joint venture agreements and strategic alliances.

Petroautos, S.A.
GALA advised PETROAUTOS, S.A., authorized distributor of Hyundai in Panama, on the sale of 100% of its shares to SOJITZ CORPORATION, a Japanese conglomerate with global operations across multiple sectors.

Grupo AG

GALA advised Grupo AG, a leader in the steel industry, with the acquisition of Bekaert ‘s steel wire solutions businesses in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Venezuela, including Ideal Alambrec ‘s production facilities in Ecuador, Vicson in Venezuela and BIA Alambres in Costa Rica.

Franquicias Panameñas

GALA advised Franquicias Panameñas, a prominent quick service restaurant (QSR) operator in Panama with over 70 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Dairy Queen (DQ) restaurants, 1,600 employees, and over 50 years of successful history in the country, on the sale of its KFC and DQ operations to Platinum Brands, a Norbrook Equity Partners company.

Galindo, Arias & López is proud to represent América Móvil in the sale of its Panamanian subsidiary: Claro Panamá.

GALA is proud to represent América Móvil in the sale of Claro Panamá to Cable & Wireless Panama, an affiliate of Liberty Latin America.

Drake Group:

Advised Drake Group on the acquisition of the franchise representation of Papa John’s in Panama, including the purchase of assets and assumption of liabilities of Mejores Ingredientes, S.A.Drake Group is an investment fund authorized to manage and operate Papa John’s establishments in Chile, Spain, Portugal, and Costa Rica.

Millicom LIH, S.A:
The firm advised Millicom LIH, S.A., a leading provider of cable TV and mobile phone services in emerging markets such as Latin America and Africa, on the acquisition of 80% of the shares of Cable Onda, S.A., at an enterprise value of $1.46 billion.

Corporación BCT:
Advised Corporación BCT, S.A. on the acquisition of Balboa Bank & Trust, Corp. and subsidiaries, and the subsequent removal of the company from the OFAC List.