Ms. Abella assists domestic and foreign investors set up their businesses in the Philippines. She is involved in corporate compliance, contracting and conveyancing, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, property law, litigation and other corporate law/governance issues. She handles cross-jurisdictional legal issues. Ms. Abella also conducts trial, and argues before courts, and drafts various pleadings including briefs and petitions for both trial and appellate courts.

 

Her practice areas include: Business Law, Business Process Outsourcing, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Corporate Law, Employee Benefits, Immigration, Investment Law, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate.

 

Ms. Abella finished her undergraduate studies at the University of San Carlos, with major in Biology and Magna Cum Laude honors. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City with Cum Laude honors in 1990 and a Master of Laws degree at the University of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia in 2000.

 

From 1991 to 1992, Ms. Abella taught contract law as well as corporate and partnership law at the Cebu Institute of Technology University.

 

Ms. Abella is an active member of the Cebu City Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines where she held the position of director in 1996. She is former president of the Cebu Chapter of the Federacion Internacional de Abogadas where she continues to be active as member of the council of Past Presidents. She is currently director and corporate secretary of various business organizations. She is also involved in civic organizations promoting the advancement of the welfare of women and children.

 

Ms. Abella was recognized by Chambers Asia 2010 as a Leading Individual in the Cebu legal market in the area of real estate where she was described by clients as “pleasant and keen to reach a practical commercial conclusion”. In Chambers Global 2014, Ms. Abella was again cited in the field of Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate where she was described as “active on corporate and commercial transactions as well as litigation, and is particularly known for her expertise in real estate acquisitions and divestments.