ACCREDITATION
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Trained Arbitrator, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center
Representative MatterS
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Acted as counsel for a major financial institution in various high-value recovery litigation involving billion Peso disputes, wherein she has successfully secured and defended Writs of Preliminary Attachment in favor of the bank, foreclosed multiple properties, and exercised extraordinary remedies for asset preservation and creditor enforcement.
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Led the representation of a multinational automotive manufacturer in the enforcement of rights under a contractual arrangement arising from disputes concerning contract enforcement, reciprocal obligations, and real estate transactions.
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Represented a mining company in a commercial dispute arising from a multi-million Dollar financing facility for a major mining project.
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Led and executed the legal due diligence for a major site acquisition by a global energy corporation in relation to its multinational renewable energy project pipeline.
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Advised a client on a technically complex construction dispute under the jurisdiction of the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission involving multi-million Peso claims.
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Represented a corporation in a high-value commercial arbitration involving a multi-million Dollar equity investment.
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Represented a corporation in a multi-million Peso intra-corporate share acquisition dispute.
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Obtained acquittal for the accused in a criminal case for child abuse through the successful filing of a Demurrer to Evidence.
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Advised local and multinational corporations on sensitive issues such as workforce restructuring and compliance.
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Represented multiple corporations in complex commercial disputes and litigation across diverse industries.
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Assisted clients in a family dispute which involved Guardianship proceedings and successfully secured a writ of Habeas Corpus proceedings over the same persons.
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Successfully obtained a decree of nullity of marriage and successful settlement of conjugal estate.
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Successfully quashed arrest warrants against more than 100 accused Filipinos and the dismissal of the corresponding criminal (Cybercrime Act) and administrative (Securities and Exchange Commission) Complaints filed by the Republic against employees of an Online Lending Application/Platform.
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Assists in the assessment, strategy, and handling of civil, commercial, criminal, and administrative disputes, including the preparation of motions, petitions, complaints, memoranda, discovery documents, and other pleadings across all stages of litigation and investigations.
Bar Admission
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Republic of the Philippines
Education
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Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 2020)
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Ateneo de Manila University (B.S. Major in Psychology, 2015)
Practice Areas
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Civil, Criminal, Commercial, Administrative Litigation and Dispute Resolution
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Appellate Practice
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Domestic Arbitration
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Mining and Immigration
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Family Law
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Real Estate and Property
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Law Labor
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Law Regulatory Compliance
Katrina May S. Melo
FOUNDING Partner
Katrina May S. Melo is a Founding Partner at Puno & Partners, with substantial experience in litigation, dispute resolution, and government-related work built across both private practice and public service. She plays a key role in shaping the Firm's legal strategy, managing complex matters, and delivering responsive, high-quality legal services to clients.
She delivers strategic, meticulous legal counsel in both civil and criminal matters, guiding clients through complex legal processes and dispute resolution. Drawing on a strong foundation built over years in private practice, Katrina is highly skilled in managing contentious cases, advising on the right legal remedies, and helping clients reach favorable, effective outcomes.
Prior to co-founding the Firm, she served as a Senior Associate and Associate at Vasig Abarquez Lumauig Abarquez Puno Law Offices, where she co-headed the Litigation Department and handled a diverse range of legal engagements that sharpened her expertise in litigation and dispute resolution.
Katrina earned her Juris Doctor from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 2020 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, also from Ateneo de Manila University (2015). She was admitted to the Philippine Bar following the 2020-2022 bar examination and is a trained arbitrator at the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center.
With a disciplined approach and keen analytical skills, Katrina integrates legal knowledge with practical judgment to deliver precise, effective, results-oriented solutions.

