Our Team

Our lawyers combine legal depth, international experience and strategic insight to deliver practical, results-oriented solutions. Collaboration, responsiveness and excellence define the way we work.

Isabel Cristina López

Founding Partner
Isabel Cristina López is a founding partner of LOVILL and a leading figure in dispute resolution and international arbitration. She advises multinational companies, investors, and public entities on complex, high-value disputes with cross-border dimensions, acting in matters that require strategic advocacy across jurisdictions and forums. Her practice is defined by the ability to navigate high-stakes conflict at the intersection of law, business, and institutional complexity.

Cristina leads some of the firm’s most complex and high-stakes disputes, acting in international arbitration, cross-border litigation, and enforcement proceedings across multiple jurisdictions under CeCAP, ICC, ICSID, and other applicable frameworks. Her practice spans commercial and investment disputes involving multinational corporations, financial institutions, infrastructure developers, and sovereign entities, often in matters of significant economic and institutional impact. She regularly appears before arbitral tribunals and national courts in cases that demand coordinated strategies across legal systems.

Her work is defined by the ability to manage disputes that unfold simultaneously across forums and jurisdictions. Cristina advises clients in high-value commercial conflicts, construction and infrastructure disputes, shareholder and creditor controversies, and state-related matters, including the annulment and enforcement of foreign awards and judgments. She is frequently engaged in negotiations and restructurings designed to preserve value, stabilize operations, and enable the continuation of complex commercial relationships, combining procedural rigor with commercial and institutional insight.

In parallel, she has developed a highly regarded practice in projects and infrastructure, with particular strength in Public-Private Partnerships. She advises on legal structuring, regulatory and contractual risk analysis, dispute prevention mechanisms, and legal support across all stages of project development. She co-led the local legal research for the Infrascope 2021/2022 study published by the Inter-American Development Bank and Economist Impact, contributing specialized analysis of Panama’s PPP and public procurement framework.

Cristina serves as a strategic advisor in matters where legal precision, institutional awareness, and long-term impact converge.

Deeply committed to social impact and to strengthening the rule of law in Panama, she has, through the LOVILL Foundation, supported for many years the education and development of future lawyers, helping Panamanian students participate in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. This long-standing commitment reflects her belief in giving back to the legal community and in fostering the next generation of advocates with integrity, excellence, and global perspective.

““Cristina Lopez is a creative thinker and energetic advocate. She is hands-on in the cases and provides a great service to her client but also does an excellent job of keeping an eye on the big picture.” — Client Testimonial via Chambers and Partners”
— Chambers and Partners

Education

  • Universidad de Oviedo, LL.B. (Spain)
  • Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, LL.B. (Panama)
  • University of Warwick, LL.M. (UK)

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Bar Admissions

  • Admitted to practice law in the Republic of Panama

Speaking engagements and Conferences

        2021

  • Panelist in Webinar “Rules on the Law of Arbitration and Mediation” organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil.
  • Panelist in Podcast “Legaltech”, organized by the Ibero-American Legal Network.

        2020

  • Panelist in Webinar “Force Majeure in International Contracts as a consequence of COVID 19” organized by the Ibero-American Legal Network.
  • Panelist in Webinar “Regulatory Measures as a consequence of COVID 19 and its impact on international arbitration”, organized by the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA).

        2019

  • ICC/YAF Panelist: “Perception, Myth or Reality of ICC Arbitration in Latin America”, Panama, Republic of Panama.
  • ICC/YAF Panelist: “News and Growth of Arbitration in Latin America in the Energy, Infrastructure, Finance and Telecommunications sectors”, Costa Rica.

        2018

  • ICC/YAF Panelist: “Workshop: Cooperation and Synergy between the Judicial Organ and the Arbitral Jurisdiction in Panama for the execution of Arbitral Judgments and Awards in Panama”, Dominican Republic.
  • ICC/YAF Panelist: “Oral Techniques and Skills in International Arbitration”, Costa Rica.
  • Conference Panelist: “Regulatory Compliance: Situation and Keys to Successful Compliance in Spain and Latin America”, Casa de America, Plaza de Cibeles s/n Madrid.

        2025

  • Panelist, National and International Arbitration Update Seminar, organized by the Panama Conciliation and Arbitration Center (CeCAP). Spoke on rebalancing clauses and the role of arbitration in regulatory changes affecting PPP contracts, as well as on the international enforcement of awards against States.
  • Panelist, “Challenges with the Enforcement of Judgments”, FIRE Americas 2025, Washington, D.C. Presented the Latin American perspective on the enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign judgments against sovereign States, addressing strategic, political, and economic considerations in cross-border execution.
 

Boards of Directors, Appointments and Networks

2020 – Present

  • Executive Forums Member
   

2017 – Present

  • Representative of the Arbitration Pledge for Panama: Global initiative led by international law firms to promote the representation and advancement of women arbitrators in international arbitration.
 
