SUMMARY

Javier Yap Endara joined the firm in 2014 and became a partner in 2023. He is an active member of the ARIFA Pro Bono and CSR Committee.

Mr. Yap Endara regularly advises clients on financing and M&A transactions, having participated in some of the largest and most relevant ones recently taking place in the country.

In the financing working group, he generally advises purchasers/lenders in cross-border financing arrangements, including the US$1 billion first international Reg. S/Rule 144A offering by Banco Nacional de Panama during the Covid-19 pandemic, the US$6 billion convertible note and common stock offering by Carnival Corporation, and the financing and refinancing of major infrastructure work, including local ports, airports and subways.

In the M&A working group, he has participated in the sales of Cable Onda (main telecom provider), Grupo Rey (leading supermarket chain), Assicurazioni Generali (Panama Branch) (local leading insurer), Suzuki distribution business, Bonlac (leading beverage company) and Fertica (leading agricultural input distributor).

Mr. Yap Endara also regularly advises clients interested in setting up FinTech operations in Panama, as technology continues to redefine the financial services sector worldwide.

He has been an adjunct professor of banking law at the Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua and has lectured at the University of Panama.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Yap Endara worked as a pupil at barrister chambers in London as a Pegasus Scholar.