Founding Partner
Isabel Cristina López S.
Tel: +507 2153215
Email: cristina.lopez@lovill.com
Industries
- Sovereign States.
- Construction and Infrastructure.
- Real Estate.
- Telecommunications.
- Energy.
- Logistics and Distribution.
- Banking and Finance.
- Consumer Goods.
- Entertainment and Hospitality.
- Private Clients/Individuals.
Practice Areas
- Dispute Resolution.
- Corporate and Business Law.
- Real Estate.
- Commerce.
- Bankruptcy.
Education
- Universidad de Oviedo, LL.B. (Spain)
- Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, LL.B. (Panama)
- University of Warwick, LL.M. (UK)
Languages
- English.
- Spanish.
Bar Admissions
Admitted to practice law in the Republic of Panama.
Cristina is a founding partner of LOVILL, where she leads the team for dispute resolution, litigation, national and international arbitration.
She regularly represents and advises clients on international arbitrations under CeCAP, ICC and ICSID rules, among others. Cristina has been recognized by prestigious international guides such as CHAMBERS & PARTNERS, LEGAL 500 and WHO’S WHO LEGAL for her merits in complex international negotiations and disputes.
She is a designated Arbitrator at the Conciliation and Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama and was the representative for Latin America of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC/YAF (2017-2019). Cristina specializes in leading teams in high -profile cases in infrastructure, logistics, finance, real estate, energy, telecommunications and representation of states, and has experience in national and international arbitrations. Her law and master degrees were carried out at the University of Oviedo (Spain), at Santa Maria La Antigua Catholic University of Panama, and at the University of Warwick, England through the Chevening scholarship from the British Council.
Cristina´s corporate practice has been as advisor and leading counsel for several corporations, multinationals and family offices in corporate transactions and day to day operations where she leads her team. Within the industries she has advised and has a deep understanding are; infrastructure, real estate, telecommunications, financial, energy, hotel, distribution and logistic, where she is very active due to her negotiation skills and business knowledge that provides and added value to her clients.
Cristina also participates as a panelist and speaker in several national and international organizations in relevant subjects that include law, corporate social responsibility, gender diversity and leadership. She has a commitment in promoting social impact and giving back through pro bono cases and promoting best practices in the exercise of the Rule of Law in Panama.
Relevant cases in commercial disputes
Represented a Dutch multinational corporation in the consumer goods industry, in a dispute against a Panamanian corporation for thirteen (13) million dollars under ICC Rules. Represented the client in the negotiations that led to an amicable settlement of the dispute between the parties’ which enabled the continuation of their commercial relationship.
Represented a Chinese infrastructure company in breach of obligations regarding contractual agreements related to a multimillion infrastructure port project that after litigation before Panamanian courts until the Supreme Court of Justice concluded in a successful settlement.
Represented an infrastructure company against a bank for the execution of irrevocable letters of credit in relation to a hydroelectric project with and ongoing international arbitration case under the ICC Rules with precautionary measures.
Represented an international hotel corporation and its subsidiaries in a construction dispute against a Panamanian corporation for four (4) million dollars in an arbitration under CeCAP Rules and court litigation.
Represented a construction company in negotiations regarding an infrastructure contract under FIDIC regulations with the Panama Canal Authority involving a dispute arising out of the construction of the expansion of the Panama Canal. The negotiations resulted in a successful settlement.
Represents a US publicly traded corporation in the real estate industry in a multimillion dollar dispute with two major telecommunications carriers for breach and wrongful termination of contracts in Panama.
Represents a multinational corporation in the construction, real estate and retail industries in a plan of reorganization to preserve three hundred (300) million dollars’ worth of assets in Panama. We are leading the reorganization and financial restructuring strategy, conducting comprehensive strategic negotiations with creditors and shareholders, as well as delivering sound business solutions compatible with the new outpour of Covid19 laws and regulations.
Relevant cases in state representation
Represents an Ecuadorian state entity in a civil dispute for one hundred thirty (130) million dollars related to the diversion of public funds, fraud and seizure of private assets as a consequence of a bank fraud committed during a financial crisis in the represented state.
Represented an Ecuadorian state entity, in an annulment proceeding of an international arbitration award rendered under ICC rules for thirty (30) million dollars, before the Fourth General Business Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama.
