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.
From the Comptroller’s Office to the creation of a leading firm
Odila Castillo embarked on her professional journey in 2008 at the General Comptroller’s Office of the Republic, specifically within the audit sector for the Ngöbe Buglé Region. Her commitment and skillfulness earned her the role of leading the main office, where she broadened her scope of duties to include the examination of audit reports, managing contracts, providing consultations, and overseeing oral proceedings. Over the span of 13 years, she occupied multiple roles within the organization, enhancing her expertise in Administrative Law and representing the comptrollers on the Boards of Directors of key institutions such as the Panama Maritime Authority, the National Passport Authority, Consalud, and the Agricultural Development Bank.
Her tenure at the Comptroller’s Office enabled her to engage in highly significant national projects, such as the revitalization of the Panama Market, the development of the Health City, the establishment of the City of Arts, and the issuance of bonds for Tocumen International Airport. In these initiatives, she worked alongside private forensic firms representing the State, contributing her expertise to ensure the success of these endeavors.
Castillo Guardia & Asociados: experts in Administrative Law
In 2021, Odila Castillo Bonilla, alongside a group of legal and economic professionals, took over and revitalized the firm Palacios, Vásquez & Asociados. Acknowledging the necessity for a brand that represented the fresh leadership and renewed focus, the firm was rebranded as Castillo Guardia & Asociados. This firm is dedicated to Administrative Law, a field where there are limited specialists in Panama, enabling them to secure a significant market niche.
Achievement in addressing contractual disputes
Castillo Guardia & Asociados has garnered significant success in addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state contracts. Their expertise in managing contractual imbalances has led them to become the legal representatives for over 65 Panamanian, 1 transnational, and 4 international companies. The firm has positioned itself as a frontrunner in Panama, boasting a unique focus 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 journey showcases her leadership and dedication to excellence in Administrative Law within Panama. Her tenure at the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, coupled with her strategic vision in establishing her firm, has established her as a vital player in addressing intricate legal issues and advocating for the interests of her clients.
Odila Castillo, holding a master’s degree in Law, has forged an exceptional career in the realm of Administrative Law in Panama. She has positioned herself as a central figure in addressing intricate legal issues concerning state contracts.
