Atty. Gruba earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Technology Management at the Ateneo de Manila University. She received her Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila Law School where she founded the Joaquin Bernas Center Student Volunteer Corps and served as its Deputy Overall Student Head from 2010-2013. 


She earned her Master in Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business under the ME 24 Batch.


Atty. Gruba specializes in corporate, taxation, real estate, and intellectual property law. She handles high-profile real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and developments. She also handles high-profile estate and family wealth planning matters, which include strategic legal advice on business succession. 


Atty. Gruba is well-regarded in the real estate practice. She has extensive experience in handling various matters before the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), among others. She also has experience in Public-Private Partnership projects and developments.


Atty. Gruba represents and serves as corporate secretary to various local and multinational companies who are industry leaders in the fields of real estate, retail and distribution, manufacturing, petroleum, agriculture, and financing. She likewise serves as legal advisor to several business organizations and associations. 


Atty. Gruba is currently the firm’s Managing Partner and heads the Corporate and Tax Groups. She is the granddaughter of the late Court of Tax Appeals Justice Manuel K. Gruba. 


Languages: English, Filipino, Mandarin, and Fukien 


E-mail: k.gruba@grubaguzman.com

Atty. Guzman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics at De La Salle University - Manila and his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila Law School. 
He earned his Master in Business Administration Major in Finance at De La Salle University - Manila. He also received extensive training in real estate due diligence at DLA Piper LLC in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 


Atty. Guzman served the Philippine Government as Assistant Secretary at the Office of the President in Malacañan from 2017-2021 under the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (OPCLC). He was also a consultant with a rank of Director at the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), which is also under the Office of the President.


Considering his education and background in business, finance, and government relations, Atty. Guzman serves as primary legal counsel to various local and multinational companies and provides strategic legal advice and risk management to their executive team.


Atty. Guzman specializes in corporate and business law, contracts, labor and employment, litigation, mining & natural resources, and government relations. He is also a licensed Real Estate Broker, which is specialized to complement the Firm’s Real Estate and Estate and Family Wealth Planning practice.


Atty. Guzman currently heads the firm’s Special Projects, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution Groups.


Languages: English and Filipino


E-mail: ht.guzman@grubaguzman.com

Atty. Mallillin earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila Law School.


Atty. Mallillin specializes in regulatory compliance, labor and employment, corporate law, and government relations.
After working as an Associate at Del Rosario & Del Rosario Law Offices - the industry leader in maritime law practice where he handled several high profile maritime and labor law cases - Atty. Mallillin served as legal counsel to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. – Philippine Global Service Center. 


Atty. Mallillin started as an Employee Relations Case Manager where he handled administrative cases, labor compliance, and policy development. He was thereafter promoted to Assistant Vice President for Fraud Investigations where he spearheaded investigations involving complex Code of Conduct violations, harassment, intimidation, whistleblower, and personal financial transaction cases. 


In view of his exemplary performance, Atty. Mallillin was appointed as Vice President for Licensing and Regulatory Management where he led JPMorgan’s regulatory change management and local regulatory compliance functions covering 17,000+ employees located in 5 sites across the Philippines. He was considered as the subject matter expert in licensing matters and government relations. He represented the company before the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Board of Investments, the Bureau of Customs, and Local Government Units.


After working at the private sector, Atty. Mallillin served the Philippine Government as a Legislative Liaison for the Judicial and Bar Council where he reviewed and provided recommendations on applications for vacancies in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Trial Courts, Offices of the Ombudsman, Special Prosecutor, and Legal Education Board. He also served as Senior Vice President at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) under the Office of the President and the Chief Operating Officer.


Atty. Mallillin sits as Director for several companies in the food service and agricultural industries.


Atty. Mallillin currently heads the firm’s Regulatory Compliance and Labor and Employment Groups.


Languages: English and Filipino


E-mail: p.mallillin@grubaguzman.com

Atty. Sy Cao Yao earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications minor in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University. He received his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila Law School where he was elected as the President of the Ateneo Center for International Economic Law from 2017-2018 and concurrently acted as Chief-of-Staff at the Office of the Externals Vice President of the Ateneo Law School Student Council.

Atty. Sy Cao Yao is an alumnus of Philippine Science High School - Main Campus, the premier science high school in the country.


Atty. Sy Cao Yao specializes in civil and criminal litigation, labor, and corporate law. He regularly appears before the Department of Justice, Municipal and Metropolitan Trial Courts, and Regional Trial Courts all over the country. He has extensive experience in handling complex commercial and civil actions and is well-regarded in criminal prosecution and defense. 


In addition to his law practice, Atty. Sy Cao Yao serves multiple roles in Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development.


Atty. Sy Cao Yao co-heads the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Groups.


Languages: English and Filipino


E-mail: a.sycaoyao@grubaguzman.com