A distinguished legal and regulatory career spanning more than four decades defines his professional trajectory, with a strong focus on commercial law, corporate governance, and financial regulation. His practice is shaped by a unique combination of private legal experience and long-standing leadership roles within Panama’s financial and regulatory institutions, positioning him as a highly respected figure in the country’s legal and business community.

His background includes extensive involvement at the highest levels of corporate governance, having served on the boards of directors of leading companies in the healthcare, banking, investment, and commercial sectors. Notably, his long tenure as board member and president of the Superintendency of the Securities Market reflects deep expertise in capital markets regulation, institutional oversight, and financial system stability.

In addition to board leadership, his career has included advisory roles to financial institutions and regulatory bodies, contributing to the development and strengthening of Panama’s banking and securities frameworks. This experience provides clients with valuable insight into regulatory compliance, corporate governance best practices, and strategic decision-making in highly regulated environments.

His academic foundation includes advanced legal training in both Panama and the United States, complemented by active participation in international legal associations. Clients value his strategic judgment, institutional perspective, and ability to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and corporate matters with authority and discretion.


Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science (Cum Laude), Universidad Santa María La Antigua (1983), Panama.
  • Master’s Degree in Commercial Law, New York University (1985), United States.

Memberships

  • Panama Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • International Bar Association

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Board Positions 

  • Member of the Board of Directors of Hospital Santa Fe, S.A., 1993 – 2025.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of F. Icaza & Cía, S.A., since 1995.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Grupo Centenario de Inversiones, S.A., from 2007 to 2019.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Banco Panamá, S.A., from 2008 to 2012.
  • Advisor to the Board of Directors of Banco Panamá, S.A., from 2012 to 2019.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of the Securities Market, from 2011 to 2023.
  • President of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of the Securities Market, from 2014 to 2016.
  • Crossed Director on the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of Banks and the Superintendency of the Securities Market, from 2014 to 2016, from 2019 to 2022.

Relevant Highlights

  • Founding Partner of De Obaldía & García de Paredes, 1990–2025.
  • Member of the Treaty Negotiation Team, in Tax Matters, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2017.
  • Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Superintendency of the Securities Market, 2014 – 2023.
  • University Lecturer in the Legal Framework of Securities Market Transactions within the Master’s Program in Commercial Law at Universidad Santa María La Antigua (Panama) from 1995 to 2012, and Lecturer in Commercial Law within the LL.B. Program at Universidad del Istmo (Panama) from 1991 to 1992.
  • Legal counsel to shareholders in corporate and financial restructuring processes of energy sector companies in Colombia, including analysis of syndicated financings, trusts, and reorganization of holding structures
  • Comprehensive legal counsel advice in the sale of a majority equity stake in one of Colombia’s leading power generation projects (447 MW), including structuring, negotiation, due diligence, and transaction closing
  • Legal advice to sellers in the sale of a majority stake in a power generation company, including negotiation, due diligence, shareholders’ agreements, convertible financings, and project regulatory matters
  • Advice to minority shareholders in investment exit processes through the structuring and execution of put and call options, negotiation of shareholders’ agreements, and closing of share transfers
  • Legal advice to sellers in the transfer of hotel and casino operations in the Republic of Panama, including corporate, contractual, and regulatory review
  • Comprehensive legal advice to sellers in the transfer of hospital and pharmaceutical operations in Panama, including transaction structuring, due diligence, share purchase agreements, escrow arrangements, and related corporate reorganizations
  • Legal advice in corporate and financial restructuring processes of Panamanian business groups in the commercial and industrial sectors
  • Legal advice provided to a brokerage firm in its local operations, as well as in the structuring, formation, and registration of investment funds, including compliance with regulatory requirements before the Superintendence of the Securities Market.