Top PH lawyers named in Asian law journal
Hong Kong-based Asia Business Law Journal (ABLJ) has released its “A-List” of the 100 top lawyers in the Philippines along with a 38-name “Icons” list.
ABLJ, which is part of the Law.asia group, has been coming out with the lists since 2018 and many in the 2025 rosters have been on the lists for several years.
“To identify the top lawyers in the Philippines, we turned to thousands of in-house counsels in the country and around the world—as well as partners at international law firms—and asked them to tell us which lawyers should make the cut,” ABLJ said.
ABLJ defines A-List as “lawyers who are currently the star performers of the Philippines’ legal profession; the lawyers who are personally undertaking the country’s top legal work, crafting the most cutting-edge legal solutions to complex problems, and setting the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and the ability to handle complex matters.”
Legal fields
Some of those in the “A-List” are Dara Acusar, who has extensive experience in corporate law, corporate litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, estate planning and crisis communication; and Patricia Bunye, whose practice is in the mining and natural resources department and energy.
There are also Charles Jay dela Cruz, whose practice is in maritime personal injury disputes, corporate commercial and employment laws, and JJ Disini, one of the leading information and technology law experts in the Philippines.
Benedicta Du-Balabad is a recognized business leader with various directorship positions in various organizations and foreign business chambers, and Mila Federis is an expert in intellectual property litigation, trademark prosecution and portfolio management.
Miguel Antonio Galvez is an expert in dispute resolution while Jose Layug Jr. is former chair of the National Renewable Energy Board and undersecretary at the Department of Energy.
Enrique Quiason specializes in securities law, banking and finance law while Kristine Torres specializes in corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, technology media and telecommunications, capital markets, banking, finance, securities law, project finance and ESG (environmental, social and governance).
‘Titans and juniors’
The “Icons” were defined as “lawyers who are the luminaries of the Philippines’ legal profession; the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike; the mentors who lead the Philippines’ most admired law firms and/or legal teams, and who are the country’s most prolific rainmakers.”
Some of the icons are Avelino J. Cruz, founding partner of ACCRA Law; Cynthia Roxas Del-Castillo, who is practicing in securities and corporate law; Nilo Divina, founder of Divina Law, and former Sen. Franklin Drilon.
There are also Editha Hechanova, an expert in intellectual property; Victor Lazatin, member of the International Criminal Court’s International Court of Arbitration, and Perry Pe, a former legal consultant of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank; Roderico Puno, an expert in energy law and utilities regulation, and Ricardo Romulo, former chair of the Makati Business Club.
All three founders of the Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia law firm are also “icons”—Avelino V. Cruz Jr., former defense secretary; Simeon Marcelo, former solicitor general and ombudsman, and Joe Tenefrancia, a former chief presidential legal counsel.
Crucial reforms
According to ABLJ, this year’s lists were drawn up against a backdrop of a series of legal reforms in the Philippines.
Meant to increase the country’s self-sufficiency in terms of energy, these reforms are keeping lawyers busy with the attendant work.
One such development is the enactment of the Natural Gas Industry Development Act.
Signed last January, this law is aimed at expanding the share of natural gas in the national energy mix and strengthening energy security.
Meanwhile, Congress is working on the proposed National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which calls for the establishment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
Having an independent regulatory body complies with international safety standards on the use of nuclear energy.
“Despite uncertainties such as the global strengthening of trade barriers and economic slowdown, these legal reforms regarding energy are expected to serve as a driving force for the Philippine economy,” said an ABLJ report written by Byung Jin Park and Miram Lim.
Aside from energy-related concerns, the Philippine government is also pushing for the country’s accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as part of efforts to enhance the country’s trade and investment opportunities.
See the full lists at https://law.asia/asia/lawyers/philippines-lawyers-2025/.
