Panama City, April 25, 2024 - Patton, Moreno & Asvat is pleased to announce that our partner Joaquín De Obarrio has taken office as the President of the Panama Maritime Law Association (APADEMAR), along with our partner, Belisario Porras as Deputy Secretary, during a ceremony held on April 24 in Panama City.
APADEMAR is a non-profit association for maritime law professionals and has played a key role in the development of maritime regulations in Panama since 1979.
Joaquín De Obarrio has been a member of APADEMAR's Board of Directors since 2019, serving in various positions, including Vice President (2022-2023 / 2023-2024). This new board of directors consists of esteemed professionals such as Anamae Ortiz - Vice President, Gian Carlo Salas - Secretary, our partner and co-leader of the Maritime Law Department, Belisario Porras - Deputy Secretary, Andrés Mejía - Treasurer, Alexandra Olivardía - Deputy Treasurer, and Ramón Franco M. as Consultant and Advisor.
In his speech, Joaquín De Obarrio highlighted the importance of the association in creating legal standards and APADEMAR's commitment to continue working for Panama's maritime and logistics sectors. He also expressed gratitude towards his colleagues at Patton, Moreno & Asvat, acknowledging that they had instilled in him the importance of active association participation and the defense of national interests.
The event was attended by the most distinguished personalities in the Panamanian maritime sector and Supreme Court Justices Carlos Alberto Vásquez and Olmedo Arrocha, as well as Magistrates and Judges from the Maritime Courts, including Gisela Agurto, César Menchaca, Rosa Lagrutta, and Cristina Ciniglio.
Patton, Moreno & Asvat, founded more than 40 years ago, is a leader in maritime law, maritime finance, shipping litigation, and vessel registration in Panama. Its professionals have been instrumental in the development of the Panamanian maritime industry, maintaining a strong presence in multiple associations like APADEMAR, where its partners have held various positions and presided over different terms—Belisario Porras, President (2015-2017); María de Lourdes Marengo, President (2009-2010), María Teresa Díaz, Secretary (1993-1994); and our founding partner, Dr. Brett Patton (R.I.P.) - President (1983-1985). This legacy of leadership and commitment to maritime law in Panama reinforces the firm's standing and contributions to the sector.