Our professionals are here to help

  • Ramon R. Benedetti V.

    Partner

  • Audrey Williams

    Partner

  • Diana Carolina Leandro

    Partner

  • Ramon Benedetti Alemán

    Partner

Ramon R. Benedetti V.   -   Partner

Partner

 [email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 104

Ramon Ricardo Benedetti focuses his practice on Intellectual Property, Banking, Finance and Corporate Law and heads the IP department.

He started out as an attorney working with his father, Mr. Eloy Benedetti (*1918–†2000) at the law firm De La Guardia, Arosemena & Benedetti, and went on to become one of the founding partners of Benedetti & Benedetti, an internationally renowned Panamanian law firm, where he headed the Intellectual Property practice for twenty five years.

With more than forty years of experience, most of it devoted to Intellectual Property, his profound knowledge has been recognized by clients and piers alike and by international researchers and publications such as Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, WTR 1000, Who’s Who Legal, Managing Intellectual Property, Latin Lawyer, among others.

Throughout his career, Ramon has been an active member of several professional organizations and has been attending international meetings for decades, experiences which have afforded him the opportunity to establish long-lasting relationships with colleagues and clients.

His memberships include the Panama Bar Association, the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law – APADEPI (President, 1988-1993), the American Bar Association (ABA), the Inter-American Bar Association – IABA, the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property – ASIPI (National Delegate 1982-1989, Executive Committee 1989-1991), the Licensing Executives Society – LES, the European Association of Trademark Owners- MARQUES, the Federation Internationale des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle – FICPI, the Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Industrielie – AIPPI (President, Panamanian Group), the International Trademark Association – INTA, the European Communities Trademark Association – ECTA, and The Institute of Trade Mark Agents.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Acknowledgments and awards

World Trademark Review 1000, ranked individuals – Gold Band since 2014
The Legal 500, IP, Leading lawyers – since 2014
Latin Lawyer 250, Who´s Who Legal Central America, Most Highly Regarded – 2019
Latin Lawyer 250, Who´s Who Legal Central America, Recommended attorneys – since 2014
Chambers & Partners, Global Guide, IP Ranked lawyer – since 2010
Chambers & Partners, Latin-America Guide, IP Ranked lawyer – since 2010
WTR Global Leaders, 2020
Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Patents, 2020
Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Trademarks, 2020
Who’s Who Legal, National Leader Central America – Intellectual Property, 2020

When not at the office, you can find Ramon with his family or in his ranch with his award-winning horses.

Audrey Williams   -   Partner

Partner

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 208/311

Audrey Williams heads the anti-piracy litigation department and her practice areas include intellectual property, unfair competition, trademark and copyright litigation, distributorship, licensing and franchising, among others.

After obtaining her licentiate degree in Law and Political Science with honors (Cum Laude) from the Universidad Santa María La Antigua in Panama, she began working at Panamanian law firm Benedetti & Benedetti. She won a Fullbright scholarship and went on to obtain LL.M. with specialization in Commercial Law from the University of California at Berkeley and then rejoined the internationally renowned firm, where she was promoted to partner and headed the anti-piracy litigation department for more than 20 years.

Audrey’s expertise has always been worthy of praise and has prompted her to be continuously recognized as a leader in her field by publications such as Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, WTR 1000, Who’s Who Legal, Managing Intellectual Property and Latin Lawyer.

She is also an active member of several professional organizations, participating in committees and being a frequent speaker, particularly on issues related to IP infringement.

Her memberships include the Panama Bar Association, the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law – APADEPI (Vice President, 2020-2022, 2010-2016; Deputy Secretary 2017-2019), the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property – ASIPI (Secretary Ethics committee 2012-2014, Secretary Anti-counterfeiting committee 2009-2011), the Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Industrielie – AIPPI (President of Panamanian group since 2016), and the International Trademark Association – INTA.

Languages: Spanish, English.

