Meet Your Legal Team
ATTY. EFRAIN JULIO JOSE G. PELAEZ
Atty. Pelaez brings extensive experience in corporate and labor law, having started his career at Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos before joining Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako. During his time in these top-tier law firms, he handled corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and labor-related matters, including collective bargaining negotiations. His expertise extends to conducting due diligence, contract documentation, and deal execution. He briefly stepped away from legal practice to earn his MBA from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, further strengthening his strategic and financial acumen.
Upon returning, he co-founded PT Law with Atty. Tan, focusing on corporate structuring, investment advisory, and labor compliance. His work includes guiding businesses through company formation, restructuring, offshore entity setup, corporate governance, employment policies, and regulatory compliance. He also handles commercial contract drafting, intellectual property registration, and corporate dissolution, ensuring clients receive comprehensive legal support at every stage of their business journey.
In addition to his legal practice, Atty. Pelaez serves as a legal and investment consultant for Kickstart Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Globe Telecom. He plays a key role in evaluating technology investments, conducting legal due diligence, and overseeing post-closing documentation for both local and international deals. His expertise extends beyond law, offering insights into market analysis, business strategy, and financial valuation. Atty. Pelaez holds a Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines Law School (2011) and an MBA from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School (2017), equipping him with a unique blend of legal and business expertise that benefits his clients.
ATTY. DANE-DANIEL O. UMALI
Atty. Dane Daniel O. Umali is a trusted legal advisor to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Philippines. With deep expertise in taxation, corporate law, and labor, he is committed to helping business owners navigate legal requirements with clarity, confidence, and efficiency.
He began his legal career at Baniqued & Bello, where he built a strong foundation in taxation and corporate law, assisting businesses with their formation, compliance, and regulatory needs. He later joined San Diego, Ycasiano, Matias, Estorco & Sanchez Law, and then served in the public sector under Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, gaining valuable experience in public policy and administrative procedures—knowledge he now leverages to support MSMEs dealing with government agencies and regulatory bodies.
In private practice, he enhanced his tax expertise at Salvador Llanillo & Mijares, and later served as in-house legal counsel at DHL Express (Philippines) Corp., where he advised various business units on day-to-day legal concerns—an experience that shaped his practical, business-friendly approach to legal advice.
Now a partner at Pelaez Umali Tan Law, Atty. Umali leads the firm’s MSME-focused practice, helping clients with:
• Business registration and structuring
• Tax compliance and BIR concerns
• Employment contracts and labor issues
• Contracts, leases, and service agreements
• Business disputes and collection cases
Atty. Umali understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, especially when resources are limited and every decision counts. He is known for providing clear, straightforward legal solutions that help MSMEs stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and grow with confidence.
He earned his Juris Doctor from Ateneo Law School in 2011, and his well-rounded background—spanning law firms, government service, and corporate counsel—makes him especially equipped to support local businesses at every stage of their journey.
ATTY. LUIS MARTIN V. TAN
ATTY. LUIS MARTIN V. TAN
Atty. Tan is a seasoned tax and corporate lawyer with a strong background in both legal practice and business management. He began his career as an Associate at Baniqued & Baniqued Law, a boutique firm specializing in taxation and corporate law. In 2013, he shifted to the business sector, taking on leadership roles in logistics, freight forwarding, investing, and marketing while serving as a corporate officer and lead legal advisor for several companies. Maintaining an active legal practice, he co-founded PT Law in 2018 with Atty. Pelaez.
As the firm’s Managing Partner, Atty. Tan oversees operations while handling complex tax and customs matters, including tax assessments, customs seizure cases, regulatory approvals, and legal opinions. Alongside Atty. Umali, he develops strategic approaches to tax assessments, successfully resolving over PHP 500 million in tax liabilities and achieving significant tax savings for clients through optimized real property and stock transfers. His expertise in dispute resolution enables him to close cases efficiently through negotiation, often avoiding lengthy litigation.
Atty. Tan earned his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo Law School in 2010. His combined experience in law and business gives him a pragmatic, results-driven approach to legal and corporate challenges, making him a trusted advisor to his clients.
