Kerwin Tan

Overview

Kerwin Tan is recognised as a leading Foreign Investment lawyer in Philippines, combining cross-border transactional experience with a deep focus on regulatory compliance and sector-specific entry strategies. As managing partner of Tan Hassani & Counsels, he advises multinational clients, sponsors and financiers on market entry, corporate structuring, and project implementation across regulated and open sectors. His practice is distinguished by a blend of commercial, tax and aviation law expertise that clients deploy when navigating the Philippines’ evolving investment rules and sectoral restrictions.

Professional Background & Credentials

Kerwin K. Tan is the managing partner of Tan Hassani & Counsels and is admitted to practice in both the Philippines and New South Wales, Australia. He has practised for nearly two decades and trained in large, top-tier Philippine law offices before co-founding his Manila-based firm, where he leads cross-border and high-value commercial work. Tan has contributed to leading practice guides on technology, outsourcing and transactional law, reflecting both his subject-matter expertise and his standing in the market.

Depth Of Foreign Investment Expertise

Kerwin’s foreign investment practice focuses on advising inbound investors on entry structures, compliance with the Foreign Investment Negative List and related sectoral rules, and on obtaining licences and regulatory clearances. He regularly counsels clients on structuring shared-service and back-office operations, joint ventures, project finance, and foreign participation in infrastructure, energy and technology projects. His combined knowledge of corporate, tax and regulatory regimes supports pragmatic solutions for investors seeking either majority ownership where permitted or compliant Filipino-partner arrangements where constitutional or statutory limits apply.

Aviation, Energy & Technology Sectors

Beyond traditional corporate cross-border work, Kerwin is one of the Philippines’ few practitioners with significant aviation law experience, acting for aircraft lessors, OEMs, operators and lenders on acquisitions, leasing, registration and regulatory matters. He also advises on renewable energy and large infrastructure projects, and on outsourcing/offshoring arrangements where data protection, employment and tax issues intersect with investment rules. His multi-sector capability means clients receive integrated advice on commercial terms, government procurement considerations and regulatory risk mitigation.

Representative Matters & Publications

Tan Hassani & Counsels, under Kerwin’s leadership, has been retained on high-value cross-border matters including government tender representation in national infrastructure bids and multi-billion-dollar renewable energy investments. The firm’s published practice guides and contributed chapters on technology, outsourcing and aviation law evidence Kerwin’s hands-on role in complex transactions and regulatory commentary. He has acted as Philippine counsel to large OEMs and aviation industry clients, and his team has handled numerous aircraft financings, supplier arrangements and government procurement matters of consequence to foreign investors.

Publications, Speaking Engagements & Industry Recognition

Kerwin is a regular contributor to international practice guides and industry publications covering outsourcing, aviation and investment practice in the Philippines. He has been featured in sector briefings and partner-perspective interviews that discuss practical legal issues for foreign entrants and the regulatory trends shaping inbound capital. These engagements reflect his role as a practitioner who translates technical regulatory rules into actionable commercial advice for investors and their advisers.

The Foreign Investment Landscape In Philippines

The Philippines’ foreign investment framework is governed by the Foreign Investment Act and a regularly updated Foreign Investment Negative List, which together define where 100% foreign ownership is permitted and where constitutional or statutory limits remain in place. Recent legislative and policy changes, including the amendments under RA No. 11647 and periodic negative-list updates, have expanded ownership opportunities in many sectors but continue to leave special constraints for land, certain public utilities and reserved professions. Investors must therefore assess capitalisation, licensing, anti‑dummy exposure and sector-specific rules as part of any entry plan.

How Kerwin Advises Investors

Clients instruct Kerwin for practical, risk-calibrated market entry advice that balances commercial objectives with regulatory constraints. His approach begins with a compliance-focused assessment of ownership limits, licensing requirements and tax implications, then proceeds to bespoke transactional documentation that preserves investor remedies while respecting local statutory and constitutional safeguards. For back-office, outsourcing and aviation matters in particular, his integrated guidance covers company registration, employment, data privacy and cross-border contracting—areas where early legal design avoids downstream enforcement and operational risks.

Why Businesses Should Consider Kerwin Tan & Foreign Investment Lawyer in Philippines

For businesses and individuals seeking a Foreign Investment lawyer in Philippines, Kerwin offers the combination of transactional experience, sectoral depth and regulatory fluency required to execute complex cross-border projects. His dual admission, authorship in practice guides and track record on high-value transactions position him to advise multinational investors, lenders and sponsors that need a Philippine counsel capable of steering negotiations, securing approvals and resolving regulatory questions promptly. The firm’s focus on commercially minded, compliance-first advice makes it well suited to investors entering the Philippine market or expanding existing operations.

Kerwin Tan’s profile is particularly relevant to foreign principals seeking a counsel who combines hands-on transaction experience with an authoritative understanding of the Philippines’ investment rules and sectoral nuances. For those evaluating entry strategies, joint ventures or financed acquisitions, specialist representation that anticipates statutory limits and administrative practice is indispensable—qualities Kerwin has demonstrated consistently across aviation, energy, infrastructure & outsourcing matters.