SYCIP Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw) has announced the appointment of Simeon Ken R. Ferrer as the new head of the firm's Corporate Services Department.

Ferrer's four-year term began on December 1, 2014, after the retirement of Emmanuel C. Paras, who continues to serve the firm as Of Counsel.

Ferrer's practice areas include banking, finance and securities, foreign investments, mergers and acquisitions, and corporations. He has assisted Philippine and foreign banks and other financial institutions in connection with equity, debt and derivative securities issues, as well as securitization transactions by Philippine corporations and the Republic of the Philippines.

He also assists foreign investors in structuring their direct investments in the Philippines, such as through special economic zone facilities, joint ventures, subsidiaries and branches.

He acts as director, corporate secretary or assistant corporate secretary of various Philippine and multinational corporations engaged in diverse economic activities, such as power distribution, car assembly, mineral processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and property holding and development.

Ferrer is a member of the Philippine Bar Association and a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He is also the International Alumni Contact for the Philippines of the University of Michigan Alumni Association and heads the firm's Hiring Committee.

The firm's Corporate Services department assists both domestic and foreign clients in setting up business vehicles in the Philippines, such as subsidiaries, branches, representative offices, and regional headquarters.

It also renders corporate services and provides general business law advice to support clients' operations and compliance needs. (PR)