Overview
Grace is the co-Managing Partner of the Firm. She is a key member of the Corporate Practice Group, specializing in advising foreign investors on establishing and expanding their businesses in the Philippines. With extensive experience in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector and Employer of Record (EOR) solutions, she provides strategic legal counsel on corporate structuring, tax advisory, contracts, and regulatory compliance. Her expertise ensures seamless market entry and ongoing legal compliance for multinational companies. As the head of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, Grace also advises clients on trademark registration, copyright protection, licensing agreements, and IP enforcement strategies, helping businesses safeguard and maximize the value of their intellectual assets.
Representative Work
- BPO Expansion & Corporate Structuring: Played a key role in establishing and expanding one of Australia’s largest BPO companies in the Philippines. This involved corporate structuring, securing PEZA registration and incentives, handling tax and regulatory compliance, and adherence to Philippine labor laws; advised on multiple mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, contract negotiation, and regulatory approvals, while optimizing market positioning through strategic legal and tax considerations
- Legislative Franchise for Airlines: Assisted in drafting, negotiating, and securing approval for the legislative franchise of a domestic and international airline in the Philippines. This involved structuring the franchise proposal, liaising with Congress and regulatory agencies, and ensuring compliance with aviation and public service laws; engaged in public hearings, stakeholder consultations, and regulatory approvals from agencies such as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department of Finance (DOF), and Bureau of Customs (BOC)
- Real Estate & Infrastructure: Advised and negotiated the acquisition of real properties for large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and the New Manila International Airport (Bulacan Airport); Responsibilities included property due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and resolving right-of-way (ROW) issues
- Franchise Expansion: Advised and structured the setup, expansion, and corporate structuring of business franchise in the Philippines; advised on business registration, regulatory compliance, tax structuring, and intellectual property protection; Drafted and implemented franchise agreements; provided strategic advisory as a member of the Board of Directors, offering insights on corporate governance, operational growth, and brand development
- Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) & Asset Management: Advised and structured operating SPVs for acquiring and managing non-performing loans (NPLs), real and other properties acquired (ROPOAs), and distressed assets; negotiated and implemented purchase agreements while advising on tax-efficient structures for asset transfers
- Government Expropriation & Property: Represented property owners in the negotiated sale of expropriated property for the Marikina River Widening Project; Coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to facilitate the transaction
- Telecommunications: Advised and structured the transfer of controlling interest of a telecommunications company in compliance with regulatory restrictions and the company’s Congressional Franchise; Assisted and structured the consolidation of various companies owning telecommunication franchises sold to the two biggest telecommunications conglomerates in the Philippines.
Educational Attainment
Ateneo de Manila School of Law, 2000
Juris Doctor
Ateneo de Manila University, 1996
Bachelor of Science in Legal Management
Admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2001
