Glenn Francis E. Gacal
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE
As a decorated combat sports athlete, Glenn has mastered the required discipline, grit, and mentality to effectively and creatively provide solutions to various legal problems. With vast experience in different leadership roles, Glenn has always been passionate, cooperative, and goal-oriented. As such, Glenn applies a meticulous and cautious approach in handling cases with utmost dedication and effort to arrive at his clients’ desired outcomes.
With Tolosa Javier Law, Glenn has already immersed himself in various fields and practices of the law. His current focus is on criminal and civil litigation as well as corporate matters and special projects. Given the wide array of cases he handles, he takes every opportunity to hone his skills as a lawyer. True to his nature as an athlete, Glenn’s eagerness to learn how to become a better lawyer is driven by a desire for constant self-improvement. More importantly, the selfless leader in Glenn views his status as a lawyer as a conduit for the rule of law to prevail and to be of service to others to the best of his ability.
Highlights:
- Assisted in creating the most effective and efficient procedure of the online competitive selection process of the largest electric power distribution company in the Philippines.
- Acted as counsel of the largest food, beverage, and packaging company in Southeast Asia in both civil and criminal litigation cases
- Advised the leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices in the world in its labor and corporate concerns
- Assisted in administrative matters of the biggest cigarette and tobacco manufacturing company
- Before entering law school, he assisted in performing end-to-end purchasing and logistics-related activities in the biggest shipping company in the world and ensured the safe and timely delivery of items ordered by vessels/rigs at the lowest possible cost with due consideration to the criticality of the item.
Q&A
You worked for the largest container shipping line and vessel operator in the world and had a promising career in the export and supply chain industry. Why did you leave it to pursue law?
Before I closed that chapter in my life, I asked myself if I wanted to be in the place where my superiors were at that time. That thought struck me. I then realized I wanted more and that I could do more, not just for myself but for my family and for the whole community. I wanted to practice a profession where it could put me in a position which would not only propel me to a better future but also to help others along the way.
You were a very active student in college as well as in law school. You participated in various extra-curricular activities such as being the captain of the Taekwondo Men’s varsity team and a member of the student council. What values did you learn from your experiences that helped you in your law school journey?
“Finish strong” was one of the best advice my coach in Taekwondo gave me. It taught me that it doesn’t matter how bad I started or how bad the situation I’m currently in. What matters is that I give everything I got and finish strong. No matter how hard the training (or law school or the bar exam) is, I just have to keep going until I reach my goal. Can’t run? walk. Can’t walk? Crawl. Can’t crawl? Roll over. It gave me the courage to face failure and overcome it again and again.
And, most importantly, I always pray. I can’t deny the fact that there are some things that I have to let go because I’m not in control. I just have to let Him do the work and trust in His divine intervention.
True enough, I made it.
What factors did you consider in joining a firm?
I was looking for a firm which share the same values as I have. I was not only looking for a firm founded by the brightest lawyers of our generation with a great reputation in the legal field, but those who can mentor and guide me as well to become the best lawyer I can be. A firm which appreciates you and understands your needs and situation in life and not just your output for the day is a big consideration as well.
- Juris Doctor, Ateneo De Manila University, School of Law, 2019
- Bachelor of Science degree, Business Administration Major in Export Management, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 2013, Cum Laude; recipient of the Benildean Athlete Award
- 4th year Batch Representative, Ateneo Law School Student Council, 2019
- Batch Representative of the School of Management and Information Technology, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Student Council
- Former Team Captain of the Taekwondo Men’s Team and a gold medalist of the 85th Season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines
glenn.gacal@tolosajavierlaw.com
(+63)2 8255 46 56