Since Atty. Nilo T. Divina established his eponymous law firm in 2006, DivinaLaw has gone on becoming one of the largest and leading legal offices in the Philippines with more than 80 lawyers in its roster and counting. It’s also known for endeavoring to understand clients’ need, so it can give “the best legal service possible” and aiming to exceed “expectations at every turn.”

DivinaLaw’s clients, as listed in its website, “include leading companies in banking and finance, manufacturing, retail, power, oil and gas, education, health care and insurance, realty and property development and technology.”

The law firm goes the extra mile by committing to “keep clients informed on the latest rules and guidelines affecting their businesses.” In 2018, for instance, DivinaLaw conducted its very first seminar on Labor Laws held at its main office in Makati. The seminar was attended by over 60 clients from various fields, such as healthcare, academe, transportation, construction, retail, finance, information technology and wellness.

Its labor team, led by the firm’s senior partner Alden Francis Gonzales and senior associate Jerny de Leon and Israel Sarangaya Jr., shared updates and expounded on the latest Department of Labor and Employment’s Issuances, the 2018 DoLE Handbook, conceptualization, employee discipline, labor audit and the Data Privacy Act for Human Resources personnel.

DivinaLaw likewise took the initiative of educating its clients about the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act when this law, which is considered to be one of the largest stimulus packages ever given to local businesses, officially took effect on 11 April 2021. It organized a webinar with the firm’s associate lawyer Kenneth Glenn L. Manuel, also a certified public accountant, as the main speaker.

Giving back to community

DivinaLaw regularly conducts free legal clinics through its Dulog Legal program, which services “anyone requiring expert advice” with “proper knowledge of their rights as well as the appropriate procedural options in legal matters.” The program’s impact extends beyond mere consultations as it also offers relief by “alleviating fears and worries that have burdened many residents for far too long.”

In 2022 alone, the firm provided a free legal clinic to residents of two barangays in two cities: Tugatog, Malabon, in July and Barangay 12, Caloocan, in December. Attorney Divina himself led the outreach activities, giving professional legal counsel on concerns ranging from birth certificate errors and civil registry issues to estate planning.

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to work with the Caloocan City government and provide assistance,” the managing partner said during one of the free legal clinics. “Through our Dulog Legal program, we’re also helping the local government move constituents through their legal assistance office’s pipeline faster. Our objective was to address and fulfill as many concerns as we can.”

DivinaLaw’s socio-civic works extend to other sectors of society. In celebration of National Teachers’ Month in September 2022, for example, the firm gifted more than 40 educators of Sampalukan Elementary School in Caloocan with groceries and cash. The gift-giving activity also benefited residents who are in their senior years, expectant mothers and with disabilities.

The firm cares for the elderly, too, as it chose the residents of the nursing home, Bahay Kanlungan ni Maria Domenica in Antipolo City, as beneficiaries of its Christmas outreach activity in 2019. Attorney Divina led the gift-giving and imparted a heartwarming message in his opening remarks: “This is maybe an act of giving from your perspective but really, you complete us…You make our Christmas meaningful. You make our Christmas how it should be celebrated. For that, we thank you.”

Speaking of Christmas, DivinaLaw continued spreading Yuletide cheers even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it wasn’t exactly the most wonderful of times. It spearheaded a donation drive in December 2020 that benefited those affected by typhoon “Ulysses” in Montalban, Rizal province, and also the residents of Barangay 24 in Caloocan City.

The following year, 2021, the firm likewise donated sacks of rice and grocery items, this time to some 2,000 residents of Caloocan’s second district. Additionally, it contributed P250,000 to TV5’s social development arm, Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc., in support of the foundation’s various humanitarian causes.

It also participated in fundraising events, such as the charity golf tournament Chairwoman’s Cup 2022 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Makati City and the other organized by the University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Foundation, Inc. The first golf tourney was intended for PCCI-Makati City’s livelihood training program focusing on Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid program in the barangays of West Rembo, Southside, Palanan and Pinagkaisahan. Meanwhile, the second one zeroed in on USTLAFI’s scholarship and outreach programs.