News & Updates

The Firm’s Partners had their traditional testimonial dinner last May 6, 2019 at the Grand Salon, Grand Hyatt Manila, in Bonifacio Global City.  They celebrated the admission to the Partnership of Everlene O. Lee (“Ever” and Louie John D. Lood (“John”).  They also honored Regina P. Geraldez (“Gina”) and Ramon G. Samson (“Mon”) who retired from the Partnership last year.

The ASEAN Law Association (ALA) launched the ASEAN Law Institute in Manila on April 13, 2019 (“Institute”). Avelino V. Cruz, one of the Firm’s Founding Partners, was appointed as the Institute’s Chairman.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines 17th National Convention of Lawyers was held in the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City from March 27-31, 2019. This annual convention also offered lectures on different topics that are also given Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credits.

During the monthly firmwide lawyers’ meeting last March 2, 2019, Managing Partner Emerico (“Rico”) O. De Guzman formally welcomed Everlene O. Lee (“Ever”) and Louie John D. Lood (“John”) to the Partnership.  Rico announced that after the partners’ deliberations, Everlene O. Lee (“Ever”) and Louie John D. Lood (“John”) were admitted as Partners. 

On March 8, 2019, the University of the Philippines Women Lawyers’ Circle (UP WILOCI) hosted a conference entitled “Eye on 20/20: What Philippine Businesses Need to Focus On for 2020” at the UP Bonifacio Global City Auditorium. Among the topics covered was the revised Corporation Code and the Atty. Teresita J. Herbosa, Former Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Commission, discussed the salient points. She was the Firm’s Co-Managing Partner before she joined government.

Last February 23, 2019, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (“IBP”) held simultaneous local elections for the Executive Officers and Directors of each chapter. The newly elected officers will serve during the 2019 to 2021 term. The IBP is the national organization of lawyers in the Philippines and the only mandatory bar association for Filipino

On February 10, 2019, upon the invitation of Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa, the Firm’s lawyers from its Davao Branch led by Myra S. Montecalvo-Quilatan attended the opening ceremony of the Consulate-General of Japan in Davao City. It was held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City.

The Legal 500 ranked ACCRALAW as a Top Tier Firm in major practice areas in the Philippines for 2019: Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, Dispute Resolution, Immigration, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Real Estate and Construction, Shipping, and Tax. ACCRALAW’s branch offices in Cebu and Davao were also recognized as Top Tier. The award-giving body

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Quezon City Chapter conducted a series of lectures for their members who are required to render legal aid services under Bar Matter No. 2012.  Chrysilla Carissa P. Bautista, one of the Firm’s Partners and also a Professorial Lecturer of the University of the Philippines College of Law, was the resource speaker.

By Eusebio V. Tan On December 20, 2018, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11165, otherwise known as the “Telecommuting Act,” which declares that it is a policy of the state “to affirm labor as a primary social economic force. To this end, it shall protect the rights of workers and