Philippines
SyCipLaw was recognized as the Philippine Firm of the Year as well as the Client Choice Awardee at the Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific Awards 2026 (inaugural live awards) ceremony held on July 2, 2026, in Beijing, China.The Philippine Firm of the Year recognition marks SyCipLaw’s fourth win in the category, the Firm having previously received the award in 2021, 2023, and 2024.Senior Partner Ramon G. Songco was named Philippine Lawyer of the Year.Partner Russel L
Philippines
Lexology Index recognized 13 SyCipLaw lawyers in its 2026 Southeast Asia Guide across a range of practice areas:Thought LeaderHector M. de Leon, Jr. – Firm Management Recommended LawyersHector M. de Leon, Jr. – M&ARose Marie M. King-Dominguez – Data, Fintech & Blockchain, M&ARicardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko – Arbitration, Commercial LitigationLeslie C. Dy – Labour, Employment & BenefitsCarlos Roberto Z
Philippines
SyCipLaw retained its Tier 1 rankings for Trademark and Patent work in the 2026 edition of IP STARS, Managing IP’s exclusive rankings publication and global legal directory. In addition, Senior Partner and Head of the Intellectual Property Department Anthony W. Dee continues to be cited as a Notable Practitioner.IP STARS conducts extensive and independent research on both contentious and non-contentious IP work across 80 jurisdictions worldwide
Philippines
SyCipLaw has been nominated for two awards at the TrustLaw Awards 2026, recognizing the Firm’s pro bono work and cross-border collaboration in support of civil society initiatives.TrustLaw, the global pro bono legal service network of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, connects non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and societal enterprises with leading law firms worldwide to provide free legal assistance
Philippines
SyCipLaw has been named Philippine Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region Honours 2026, marking the Firm’s seventh consecutive win and 12th overall award since the distinction was established in 2012.Senior Partner and Head of the Employment and Immigration Department Leslie C. Dy accepted the award on behalf of the Firm during the awards ceremony on May 27, 2026 at The Murray in Hong Kong
Philippines
SyCipLaw has been shortlisted for Philippine Law Firm of the Year at the upcoming Chambers Asia Pacific and Greater China Region Honours 2026. In 2025, the Firm earned the same recognition for the sixth consecutive year, marking its 11th citation since the award’s inception in 2012
Philippines
SyCipLaw maintained its top-tier rankings in all the categories covered by the Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific 2026 guide:Tier 1Commercial and transactionsIntellectual propertyLabor and employmentHighly recommendedTaxRecommendedGovernment and regulatoryInternational arbitrationSyCipLaw is also recognized as an Active firm for white collar crime practice, a newly introduced category in this year’s guide
Philippines
SyCipLaw has been shortlisted for Philippine Firm of the Year in the Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific Awards 2026. The Firm previously received the same recognition in 2021, 2023, and 2024.SyCipLaw Senior Partners Carlos Roberto Z. Lopez and Ramon G. Songco have also been shortlisted for the Philippine Lawyer of the Year award
Philippines
SyCipLaw won the Philippine Law Firm of the Year Award in the Legal 500 Southeast Asia Awards 2026. The Firm took home the same award in 2023 and was cited as the Antitrust & Competition Team of the Year in 2020. Partner Arlene M. Maneja accepted the award on behalf of the Firm at the awards ceremony on April 30, 2026, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Singapore
Philippines
SyCipLaw, through its Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) practice groups, presented a panel discussion titled “You Prompt It, You Own It? Intellectual Property in the AI Era” at The Legal 500 GC Summit 2026, held on March 26, 2026, at the New World Makati Hotel
Philippines
SyCipLaw’s Litigation and Arbitration Department recently held its Kapihan sa SyCipLaw titled “Dispute Resolution Management” at The Aurora Subic Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City. The event brought together over 60 business leaders, legal and HR professionals, and senior executives involved in dispute management and strategic decision-making in their respective organizations.Partner and Head of the Subic Branch Emmar Benjoe B
Philippines
SyCipLaw recently held its annual hiring cocktails at the SyCipLaw Center in Makati City, welcoming over 50 top law school seniors from across the Philippines for an evening of meaningful dialogue and engagement.Partner and Hiring Committee Head John Regalado welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of pursuing impactful work in the legal profession, and how SyCipLaw can guide them in achieving that goal.In his remarks, Managing Partner Hector M. de Leon, Jr