Acknowledgments and Awards

World Trademark Review 1000, ranked individuals – Gold since 2014
The Legal 500, IP, Leading Lawyers – since 2014
Latin Lawyer 250, Who´s Who Legal Central America, Recommended attorneys – since 2014
Chambers & Partners, Global Guide, IP Ranked lawyer, Band 1 – since 2009
Chambers & Partners, Latin-America Guide, IP Ranked Lawyer, Band 1 – since 2010
IP Stars, Top 250 Women in IP, 2020
IP Stars, Trademark, since 2020
WTR Global Leaders, 2020
Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Trademarks, 2020
Who’s Who Legal, National Leader Central America – Intellectual Property, 2020

When not at the office, you can find Audrey spending time with her family or at the movies.

Diana Carolina Leandro   -   Partner

Partner

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 204/206

Mrs. Leandro heads the trademark litigation department and her practice is primarily focused on intellectual property matters, including trademark clearance, prosecution and litigation (oppositions, annulments, cancellations); trademark coexistence, assignment and licensing agreements; trademark surveillance and enforcement, international clearance and filings, among others.

She obtained her licentiate degree in Law and Political Science with honors (Cum Laude) from the Universidad Santa María La Antigua in Panama, and has a Masters in Trademarks, Patents, Designs, Utility Models and Copyrights from the Universidad de Alicante (Magister Lucentinus), Spain.

After finishing the internship program of the Magister Lucentinus, Mrs. Leandro joined Duran-Corretjer, Patent and Trademark Agents, in Barcelona, where she worked on clearance, registration and enforcement of Spanish, International and Community Trademarks. A couple of years later, upon returning to Panama, she was offered a position in the Trademark Litigation team of the internationally renowned firm Benedetti & Benedetti, which allowed her to gain substantial knowledge and experience in the prosecution of opposition, cancellation and annulment matters before the specialized commercial courts, while also handling a wide range of IP matters in Panama and abroad.

Mrs. Leandro’s successful efforts in trademark prosecution and litigation have been highlighted by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, WTR 1000 and Who’s Who Legal.

Her memberships include the Panama Bar Association, the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law – APADEPI, the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property – ASIPI, and the International Trademark Association – INTA (Non-Traditional Marks Committee).

Languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese.

Acknowledgments and Awards

World Trademark Review 1000, ranked individuals – Silver Band 2014-2020
The Legal 500, IP, Next generation lawyers – since 2017
The Legal 500, IP, Panama, 2016
Latin Lawyer 250, Who´s Who Legal Central America, Recommended attorneys – since 2018
Chambers & Partners, Global Guide, IP Ranked lawyer – since 2018
Chambers & Partners, Latin-America Guide, IP Ranked Lawyer – since 2018
Chambers & Partners, IP, Star Associate, 2015-2017
Chambers & Partners, IP, Associates to watch, 2013-2014
World Trademark Review 1000, ranked individuals – Gold Band 2021
IP Stars, Trademark Star, since 2020
Who’s Who Legal, National Leader Central America – Intellectual Property, 2020

When not at the office, you can find Diana at home with her daughters and husband, or running errands.

Ramon Benedetti Alemán   -   Partner

Partner

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 309

Mr. Ramon Benedetti Aleman focuses his practice on Intellectual Property and works mainly on trademarks, domain names, licensing, franchising, Banking and Advertising Law.

He has a licentiate degree in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua in Panama and is an admitted attorney since 2005.

Mr. Benedetti started out his career at an early age, working as a paralegal in the renowned law firm Benedetti and Benedetti, handling a wide range of Intellectual Property matters while attending law school in Panama. After graduation, Ramon continued his studies in the United States, where he obtained a Masters of Laws in Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology from the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property, and attended the 19th annual Pierce Law Intellectual Property Summer Institute. He then went on to Ireland, to attend the e-Law Summer Institute at University College Cork.

