Commercial lawyers in Panama

If you need specialised advice to start, protect or expand your business, we invite you to book a legal consultation with our legal team by writing to info@eyshfinancial.com or calling +507 313-7758.

What is commercial law?

Commercial law (or mercantile law) is the branch of private law that governs the rules on merchants, commercial acts, the legal relationships arising from business activity and the structure of corporate entities.

In Panama, this discipline ranges from the rules set out in the Commercial Code and the applicable company legislation to the special regulations governing e-commerce, territorial tax regimes, trademark protection and agreements between partners. Its main purpose is to give legal certainty to commercial transactions, facilitate trade and protect the security of investments.

What do commercial law services include?

Our commercial law services cover the full range of legal needs an organisation faces in the Panamanian market. Through a technical and hands-on approach, we carry out concrete actions such as:

• Company incorporation - Formation and registration of corporations (Sociedades Anónimas, S.A.), limited liability companies (Sociedades de Responsabilidad Limitada, S.R.L.) and other legal forms. It includes drafting the articles of incorporation and bylaws, issuing share certificates and obtaining the annual franchise tax (tasa única) registration and the taxpayer number (RUC) with the DGI.
• Setting up private interest foundations - Structuring of asset-holding vehicles under Panama's Law 25 of 1995. Drafting of the Foundation Charter and its Regulations, and appointment of the Foundation Council, for asset protection and succession planning.
• Drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts - Preparation of distribution, commercial agency, franchise, supply, commercial sale, commercial lease and loan agreements, and commercial trusts.
• Licences and business permits - Processing of the business licence (Aviso de Operación) through the PanamáEmprende system for the legal opening of commercial and industrial establishments.
• Industrial property protection - Registration of trademarks, trade names, invention patents and utility models with the Dirección General del Registro de la Propiedad Industrial (DIGERPI).
• Regulatory compliance and corporate governance - Drafting of shareholders' agreements, minutes of shareholders' meetings and board meetings, and alignment with anti-money laundering laws (AML/CFT).

What issues do commercial lawyers resolve?

Commercial law practice prevents costly disputes and removes the operational obstacles that stall the commercial growth of companies in Panama.

Below we highlight 5 of the most frequent problems our lawyers resolve directly:

• Uncertainty in the corporate structure and conflicts between partners - We resolve the lack of clarity over dividend distribution, decision-making or the entry of new investors by drafting shareholders' agreements with exit and arbitration clauses.
• Ambiguous or disadvantageous commercial contracts - We amend and reinforce poorly structured commercial agreements that expose the company to breaches, unfair penalties or gaps in service guarantees.
• Inability to operate legally for lack of permits - We handle the regularisation of commercial licences, operating permits and government registrations for companies at risk of being fined or closed down.
• Vulnerable intangible assets and trademarks - We protect companies that sell products or services without a formal trademark registration, preventing unauthorised use by third parties or competitors.
• Risks in buying or selling existing businesses - We carry out thorough reviews (due diligence) for buyers or sellers to identify hidden liabilities, labour contingencies or pending litigation before the transaction is signed.

What are the benefits of hiring EYSH Financial's commercial lawyers?

Having EYSH Financial's strategic legal backing creates tangible competitive advantages for your business:

• Effective prevention of commercial litigation, administrative fines and corporate contingencies.
• Use of proven Panamanian legal structures to separate and protect personal assets from the operating risks of the business.
• Swift drafting of contracts and negotiation agreements that speed up strategic alliances and investments.
• Assurance that every acquisition, merger or contract strictly complies with the Commercial Code and Panama's special legislation.
• Registrations, corporate fees, licences and government obligations kept current without operational interruptions.

Who are the commercial law services for?

Our legal services are designed to respond to the operational complexity of organisations of different sizes and economic sectors that carry out commercial activities in the Republic of Panama.

We offer tailored support to:

• Foreign entrepreneurs and investors - International individuals and corporations looking to establish operations in Panama, structure investments or incorporate onshore or offshore companies.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Growing local businesses that need to formalise their contracts, register their trademarks and legally structure their relationships with suppliers and clients.
• Large corporations and multinationals - Companies that require ongoing legal support in corporate governance, commercial compliance audits and complex contracts.
• Startups and technology companies - Digital ventures that need terms and conditions, SaaS contracts, investment agreements (SAFE, vesting) and intellectual property protection.
• Specific economic sectors - Companies in the automotive, retail, wholesale and distribution, healthcare, construction, hotel and tourism industries, and non-profit organisations.

Why hire EYSH Financial's lawyers for commercial law matters?

Choosing EYSH Financial as your law firm in Panama guarantees expert attention based on technical criteria and clear differentiators:

• Our lawyers specialise in the local commercial legal framework and understand the dynamics of international trade and cross-border corporate structures.
• Proven experience in the legal support of both national entrepreneurs and foreign capital setting up in the country, easing the adjustment to the Panamanian legal environment.
• By combining the legal perspective with financial and accounting analysis, our lawyers design commercial legal solutions that take into account the tax and operational impact of each transaction.
• We understand the pace of the commercial market, so we prioritise the on-time delivery of contracts, incorporation deeds and filings with public registries.
• We work through direct, unambiguous communication, offering realistic legal assessments tailored to your company's objectives.