Biography

Reginald Anton J. Puno, or Gino to his peers, is a Name Partner of VAL Law and currently heads the firm’s Banking and Finance and Technology Law practice groups. He also co-heads the firm’s Corporate and Estate Planning practice groups. Armed with experience both locally and overseas, Gino offers his clients innovative and practical solutions from a domestic and international approach following the best practices for each applicable industry.

Gino boasts a wealth of experience in representing domestic and foreign corporations, both public and private, in connection with its mergers and acquisitions, company reorganizations, joint ventures, public and private auctions and other general corporate matters. He also has extensive experience in various special projects where he took the lead in due diligence and preparation of project documents for the development, construction, operation and financing of various energy and infrastructure projects, such as fuel pipelines, natural gas and coal-fired facilities, renewable energy plants, transmission lines, mining sites, water services and other public utilities, railroads and toll roads, to name a few. Gino has also been fortunate enough to structure the estate plans of some of the wealthiest families in the Philippines in order to meet their objectives and minimize tax liabilities within the confines of the law. After having been exposed to banner litigation cases early in his career, Gino is also well versed in representing his clients’ interests before administrative bodies, quasi-judicial agencies and courts of all levels.

Gino has now taken special interest in emerging technologies and serves as a consultant to several tech start-ups looking to expand their businesses into profitable ventures. He also serves as a director and corporate secretary for a number of the firm’s clients.

Prior to finding a permanent home in VAL Law, Gino started his career in 2009 with Puno & Puno Law Offices, the firm founded by his late grandfather, Justice Ricardo C. Puno, Sr., as an Associate Attorney with a specific focus on litigation and dispute resolution. After a few years of practice in the Philippines, Gino then obtained his Master of Laws degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York City. Upon graduation, Gino was invited to join the world’s leading law firm, Latham & Watkins LLP, where he was a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions and Project Finance departments. Upon his return to Manila in 2016, he rejoined Puno & Puno Law Offices as a Senior Associate where he was a member of the Corporate, Commercial and Special Projects Department. Taking a short break from legal practice, Gino made a final stop with the investment banking arm of one of his biggest clients as a Senior Manager of the Investment Banking Group of First Metro Investment Corporation.

Bar Qualification

2010 Philippine National Bar Examinations

Education

• Fordham University School of Law (Master of Laws in U.S. & Comparative Law, 2015)
• Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 2009)
• Ateneo de Manila University (AB Political Science, 2004)

Work Experiences

• Senior Manager – First Metro Investment Corporation, 2018-2019
• Senior Associate – Puno & Puno Law Offices (PUNOLAW), 2015-2018
• International Attorney – Latham & Watkins LLP (New York), 2015-2016
• Associate Attorney – Puno & Puno Law Offices (PUNOLAW), 2009-2014