Maria Theresa C. Gonzales is a distinguished legal professional with over 25 years of legal expertise and proven track record on civil litigation, commercial and construction arbitration, and intellectual property law.

Theresa obtained her law degree from San Beda College of Law and read her masters in International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham, England. She graduated with honors from Assumption College with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Theresa successfully completed the Intellectual Property Rights Training Course for Trademark Experts, a training program organized by the Japan Patent Office, Japan Institute for Promoting Invention and Innovation, and the Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association. She was a contributor to The Philippine Chapter of the Legal 500 Intellectual Property Comparative Guides for 2021 and 2023.

In the field of arbitration, Theresa wrote an article on the “Recognition and Enforcement of a Foreign Arbitral Award in the Philippines” for a Philippine law journal. She also co-wrote an article on arbitration which was published in the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration 2021 Maritime Arbitration Enforcement Series. In 2024, she co-authored the Philippine chapter of the Lexology Arbitration Guide. She made a presentation on the same topic during the Joint Meeting  in Hongkong between the HK Maritime Law Association and the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines and at the University of the Philippines Law Center Institute for the Administration of Justice as part of the Supreme Court’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

She also co-authored an article relating to the latest developments in the shipping industry which was published in the 2014 edition of The Shipping Law Review with subsequent updates in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In the field of shipping law, Theresa previously spoke on Ship Arrest at the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in London. She was a resource person of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the House Transportation Committee of the Philippine Congress in drafting the Proposed Maritime Code. She represented the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW) in the TWG as President of the organization. She became the Chair of the Board of Trustees of MARLAW in 2011 and a trustee until 2023.

Expertise:

In the realm of trademark law, she conducts availability searches, oversees registration and maintenance processes, and manages assignments, mergers, and name changes. She also conducts trademark audits and due diligence and is skilled in international filings. Her clientele, spanning various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, finance, software, and telecommunications, benefits from her meticulous attention to detail and strategic guidance in protecting their intellectual property assets. Theresa ensures that her clients receive unparalleled protection for their intellectual property rights, safeguarding their interests in a competitive market landscape.

In civil litigation and commercial arbitration, her attention to details, exemplary legal research, unrivalled dedication in studying and evaluating evidence, and in-depth analysis of the case have helped win cases for her clients.

Philosophy:

Maria Theresa Gonzales is committed to delivering practical, sensible, and cost-effective advice to clients in a timely and strategic manner. She ensures that her counsel is aligned with the client’s commercial objectives and economic interests, providing tailored solutions that reflect their specific goals.