Our Team

Jude is a Philippine attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, and tax. Jude has assisted a number of global and ASEAN multinationals in multi-jurisdictional reorganizations and has advised many clients on complex mergers and acquisitions.

He holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University where he received the Ayala Scholarship Grant, the Lopez Scholarship Grant, and the Landon H. Gammon Fellowship for Academic Excellence. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree (Finance and Supply Chain Management) from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School where he was a UNC Kenan-Flagler Fellow. He is a graduate of, and a former professorial lecturer on tax law and constitutional law at the University of the Philippines College of Law.

A corporate and tax lawyer with more than two decades of experience in the Philippines and abroad, Jude held senior director or partner positions in several Big 4 firms in the Philippines (KPMG), Central Asia (Deloitte) and in Europe (E&Y) He was, until 2015, a regional tax director and deputy head of regional tax of DFDL, an international law firm focusing on high-growth Asian markets.

He also served in the Philippine government. From 2004 to 2005, he was Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs of the Republic’s Trade and Industry Department and Finance Department.

He writes on investment law for Lexis Nexis and tax law for IBFD. He also contributes to the Linklaters global data privacy protection guide.

Jude has been consistently recognized by Asialaw Profiles as a Leading Lawyer on M&A and Corporate Law. He has also been named among the Top 100 Lawyers of the Philippines by Asia Business Law Journal in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Tina obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines graduating with a Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.

She was admitted to the Philippine bar in 2001, placing 10th in the bar examinations.

She worked as a junior associate of De Borja Medialdea Bello Guevarra and Gerodias law firm and later on as a tax lawyer at Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young in Manila), the largest professional services firm in the country.

Tina also gained substantial experience as a legal officer with the Prosecution and Enforcement Department, Market Regulatory Office of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

She brings more than a decade of valuable regulatory experience with the power industry, working for many years overseeing the compliance of trading participants as Deputy Enforcement and Compliance Officer of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, which operates and governs the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

Tina’s expertise in labor, corporate, and commercial law allows her to advise and assist domestic and foreign clients in various stages of their business operations and in their many transactions. She has handled company registration and compliance involving various agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Food and Drug Administration, the Board of Investments, and many local government units. She assists clients in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various contracts and agreements, and in conducting due diligence reviews prior to acquisitions.

Karen obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. She was admitted to the Philippine bar in 2001. She has extensive experience in corporate commercial and tax law, having worked as an associate at top law firm Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose, and as a tax lawyer at Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young in Manila), the largest professional services firm in the country.

Karen’s experience in tax law is wide-ranging, from tax planning and advisory to tax controversy and advocacy. Her competence in this sphere is strengthened by international experience in the tax and legal departments of Big 4 accounting firms abroad. She was a senior tax manager at Deloitte Kazakhstan, providing investment counseling, corporate tax advice and international structuring assistance to domestic and multinational clients in various industries, particularly in the energy and resources space.  She was also a tax executive at Ernst & Young Cambodia advising mostly inbound investors in a wide range of industries in respect of their corporate and transaction tax concerns, including mergers and acquisitions and cross-border structuring.

Karen is also adept at data privacy issues. She has advised on, and assisted clients with, data privacy compliance including data protection officer and data processing system registrations; establishing privacy management programs; drafting privacy policies, procedures and notices; drafting and updating vendor and data transfer agreements; and establishing and implementing breach management procedures. Karen has the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) credential, as certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

In respect of corporate and commercial matters, she has handled corporate registrations, mergers and acquisitions and corporate reorganizations for domestic and multinational clients. She has assisted clients in drafting, reviewing and negotiating various contracts and agreements and in the performance of due diligence reviews prior to acquisitions.

Christine obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines where she was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. She holds a Master of Corporate Law degree from the University of Cambridge graduating with First Class Honors. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2007.

She possesses extensive experience in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) sector, having worked as the head of the Project Development Service Department of the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines. She likewise worked as a Foreign Consulting Attorney for Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd., where she was seconded as General Manager of the Legal Department of the Joint Operations/PPP between Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications and KDDI/Sumitomo Corporation. She also previously worked for the Department of Finance Privatization and Management Office as Deputy Privatization Officer For Legal, and as an Associate at Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose Law Offices, one of the largest law firms in the Philippines.

Charity received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 2001 and graduated with a Dean’s Medal in Academic Excellence.  She holds a Master of Commercial Law degree from the University of Melbourne and was the recipient of the Frank Pinkerton Scholarship Award for Principles of Natural Resources Law in 2017.

She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2002.  Prior to joining OS Law, Charity was an associate in Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Offices and Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices, where she gained extensive litigation experience representing foreign and domestic clients in various commercial disputes, including corporate rehabilitation and insolvency, intra-corporate controversies, breach of contracts, and intellectual property rights violations.

Charity was also a former Corporate Legal Counsel for a group of mining companies and has advised and assisted clients in conducting legal due diligence reviews of mining projects, contract negotiations, license applications, and compliance with national and local mining and environmental laws and regulations.

