PRACTICE AREAS
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Administrative Litigation – defense and prosecution of administrative charges before administrative tribunals.
Admiralty Claims – actions involving seafarer’s claims, loss or damage to cargo, collisions, salvage, towage, marine pollution, ship arrests and other maritime incidents.
Alternative Dispute Resolution – mediation, conciliation, informal negotiations for amicable settlements.
Appellate Practice – appeals before the Regional Trial Court, the Court of Tax Appeals, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court.
Banking – administrative actions before the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, violations of bank loan agreements, foreclosure of bank mortgages, other administrative cases involving financial institutions.
Civil Cases – actions for specific performance, rescission, annulment, restitution, damages, quasi-delicts and torts.
Corporate Litigation – intra-corporate disputes, proxy issues, corporate takeovers, enforcement of stockholder rights, derivative suits, invalidation of transfers of shares, corporate rehabilitation, insolvency proceedings.
Criminal Litigation – prosecution of criminal complaints as private prosecutors or defense against criminal complaints.
Family Law – adoption, annulment, declaration of nullity, custody, legal separation, separation of property, succession, application for protective orders.
Insurance Claims – non-life insurance claims, enforcement of health insurance claims and handling of other cases before the Insurance Commission.
Intellectual Property Litigation – patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, search and seizure operations.
Product Liability – claims for damages for defective products or goods and consumer complaints before the Department of Trade and Industry.
Property Disputes – cancellation of titles, recovery of possession, encroachment of property, abatement of nuisance, ejectment.
LABOR
GSMH Law recognizes the importance of this field of law in business enterprises. Hence, the firm advises its clients not only on how to manage existing labor problems but also on how to prevent these labor issues from arising.
Labor Advisory - conducting audit of human resource related practices, drafting of employment contracts and codes of conduct/employee regulations, drafting policies for retirement programs, drafting forms used by human resource departments, compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, assisting in the design and implementation of manpower reduction programs, assistance in collective bargaining negotiations, assistance in closure of businesses, advising on the human resource aspect of corporate acquisitions, mergers or spin-offs, advising on payroll management, managing certification elections, and assistance in drafting corporate codes of conduct.
Labor Advocacy – termination disputes, money claims, labor-related civil and criminal cases, negotiations with labor unions, collective bargaining negotiations, strikes and lockouts, cases for unfair labor practices, Social Security System cases, grievance arbitration.
ADMIRALTY LAW
GSMH Law has a highly competent team adept in handling admiralty issues such as ship registration, ship sale and mortgage, collisions, salvage, ship arrests, cargo claims, and seafarer’s claims. The Firm also has partnerships with several medical doctors who specialize in the practice of maritime medicine to assist in the technical aspect of seafarers’ death or disability claims.
BANKING AND FINANCE
The firm advises local and international clients on the regulatory framework imposed by the Monetary Board and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governing transactions involving bank deposits, investments, loans, derivatives and trusts, and ensure that their commercial transactions, corporate records and practices are in line with applicable regulations.
MINING
GSMH Law has developed its mining practice to address the legal demands of emerging as well as existing mining companies. In a short period of time, the Firm has gained legal expertise in mining law and has successfully addressed its clients’ concerns in this field.
COMMERCIAL LAW
Corporate Concerns - the Firm renders assistance on various commercial concerns. This includes advising on the Philippine investment climate, business structuring, registration and accreditation with appropriate government offices, commercial negotiations, the documentation of financing and securitization transactions, and monitoring compliance with contractual commitments. GSMH Law also performs a wide array of corporate legal work for its clients namely: incorporation and establishment of subsidiaries and branch offices; establishment of foundations and non-stock, non-profit corporations; accreditation and registration with relevant government agencies (i.e. POEA, BSP, DENR, MARINA); closure and winding down of operations; due diligence; contract drafting, review and negotiations; securing permits (from local government units and pertinent administrative agencies and bodies); corporate planning and structuring; mergers and acquisitions.
Business Services – GSMH Law assists clients in establishing their businesses from the ground up, advising on the business structure best-suited to the client’s business goals, taking into consideration investment and nationality requirements, equity restrictions and tax issues, among others. The firm’s services include the preparation of the constitutive documents of the proposed company, registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System and other agencies. We also assist client in obtaining business and tax permits, and municipal licenses and the preparation and filing of required regular reports with the appropriate government agencies.
Real Estate Solutions – The firm helps its clients achieve the most value out of their real estate holdings and guide them through the various regulations governing the use, possession and development of real property, including the legal regime governing special economic zones. The lawyers of GSMH Law have expertise in public and private infrastructure projects and developments, construction of condominiums and subdivisions, and commercial leases.
E-Commerce & Technology – GSMH Law advises clients on the regulatory framework imposed by relevant government agencies, such as the National Telecommunications Commission, governing the set-up, operation and business transactions of telecommunications companies, and ensure that their commercial records, transactions and service contracts are in line with such regulations.
INSURANCE
The Firm has advised and assisted some of the largest insurance providers in the country on policy coverage, liability and enforcement issues. The GSMH Law team guides its clients through the regulatory regime imposed by the Philippine Insurance Commission. On the other end of the spectrum, the firm advises corporate clients on insurance issues affecting construction and infrastructure projects, contractor’s liabilities, directors’ and officers’ liabilities, and insurance against terrorism. GSMH Law has extensive experience in insurance disputes and litigation.
TRADE LAW & CUSTOMS REGULATION
GSMH Law assists clients in understanding the regulatory regime governing Philippine trade and customs regulation, by advising on the importation process, valuation and customs tax and duties.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
GSMH has a solid background in intellectual property law.
Intellectual Property Administration – registration of trademarks, trade names and service marks, maintenance of marks, registration of utility models and industrial designs, deposit of copyright, registration of trademark use agreements, assignment of marks.
Trademark Enforcement – developing and managing trademark protection programs