Ann Clarice "Kia" G. Opinion

Ann Clarice G. Opinion

Associate

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    • Commercial Arbitration

    • Construction Arbitration

    • Criminal Prosecution and Defense

    • Employment Disputes

  • Associate, Florete Law Office, Iloilo City, Philippines (2024 - present)

    Experienced in commercial arbitration, litigation, legal drafting, and negotiation, with a strong background in legal research and courtroom advocacy. Provides comprehensive legal support backed by business and marketing insight. Currently acting as advocate in a CIAC construction arbitration case and serving as counsel in criminal, civil, and labor cases—including estafa, qualified theft, RA 9262, RA 7610, annulment, and employment disputes.

    Assistant Supervising Specialist, PPP Office - Iloilo City, Iloilo City (2024 - present)

    PhilippinesWe manage the full cycle of PPP projects for the Iloilo City Government—from project selection and procurement to contract management. This includes key sectors like markets, terminals, waste management, housing, and water supply. We coordinate with stakeholders to ensure legal compliance and smooth implementation, and we assist in preparing essential contracts and agreements.

    Legal Intern, International Committee of the Red Cross Manila, Philippines 2021 (8-week program)

    Interviewed Judge O-Gon Kwon of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for the Asia Pacific Journal of International Humanitarian Law. Conducted a legal survey on existing IHL-related laws for inclusion in an international organization’s database. Co-led a special initiative exploring how International Humanitarian Law can be integrated into commercial sectors, with a focus on conflict-affected areas in the Philippines.

    Marketing & Business Leadership (2013 – 2021)

    • Former Account Director, Unilever

    • Project Director, Visa Philippines

    • Senior Account Manager, PepsiCo

    • Coach, Ateneo Law School team in the 2025 VIS East Moot, Hong Kong

    • Arbitrator, 2025 VIS East Moot, Hong Kong

    • Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) 

    • Trained File Counsel, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC)

    • Trained Arbitrator, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRC)

    • Member, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC)

    • Member, Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb)

    • Career Service Professional, Philippine Civil Service Commission

  • Juris Doctor, Ateneo Law School (2018 – 2022, Honors Graduate)

    • Graduate of the International Law and Development Track

    • Graduate Thesis: Protecting the Pearl of the Orient: A Legal Analysis of the Consequences of the South China Sea Arbitration Award in Consideration of the President's Inherent Powers Over Foreign Affairs and State Obligations Arising from International and Domestic Law

    B.S. Management, Ateneo de Manila University (Major in Communications Technology Management, Minor in Literature, 2013, Graduated Honourable Mention)

  • Admitted to the Philippine Bar (May 2023)

Atty. Ann Clarice “Kia” Opinion is an ex-marketing and advertising executive turned lawyer. Her work as an Associate at Florete Law is primarily focused on commercial arbitration and litigation.

Aside from her work at the firm, she works as a Specialist of public-private partnership (PPP) projects through the Iloilo City Government, assisting in regulatory compliance and contract negotiations for developments such as public markets, terminals, solid waste management, housing, transportation, land reclamation, and bulk water supply.

Atty. Opinion is a member of the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb) and the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC). She is part of a handful of lawyers who are growing the arbitration community outside of the nation’s capital, through the Western Visayas arm of PIARb. She is also a Trained Arbitrator and Trained File Counsel of the PDRC.

She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications Technology Management with a Minor in English Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2013, graduating Honorable Mention. After university, she gained six years of invaluable training in marketing, advertising, and finance, taking on various account management roles for multinational companies and having had substantial experience collaborating with cross-regional teams in Southeast Asia. She then took her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School, graduating in 2022. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023.

Atty. Opinion was an active member of the Ateneo Society of International Law (ASIL) during her time in law school, having competed at the 2020 Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis East Moot) and the 2021 John H. Jackson (WTO) Moot Court Competition. She recently coached the Ateneo Law School team in the 2025 Vis East Moot in Hong Kong, and concurrently served as arbitrator.

Professional Memberships & Arbitration Credentials

  • Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) 

  • Trained File Counsel, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC)

  • Trained Arbitrator, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC)

  • Member, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC)

  • Member, Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb)

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Ateneo Law School (2022)

  • B.S. Management Major in Communications Technology Management, Minor in Literature, Ateneo de Manila University (2013, Graduated Honourable Mention)

Bar Admission

  • Admitted to the Philippine Bar (May 2023)