Attorneys
Bring to the table win-win survival strategies
The Partners
Atty. Marie Christine A. Duran-Schulze
Managing Partner
Atty. Marie Christine Duran-Schulze earned her Dual Degree in Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A) from the Far Eastern University-Makati and De La Salle Graduate School of Business- Makati, Philippines. She was admitted into the Philippine Bar in 2009, and completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines (U.P.), Diliman, School of Economics in 2003.
As the Managing Partner of the Duran & Duran-Schulze Law (“DDS”), Atty. Duran-Schulze’s expertise lies in mergers and acquisitions, international taxation and venture capital investments. She provides assistance to various startup companies in their investment rounds and represents high-growth companies in their due diligence efforts. Atty. Duran-Schulze has also aided retained clients in their PEZA and BOI registrations and compliances, and has assisted in the establishment of their holding or investment companies offshore. In addition, she collaborates with foreign entities interested in conducting business in the Philippines, particularly those who want to participate in government public bidding.
Aside from her legal expertise, Atty. Duran-Schulze is also a licensed Real Estate Broker, having passed the Board Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in 2015.
Atty. Mary Wendy A. Duran
Founding Senior Partner
Atty. Mary Wendy Duran obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree Non-Thesis from San Beda University, Mendiola, Manila, Philippines and was admitted as a member of the Philippine Bar in 2007. Atty. Duran completed her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from AMA Computer University, Quezon City, Philippines in 2001. She is also a Foreign Legal Consultant registered in the State Bar of California.
At present, Atty. Duran leads the Duran & Duran-Schulze Law (“DDS”) Litigation Team, which specializes in Family, Civil, Criminal, Special Proceedings, and Property Law. With a wealth of trial experience spanning of sixteen (16) years, she has handled various cases, including Annulment / Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, Adoption, Change of Name, Cancellation or Correction of Entries, Guardianship and Custody of Minor Children, Temporary and Protection Order Proceedings, Partition of Estate, Probate of Last Will & Testament, Cancellation and Quieting of Title, Recovery of Ownership / Possession, and Eviction Disputes.
In addition, Atty. Duran has assisted corporate clients in dissolution and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as corporate and commercial transactions, such as joint ventures, licensing arrangements, mergers & acquisitions. She also counsels clients with tax issues before the Court of Tax Appeals.
Atty. Duran also holds a license as a Real Estate Broker, having passed the Board Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in 2015. Moreover, she is a Chartered Trust Estate Planner, which is a professional accreditation offered by the American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM) US, and is a member of the Registered Financial Planner Philippines (Batch 25th).
Atty. Rhonaliza B. Burce
Junior Partner
Atty. Rhonaliza B. Burce received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from De La Salle University – Manila in 2016 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2017. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies major in European Studies degree from De La Salle University – Manila in 2011.
She joined the firm in September 2017, and is currently a member of the Corporate Team. Her area of expertise encompasses Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Labor Law and Special Projects such as PEZA registrations, DOLE licenses, and tax clearances necessary for government public bidding.
She provides corporate housekeeping services and offers legal guidance to clients intending to do business or invest in the Philippines. Atty. Burce is also involved in drafting and reviewing commercial contracts, providing legal opinions on corporate structuring, conducting due diligence for mergers and acquisition, tax planning, and liaising with relevant government agencies for regulatory requirements.
The Associates
Atty. Stephanie Peralta
Associate Lawyer
Atty. Stephanie received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Santo Tomas Manila. She took up AB Legal Management at the same university, graduating with honors as Cum Laude.
Atty. Peralta is an active member of the Corporate Team. Specializing in Labor Law and Corporate Law, she provides legal advice on labor-related concerns and corporate matters. Her responsibilities include drafting and review of commercial contracts, guiding clients in the formation of corporations and assisting clients with their corporate needs. Since joining DDS, Atty. Peralta has shown dedication and collaborative spirit in providing support to her fellow associate lawyers and legal staff in the completion of their tasks.
Atty. Isabelle Louise Villar
Associate Lawyer
Atty. Isabelle has triumphantly assisted clients on various contract drafting and reviews, legal opinions, corporate formation and post formation housekeeping, BOI and PEZA Registration, and litigation case representation.
She is an active member of the Litigation and Special Projects Teams whose area of practice is focused on Civil Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law and Special Projects.