After completing his studies abroad, Ramon returned to Panama where he practiced for over a decade as an attorney at Benedetti & Benedetti, devoting most of his time to IP, also handling corporate matters for important local and foreign clients, and banking matters for one of the country’s largest banks.

Mr. Benedetti regularly attends IP conferences and is an active member of the International Trademark Association – INTA, the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property – ASIPI (Secretary of the Mediation, Arbitration and Conciliation Committee 2016-2018, National delegate 2013-2015 and 2016-2018), the Panama Bar Association and the Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law – APADEPI.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Acknowledgments and awards

World Trademark Review 1000, ranked individuals – Silver Band 2021

When not at the office, you can find Ramon with his family, playing golf or running.

  • Raul Ernesto Amado

  • Julissa Farah de la Ossa

  • María Teresa Restrepo

  • Fernando Reyes Porcell

  • Emma N. Him C.

  • Jeane Johnson J.

    Patent Agent

Raul Ernesto Amado   -   

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 212

Raul Amado’s practice is focused on corporate law, commercial law and commercial transactions, and regulatory matters.

He obtained his licentiate degree in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Latina de Panamá and while completing his studies, he worked as paralegal in the litigation department of local law firm.

Raul has an LL.M. in United States Law from Loyola University New Orleans, in the United States, where he had the opportunity to work as intern in a New Orleans law firm, assisting the corporate practice. Once he returned to Panama, he joined the distinguished law firm Benedetti & Benedetti, where he worked alongside senior partner Ramon R. Benedetti handling mostly corporate and regulatory matters.

His skills, knowledge and experience have been successfully put to the service of local and foreign clients and he continues working fervently in the expanding corporate practice of the firm.

Memberships: Panama Bar Association.

Languages: Spanish and English.

When not at the office, you can find Raúl relaxing at home or sightseeing.

Julissa Farah de la Ossa   -   

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 117

Julissa Farah focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and is responsible for the trademark recordals and renewals department.

She has a licentiate degree in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua in Panama and is an admitted attorney since 2012. She also has a Master of Laws – LLM, Postgraduate Certificate with specialization in International Business Law and Postgraduate Diploma with Specialization in International Intellectual Property from the University of London, with academic direction of Queen Mary, University of London and University College London (UCL).

Julissa started her career in a renowned Panamanian law firm, working in the trademark litigation department, where she developed her interest in intellectual property. In 2014 she joined top ranked IP law firm Benedetti & Benedetti, where she headed the recordals and renewals team.

In 2023 she won a scholarship offered by the Inter-American Intellectual Property Association – ASIPI, and the University of New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce School of Law, to attend the Intellectual Property Summer Institute that took place that same year in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.

She has been recognized by some international rating agencies such as The Legal 500 in 2022 and 2023, and mentioned as a Recommended Individual in the Bronze category by WTR 1000 in its 2023 edition.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Publications: ‘Co-Branding Alliances – A Trend for Brand Owners from an IP Practitioner’s Point of View’, April 2023. https://asipi.org/biblioteca/es/download/co-branding-alliances/

When not at the office, you can find Julissa spending time at the beach and singing Karaoke with her family.

María Teresa Restrepo   -   

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 209

María Teresa Restrepo focuses her practice on intellectual property matters, particularly on trademark litigation, as part of the team that handles oppositions, cancellations and annulment proceedings before specialized courts of law. Her knowledge and experience also includes corporate, immigration and labour matters.

She has a licentiate degree in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Santa María La Antigua in Panama, and a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property from the Universidad Carlos III in Spain.

While still in law school, María Teresa started working at a renowned Panamanian law firm, where she spent one year as a paralegal handling administrative matters and civil procedures before moving on to the intellectual property department, where she focused on trademark prosecution and litigation, first as a paralegal and later as an attorney.