Represented an Ecuadorian state-owned oil entity in a complex transnational dispute for twelve (12) billion dollars that arose from fraudulent contractual claims filed by a group of Ecuadorian foundations.
Represents a State in enforcement proceedings of a foreign judgment for six-hundred (600) million dollars in multiple jurisdictions, including Ecuador, Panama and the United States.
Represents and advises a State in investigation and criminal proceedings before the Panamanian courts, in relation to a multi-million dollar fraud.
Relevant cases in negotiations and transactions
Representation of Grupo Aval (Colombia) for the acquisition of BAC Credomatic (Panama).
Representation of Dekel Holdings for JVs, commercial and investment agreements at a global level.
Representation of VISA International in Panama as a “ SEM” company in its operations, commercial agreements and investment.
Representation of M&A Capital, family offices in Panama for its operations, investments, commercial agreements, negotiations in different sectors and industries, including infrastructure, transportation, logistics, hotels, real estate and retail.
Representation of Neptune Lines in the logistics sector at Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in commercial agreements, warehousing and joint ventures.
Representation of creditors in the liquidation process of an insurance and banking company advise multinational and regional companies, family offices and private funds, in the industries of infrastructure, real estate, financial, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, logistics, distribution and entertainment with their investment and commercial agreements for their investment in the region.
International recognitions and awards
2015 – 2021
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS LATIN AMERICA
“Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution in Panama in Band 2”.
THE LEGAL 500
“Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution in Panama” (2020).
2006 – 2007
BRITISH COUNCIL Chevening Scholar
United Kingdom, Warwick University, LL.M. in “International Development Law and Globalization”.
BENCHMARK LITIGATION
“Litigation Star in Latin America 2021”.
WHO’S WHO LEGAL (WWL)
“National Leader in Central America Dispute Resolution 2020”. Recommended in Litigation and Arbitration in Panama 2020.
2007
ERASMUS European Union Scholar
Recognition by the University of Warwick to study at Isik University, Istanbul, Turkey in the LEGIS and LEFIS program “Law and Information Society in the European Union”.
Boards of directors, appointments and networks
2020 – Present
Executive Forums Member
2017 - Present
Representative of the Arbitration Pledge for Panama
Global initiative led by different international firms for the representation of women arbitrators in international arbitration.
Member of the Board of the Jesus Luz de Oportunidades Foundation (FJLO)
FJLOF is a non-profit Foundation that works with international organizations, the United States Embassy, the Ministry of Security of Panama and multilateral entities as well as private corporations for the reintegration into society of young people at risk.
2017 - 2019
Representative to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Representative for Latin America appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris for the period 2017-2019. Panelist and Moderator at ICC conferences.
2009 - Present
President of the LOVILL Foundation
Promotes international law in Panama by sponsoring, representing and organizing the “Phillip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition” in Washington D.C., which is recognized worldwide as one of the most prestigious international law competitions in the world.
Panama British Business Association (PBBA)
Member of the “British Chamber of Commerce” whose purpose is to promote trade between Panama and England.
Panelist and conferences
2021
Panelist in Webinar “Rules on the Law of Arbitration and Mediation” organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil.
Panelist in Podcast “Legaltech”, organized by the Ibero-American Legal Network.
2020
Panelist in Webinar “Force Majeure in International Contracts as a consequence of COVID 19” organized by the Ibero-American Legal Network.
Panelist in Webinar “Regulatory Measures as a consequence of COVID 19 and its impact on international arbitration”, organized by the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA).
2019
ICC/YAF Panelist: “Perception, Myth or Reality of ICC Arbitration in Latin America”, Panama, Republic of Panama.
ICC/YAF Panelist: “News and Growth of Arbitration in Latin America in the Energy, Infrastructure, Finance and Telecommunications sectors”, Costa Rica.
2018
ICC/YAF Panelist: “Workshop: Cooperation and Synergy between the Judicial Organ and the Arbitral Jurisdiction in Panama for the execution of Arbitral Judgments and Awards in Panama”, Dominican Republic.
ICC/YAF Panelist: “Oral Techniques and Skills in International Arbitration”, Costa Rica.
Conference Panelist: “Regulatory Compliance: Situation and Keys to Successful Compliance in Spain and Latin America”, Casa de America, Plaza de Cibeles s/n Madrid.