Three MVGS lawyers were recognized in the 33rd edition of the International Financial Law Review 1000 (IFLR1000). They were recognized as lawyers who have track records of advising on significant deals in the context of their market and practice areas.
Manuel Z. Gonzalez (Capital Markets: Equity; M&A)
Rosalia S. Bartolome-Alejo (Banking and Finance; M&A)
Erika B. Paulino (Banking and Finance)
IFLR1000 also gave outstanding recognitions to the Firm’s colleagues in the Drew Network Asia (DNA). 18 lawyers from Drew & Napier, 6 lawyers from Makarim & Taira S., and 9 nnie from Shearn Delamore & Co. were recognized as leading lawyers in their respective practice areas.
The IFLR1000 rankings are focused on corporate and finance practices. The lawyer ranking categories are primarily based on transaction evidence, client and peer feedback.
Drew Network Asia (DNA), a network of blue-chip law firms, expanded on 26 September 2023 to a total of nine countries and 824 fee earners in Southeast Asia (SEA) with the addition of leading Bangkok-headquartered law firm Tilleke & Gibbins.
Formed in March 2020, DNA brings together some of the most influential and well-established law firms in SEA, namely Drew & Napier from Singapore, Makarim & Taira S. from Indonesia, Shearn Delamore & Co. from Malaysia, and Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) from the Philippines. The network’s latest addition, Tilleke & Gibbins, brings offices in five other Southeast Asian countries to DNA.
The addition of Tilleke & Gibbins further expands the network’s regional footprint in SEA, which now boasts a total headcount of over 1,600 in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Tilleke & Gibbins is a renowned full-service law firm founded in Bangkok in 1890. The firm is the largest independent law firm in Thailand, with over 230 lawyers and consultants practicing in various offices across SEA. Known for their strong commercial focus, local knowledge and extraordinary service, Tilleke & Gibbins provides exceptional legal solutions to top investors and high-growth companies that drive economic expansion in Asia.
“We are delighted to become a part of DNA,” said Tiziana Sucharitkul, Managing Partner of Tilleke & Gibbins, “because being part of this network provides a platform for our clients to access the top lawyers in the region who will facilitate their legal needs and strategic ambitions in SEA. For over 130 years, Tilleke & Gibbins has been helping enterprises around the world achieve their business goals in SEA, and we are excited to continue our commitment to serving our clients as part of this network. We look forward to working hand in hand with the best lawyers in the region to enable this and to deliver the finest seamless legal advice and representation to our clients.”
Cavinder Bull SC, CEO, Drew & Napier said, “We are excited to have Tilleke & Gibbins join the network. DNA was created to enable pillar firms to service their clients’ multijurisdictional needs. With DNA covering almost the whole of SEA, we now have the capability to provide clients with seamless and integrated legal services of the highest quality throughout the region.”
“With the addition of Tilleke & Gibbins, we have significantly amplified our regional presence. I believe that DNA will become a formidable option for multijurisdictional legal work in the region.” said Dhinesh Bhaskaran, Managing Partner of Shearn Delamore & Co.
Maria Sagrado, Managing Partner, Makarim & Taira S. said, “The addition of Tilleke & Gibbins to the DNA family marks a significant milestone for our network, and underscores our unwavering pursuit of excellence. Together, we will leverage on our combined strengths to drive positive change to the legal industry.”
“We welcome Tilleke & Gibbins into our dynamic network which now has presence in almost the whole of SEA. By uniting our expertise and resources in DNA, we are poised to meet the needs of our clients more effectively and gain a competitive edge over other networks.” said Manuel Z. Gonzalez, Managing Partner of MVGS.
DNA is a cross-border ‘firm of firms’ that operates as a united collective, bringing both international perspectives and local expertise to the table. DNA operates as a one-stop shop in handling complex and time sensitive multi-jurisdictional transactions or disputes.
Each DNA firm upholds a stellar reputation that is built on consistently delivering premium legal advice alongside a world-class service experience. This unwavering commitment is recognised by clients and peers and has earned DNA firms top rankings in the world’s most prestigious legal publications.
About our DNA Member Firms
Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) is a leading full-service law firm in the Philippines established in 2007 by recognised elite lawyers Eduardo A. Martinez, Mark O. Vergara and Manuel Z. Gonzalez. With the combined experience of the firm’s partners, MVGS has established itself as a highly- respected and leading law firm, providing a full range of excellent legal services in the areas of Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Projects & Energy, Tax, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Labour and Employment and Immigration.
