Copyright 2022-2023 SRMO
Practice Groups
Traditional Values, Modern Thinking.
Our practice remains steeped in traditional values that have guided a century of law practice. While we have earned our reputation for professionalism and excellence, we also take pride in being “cutting edge.” We apply the latest legal and “out-of-the-box” thinking to a client’s problem, approaching it creatively, in a multi-disciplinary manner. This is due in large part to the fact that we hire and train lawyers not only on the basis of their excellent academic credentials from the finest schools (several of our lawyers have postgraduate degrees from foreign universities) but also on their ability to formulate innovative, unconventional solutions to legal problems. It is no surprise that many of our law firm’s alumni have gone on to contribute to the development of Philippine law, jurisprudence and politics, as legislators, cabinet secretaries, founders of new law firms, and Justices of the Supreme Court.
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
SRMO is widely regarded as a titan in Philippine Labor and Employment law, a reputation built on over a century of representing management in the country’s most significant industrial relations disputes. The practice is renowned for its comprehensive approach, covering everything from day-to-day advisory to high-stakes litigation and collective bargaining, strike contingency, strike handling, labor litigation arising from termination, wage claims, unfair labor practice acts, and other employer-employee disputes, both trial and appellate, assumption-of-jurisdiction cases, compulsory and voluntary arbitration, and certification election proceedings. Our lawyers advise corporate clients on labor standards, occupational health and safety, and labor relations matter.
Our Experts:
Attys. Rolando Mario G. Villonco, Antonio C. Pido, Ariss N. Santos, Kristine Camille Y. Umali-Garcia and Gregorio R. Bilog IV
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL
SRMO is consistently recognized by premier international legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, as a leading authority in Philippine Corporate and M&A law. Our firm provides a full-spectrum corporate practice, ranging from the foundational formation of joint ventures and meticulous corporate housekeeping to complex capital restructuring and M&A transactions. In synergy with our corporate litigation and securities practice group, we deliver integrated solutions for corporate finance, securities regulation, and insolvency proceedings, ensuring our clients’ commercial interests are protected at every stage of the business lifecycle.
Our Experts:
Attys. Cesar P. Manalaysay, Carlos M. Natividad , Nicanor N. Padilla, German Q. Lichauco II, Jocelyn R. Esguerra-Dee, Victorio H. Macasaet, Jr. , Elita Joy P. Quicho, Veronica Jude E. Abarquez, Edgardo Roman Manuel C. Balois, Marco Jose Maria V. Mabanta, Eden Catherine B. Mopia and Raegan L. Capuno
LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SRMO maintains one of the most established litigation and dispute resolution practices in the Philippines, backed by more than a century of experience in the country’s judicial system. The firm’s litigators manage an extensive caseload that spans civil, criminal, and administrative litigation, representing a diverse clientele of Fortune 500 companies, major domestic corporations, and high-net-worth individuals. SRMO’s litigation practice is particularly noted for its “to-the-point” writing style in appellate practice and its ability to formulate “out-of-the-box” strategies for complex commercial disputes. Beyond traditional courtroom litigation, SRMO is a significant player in alternative dispute resolution and construction arbitration providing counsel in both domestic and international commercial arbitrations.
Our Experts:
Attys. Cesar P. Manalaysay, Alma D. Fernandez-Mallonga, Carlos M. Natividad , German Q. Lichauco II, Alvin C. Batalla , Michael Felipe A. Mercado, Augusto Leon A. Macatangay, Christopher P. Capul, Daryll Matthew T. Santos, Broderick C. Arcilla, Raegan L. Capuno, Dhan Morris M. Samson, Gregorio R. Bilog IV, and Juan Paulo V. Amador
TAXATION
SRMO is known for approaching tax problems from as many sides as possible, which leads us to say that we are well-versed in the complete range of the taxing process. We advise clients on the tax implications of various commercial transactions as well as tax issues from mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate combinations. We can also secure rulings on national and local tax issues. Our lawyers handle tax assessments involving national and local taxes before the BIR, BOC, and various LGUs, and tax litigation cases before the trial courts, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Supreme Court. SRMO also handles tax refund claims, tax amnesty applications, tax treaty relief applications by foreign clients, settlement of estates, and trust and estate planning.
Our Experts:
Attys. Ferdinand M. Hidalgo, Raniel L. Dimayuga, Veronica Jude E. Abarquez and Raegan L. Capuno
IMMIGRATION
SRMO handles all types of emigration and immigration regulatory issues. SRMO’S Immigration Law practice group and the litigation department have handled many citizenship and naturalization matters. The most notable is the 1999 case which involved dual citizenship status and its effect on a political candidate’s qualifications for public office. The Supreme Court agreed with the firm’s legal argument that the Constitution proscribed “dual allegiance” and not dual citizenship per se.
Our Experts:
Attys. Antonio C. Pido, Edgardo Roman Manuel C. Balois and Eilyn M. Medina-Garcia
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
SRMO’s intellectual property practice group keeps your ideas and creations, like patents, logos, creative work, and secrets, safe and protected. SRMO protects and enforces your intellectual property rights through enforcement, prosecuting trademark opposition cases, through licensing, patent drafting, amendments and filing. SRMO’s intellectual property practice group has been recognized as Top Tier Law Firm in ALB IP Rankings 2025.
Our Experts:
Attys. Ariss N. Santos, Jonalyn G. Porquez-Sampiano and Eilyn M. Medina-Garcia