Castro
Partner
Admissions:
Admitted to practice before the Courts of the Republic of Panama
Languages:
Spanish and English
Trajectory
Desireé Castro advises corporations, real estate developers, and investors on corporate operations, commercial transactions, and property law matters, with a focus on practical solutions and business continuity. Her practice spans Corporate & Business Law and real estate transactions, with deep expertise in Horizontal Property (PH), administrative law, and corporate immigration.
Desireé is recognized for her specialized knowledge in real estate development and Horizontal Property (PH) (PH) regimes, advising developers, administrators, and investors on structuring, compliance, governance, and transactional matters. She has guided numerous high-profile projects from initial structuring through sales, administration, and dispute resolution.
Her corporate practice includes company formation and reorganization, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, M&A support, employment matters, and corporate immigration – serving as ongoing legal counsel for businesses operating in Panama across multiple industries.
Areas of Practice:
- Corporate Law
- Commercial Law
- Real Estate Transactions
- Horizontal Property (PH)
- Administrative Law
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Immigration Law
Education & Bar Admissions:
- UNIR Business School (M.B.A.)
- Inidem Business Law School (LL.M.)
- Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (LL.M.)
- Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (B. Law)
Admitted to practice before the Courts of the Republic of Panama.
Professional Memberships:
- Panama Bar Association (CNA)
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Asociación de Oficiales de Cumplimiento de Panamá (ASOCUPA)
Languages:
Spanish and English
Horizontal Property (PH) & Real Estate Development
Desireé is a leading advisor on Horizontal Property (PH) (PH) matters in Panama, with extensive experience in:
- PH regime design and implementation for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments
- Developer advisory and compliance with Law 284 of 2022 and Law 31 of 2010
- PH governance, bylaw drafting, and administration
- Pre-sale and sale processes for PH projects
- Dispute resolution for developers, administrators, and unit owners
Corporate Immigration & Business Mobility
Desireé advises companies and executives on corporate immigration matters, including work permits, investor visas, residency programs, and compliance with Panamanian immigration regulations.
AML Compliance for Non-Financial Entities (SNF)
Desireé advises regulated non-financial entities on compliance with Law 23 of 2015, including:
- Risk assessments and compliance program design
- Policies, manuals, and internal controls
- Training for compliance officers and staff
- Supervisory processes and authority engagement (SSNF)
- Remediation and enforcement defense
