Fernando Arias is a partner at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega (ARIFA) and leads the firm’s Real Estate and Hospitality practice group.

Driven by his conviction in the potential of Panama’s tourism and hospitality industry, Fernando has spearheaded key initiatives with local authorities to incentivize the sector. He led the creation of the country’s first legal practice dedicated to hospitality services and has worked with sponsors and founders closely in the development and financing of several landmark tourism projects across the country.

 Fernando worked as a corporate lawyer in New York with Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett LLP, representing underwriters and issuers in a variety of capital markets transactions, with focus on Latin America before moving to Panama in 2013.Fernando holds a law degree (Licenciatura en Derecho y Ciencias Políticas) from Universidad Santa María la Antigua. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from New York University (with a focus on corporate law) and a Master of Laws degree from Northwestern University, as well as a certificate in Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management.