Patton, Moreno & Asvat is pleased to announce the appointment of Joaquín De Obarrio Sosa as a new partner of the firm, as a testament to his exceptional performance, professionalism, and dedication to excellence.

With more than a decade of experience in the legal field, Joaquin De Obarrio has focused his practice in Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution, serving a diverse spectrum of sectors and industries such as Shipping, Public Procurement, Commerce, Real Estate, Labor, Infrastructure and Construction, Energy and Natural Resources, Finance, and Health Services. He has represented the Republic of Panama in international disputes and negotiations, state entities in international arbitrations, and clients in high-profile disputes before the Supreme Court of Justice, Maritime Courts, Civil Courts, and arbitrations. His practice has been widely recognized, highlighting his leadership in prestigious legal rankings such as Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, and Benchmark Litigation. In 2023, the National Bar Association awarded his practice with the Secundino Torres Gudiño medal.

He holds a degree in Law and Political Science from Universidad Santa María La Antigua and an L.L.M. from Tulane University, where he stood out as President of the Graduate Lawyers' Association. Moreover, he has strengthened his training with specialized courses in Arbitration, Maritime Litigation, and Administrative Law.

He is currently the President of the Board of Directors of the Panamanian Maritime Law Association (APADEMAR), of which he has been since 2019, representing the association at the General Assembly of the Comité Maritime International and at the Superior Council of the International Maritime University of Panama, where he also teaches.

He has been a speaker and moderator at multiple local and international conferences, with a special interest in arbitration and shipping litigation.

Patton, Moreno & Asvat celebrates this important step in Joaquín De Obarrio’s career, with confidence that this appointment will further strengthen the firm's capacity to offer the highest level of legal solutions to its clients and reinforce its position as a leader in the Panamanian legal market.