T: +63 2 8687 1195 E: info@mvgslaw.com
Drew & Napier LLC Drew & Napier, established since 1889, is one of the largest and most established, full-service law firms in Singapore, with a history spanning more than 130 years. Our Dispute Resolution practice is consistently singled out as unparalleled, achieving top tier rankings in prestigious international publications for over a decade. Our International Arbitration Practice has been similarly identified among the world’s top 100 practices by the Global Arbitration Review since 2010. We are pre-eminent in Competition & Antitrust, Corporate Insolvency & Restructuring, Intellectual Property (Patents and Trademarks), Tax and Telecommunications, Media & Technology, and have market leading practices in Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Finance, and Capital Markets.
T: +65 6535 0733 E: mail@drewnapier.com
Makarim & Taira S. Founded in 1980 by two Harvard graduates, Makarim & Taira S. is one of Indonesia’s leading full-service law firms. We are a leader in both the traditional practice areas of Corporate services, Banking, Finance, Foreign Investment, Litigation, Infrastructure, and Employment, as well as emerging growth areas such as Anti-Trust/Competition, Power and Energy, Intellectual Property, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, and Fintech. To better serve our clients, we also have an international reach to prominent firms recognised globally as leading experts in the industry through the World Law Group (WLG).
T: +6221 5080 8300, 252 1272 E: info@makarim.com
Shearn Delamore & Co. Shearn Delamore & Co. is one of the oldest and largest full-service law firms in Malaysia, providing comprehensive services to domestic and international clients since 1905. The firm’s Dispute Resolution, Corporate & M&A, Intellectual Property, Employment, Tax, Competition & Antitrust, Banking & Finance, Technology, Media & Telco, Infrastructure & Projects, Construction, Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement, Real Estate and Shipping practice groups have been repeatedly recognised as market leaders, with the firm being a 5-time recipient of Chambers Asia Pacific’s Malaysia Law Firm of the Year award. The firm maintains extensive global links with legal and multilateral agencies, including the World Law Group (WLG), the World Services Group (WSG), and the Employment Law Alliance (ELA).
T: +603 2027 2727 E: info@shearndelamore.com
Tilleke & Gibbins Tilleke & Gibbins is a leading Southeast Asian regional law firm with over 230 lawyers and consultants practicing in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. We provide full-service legal solutions to the top investors and high-growth companies that drive economic expansion in Asia. Established in Bangkok in 1890, we have since grown into the largest independent law firm in Thailand and a leading international firm across Southeast Asia due to our commercial focus, local knowledge, and extraordinary service.
Drew Network Asia (DNA), a network of premium legal firms, expanded on 1 October 2021 with the addition of prominent Philippine law firm Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano (MVGS).
Formed in March 2020, DNA is an alliance of some of the most influential and well-established South East Asian law firms, namely Drew & Napier LLC from Singapore, Makarim & Taira S. from Indonesia and Shearn Delamore & Co. from Malaysia.
The addition of MVGS further expands DNA’s regional footprint in ASEAN which now boasts more than 480 fee earners and 150 partners in four countries: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano (MVGS) is a leading full-service law firm in the Philippines established in 2007 by recognised elite lawyers Eduardo A. Martinez, Mark O. Vergara, Manuel Z. Gonzalez and Elmer B. Serrano. With the combined experience of the firm’s partners, MVGS has established itself as a highly-respected and leading law firm in the Philippines, providing a full range of excellent legal services in the areas of Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Projects & Energy, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Labour and Employment and Immigration. Manuel Z. Gonzalez, Managing Partner of MVGS said, “We are very excited to be a pillar firm of DNA as its vision certainly aligns with MVGS. Joining the alliance enables us to expand our professional services in the region. We look forward to a great partnership with the finest lawyers in the region.”
“We are delighted that MVGS has joined DNA,” said Cavinder Bull SC, CEO of Drew & Napier. “In spite of the ongoing pandemic, we have moved forward with our vision for growth, driven by our desire to meet the needs of our clients. DNA is increasingly a network of choice for any client looking to have representation of the highest quality throughout ASEAN.”
Lia Alizia, Managing Partner, Makarim & Taira S. said, “With MVGS joining DNA, we are now a stronger network than before. We believe that the combined strength and capabilities of each DNA member firm stands us in good stead with the growing competition in the region.”
Dhinesh Bhaskaran, Managing Partner, Shearn Delamore & Co said, “We welcome MVGS to the DNA family and look forward to serving our clients more seamlessly now that we have a network firm in the Philippines, giving us a wider reach in the region.”
DNA operates as a united collective, bringing international perspective, strong local expertise and impeccable service standards. DNA operates as a one-stop shop in handling complex and time sensitive multi-jurisdictional transactions or disputes seamlessly. While remaining independent, we operate as a “firm of firms”.