She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Management from San Beda University. She obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from San Beda College Alabang School of Law in 2023 and became a member of the Bar in the same year.
Atty. Kristian Lemuel Cruz
Associate Lawyer
Atty. Kristian is a member of the firm’s Litigation Team, where his practice focuses primarily on Criminal Law, Family Law, and Property Law.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (Dispute Resolution Track) from the Ateneo School of Law. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in the same year.
Atty. Christy Amor Lofranco
Associate Lawyer
Atty. Christy Amor Lofranco graduated from the University of the Philippines Mindanao with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2001. She earned her Juris Doctor (JD) in 2017 from the De La Salle University College of Law, now Tañada-Diokno School of Law, in BGC. She also has a background in Sports Law, particularly Football Law, as she headed the Philippine Football League’s Legal Department in 2018.
She earned her Football Management Certificate from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Academic Centre of Excellence in July 2022. She signed the Roll of Attorneys in May 2023.
Atty. Lofranco primarily handles cases involving Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Family Law. She also assists the Corporate Formation Team. Since she joined our litigation team in October 2023, she has honed her analytical, research, and writing skills. She cultivates the value of preparing effective, clear, and well-reasoned legal documents.
Atty. Meryshel Gianan
Associate Lawyer
Atty. Meryshel earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Central Philippine University in July 2023, following which she successfully passed the Bar Examinations in September 2023 and was officially admitted to the Bar in December 2023. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management, also from Central Philippine University in 2018. Furthermore, she demonstrated her proficiency by passing the Civil Service Commission (CSC) exams, earning the designation of Civil Service Professional Passer in 2018.
Currently serving as an Associate Lawyer, Atty. Gianan is a member of the Corporate Team. Her responsibilities encompass providing comprehensive corporate housekeeping services to clients seeking to establish business operations in the Philippines.
Additionally, she assists clients in planning for business retirement, ensuring all legal aspects are addressed. She is also actively involved in drafting and reviewing various essential legal documents and files required for business transactions and compliance.
Angelica Felise Manalo, J.D.
Underbar Associate
Angelica Felise Manalo obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from San Beda College-Alabang in 2022. She completed her degree of Bachelor of Science in Legal Management from San Beda University Manila.
Angelica started as a Paralegal at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law and she was involved in drafting for litigation cases, special projects, labor cases, and corporate housekeeping. She is currently part of the Corporate Formation Team. She oversees compliance with government agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). She also conducts research on corporate jurisprudence, memorandum circulars, recent revisions and amendments on the Revised Corporation Code, and other related legal matters.
Marryl Ann Ragpala , J.D.
Underbar Associate
Marryl Ann Ragpala is a member of the Special Projects Team, and plays a significant role in the DDS firm’s corporate and litigation services. Her responsibilities include providing due diligence services to corporate clients and advising on labor concerns, as well as the application of special laws.
In 2021, Ms. Ragpala earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from San Beda College-Alabang, and she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Research from University of the Philippines, Diliman in 2012.
Atty. Vladimir Alarique Cabigao, Solicitor
Australia-Based Lawyer
Atty. Vladimir Alarique Cabigao is both licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)-Lawyer in the Philippines and a Solicitor in New South Wales, Australia.
He was a graduate of Far Eastern University with a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, San Beda College, Philippines.
At present, Atty. Cabigao holds a position of Senior Research Contracts Officer at the Australian Catholic University. Prior to this, he worked as an Investigator at the IFW Global, where he dealt on transnational organized crime that involved serious fraud.
His area of expertise lies in Immigration, and he is a Registered Migration Agent in Australia.
Legal Team
Fluorescently engage worldwide methods
Legal Assistants
Provide general administrative, secretarial, and clerical support duties to all lawyers in the firm specifically focusing on the field of Corporate Law, Litigation, Tax Law, Labor Law, and Special Projects.
Led by Re-Ann Giray with her team Gian Katigbak, Christine Lacson and Denys Ochoa.
Legal Compliance Team
Provide and establish a centralized data management and compliance support for both the firm and its clients, as well as maintain quality assurance on submitted documentary requirements. Oversee the overall compliance of the company and/or its clients with all mandatory and/or government reportorial requirements.
Headed by Florie Mhay Lumogdang with her team Nyoki Beltran & Gabriel Del Rosario.
