The lawyers at Rama Baena Tan & Ang Law Offices (“RBTA Law”) hold forth that the wheels of justice turn faster on the information superhighway, and hereby submit their case for quicker verdicts, easier evidence acquisition…and more time at home.
The Trials of (Past) Centuries
Ned Stark of A Game of Thrones once quipped “he who passes the sentence, must swing the sword” – which meant he went from province to province to deliver justice in person. And while at times this seems to apply in the Philippines, where justice is leagues away for most – at least one group of young lawyers has adamantly gripped 21st century technology in an attempt to help bring the long (and just) arm of the law within everyone’s reach. Enter young guns: Attys. Mikel F. Rama (“Mikel”), Joselito Thomas Ghadry P. Baena (“Jopep”), Nico Bryan P. Tan (“Nico”), and Terence John L. Ang (“Terence”) of RBTA Law.
Indeed, the firm’s early reliance on technology since its founding just this year, has made it all but Covid-proof. RBTA Law’s opting for remote conferencing, instant messaging, and profession-specific database software for its needs has – “It was Mikel who told one of our clients first,” mentions Jopep, “‘We were built for COVID, we did not know it when we started but it was the direct result of our shift and embrace of technology’- so when the lockdowns came, we barely felt the disruption.”
Mikel, who, together with Jopep and Terence, came from the prestigious Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices, also adds that he considers RBTA Law the “natural evolution of the traditional law practice. Remote work has not only become the convenient method of working, but has become necessary due to recent events.”
It has even made some previously impossible cases, plausible.
“(We) have a case in Western Visayas,” shares Jopep, “I manage the litigation from Cabanatuan. We collaborate with teammates in Metro Manila and Cebu. We represent individuals who are in the United States, India, Hong Kong and other parts of the Philippines. We hold coordination meetings through zoom, and we use collaborative software in the drafting, review and sharing of documents. It’s a case that’s almost impossible to handle a few years back.”
Terence, the youngest member of the team, meanwhile lauds the fact that “discussing and sharing evidence (securely) with the team and being able to work remotely from any location is a huge plus.” While Nico, who used to work at Puno & Puno Law Offices and the Bureau of Customs, hopes that other agencies and even the government expedite their embrace of technology. “It would be more efficient for courts or agencies to provide downloadable forms in its respective webpages.” He notes.
As further supports, their shift to digital has also allowed Mikel, Jopep, Nico and Terence to acquire talent from different parts of the country, in addition to keeping operational costs low both for the firm (since lawyers can meet online), and their clients (who are charged based on time, and thus do not incur travel expenses for consultations).
Though perhaps the strongest motive to the argument of switching to digital isn’t monetary or judicial, but personal. The team simply wanted to spend less time in court and more time at home.
Vita Opus Statera (Work Life Balance)
Justice is said to be for all. And for Mikel, Jopep, Nico and Terence, that also means that the time they spent doing their work, is balanced with time for their person. The group believes that through the use of technology, they can live the “life of millennials, while keeping true to the high standards of legal practice,” says Jopep, who concedes that, “How we run things is not for everybody. It’s a bit laid back and family-oriented. We respect boundaries, and we ensure that all of us spend quality time with our families and hobbies, away from legal work.”
The set-up has so far allowed Mikel to go on the occasional (pre-Covid) surf trip, Terence to help in their family’s business, and Jopep and Nico to be present in raising their kids whilst practicing their profession.
Still, there are concessions. “difficulty in monitoring and keeping track of different tasks and projects is a downside of working from home,” Jopep says, who finds schedules sometimes slipping in a non-office environment, “mentoring and supervision is likewise a challenge.” He quickly adds that they are overcoming these challenges with collaborative software, and increased online communication.
In particular, the RBTA Law Family counts. Atty. Ma. Flordelin T. Ensomo (Surigao), Fel Louise C. Alingasa (Cebu), Patricia C. Zacarias (Cebu), Christine B. Melchor (Cabanatuan) and Jerrand Joje Josefino R. Paloma (Manila) – not just as members of staff, but as partner-stakeholders – full-fledged members with a seat at the family table. “Their invaluable support, dedication, and efficiency, combined with our collective belief in the firm’s vision – are what truly make RBTA Law possible.” Says Jopep, to which Terence adds: “We see our firm as something similar to a family-run business. We treat each other and our clients as family.”
Terence and Gladys with babies Tamago and Yola
When Justice isn’t “Just Is”
Mikel articulates his motive for helping found RBTA Law: “the opportunity to work with like-minded legal professionals who want to innovate in the practice of law while preserving the established standards of the legal profession.” For him, his favorite cases are the ones when law and equity are preserved.
Jopep reveals that their group currently represents “movers and shakers into real estate, international and domestic shipping, finance, information technology, automobile and motorcycle distribution, and hotels and resorts.” And yet of these, he fondly recalls a pro bono case of wrongful arrest. “Every hearing, my client would bring me a pack of local hopia. Every Christmas, I get rellenong manok. After several years, I secured an acquittal. I was a bit sad after. My regular dose of hopia stopped. I still look forward to the rellenong manok every Christmas though.”
Mikel with his parents and sister, Micheline
It’s this kind of caring and warmth that acts as the true backbone of RBTA Law. Far from a dystopian future where juries decide by swiping left and right, verdicts are handed down via electronic messaging, and arrests delivered via cellphone-guided drones – Mikel, Jopep, Nico and Terence practice law with the hope that “justice” for all, does not mean “just is” for some.
As a fitting closing statement, Mikel states: “I would like to think that in cases, there are no winners and losers per se since both parties have the same goal, which is justice. When justice wins, everyone wins.
Special honorary mention to the people whose support & dedication made it possible for RBTA Law in conquering all endeavours: Atty. Ma. Flordelin T. Ensomo (Surigao), Fel Louise C. Alingasa (Cebu), Patricia C. Zacarias (Cebu), Christine B. Melchor (Cabanatuan) and Jerrand Joje Josefino R. Paloma (Manila).
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