Our Lawyers
ATTY. DEANNA NOREEN R. HOLGADO
Senior Associate
Dea Holgado joined NALO in 2022 and became a Senior Associate in 2024. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Legal Management degree from De La Salle University-Lipa in 2016 and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of the East Manila in 2021. She took the Bar examinations in 2022 and was admitted in the same year.
Dea works on various legal cases, specializing in a range of contentious legal matters, including Power and Renewable Energy, Interactive Gaming and E-Commerce, General Corporate Governance including incorporation and business closures, Equity Restructuring, Data Privacy, Maritime, Real Estate, Estate Settlements, Wills and Succession, Labor and Employment, Education, Family Law, and Health Care.
Dea has also represented various clients in civil, commercial, and criminal litigation before the Trial courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Provincial and City Prosecutors. She serves as Corporate Secretary and Assistant Corporate Secretary of several stock and non-stock corporations in the Philippines.
ATTY. IVY R. ABLETES
Senior Associate
Ivy Abletes joined NALO in 2022 and became a Senior Associate in 2024. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 2015 and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from San Beda College of Law-Alabang in 2021. She took the bar examinations in 2022 and was admitted in the same year.
Ivy has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our clients and has played a pivotal role in the Firm’s growth and reputation.
Ivy has built a strong reputation in crewing and maritime practice, estate planning, litigation, immigration, labor, corporate, family law, education, mergers and acquisitions, energy and petroleum, and real estate. She also represented our clients in civil and criminal litigation before the Trial courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Provincial and City Prosecutor.
Underbar Associates
JOSHUA SAN GADOT
Underbar Associate
Joshua San D. Gadot obtained his Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering degree from the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and is a licensed Marine Engineer. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from San Beda University – College of Law in 2026.
During law school, Joshua served as an Oralist for San Beda Law in the 2022 Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot Court Competition, representing San Beda University and the Philippines in an international competition focused on foreign direct investment and commercial arbitration. The team ranked fifth in the Asia-Pacific Rounds and eighth in the Overall Regional Rounds, which included the Asia-Pacific, South Asia, and Africa regions, and advanced to the Global Rounds held in London, United Kingdom.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Joshua is an avid sports enthusiast, with a particular passion for football and a strong support for FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi. He also maintains an active interest in fitness and enjoys reading across a wide range of genres.
ANDREW JAMES CARANDANG
Underbar Associate
Andrew James P. Carandang graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 2020 with a degree in AB Interdisciplinary Studies, with tracks in Management and Communication. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from San Beda University – College of Law in 2026.
During law school, Andrew served as President of the San Beda Legal Aid Bureau, where he led the organization in its efforts to provide free legal assistance to members of the community. In this capacity, he worked closely with fellow law students and the Bureau’s supervising lawyers in implementing legal aid initiatives and community-based programs.
He was also a member of the San Beda Human Rights Advocates and the San Beda Law RGCT Bar Operations Center, further reflecting his commitment to legal service, human rights advocacy, and professional development.
Special Counsel
ATTY. ESTHER JOY P. PABIONA-DACLAN
Of Counsel
Esther Pabiona-Daclan is currently the Legal Head for Asia Pacific of Anthesis Group, a global sustainability consulting firm with presence in 44 offices across 23 countries. Concurrently, she also covers legal matters for Anthesis’ North America offices.
With years of professional experience in the construction, engineering, and pharmaceutical/healthcare industries across the Asia-Pacific and UK regions, her specializations include contract law, compliance, and personal data protection. She also previously worked as Compliance and Legal Manager of Menarini APAC, Commercial Counsel of Buro Happold APAC, and as Senior Legal Counsel of Nokia APAC.
She obtained her Juris Doctor degree in Law from San Beda University, and her Political Science degree from the University of the Philippines. She is also trained as a Certified Information Privacy Manager by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and as a Governance Risk and Compliance Professional by the Open Compliance and Ethics Group.
ATTY. RYAN D. CO
Of Counsel
Ryan Co currently serves as the Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs of Pacific Synergy Food and Beverage Corp. He was recently selected as one of the Top 10 Chief Legal Officers of the Philippines by CEO Insights Asia. He was also included in The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Philippines and was recognized as one of the best in-house legal professionals in the Philippines during his stint as General Counsel and Regulatory Affairs Director of Kumu. He also led his legal team to be recognized as one of Southeast Asia's best legal teams by The Legal 500. He also counseled for Shopee Philippines and other SEA Group entities, Rockwell Land and Megaworld Corporation. He also handled high profile litigation and employment cases and complex legal transactions at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan and Kapunan Lotilla Flores Garcia & Castillo.
He obtained his Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) from Santa Clara University School of Law in California focused on High Technology, Employment and Intellectual Property and Law (J.D.) and Economics (A.B.) Degrees from San Beda University.
ATTY. MARK JULIUS ESTUR
Of Counsel
Atty. Mark Julius Comendador Estur is a New York-based attorney, Certified Public Accountant, and dual-licensed lawyer in the Philippines and New York, specializing in international trade, corporate, regulatory compliance, and entertainment law. He is the Director and Chair of the Foreign-Trained Attorney Committee of the Filipino-American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), which supports Filipino and Filipino-American legal professionals navigating the New York legal landscape.
He earned his U.S. law degree with highest honors from Columbia Law School, where he received the Parker School Certificate of Academic Achievement and Excellence in International and Comparative Studies and was recognized as a Class of 2026 Public Interest/Public Service Law Honoree. He has served as Head of Legal and Compliance for a multinational corporation, a Highly Technical Consultant to the Philippine National Privacy Commission, and has represented the New York State Bar Association before the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Atty. Estur currently serves as a Senior Associate at a New York City-based law firm and Of-Counsel to Nepomuceno Holgado & Abletes Law Offices in Makati City. He also represents prominent personalities in the Philippine entertainment industry and serves as legal counsel to AKTOR PH and Artist Circle Talent Management.
Professional Support Staff