  • Member of the Board of the Jesús Luz de Oportunidades Foundation (FJLO): FJLO is a non-profit foundation that works with international organizations, the United States Embassy, the Ministry of Security of Panama, multilateral institutions, and private corporations to support the social reintegration of young people at risk.
   

2017 – 2019

  • Representative to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): Representative for Latin America appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, for the period 2017–2019. Panelist and moderator at ICC conferences.
   

2009 – Present

  • President of the LOVILL Foundation: Promotes the study and development of international law in Panama through the sponsorship, representation, and organization of the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., recognized worldwide as one of the most prestigious international law competitions.
   
  • Panama British Business Association (PBBA): Member of the British Chamber of Commerce, which promotes trade and business relations between Panama and the United Kingdom.
 

Practice Areas

Projects and Infrastructure

Dispute Resolution

Corporate and Business Law / M&A

Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Industries

Banking and Finance

Construction and Infrastructure

Consumer Goods

Energy

Entertainment and Hospitality

Logistics and Distribution

Private Clients / Individuals

Real Estate

Sovereign States

Telecommunications

Awards and recognitions

CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL

CHAMBERS & PARTNERS LATIN AMERICA

Recognized Practitioner in Band 2, Dispute Resolution.

2015 – 2026

THE LEGAL 500

Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution in Panama

2015 – 2026

LEXOLOGY

“National Leader in Central America Dispute Resolution 2020”

Recommended in Litigation and Arbitration in Panama 2020

Recommended in Commercial Litigation 2025

LEADERS LEAGUE

Ranked “Excellent” in Dispute Resolution

BENCHMARK LITIGATION

“Litigation Star in Latin America 2021”

Representative Matters

Relevant cases in commercial disputes

Represented a Dutch multinational corporation in the consumer goods industry, in a dispute against a Panamanian corporation for thirteen (13) million dollars under ICC Rules. Represented the client in the negotiations that led to an amicable settlement of the dispute between the parties’ which enabled the continuation of their commercial relationship. Represented a Chinese infrastructure company in breach of obligations regarding contractual agreements related to a multimillion infrastructure port project that after litigation before Panamanian courts until the Supreme Court of Justice concluded in a successful settlement.   Represented an infrastructure company against a bank for the execution of irrevocable letters of credit in relation to a hydroelectric project with and ongoing international arbitration case under the ICC Rules with precautionary measures.   Represented an international hotel corporation and its subsidiaries in a construction dispute against a Panamanian corporation for four (4) million dollars in an arbitration under CeCAP Rules and court litigation.   Represented a construction company in negotiations regarding an infrastructure contract under FIDIC regulations with the Panama Canal Authority involving a dispute arising out of the construction of the expansion of the Panama Canal. The negotiations resulted in a successful settlement. Represents a US publicly traded corporation in the real estate industry in a multimillion dollar dispute with two major telecommunications carriers for breach and wrongful termination of contracts in Panama. Represents a multinational corporation in the construction, real estate and retail industries in a plan of reorganization to preserve three hundred (300) million dollars worth of assets in Panama. We are leading the reorganization and financial restructuring strategy, conducting comprehensive strategic negotiations with creditors and shareholders, as well as delivering sound business solutions compatible with the new outpour of Covid19 laws and regulations.  

Relevant cases in state representation

Represents an Ecuadorian state entity in a civil dispute for one hundred thirty (130) million dollars related to the diversion of public funds, fraud and seizure of private assets as a consequence of a bank fraud committed during a financial crisis in the represented state.   Represented an Ecuadorian state entity, in an annulment proceeding of an international arbitration award rendered under ICC rules for thirty (30) million dollars, before the Fourth General Business Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama.   Represented an Ecuadorian state-owned oil entity in a complex transnational dispute for twelve (12) billion dollars that arose from fraudulent contractual claims filed by a group of Ecuadorian foundations.   Represents a State in enforcement proceedings of a foreign judgment for six-hundred (600) million dollars in multiple jurisdictions, including Ecuador, Panama and the United States.   Represents and advises a State in investigation and criminal proceedings before the Panamanian courts, in relation to a multi-million dollar fraud.  

Relevant cases in negotiations and transactions

Representation of Grupo Aval (Colombia) for the acquisition of BAC Credomatic (Panama).   Representation of Dekel Holdings for JVs, commercial and investment agreements at a global level.   Representation of VISA International in Panama as a “ SEM” company in its operations, commercial agreements and investment.   Representation of M&A Capital, family offices in Panama for its operations, investments, commercial agreements, negotiations in different sectors and industries, including infrastructure, transportation, logistics, hotels, real estate and retail.   Representation of Neptune Lines in the logistics sector at Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in commercial agreements, warehousing and joint ventures.   Representation of creditors in the liquidation process of an insurance and banking company advise multinational and regional companies, family offices and private funds, in the industries of infrastructure, real estate, financial, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, logistics, distribution and entertainment with their investment and commercial agreements for their investment.

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