Our Core Values
·
Trustworthiness & Integrity
·
Fidelity to the Highest Ideals of Justice
·
Competence through Continuous Improvement
·
Fortitude and Hard work
·
Passion and Commitment
·
Initiative
VILLA & CRUZ, ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW, is a full-service firm founded upon the ideal of providing quality legal counsel and service. The Firm started out as Villa and Associates in July 2000, then grew to its current partnership as established on 10 July 2018. The Firm presently has a core group of five (5) lawyers, one (1) legal assistants, three (3) paralegals, and fifteen (15) office staff. To date, the Partners and Of Counsel have a total combined experience of about 70 years in the legal practice.
Mission
Vision
To be a leading full service Law Firm built on the utmost trust of all its clients, sustained by the competence and integrity of its people.
Partner
He is a graduate of the School of Law, Ateneo de Manila University where he obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 1998.
While still studying law, he already immersed himself in the practice when he was employed at Oreta Suarez & Narvasa law office from 1995 to 1997. Soon after taking Philippine Bar, he was employed at Feria Feria Lugtu LaO Noche law offices, the firm of former Supreme Court Justice Jose Y. Feria. He started Melvin L. Villa and Associates in July 2000.
He took further courses in Business Administration leading to a Master Degree. He likewise extensively studied Real Estate Law, Estates, and Trust.
He is a Licensed Real Estate Broker after passing the Board exams in 2013 and ranking 4th in the exam. He is a member of Mensa Philippines and now sits as its Corporate Secretary.
He sits in several Board of Directors and of Trustees of several corporations in various industries such as recruitment, business process outsourcing, software programming, and manufacturing, to name a few. His current practice includes corporate and commercial, labor, intellectual property, immigration, real estate, and estate law
Partner
He is a graduate of the School of Law, Ateneo de Manila University, where he obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 1999. He took his undergraduate course, BS Legal Management, also from Ateneo de Manila University in 1994.
As a self-supporting law student, he was already doing legal work even before he became a lawyer. His work with Allied Banking Corporation and Sun Life of Canada gave him experience in banking and insurance laws, and his tenure with Tam Yap and Associates provided him with experience in land acquisition and corporate housekeeping. He gained experience in litigation while working for Villanueva Gabionza & de Santos Law Offices, the firm headed by then Ateneo School of Law Dean Cesar L. Villanueva, while his engagement as in-house counsel for the Ramon Jacinto Group of Companies gave him wide exposure in corporate and labor laws, as well as appellate practice. From 2004 to 2008, he was a partner and sometime managing partner of Calleja Nethercott & Cruz Law Offices. Partnered with Atty Villa in 2008.
He is a member of Mensa Philippines. His current practice includes litigation (civil, criminal and administrative), domestic and international arbitration, corporate housekeeping, tax, family and estate law.
Of Counsel
She is a graduate of the School of Law, Ateneo de Manila University where she obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 1998. After being admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999, she gained litigation experience under the law firm of retired Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas. Thereafter, she entered government service as the Asst. City Legal Officer then eventually the City Legal Officer of Muntinlupa City. While in that capacity, she would simultaneously be appointed to various capacities such as the Chairperson of the Bids and Awards Committee and Head of the City Zoning Administration Office. She also lectures at the New Era University, College of Law. Her field of expertise include litigation and local government.
Senior Associate
He is an alumnus of the School of Law, San Beda College Alabang Class of 2015 and was ranked 5th in his graduating class. He is a holder of a degree in Business Management Major in Entrepreneurship from the same university. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2016. His fields of practice include labor law and litigation (civil, criminal and administrative).
Associate
He is an alumnus of the School of Law, De La Salle University, Class of 2018 and a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy also from De La Salle University Manila. He extensively assists the Firm on matters of litigation, labor law, corporate and commercial law.
Legal Assistant
He is an alumnus of the School of Law, De La Salle University, Class of 2018 and a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy also from De La Salle University Manila. He extensively assists the Firm on matters of litigation, labor law, corporate and commercial law.
Paralegal
Currently a sophomore student of the School of Law, San Beda College Alabang, she graduated from Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management. She was a recipient of the Beato Jesus Villaverde Andres, O.P. Award, or the distinction given to Letran students who have given glory to the university for winning in external competitions. She actively assists the Firm in its labor and litigation practice.
Paralegal
Currently a sophomore student of the School of Law, San Beda College Alabang, she graduated from Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management. She actively assists the firm in its labor and litigation practice.
Paralegal
She is a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Legal Management from De La Salle University, Manila. She actively assists the Firm in its corporate, commercial and intellectual property practices.
Project Consultant
She is a graduate of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines (1998), and holds a Masters Degree in Christian Leadership (cum laude) from the Asian Theological Seminary (1992). She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having obtained a LIA-Com degree (Bachelor of Arts major in Economics and Bachelor of Science major in Accounting, cum laude) from the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (1988). She has been connected with various companies and organizations, was employed also with the Department of Finance, and is a professor of economics, accounting, and law at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod. She advises the Firm in estate planning and settlement, as well as taxation matters.