Dean Alan R. Recaña
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE
With zeal and persistence, Dean brings an ethos of professionalism and attention to detail to the Firm. He has developed an understanding of the law that is sufficiently grounded in the realities of the profession. Even while in law school, Dean has already acquired experience in advising clients on several legal questions and navigating the rules of procedure to enforce their rights. As a natural achiever, Dean goes beyond what is required of him to ensure that every possible direction for a case or matter entrusted to him is covered and given consideration.
As a result, Dean knows his way around complex legal issues. This skill comes as unsurprising once one sees that his work ethic and proclivity for delivering results are the sum of all he is: athlete, consummate professional, and impassioned advocate.
At present, Dean primarily handles criminal and civil cases, labor disputes, and special civil actions. He also has exposure to cases requiring in-depth knowledge of Corporate Law, Contract Law, and Energy & Power. His constant need to develop and learn new things allows him to readily assist the Firm in other matters and legal situations which require his expertise and immediate attention.
Highlights:
- Assisted in litigation and labor cases involving large sums of money for various multi-national companies and leading domestic corporations.
- Assisted in the settlement of a civil case involving a collection for sum of money for a leading telecommunications company.
- Assisted in an expropriation case for one of the country’s biggest water utility for the construction of a pumping station and reservoir.
- Assisted in a pollution case against a glass manufacturing facility emitting poisonous and toxic fumes over a facility of one of the country’s biggest packing corporations.
- Assisted in giving corporate advice to a top tobacco products manufacturer and distributor as regards an innovative business plan to be introduced in the Philippine market.
Q&A
We hear that you are a big fan of watching classic films. What prompted you to engage in this hobby?
Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated with how films evolved from the Golden Age of Cinema to the modern era of filmmaking. For me, watching classic films became more than just simply watching old movies. It made me find the fun in paying closer attention to specific elements such as the cinematography, the acting, the patterns of shots, and the messages the films portrayed during the years they were created. It is like living in the past through the perspective of artists who are made timeless.
How do you relate your love of films to the practice of law?
I believe that every film has a message beyond its storyline. We may decipher it from the film’s color scheme, the camera angles, the choice of music, and even in the selection of casting. Just like watching movies, lawyering entails paying careful attention to details. There are times when cases may appear to have familiar issues or predictable narratives; still, a good lawyer would go over every detail with a fine-tooth comb to untangle what lies beyond the surface of the storyline.
We were told that you were a student-athlete during college and in law school. What do you think are the qualities of an athlete that a lawyer must have to be successful in the legal profession?
As an athlete, I value work ethic and good communication, especially when working in groups. A lawyer must understand what it takes to be a team player: understanding the importance of collaboration and recognizing the fact that everyone has something unique to offer for the success of any case, regardless of its degree of complexity. A good lawyer must also be mentally tough to make calculated decisions in high-pressured situations. Like an athlete, a lawyer must always have the drive to overcome difficult situations, and continue striving for self-improvement.
- Juris Doctor, Ateneo De Manila University, School of Law, 2022; graduated with second honors distinction and the recipient of the Robert A. Gana Service Award
- Bachelor of Science degree, Major in Political Science, University of Santo Tomas, 2018; Cum Laude and recipient of the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Individual Award (2017) and the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (2016).
- Internal Vice President, Council of Interns, Ateneo Human Rights Center, A.Y. 2021-2022
- Quarterfinalist, International Children’s Rights Moot Court Competition 2021, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Student Associate, Ateneo Legal Services Center, A.Y. 2021-2022