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 top-tier firm
Odila Castillo embarked on her professional journey in 2008 at the General Comptroller’s Office of the Republic, specifically within the auditing division for the Ngöbe Buglé Region. Her commitment and proficiency propelled her to lead the main office, where she took on a wider array of responsibilities, including the examination of audit reports, contracts, inquiries, and oral proceedings. Over the span of 13 years, she embraced several roles within the organization, enhancing her expertise in Administrative Law while representing the comptrollers on the Boards of Directors of significant institutions 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 highly significant projects for the nation, such as the revival of the Panama Market, the development of Health City, the City of Arts, and the issuance of bonds for Tocumen International Airport. She worked collaboratively with private forensic firms to represent the State in these initiatives.
Castillo Guardia & Asociados: experts in Administrative Law
In 2021, Odila Castillo, together with a team of professionals in law and economics, acquired and revitalized the firm Palacios, Vásquez & Asociados. Recognizing the need for an identity that reflected the new leadership and focus, the firm was renamed Castillo Guardia & Asociados. This firm specializes in Administrative Law, an area with few experts in Panama, which has allowed them to capture an important market niche.
Achievement in addressing contractual disputes
Castillo Guardia & Asociados has attained significant success in navigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state contracts. Their expertise in addressing contractual disparities has positioned them as legal representatives for over 65 Panamanian companies, 1 transnational firm, and 4 foreign enterprises. The practice has cemented its status as a leader in Panama, focusing exclusively on Administrative Law.
In its brief but impressive trajectory of almost three years, Castillo Guardia & Asociados has legally resolved emblematic projects such as the six-lane expansion of the Las Playas Corridor and the Manuel Amador Guerrero Hospital in the province of Colon. Its client portfolio includes important companies such as Internacional de Seguros, Cable and Wireless, Transeq, Constructora Rigaservices and Grupo Puentes.
Confronting misinformation
Despite its achievements, the firm has encountered difficulties, notably the spread of false and damaging information by various newspapers. Odila Castillo has publicly addressed the inaccuracies of these assertions, which have been refuted by security agencies and corrected by the media through the right to reply.
Odila Castillo’s trajectory demonstrates her leadership and commitment with the excellence in Administrative Law in Panama. Her experience in the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic and her vision when founding her firm have positioned her as a key figure in the resolution of complex legal challenges and in the defense of her clients’ interests.
Odila Castillo, possessing a master’s degree in Law, has developed an impressive career in the sector of Administrative Law in Panama. She has positioned herself as a crucial player in addressing intricate legal issues concerning state contracts.
