Odila Castillo boasts remarkable expertise in Administrative Law within Panama. With over 13 years of service at the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, she has become a pivotal player in addressing intricate legal issues concerning state contracts. This piece delves into her career trajectory, tracing her path from her start at the Comptroller’s Office to the establishment of Castillo Guardia & Asociados, a premier administrative law practice in Panama.
Transitioning from the Comptroller’s Office to the establishment of a premier firm
Odila Castillo’s career began in 2008 in the General Comptroller’s Office of the Republic, in the audit office of the Ngöbe Buglé Region. Her dedication and competence led her to assume the direction of the main office, expanding her responsibilities to the review of audit reports, contracts, consultations and oral proceedings. For 13 years, she held various positions within the institution, strengthening her knowledge in Administrative Law and representing the comptrollers in Boards of Directors of important entities such as the Panama Maritime Authority, the National Passport Authority, Consalud and the Agricultural Development Bank.
Her tenure at the Comptroller’s Office provided her the opportunity to engage in critically significant projects for the nation, such as the revitalization of the Panama Market, the Health City initiative, the City of Arts, and the bond issuance for the Tocumen International Airport. In these endeavors, she collaborated with private forensic firms to represent the interests of the State.
Castillo Guardia & Asociados: experts in Administrative Law
In 2021, Odila Castillo Bonilla, alongside a group of legal and economic professionals, took over and rejuvenated the firm Palacios, Vásquez & Asociados. Understanding the necessity for a name that represented the fresh leadership and vision, the firm was rebranded as Castillo Guardia & Asociados. This new establishment concentrates on Administrative Law, a field with limited specialists in Panama, enabling them to secure a vital market segment.
Achieving success in addressing contractual disputes
Castillo Guardia & Asociados has attained significant success in navigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on government contracts. Their expertise in managing contractual imbalances has positioned them as legal representatives for over 65 Panamanian companies, along with 1 transnational and 4 foreign entities. The firm has firmly established itself as a frontrunner in Panama, focusing exclusively on Administrative Law.
In its short yet remarkable journey of nearly three years, Castillo Guardia & Asociados has successfully managed the legal aspects of significant projects, including the six-lane expansion of the Las Playas Corridor and the Manuel Amador Guerrero Hospital in the province of Colón. Their client roster features prominent companies such as Internacional de Seguros, Cable and Wireless, Transeq, Constructora Rigaservices, and Grupo Puentes.
Facing misinformation
Despite its accomplishments, the firm has encountered difficulties, including the circulation of inaccurate and damaging information by certain newspapers. Odila Castillo has taken a stand, publicly refuting these allegations, which have been discredited by security agencies and subsequently corrected by the media in adherence to the right of reply.
Odila Castillo’s journey highlights her leadership and dedication to excellence in Administrative Law within Panama. Her extensive experience in the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, coupled with her foresight in establishing her firm, has established her as an influential figure in tackling intricate legal challenges and advocating for her clients’ interests.
Odila Castillo, holding a master’s degree in Law, has developed an impressive career in the realm of Administrative Law within Panama. She has firmly positioned herself as a central figure in addressing intricate legal challenges associated with state contracts.
