In collaboration with Legal Solutions Panama and Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá. Radar Panamá works with these companies, and the analysis follows the same editorial standards. How we work
Contents of this ranking
What a foreign investor needs a lawyer for
Panama does not require hiring a lawyer to invest, but in practice almost every relevant procedure goes through one. A corporation can only be registered through a lawyer or law firm acting as resident agent, a role made mandatory by Law 32 of 1927 and reinforced by the beneficial ownership and accounting records rules. Residency by investment is handled before the National Immigration Service with a power of attorney granted to a licensed lawyer. And buying property requires checking the title at the Public Registry before signing, something no foreign buyer should do alone.
Companies
Articles of incorporation, resident agent, beneficial owner and annual filing of accounting records.
Immigration
Qualified Investor, Friendly Nations, Pensionado and work permits linked to the investment.
Real estate
Title search, promise of sale, deed and registration, tax exemptions.
Contracts and disputes
Drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, arbitration and court representation.
The first three areas are explained in detail in Radar Panamá’s guides on how to open a company in Panama, residency in Panama by investment and buying property as a foreigner.
How the firms were chosen
The starting point is the analysis by Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá, a portal specialising in investment opportunities in the country, which selected five firms for reputation, experience and specialisation in international clients. Radar Panamá checked that list against what each firm publishes about itself and against legal directories. The order is not a quality rating: it reflects the degree of focus on the individual foreign investor, from most to least. Fees were not taken into account, since they vary case by case and none of the firms publishes them in a comparable way.
The five firms, one by one
1. Legal Solutions Panamá
A boutique firm in Panama City led by lawyer Kathia Rivera, with more than ten years of activity and clients from more than 55 nationalities. Its offer is comprehensive for the newly arrived foreigner: corporate law, immigration, real estate and bank account opening, with a style that Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá describes as “explaining the processes clearly and closely accompanying international clients”. Its most requested specialty is residency linked to investment. Rivera has explained in an interview with Radar Panamá how a foreigner incorporates a company without travelling, and the firm has given a full session on private interest foundations.
2. Kraemer & Kraemer
Founded in 2008, it serves clients in Spanish, English and Portuguese from three offices and has specialised in immigration, tax and corporate law for foreigners who want to open companies, manage assets or move to the country. Its strength is its catalogue of investor visas and residency programmes, which makes it a natural option for anyone whose first priority is obtaining legal residency.
3. Chen Lee & Asociados
A commercial and civil law firm with a track record of international clients from different countries. Its core services are company incorporation, property purchases and advice on commercial contracts. It suits investors who need to structure a transaction and secure their agreements with local partners or suppliers.
4. J. Quijano & Asociados
A firm with decades of history and an international presence, listed in legal directories, whose strength lies in maritime, corporate and financial law. It is the option for large-scale projects that use Panama as a logistics and banking hub: business structuring, international transactions and arbitration.
5. Corro & Abogados
A modern firm specialising in corporate law, real estate and commercial litigation. It handles property acquisitions, contracts and business set-up, and its distinguishing feature is personalised attention and flexibility with international clients who value speed.
Comparison table
| Firm | Main areas | Track record and recognition | Investor it serves best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Solutions Panamá | Corporate, immigration, real estate, banking | More than ten years, clients from more than 55 nationalities, its own educational video content | A foreigner who wants to settle as an investor or retiree and needs the whole process handled by one firm |
| Kraemer & Kraemer | Immigration, tax, corporate | Since 2008, three offices, service in three languages | Anyone who puts legal residency and personal tax planning first |
| Chen Lee & Asociados | Commercial, civil, companies, contracts | Established reputation with international clients | Anyone setting up an operating company who needs contractual security |
| J. Quijano & Asociados | Maritime, corporate, financial, arbitration | Decades of experience, international presence and directory listings | Large-scale projects in logistics, banking or international trade |
| Corro & Abogados | Corporate, real estate, commercial litigation | Modern team with a flexible approach | A real estate investor who also wants backing in commercial disputes |
How to choose according to the type of investment
- Define the main goal. Residency, an operating company, protected assets or a property purchase lead to different firms; most mistakes come from hiring on price without a clear objective.
- Confirm that the firm will act as resident agent. That is who registers the company, records the beneficial owner and keeps the accounting records; it should be the same firm that advises.
- Ask about experience with the investor’s nationality. Apostille, background check and banking requirements change depending on the country of origin.
- Get the scope in writing. Which procedures are included, which government fees are excluded and which timelines are realistic.
- Verify the licence. Every Panamanian lawyer must be licensed by the Supreme Court of Justice; the licence number can be checked.
Looking to compare more options before deciding?
Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá, a portal specialising in investment opportunities, real estate projects and advice for those who want to invest or settle in the country, publishes the original analysis of these five firms with a downloadable guide to hiring lawyers in Panama.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer to invest in Panama as a foreigner?
Not as a general rule, but a company can only be registered by a lawyer or firm acting as resident agent, and immigration applications are filed through a licensed lawyer. In practice, almost every investment goes through one.
What services do lawyers in Panama offer foreign investors?
Incorporation and maintenance of companies, residency permits, property purchases and sales, bank account opening, commercial contracts and representation in litigation or arbitration.
Which firm is best for obtaining residency?
Those that focus their practice on immigration and investment, such as Legal Solutions Panamá and Kraemer & Kraemer, which handle the Qualified Investor, Friendly Nations and Pensionado programmes.
And for a large logistics or banking project?
A firm with a maritime, financial and arbitration practice, such as J. Quijano & Asociados, used to large-scale international transactions.
How long does it take to incorporate a company with a lawyer?
Around a week with complete documentation, according to the firms themselves; the subsequent bank account opening can take several more weeks.
How do you verify that a Panamanian lawyer is licensed?
By checking their licence, granted by the Supreme Court of Justice, and asking for the registration number before signing any power of attorney.
Can one firm handle investment, residency and contracts?
Yes. Several of the firms on this list offer the full service, which avoids coordinating several offices and repeating due diligence.
Sources
- Mejores abogados en Panamá para inversores extranjeros, Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá.
- Legal Solutions Panamá, the firm’s official website.
- Law 32 of 1927 on Corporations, Judicial Branch of Panama.
- National Immigration Service of Panama, residency requirements.
- The Legal 500, Panama, directory of firms.
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