Establishment of “Tan & Sapalo”
Eugene A. Tan and Ignacio S. Sapalo, 1967 classmates at the Ateneo College of Law, form the law firm "Tan & Sapalo" at the Filcapital Building (now Allied Banking Corporation), Ayala Avenue, Makati City, and begin specializing in the areas of intellectual property and admiralty/maritime laws.
“Tan & Sapalo” became “Tan, Sapalo, Manzano & Velez”
Jaime G. Manzano and Teresita C. Velez seasoned practitioners in intellectual property, join Tan and Sapalo thereby adopting the firm name, "Tan, Sapalo, Manzano & Velez."
Move for Growth and Expansion
The firms move its office to its present location in Security Bank Centre (then Pacific Banking Corporation), Makati City, to allow for further growth and expansion.
Sapalo becomes the Director of Bureau of Patents, Trademarks, and Technology Transfer (BPTTT)
Sapalo accepts his appointment as Director of the then Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer ("BPTTT", now the Intellectual Property Office); the firm becomes, "Tan, Manzano & Velez."
Tan assumes the National Presidency of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Tan assumes the National Presidency of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the largest and most influential association of lawyers in the country and promotes the independence of the bar.
Eugene A. Tan Professional Chair in Constitutional Law and the Rule of Law
The firm establishes the "Eugene A. Tan Professional Chair in Constitutional Law and the Rule of Law” at the Ateneo School of Law.
Jaime G. Manzano becomes the Managing Partner
Tan passes away; Manzano becomes the Managing Partner.
Top 3 leading law firms for trademark practice in the Philippines
The firm is ranked by the prestigious Managing Intellectual Property publication as among the top 3 leading law firms engaging in trademark practice in the Philippines.
New Millennium
Manzano passes away and a new millennium is about to begin.
Establishment of Sapalo & Velez Law Offices
Sapalo, who previously resigned as BPTTT Director, rejoins Velez and former associate lawyer Augusto R. Bundang to form the “Sapalo & Velez Law Offices,” and becomes its Managing Partner.
Growing and Celebrating
A licensed engineer and former BPTTT Patent Examiner and practicing attorney, Neptali L. Bulilan, is admitted as a new partner while more associate attorneys and paralegals are added to the firm’s roster to strengthen its practice and effectively service its clients; the firm goes online and launches its website; its operations is fully automated and computerized; it celebrates a milestone: its silver (25th) anniversary, and holds its first ever “Sapalo & Velez Gold Tournament” in Alabang Golf and Country Club.
Iloilo City Branch Opens
The firm establishes its 1st provincial branch office in Iloilo City to extend its assistance to clients in the Visayas.
2nd Branch Office in Cebu City
The firm sets up its 2nd branch office in Cebu City and enters into partnership with the Manila, Cebu, and Iligan branches of the Apostleship of the Sea (an office of the Episcopal commission of the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, for the promotion and protection of the welfare of the Filipino seafarers and their families; it assists the IPO in organizing the “Seminar of the Protection of Computer Software and Business Methods in the Philippines”.
3rd Branch Office in Cagayan de Oro City
The firm inaugurates its 3rd branch office in Cagayan de Oro City and places itself in the map of Mindanao; Velez passes away; Bundang and Bulilan become name partners thus, changing the firm’s name to “Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Law Offices”; the firm’s partners join forces with retired police general to form IPROBE, INC., an investigation entity, and address increasing concerns on piracy and counterfeiting.
Romeo H. Duran joins the Firm
Romeo H. Duran joins the firm and brings his extensive experience to set up the corporate, tax and immigration practices of the firm.
Romeo B. Fortea Transfers to the Makati Office
Romeo B. Fortea transfers to the Makati Office from Cagayan de Oro to fortify the litigation practice of the firm.
4th branch Office in Davao City
The firm inaugurates its 4th branch office in Davao City to establish its foothold in Mindanao.
2010 Philippine Trademark Firm of the Year
The firm is awarded by Asia IP Magazine as the 2010 Philippine Trademark Firm of the Year; Duran is admitted as partner to head the firm’s corporate, tax and immigration department.
Atty. Ignacio Sapalo was awarded as the 2011 Philippines Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year
Sapalo is given international recognition after being chosen by Corporate INTL as the 2011 Philippines Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year; Bundang assumes the presidency of the Intellectual Property Alumni Association (IPAA).
New Partners
Romeo B. Fortea, Ma. Consuelo C, Agno, and Dennis R. Gorecho are admitted as partners.
Atty. Augusto Bundang President of Maritime Law Association of the Philippines
Bundang assumes the presidency of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW).
Philippine Patent and Trademark Prosecution Law Firm of the Year
The firm is awarded as the Philippine Patent and Trademark Prosecution Law Firm of the Year in 2015 by Corporate INTL.
Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year
The firm is recognizes as the 2016 Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year by Corporate INTL Magazine Global Award.
