| Panama
BDS Asesores in Panama is a law firm specialized in Employment Law and Immigration. BDS has offices in every country in Central America and Dominican Republic, and is also member of Littler, a US employment law firm. In Panama we are three partners, plus associates.
As a specialized law firm, we advice local employers and multinational companies established in Panama on how to deal with their employees, and how to comply with the labor law. Since we handle immigration issues, we do the legal work that is required to obtain the corresponding visa and work permit, for every expatriate living and working in Panama.
We also represent employers during collective bargainings and in litigation.
In 1974 I obtained my law degree from the University of Panama, and my license to practice law in the Republic of Panama. Since the beginning of my career I have being handling labor issues, representing employers.
Seven years after the approval of a new Labor Code, in 1978 I was appointed by the private sector as their representative in the Committee to review the Code, with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO). In 1986 I was appointed as Substitute Magistrate of the Labor Superior Court (Court of Appeals). In 1990 I was elected Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Panama, and Chairman of the Federation of Central America’s Chambers of Commerce; months later, I became Vice President of Iberomerican Chambers of Commerce. In 1993, I was a member of the Committee in charge of the Privatization of government companies; Chairman of the Border Committee Colombia-Panama; member of the board of directors of Colon Free Zone and in the National Bank of Panama, and was appointed Personal Secretary of the President of Panama, in charge. In 1998, I was appointed as General Manager of Colon Free Zone, and Substitute Magistrate of the Supreme Court of Panama. In 2000, I was member of the Board of the Conciliation and Arbitration Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. From 2004 to 2009 I was appointed Ambassador of Panama in Mexico. In 2016, I was elected as Vice President of Mexico-Panama Chamber of Commerce.