Her desire to specialize in IP made her interrupt her professional practice and travel to Spain, where she had the opportunity to work as an intern in the industrial property department of the law firm Santiago Mediano Abogados, in Madrid. Upon returning to Panama, she worked as an attorney for a local law firm, where aside from IP, she handled a wide range of matters. Later on, she joined the trademark litigation team of Benedetti & Benedetti, a law firm that was internationally renowned for its IP practice.

Memberships: Panama Bar Association; Club Kiwanis Las Perlas de Panama (President, 2016-2017).

Languages: Spanish, English and Italian.

When not at the office, you can find María Teresa traveling, enjoying a good wine with her friends or spending time with her family.

Fernando Reyes Porcell   -   

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 207

Fernando Reyes Porcell counsels Panamanian and international clients regarding intellectual property protection and enforcement strategies, unfair competition, trademark, copyright and patent litigation, consumer protection and commercial law.

He received his licentiate degree in Law and Political Sciences from the Universidad Santa Maria la Antigua in Panama, with honours (cum laude) and afterwards obtained an LL.M. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, United States of America, with honours.

Fernando was still attending law school when he started working as an IP paralegal in a large Panamanian law firm. He later worked as an associate for other local firms before joining the highly respected IP enforcement team at Benedetti & Benedetti.

His professional experience includes all areas of intellectual property, domestic and offshore companies, commercial transactions and contracts, government permits and administrative matters.

Memberships: Panama Bar Association.

Languages: Spanish and English.

When not at the office, you can find Fernando at the gym.

Emma N. Him C.   -   

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 309

Emma Him’s practice is focused on intellectual property and she dedicates most of her time to trademark filings with Panamanian Industrial Property Office, the Colon Free Zone Administration and National Customs Directorate. She also manages foreign trademark clearance and filing, and domain name registration and maintenance.

She obtained her licentiate degree in Law and Political Science from the Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua in Panama and was admitted in 2012.

Emma has always worked on IP-related matters, as she started out as a legal assistant of the trademark prosecution department of the prestigious law firm Benedetti & Benedetti being this their first professional experience. She was later promoted to associate.

As the most recent addition to the legal team, Emma continues broadening her knowledge and experience in trademark prosecution matters every day and is interested in obtaining a master’s degree in intellectual property.

Languages: Spanish and English.

When not at the office, you can find Emma looking for a new delicious recipe to cook together with their family or planning the next weekend trip with their family or friends.

Jeane Johnson J.   -   Patent Agent

Patent Agent

[email protected]
+507 321-5100 Ext. 109/102

Mrs. Johnson is the team’s patent agent so her work is focused on patents, utility models, industrial designs, and plant varieties, but she also handles regulatory, copyright and data protection matters.

With a licentiate degree in Biology from the Universidad de Panama and a postgraduate course in Intellectual Property Matters from the Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT), she has attended various curses and studies in Industrial Property from organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Patent Office, la Secretaría de Integración Económica Centroamericana (SIECA), la Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEMP), among others.

Mrs. Johnson’s IP-related experience begins with her years as a patent examiner at the Industrial Property Office, where she quickly became the head of the Patent Department. She served as Deputy Director of the Industrial Property Office in several occasions while she was heading the Patent Department.

After having acquired extensive experience and knowledge at the Industrial Property Office, Mrs. Johnson decided to go into private practice and joined the distinguished firm Benedetti & Benedetti as the head of the Patent department, handling a very large patent portfolio and assisting multinational companies in diverse areas of science and technology.

She is a frequent speaker on issues related to patents and has been a technical advisor in Industrial Property matters for the strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity; a technical advisor on patent related matters for Panama in the bilateral and multilateral negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and an instructor on Industrial Property matters such as legislation, trademark and patent application and registration process, the TRIPS Agreement and other Intellectual Property related Conventions and International Treaties for universities and governmental organizations.

Memberships: Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property – ASIPI, Panamanian Association of Intellectual Property Law – APADEPI.

Languages: Spanish and English.

Acknowledgments and awards

The Legal 500, IP, Panama – since 2016

When not at the office, you can find Jeane spending time with her family.