Philippines
SyCipLaw maintained its Band 1 rankings in the Chambers Global 2026 guide for the following practice areas: Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, and Projects, Infrastructure & Energy. The Firm also retained its Spotlight ranking in Banking & Finance: Capital Markets.The following partners were also recognized in this year’s guide:Hector M. de Leon, Jr., Eminent Practitioner in Projects, Infrastructure & EnergyRose Marie M
Philippines
Global research publication WTR1000 has given SyCipLaw a Gold ranking in the 2026 edition of its directory, a ranking the Firm has held since 2021. The WTR1000 research focuses on legal trademark expertise.This year’s edition also names the following SyCipLaw lawyers as Recommended Individuals:Silver ranking:Anthony W
Philippines
SyCipLaw announces the extension of the term of Partner John Christian Joy A. Regalado as Head of the Firm’s Davao branch and the appointment of Partner Emmar Benjoe B. Panahon as Head of the Firm’s Subic Branch, both effective February 1, 2026.John is a member of the Firm’s Litigation department and has extensive experience in arbitral proceedings, product liability, consumer protection, and tax disputes
Philippines
SyCipLaw announces the appointment of retired Senior Partner Imelda A. Manguiat as Of Counsel to the Firm, effective February 1, 2026.In her 38-year career with the Firm, Imelda (or Imee) built an impressive practice focused on corporate and commercial law, spanning a range of industries and areas such as energy, infrastructure, and real estate. During this time, she led numerous high-value projects and represented key clients of the Firm
Philippines
SyCipLaw is pleased to announce the appointment of Benedicto “Benny” P. Panigbatan as the new Head of the Firm’s Corporate Services Department, effective February 1, 2026.Benny, who has been a Partner of the Firm since 2012, is a member of the Firm’s Corporate Services, Special Projects, Tax, and Banking, Finance & Securities practice groups
Philippines
SyCipLaw is pleased to announce the promotion of Roman George P. Castillo, Joachim Alfonso P. Dompor, and Keisha Trina M. Guangko to Senior Associates, effective January 1, 2026.Roman is a tax and commercial lawyer and a CPA with extensive experience in tax disputes, corporate tax restructuring, and regulatory compliance
Philippines
The Philippine Supreme Court released the results of the 2025 Bar Examinations today, January 7, 2026. A total of 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees passed last year’s examinations, for a passing rate of 48.98%.Among the successful 2025 Bar examinees are all of the 31 newest SyCipLaw associates, with Chinzen T. Viernes placing 19th among the top 20.The oath-taking and roll signing ceremonies for the successful bar examinees will take place on February 6, 2026, in the Philippine Arena
Philippines
SyCipLaw has been ranked Tier 1 in all practice areas covered by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026
Philippines
Chambers and Partners, one of the leading and most trusted legal directories, released its Chambers Asia Pacific 2026 Guide
Philippines
SyCipLaw recently conducted a legal seminar and legal aid clinic for the benefit of indigent residents of Pasig City, in partnership with the Office of Pasig City Representative Roman T. Romulo. The initiative forms part of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) program of the Philippine Supreme Court, which mandates covered lawyers to provide legal assistance to underprivileged and indigent individuals
Philippines
SyCipLaw was named Philippine Law Firm of the Year at the asialaw Awards 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, marking the fourth time the Firm has received the award (it was also cited in 2020, 2022, and 2023). Partner Arlene M. Maneja accepted the award on behalf of the Firm. She was also shortlisted in three categories: Corporate and M&A Lawyer of the Year, Energy Lawyer of the Year, and Philippine Female Lawyer of the Year.The Coca-Cola Philippines US$1
Philippines
SyCipLaw, in collaboration with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Subic Bay Workforce Foundation, recently held its Kapihan sa SyCipLaw: Updates on Taxation and Employment and Immigration Laws at The Aurora Subic Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City. The event brought together business owners, in-house counsel, legal and HR professionals, compliance officers, and senior executives involved in regulatory compliance and business operations from SBMA and Manila
Philippines
SyCipLaw maintains its “Outstanding” rankings across all industry sector and practice area categories covered by the asialaw 2025 research