Our Firm
About Us
Operating from the heart of one of Asia’s fastest growing economies, we reach out to the world with our comprehensive range of legal services in both established and emergent practice areas, as well as our in-depth knowledge and extensive transactional experience in specialized fields such as energy, infrastructure, corporate/ mergers and acquisitions, banking, finance and capital markets, and conflict resolution.
David Emmanuel B. Puyat
1967-2010, Founding Partner
Our dynamic and diverse team of legal practitioners and professionals create a formidable workforce committed to upholding our core values of competence, integrity, relationship, commitment, and leadership in all aspects of operations. Guided by a deep sense of responsibility, accountability and a steadfast commitment to our shared values, we continuously innovate and create effective solutions that comply with the unique needs and specifications of each and every client.
Whether they are government agencies or private entities, industry leaders or up-and-coming game-changers, local players or foreign investors, our clients have grown to rely on us for more than just legal advice. Being exceptionally adept at the technical and financial nuances of focused industries, we are widely recognized as strategic partners that contribute value in any phase of the transaction — from the drawing board to the balance sheet.
We strive to learn at every turn. Members of our team are constantly exposed to working with prominent lawyers from leading international and local firms, top executives and managers form multi-national companies, frontunners in government service, as well as consultants and specialists that represent a wide range of disciplines such as accounting, banking and finance, architecture, engineering, public policy reform and economies – greatly enriching our knowledge and understanding of specialized fields of practice.
PSJLaw takes pride in being consistently ranked in the top tier by some of the world’s most influential legal and financial publications.
Guided by a deep sense of responsibility, accountability and a steadfast commitment to our shared values, we are – and will continue to be – partners joined in strength.
“Perhaps the PJS standard is very high, some would say too high. Perhaps. But if you are going to set a standard, why make it a comfortable one? You have to raise your personal bar. Do not be content with your personal achievements. The moon was deemed unreachable once upon a time. But now that it has been reached, landing on the moon is no longer a compelling objective.”
“You have to go further out. Going past the moon will be a bumpy ride. But that is the price of excellence. I hope to see you at the launch pad.”
History
It must be true what the sages wrote in the Tao Te Ching: The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Dave Puyat worked with so much zeal and passion to create what he envisioned as “something special, something great and something truly exceptional” in the legal profession that his career as a lawyer, while unfortunately short, could never be described as anything else but trailblazing.
Dave received his degree in Law from the University of the Philippines in 1995 and obtained the 4th highest ranking in the bar examinations that same year. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1996 and was barely a year into his legal practice when he left the prominence and security of a renowned law office to establish his own firm. In 1997, together with his colleagues Reggie and Roy, he co-founded Puyat Jacinto & Santos – the beginning of what is now PJS Law.
From its modest beginnings, PJS Law flourished into the realization of something Dave had always wanted: a professional environment that thrived on diligence, mutual trust, and unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality in performance and service. “We don’t want to be the biggest,” as he had often said. “We just want to be the best.”
Dave continues to live in every partner, associate, paralegal and staff member of PJS Law as we honor and uphold the vision and core values of firm – the same fundamental principles we all share and aspire for. More than just a founding partner, Dave Puyat was and will always be our friend, mentor and guiding light.
And for us who are left to carry out his dream of revolutionizing the legal landscape through the tireless pursuit of excellence, innovation and professional ethics, Dave continues to rally and inspire with a call to distinction that faithfully endures.
Notable Awards & Recognition
Over the years, PJS Law has gained international recognition as one of the leading firms in it’s various practice area and has been consistently cited in AsiaLaw Profiles, Chambers and Partners Global, IFLR1000, and The Legal 500.
2019
Outstanding, Energy Sector
AsiaLaw Profile
Outstanding, Construction
AsiaLaw Profile
2018
Tier 1, Projects and Energy
Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Tier 1, Project Development
IFLR1000
Corporate Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines – 2018
2018 Corporate Intl Global Awards
Energy Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines
2018 Global Law Experts Award
Editor’s Choice – Energy Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines
Legal 100 Asia – 2018 Awards
Corporate Disputes Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines
2018 Corporate Intl Global Awards
2017
Philippine Deal of the Year
Asian Legal Business – Philippine Law Awards
M&A Deal of the Year
Asian Legal Business – Philippine Law Awards
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Asian Legal Business – Philippine Law Awards
Woman Lawyer of the Year
Asian Legal Business – Philippine Law Awards
Tier 1, Projects and Energy
Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide
Outstanding, Energy & Natural Resources
AsiaLaw Profiles
2016
Energy Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Corporate Disputes Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Corporate Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Banking and Finance Firm of the Year – Philippines
Corporate LiveWire
Most Innovative Law Firm – Philippines
Acquisition International Magazine
Best Full-Service Law Firm – Philippines
AI Legal Awards
Recognised Leader in Banking Law – Philippines
AI Legal Awards
2015
Corporate Law Firm of the Year
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Energy Law Firm of the Year
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Corporate Dispute Law Firm
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Full Service Law Firm of the Year
ACQ Globl Awards
PPP Law Firm of the Year
ACQ Globl Awards
Award for Continued Excellence in Energy Law The Philippines Intellectual Property – Top Tier Firm
The Legl 500
2014
Best in Infrastructure and Energy Law
Acquisition International Offshore Excellence Awards
Banking Law Firm of the Year
Acquisition Interntional’s M&A Awards
Foreign Investment Firm of the Year
Finance Monthly M&A Awards
Editor’s Choice – Energy Law Firm of the Year in the Philippines
KMH Media Group, Global 100
2013
Corporate Law Firm of the Year
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Energy Law Firm of the Year
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Foreign Investment Firm of the Year
Corporate INTL Legal Awards
Foreign Investment Firm of the Year
Acquisition International’s M&A Awards
Best Firm in the Philippines
Asia Women in Business Law Awards
2011
Firm of the Year in Energy and Natural Resources
Asian-MENA Counsel