Each DNA firm has a track record of a client-focused approach, high quality legal advice, and cutting-edge solutions. All the firms consistently win client recognition and prominent accolades in the world’s most prestigious international legal publications.
About the DNA Member Firms Drew & Napier LLC Drew & Napier, established since 1889, is one of the largest and most established, full-service law firms in Singapore, with a history spanning more than 130 years. Our Dispute Resolution practice is consistently singled out as unparalleled, achieving top tier rankings in prestigious international publications for over a decade. Our International Arbitration Practice has been similarly identified among the world’s top 100 practices by the Global Arbitration Review since 2010. We are pre-eminent in Competition & Antitrust, Corporate Insolvency & Restructuring, Intellectual Property (Patents and Trademarks), Tax and Telecommunications, Media & Technology, and have market leading practices in Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Finance, and Capital Markets.
Makarim & Taira S. Founded in 1980 by two Harvard graduates, Makarim & Taira S. is one of Indonesia’s leading full-service law firms. We are a leader in both the traditional practice areas of Corporate services, Banking, Finance, Foreign Investment, Litigation, Infrastructure, and Employment, as well as emerging growth areas such as Anti-Trust/Competition, Power and Energy, Intellectual Property, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, and Fintech. To better serve our clients, we also have an international reach to prominent firms recognised globally as leading experts in the industry through the World Law Group (WLG) and the World Services Group (WSG).
Shearn Delamore & Co. Shearn Delamore & Co. is one of the oldest and largest full-service law firms in Malaysia, providing comprehensive services to domestic and international clients since 1905. The firm’s Dispute Resolution, Corporate & M&A, Intellectual Property, Employment, Tax, Competition & Antitrust, Banking & Finance, Technology, Media & Telco, Infrastructure & Projects, Construction, Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement, Real Estate and Shipping practice groups have been repeatedly recognised as market leaders, with the firm being a 5-time recipient of Chambers Asia Pacific’s Malaysia Law Firm of the Year award. The firm maintains extensive global links with legal and multilateral agencies, including the World Law Group (WLG), the World Services Group (WSG), and the Employment Law Alliance (ELA).
Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano (MVGS) Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano (MVGS) is a leading full-service law firm in the Philippines established in 2007 by recognised elite lawyers Eduardo A. Martinez, Mark O. Vergara, Manuel Z. Gonzalez and Elmer B. Serrano. With the combined experience of the firm’s partners, MVGS takes pride in having established itself as a highly-respected and leading law firm in the Philippines, providing a full range of excellent legal services in the areas of Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Projects & Energy, Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Labour and Employment and Immigration.
For more information, please contact: Madhu Rai (Ms) Head, Marketing & Communications Department T: +65 6531 2482 E: madhu.rai@drewnapier.com Jane Lee (Ms) Deputy Manager, Marketing & Communications Department T: +65 6531 2218 E: jane.lee@drewnapier.com Rosalia S. Bartolome-Alejo Partner, MVGS T: +63 2 8687 1195 E: rosalia.alejo@mvgslaw.com
Atty. Eduardo A. Martinez, Senior Partner and Head of the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group, is once again recognized as one of The Philippines’ Top 100 Lawyers 2021 (The A-List) by the Asia Business Law Journal for the second time in a row.
This recognition of Atty. Martinez is a testament to the Firm’s commitment to its clients, as “comments submitted to Asia Business Law Journal suggest that clients demand lawyers who master novel concepts in the ever-changing industry, apart from extensive legal knowledge, and are equipped with a forward-thinking approach to solving complex problems.”
In compiling the A-List, Asia Business Law Journal stated that the “the A-List is based on extensive research conducted by Asia Business Law Journal. To identify the top 100 lawyers in the Philippines, we turned to thousands of in-house counsel in the Philippines and around the world – as well as partners at international law firms – and asked them to tell us which lawyers should make the cut, and why.”
Atty. Martinez specializes in dispute resolution, labor, immigration, intellectual property, and domestic relations and succession law cases, with extensive experience as a litigator both in trial and appellate levels.
Atty. Eduardo A. Martinez, Senior Partner and Head of the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group, has been recognized in Asia Business Law Journal’s The A-List: The Philippines’ Top 100 Lawyers 2020.
Asia Business Law Journal recently revealed the A-List of the Philippine legal profession, following extensive research and nominations received from in-house counsels in the country and from partners of Philippine-focused international law firms.
Atty. Martinez, named by Asia Business Law Journal as an A-List Lawyer, specializes in dispute resolution, labor, immigration, intellectual property, as well as legal proceedings involving domestic relations and succession law cases. His extensive experience as a litigator specifically allowed him to gain expertise in trial and appellate practice.
