The Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Atty. Jose Perpetuo “Juju” Lotilla as its new Dean of the SOL. With an illustrious legal career spanning several decades, Atty. Lotilla brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
Atty. Lotilla served as a senior partner at Sycip Salazar Hernadez and Gatmaitan (SyCip Law) for an impressive 31 years. During his tenure, he specialized in various fields, including corporate law, international banking and finance, securities and foreign investments, privatization, infrastructure and energy projects, trade and project finance, as well as structuring banking investment deals. His expertise also extended to securitization and international trade and shipping transactions.
Throughout his career, Atty. Lotilla has represented a diverse range of clients, including underwriters, security issuers, financial advisers, project owners, financiers, foreign investors, and contractors. His extensive knowledge and contributions to the field of banking and finance law earned him the recognition of being the sole Band 1 Philippine lawyer for several years, as rated by the Chambers and Partners. This accolade solidifies his reputation as one of the country’s foremost legal professionals in the banking and finance sector.
In addition to his private practice, Atty. Lotilla also served as Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Undersecretary for Civil Aviation at the then Department of Transportation and Communications or DOTC (now Department of Transportation or DOTr). As undersecretary for Civil Aviation, he held the position of Chairman of the Air Panel. Furthermore, he served as an alternate Chairman to the DOTC Secretary for the Toll Regulatory Board, Manila International Airport Authority, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Civil Aeronautics Board.
Education has always been a vital aspect of Atty. Lotilla’s career, and he has shared his expertise with aspiring legal minds at various educational institutions. He has taught law at the University of the Philippines College of Law, Lyceum of the Philippines, and San Sebastian College of Law. In addition, he served as the Governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for Western Visayas and Chairman of the Committee on Bar Discipline. Atty. Lotilla’s commitment to the legal profession is evident through his involvement with the Philippine Bar Association, where he has served as member of the Board of Trustees for several years, including stints as Executive Vice President and President.
Atty. Lotilla’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he was an Insular Life Educational Foundation Scholar. He later earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines College of Law. Additionally, he has enriched his legal education through various international courses. Notably, he completed a course on international debt restructuring at the International Development Law Organization in Rome, Italy. He also attended a course in International Trade Law at Oxford University, United Kingdom, and a course on the Law of the World Trade Organization at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA. In recognition of his extensive knowledge, he served as a Commercial Law Examiner in the 2022 Bar Examinations.
With his vast experience, exceptional credentials, and dedication to the legal profession, Atty. Lotilla is poised to lead MLQU’s law school to new heights. His appointment as Dean further strengthens MLQU’s commitment to providing a transformative legal education and producing competent and ethical lawyers who will make significant contributions to society. The MLQU community eagerly looks forward to the invaluable insights and guidance Atty. Lotilla will bring to the students, faculty and staff of the university.
