These practice areas represent the current strengths and growth areas of the Firm’s Practice.

Each of the practice groups prides itself in being constantly well-versed and adequately informed of issues, policy recommendations and regulatory changes which may have significant impact on any of our clients. This enables the Firm to competently advise our clients of pertinent issues, possible concerns, compliance requirements and, not in the least, potential business opportunities.

Equally important, being well-informed allows us to comment on issues and proffer solutions that help shape the legal and regulatory framework.

Through its extensive experience in the banking industry, the Banking and Securities Group has developed an expertise in the various aspects of the business, particularly in matters such as loan and security documentation; compliance with the requirements of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on ("BSP"), capitalization requirements, and other reportorial and regulatory matters; foreign trade and currency transactions; trust operations; compliance with banking laws, sale and purchase of distressed assets under the SPAV Law.

The Banking and Securities Group counts among its clients several brokerage firms. The Group is currently assisting in the drafting of several proposed legislative measures related to securitization. We also service the reportorial and compliance requirements of our clients relating to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Philippine Stock Exchange ("PSE").

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The Corporate and Commercial Practice Group is the largest Practice Group of the Firm. The work ranges from standard corporate housekeeping requirements to extensive due diligence in relation to mergers and acquisitions; from simple contract drafting to complicated structuring of foreign investments; from registration of local businesses to obtaining governmental permits and qualifying clients for government incentives and economic zone accreditations. Regardless of the simplicity or complexity of the task, the Group prides itself in thoroughness in details and comprehensiveness in the analysis of salient issues.

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The Energy Practice Group is the fastest growing practice area within the Firm. The Philippine electric power industry is undergoing total restructuring pursuant to a landmark legislation that seeks to dismantle the vertically integrated industry formerly dominated by the government-owned National Power Corporation (NPC). PJS LAW is at the forefront of emerging Energy Practice in the Philippines and has a firm grasp of the various regulatory and commercial issues affecting the industry. The Firm's current and previous involvement with the Philippine Government's efforts will help shape the near future and long-term viability of the Philippine Electric Power Industry.

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The Firm’s Immigration Practice Group was created to service the needs of the Firm’s growing roster of international clients. The Group provides advice on citizenship and immigration issues and assists clients in securing different kinds of visas, certificates and permits with the Bureau of Immigration, as well as employment permits from the Department of Labor and Employment.

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PJS Law has confronted the rapid development and increasing complexity of transactions involving information technology and intellectual property with a strong, well founded but innovative corporate law background and a keen awareness of the legal and technical dynamics of these fields. From its early years to the present, The Intellectual Property and Information Technology Group has engaged in pioneering efforts in providing services to clients such as Internet service providers, software developers, business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

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The Labor and Employment practice group has established expertise in providing legal advice to clients on matters involving employer-employee relationships including issues on wages and benefits, labor standards, termination of employment and union activities. The Group has also successfully advised and assisted clients in meeting diverse economic conditions, by designing creative employment structure, providing advice on reorganization of personnel, labor cost-cutting measures, and outsourccing of work functions. The Firm also represents clients in cases involving claims of illegal termination and unpaid wages and benefits.

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Over the years, the Firm's Litigation Group has gained considerable experience involving disputes in the fields of contract law, torts and damages, criminal law, real property law, commercial law and family law. The Firm has represented its clients before civil/criminal courts and government administrative bodies such as the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Securities and Exchange Commission, Court of Tax Appeals, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, Office of the President, and other quasi-judicial agencies. The Litigation Group also has a diverse appellate practice involving complex questions of law before the appellate courts, including the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

As a measure of its societal commitment, the Firm also devotes significant time to providing pro bono work.

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The focus of the Special Projects Group is on projects that require the combined expertise of the various practice groups. The Group's work ranges from project finance transactions to highly specialized work such as developing comprehensive legislative proposals on behalf of governmental agencies. Because of the complexity and diversity of the matters handled, the Group gives premium to flexibility and responsiveness. The Group is confident in its ability to assemble, even on short notice, project teams uniquely qualified to undertake even the most complex and difficult assignments.

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The Taxation Practice Group has extensive experience regarding tax consultancy and structuring for local and foreign investments. The Group also provides advice and services dealing with tax assessments, protests, litigation and appeal on behalf of various enterprises. The Group has had substantial opportunity to work with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) acting as tax agent to secure rulings and clearances from the BIR, including rulings on tax-free exchange, tax treaty relief and tax accreditation, and clearance for settlement of estate taxes and other transfers of property. Among other services, the Group also handles estate planning for various clients.

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