Em holds a Master of Laws degree in International Economic and Business Law from Kyushu University. She also holds a Master of Laws degree in International Corporate and Business Law from Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda University-Manila.

She has experience in corporate housekeeping, litigation, legal compliance, risk management, real property transactions, immigration, contract drafting, labor and employment. Prior to joining OS Law, she handled civil, criminal, labor, commercial, and family disputes. She represented clients before various courts, administrative and quasi-judicial bodies. She also advised local and foreign clients in setting up corporate entities in the Philippines.

She attended the Summer Course in Private International Law at The Hague Academy of International Law in 2019.

Kath obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Arellano University-School of Law and graduated as cum laude. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and graduated magna cum laude from Mindanao State University – General Santos City, with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree.

Prior to joining the firm, she gained more than 8 years of extensive experience in one of the leading professional services firms in the Philippines, specializing in Philippine corporate and individual taxation, tax advisory and opinion, tax assessments, tax compliance review and due diligence, transfer pricing, and other corporate services.

She has written articles in the Let’s Talk Tax Column in Business World. She also has attended various taxation and corporate seminars and was involved as a speaker in certain public seminars.

Shaula obtained her Juris Doctor degree from San Beda College – Alabang School of Law. She graduated from De La Salle University – Manila in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies – Major in Japanese.

Angeli was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2019. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree in 2018 from San Sebastian College Recoletos – Manila where she graduated as class valedictorian.

Angeli ranked Top 12 in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examinations held in October 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Computer Based Accounting Systems degree from University of the East – Manila where she was a recipient of awards for academic excellence.

Angeli was an Associate Director at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.) where she gained experience and skills in tax advisory and opinion, tax assessment, and tax due diligence. She then joined Salvador Llanillo & Bernardo where she was exposed to tax litigation, tax advocacy, estate settlement, and corporate housekeeping.

Nelsien earned her Juris Doctor degree from Far Eastern University- Makati in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Major in Export Management from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, where she graduated as Cum Laude in 2013.

Prior to joining the firm, she had experience in consumer banking group’s loan department and in the financial operations team of a shipping company.

Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from City College of Calamba.

Prior to joining OS Law, Jeremy was an associate in a local law firm where he was extensively exposed to diverse engagements, including: general tax advisory, tax compliance and regulatory applications for permits and licenses involving various Philippine government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Pram holds a Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University – School of Law where she also successfully completed all the requirements for the Corporate and Business Law Track with a focus on Corporate Finance. 

She also holds a BS Accountancy degree from De La Salle University – Manila and is a Certified Public Accountant.

After graduating from college, Pram worked as a management trainee in a garments manufacturing company that supplied more than 75 department stores in the Philippines. 

During law school, Pram was an active member of the Ateneo Society of International Law. As part of the said organization, she competed twice in the Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot during the years 2019 and 2021. She also won the highest individual award in the 2021 competition – the Thomas Wälde Award for Best Advocate.

Julius obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno College of Law in 2021 and graduated in the top 25% of his class. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Export Management from the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde in 2015.

Prior to joining the firm, Julius has a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry ranging from the private sector to public sector where he resolved Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) cases and Civil Service administrative complaints, conducted investigation and assisted in the Alternative Dispute Resolution of ENR disputes, reviewed and evaluated Government Procurement and Infrastructure Project contracts, and assisted in the settlement of Tax Deficiency Assessment against a National Government Agency. Likewise, Julius has experience in Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory compliance, Public Land application, Intellectual Property management involving Mergers & Acquisition transactions, public financial management, civil law, and criminal law.

Mae holds a Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University – School of Law in 2022 where she received the Second Best Thesis Award for her scholarly work in Corporation Law. She also obtained a specialization in Corporate and Business Law Track with a focus on Corporate Litigation.

Mae also holds a BS Psychology degree from the University of Santo Tomas where she graduated Cum Laude.

During law school, Mae served as Subject Head for the Ateneo Central Bar Operations for Revised Corporation Code and Foreign Investments Act for two consecutive years. In 2021, she served as External Vice President of the Ateneo Center for International Economic Law.

John is a Philippine lawyer who was admitted to the Bar in 2022.

John obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in Literature, degree from Ateneo de Manila University.

He was acknowledged for his excellent performance in his internship with the UP Law’s Office of Legal Aid and received a similar distinction in his externship with the Office of the Solicitor General. John was an active member of the UP Law Bar Operations Commission, and was part of its Core Team from 2020 to 2022.

John wrote for the GUIDON, Ateneo’s official student publication.

Donn Marie Isabelle M. Balina (“Ching”) is a Juris Doctor candidate from Ateneo de Manila University – School of Law where she specialized in Intellectual Property under the Corporate and Business Law Track. In law school, Ching was the Marketing Head for the Ateneo Central Bar Operations and helped start projects and earn sponsorships to raise funds for bar takers.

