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Founded in 1992 as Azcuna Yorac Sarmiento Arroyo & Chua, the Firm is built with a deep commitment to the rule of law. For over three decades, the Firm has stood at the forefront of Philippine law, winning landmark cases which protect constitutional rights and define the national legal landscape. While litigation remains our cornerstone, our daily practice is rooted in service of our clients across all sectors of society — from multinational corporations to individuals seeking justice.
History of the Firm
History of the Firm
At the time of its inception, the Firm was composed of lawyers coming out of government under the administration of President Corazon Aquino. The Firm was led by Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna (Ret.), Atty. Haydee B. Yorac, and Atty. Mariano P. Sarmiento II.
Atty. Felicitas Aquino-Arroyo and Atty. William Chua eventually took over as senior partners upon the re-assumption of government positions by the more senior partners. Through the years, Atty. Sandra Marie Olaso-Coronel and Atty. Grace Veronica C. Reyes rose to the level of partners.
The Firm is built upon the contributions of legal luminaries who served the Filipino people at the highest levels of the Philippine government and are advocates of social justice.
The Firm's founders include a key member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the Philippine's fundamental laws. The Firm's tradition of excellence and public service was further forged by leaders who headed the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), and the highest levels of the Executive Cabinet.
The Firm's Founding Partners were also fierce advocates for human rights, holding leadership roles in MABINI and FLAG, and pioneering the prosecution of high-profile criminal syndicates. This deep commitment to the law extends to the academe, where the Firm's lawyers have dedicated decades to mentoring the next generation of the Philippine Bar at the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.
Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna (Ret.)
Atty. Haydee B. Yorac+
(1941-2005)
Atty. William T. Chua+
(1955-2004)
Atty. Mariano P. Sarmiento II+ (1951-2023)
Contributions to the Rule of Law
Contributions to the Rule of Law
The Firm's advocacy has reached the highest levels of the judiciary, resulting in landmark Supreme Court decisions which continue to define the rights and liberties of every Filipino today.
Our Practice Areas
Our Practice Areas
The Firm represents clients in civil, criminal, and administrative cases across all levels of the Philippine judiciary. Our litigation practice includes handling Petitions for Certiorari and high-stakes appeals before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. In addition to traditional litigation, we provide services in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), assisting clients through mediation and arbitration to resolve legal conflicts outside of the courtroom.
The Firm provides counsel on the application of the Labor Code of the Philippines and related social legislation. The Firm's experience includes representing management in collective bargaining negotiations and dispute resolution, as well as conducting audits of company policies to ensure compliance with labor standards. This practice area is informed by the Firm's experience in landmark labor cases involving compensation parity and employee rights.
The Firm assists businesses in navigating the Philippine regulatory and commercial landscape. The Firm's services cover the full corporate lifecycle, including entity formation and SEC registration, mergers and acquisitions, and the conduct of legal due diligence. We also advise boards of directors and management on corporate governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and statutory compliance.
The Firm's practice involves matters concerning the Bill of Rights, government regulations, and administrative compliance. The Firm has a history of handling cases involving the scope of government authority, such as the classification powers of the MTRCB and the representation of public officials in constitutional proceedings. We provide legal counsel on judicial reviews, constitutional challenges, and navigating the requirements of various government agencies.
The Firm manages the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including the filing and registration of trademarks and patents. The Firm assists clients in addressing infringement, unfair competition, and the legal challenges associated with emerging technologies, ensuring compliance with the Intellectual Property Code and related laws.
The Firm has an extensive the practice of assisting journalists, writers and media practitioners, in all formats and on all platforms, through legal due diligence review of works pre-publication, in defence of free speech, familiarisation with applicable media laws and review of intellectual property issues, including cyber-related concerns.
The Firm handles personal legal matters, including the settlement of estates, probate of wills, and the distribution of assets. The Firm's lawyers provide legal representation in family relations cases, such as annulment and child custody proceedings.
The Firm has extensive practice in pre-election preparations and post-election representation in election controversies and in protest cases.
The Firm engages in specialized advocacy for matters of constitutional importance, drawing on the Firm's thirty-three years of legal experience.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Office Address
Unit 3103-A West Tower, Tektite Towers (formerly PSEC) Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City
Phone No.
(+632) 8633 5981
Fax No.
+6332820
aacclaw1@aacclaw.com
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