She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Ateneo de Manila University, where she spent her college years serving The GUIDON, the university’s official school publication. She wrote for The GUIDON’s for Vantage Magazine before becoming the publication’s Social Media Manager.

Vica holds a Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University – School of Law where she graduated with Second Honors in 2023. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Management of Financial Institutions degree from De La Salle University – Manila.

During law school, Vica was a member of the Ateneo Society of International Law and was an intern at the Ateneo Legal Services Center.

Myna obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo De Manila University – School of Law in 2023 where she specialized in the Corporate and Business Law track focusing on Intellectual Property. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in the same year. 

Myna also holds a BA Political Science degree from the University of the Philippines – Manila where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

During law school, Myna was an active member of the Ateneo Society of International Law. She participated in different moot court competitions including the Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot in 2021 and the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition in 2023.

Josh obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 2023 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in the same year. 

He also holds a BA Political Science degree from the University of the Philippines – Diliman where he graduated Cum Laude.

During law school, he received a distinction for his performance in his internship with the UP Law’s Office of Legal Aid. He also did his externship under the Office of the Solicitor General.

Sarah obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Centro Escolar University (CEU-Makati) and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2022. She also graduated from Saint Louis University (SLU-Baguio) obtaining a BS Accountancy degree. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Prior to joining the firm, she was an Associate Director at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young Philippines) gaining experience in providing business tax advisory services. She had previously worked as a tax paralegal in SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Law Offices in Makati while studying in law school.

She had a brief stint in the government as a Corporate Governance Officer in a central policy-making and regulatory body for government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Sarah is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

Dennis is OS Law’s Special Immigration Counsel. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in 1998.  He then worked in SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, where he practiced in the fields of labor law, immigration law, maritime law and litigation.  He has over 20 years of experience in these practice areas. 

He also obtained a Certificate in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in 2010.  He is a licensed real estate broker, having garnered 6th place in the 2011 Board Examinations for Real Estate Brokers conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).   He is also a licensed real estate appraiser, having garnered 5th place in the 2011 Board Examinations for Real Estate Appraisers conducted by the PRC.  

In 2018 he wrote and published a book on Philippine immigration law and practice entitled Philippine Visas and Work Permits (A Quick Guide to Philippine Immigration) and is considered a leading authority on the subject.

Dexter has extensive litigation experience and has represented clients and filed diverse pleadings before courts, administrative agencies and tribunals. His areas of practice include civil and criminal litigation, labor law, obligations and contracts, family law, estate settlement, legal ethics, and corporation law. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law.

He served as a consultant for the Department of Finance (DOF) and contributed to the institutionalization of leading practices in case handling and management of cases, and identifying areas of policy and institutional reforms. He also led a team of legal specialists in the implementation of a capacity building program of the Ateneo School of Government to improve the anti-corruption and revenue collection efforts of the DOF. The said team provided guidance on the improvement of the process of filing and prosecution of administrative cases, and proposed a revision of the procedures governing these administrative cases. The team also lent direction on the advancement of case buildup and prosecution under the Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program of the Bureau of Customs and the enhancement of coordination with the prosecutorial agencies of government.

Mr. Anthony R. V. Jacoba has represented clients in all levels of the judiciary and before regulatory agencies in the corporate, mining, energy, housing, land use, construction, and consumer protection sectors. He specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration, including contract disputes, intra-corporate or shareholder disputes, corporate financial rehabilitation and insolvency, white collar criminal cases, and enforcement of foreign judgments.

He also advises clients on a broad range of issues such as labor and employment, land disputes, family law, estate planning and settlement, intellectual property rights protection, tax litigation, corporate internal investigations, real estate advisory, and corporate services. He has served as a director and corporate secretary of several companies.

Mr. Jacoba is a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines – College of Law where he teaches Evidence and Special Proceedings. He obtained his BA and Juris Doctor Degrees from the University of the Philippines, and is a member of the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators. He previously practiced as an associate with ACCRA Law Offices and a senior associate with SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

Raphael specializes in ESG Compliance and International Law. He is an Attorney and Counselor at Law in the Philippines and in the State of New York, and advises state governments, multinational corporations, and international organizations on unilateral economic sanctions, trade protectionism, white-collar crime, and Business and Human Rights (BHR).

Prior to joining OS Law, Raphael contributed to significant international negotiations chairing a maritime cooperation agreement as part of the UNODC. His extensive involvement with the UNOHCHR’s Special Procedures has further sharpened his insights into universal jurisdiction and human rights. In his domestic practice, Raphael has worked with the Office of the Ombudsman and a leading public interest law firm in the Philippines, specializing in graft and corruption cases and strategic litigation.

Raphael obtained an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Cambridge, a Master of Studies in Human Rights from the University of Oxford, a Diploma from American University D.C., and a Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines. As a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School, he spearheaded research on public health and corporate accountability.

With an array of publications in leading international journals and a regular column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Raphael is a respected voice in his field. He sits as an Assistant Professor of International Law at Jindal Global Law School and lectures with the University of the Philippines College of Law.