Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan graduated from the University of the Philippines AB Political Science (1973) and LLB (Law) 1978 and had seminar courses in Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) Tokyo (1997); National Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo Italy (September 2005); Summer Course International Humanitarian Law, Magdalene College, Cambridge University, London UK (July 2010). She founded in 2011 the Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices (formerly Kapunan Garcia & Castillo) where she is currently Senior Partner. Although recognized as one of the leading litigation lawyers in the country because of her high-profile cases, her legal expertise is extensive and includes licensing law, franchising, corporate and commercial law, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, international humanitarian law, family law, estate law and succession.

Atty. Kapunan has been a practicing lawyer for 46 years. Atty. Kapunan started her distinguished career in law with Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz (ACCRA) where she was as a senior associate until 1986. She served as a senior partner of Roco Kapunan Migallos Perez & Luna Law Offices from 1986. She was Founder and a Senior Partner of the Kapunan Lotilla Garcia & Castillo Law Offices from 2009 to 2011. In 2016, Atty. Kapunan founded the Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices. Her Firm owns the distinction of being the first and only law firm to have been conferred the Institutional Spirituality Quotient (ISQ) Award by the Bishops/Businessmen Conference (BBC in June 2008), and is a member of the International Lawyers Network (ILN).

Atty. Kapunan has had a number of professional involvements throughout her legal career. The most recent ones include Founding President, Intellectual Property Alumni Association (IPAA); Past President and Current Director, Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPAP); Past Councilor, Asean Patent Attorneys Association (APAA); Past Chairman, Copyright Committee (APAA); Past Regional President, Asean Intellectual Property Association (ASEAN IP); Director, Licensing Executive Society of the Philippines (LES); Past Chairman and President, Women’s Business Council of the Philippines (WomenBiz) and currently Chairman of WomenBiz’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee; Past Chairman, National Issues Committee, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP); and current Chairman of the MAP Arts & Culture Committee; and Past Chairman, UN Women (Formerly UNIFEM).

Atty. Kapunan was an awardee of the Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) in the field of Corporate Law and was Bar Examiner in 1988 in this field of law. She was a recipient in 1998 of the Outstanding Women of the University of the Philippines. She was a professional lecturer at the European-based International Center for Legal Studies and was a lecturer of “media and the client” for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). She has been recognized among the top 10 Lawyers of the Country for 3 consecutive years (2019 – 2021) She was awarded in 2016 by the Filipina Womens Network (FWN) composed of acclaimed Filipina Women Leaders worldwide. Her more recent awards include “Women In Law Awards” for Corporate Law – Philippines,” Asia’s Iconic Award for Law” and “Linguistic Intelligence Award.”

Atty Kapunan sits in boards of major corporate clients as Corporate Secretary, Compliance Officer and Director, and is involved in various socio-civic groups. She is presently Governor and Legal Counselor and Chairman of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Committee of the Philippine Red Cross; Past Director of Cultural Center of the Philippines; Past President Rotary Club of Sampaguita; currently District Legal Adviser of Rotary District 3800; Past President and Area Director of Zonta Foundation; Past Trustee of Rustan’s Essenses Foundation; Past President Stop Trafficking of Filipinos; Council of advisers of World Wildlife Fund (WWF); Past Trustee of Ballet Philippines; and Legal Adviser of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Atty. Kapunan is the daughter of Retired Supreme Court Justice Lino M. Patajo and Cristeta Taaca Patajo, Past Dean of Manila Doctors School of Nursing and VP Academic Affairs UDMC and member Professional Regulations Board for Nursing. She is the widow of former Regional Trial Court Judge Eduardo Roden E. Kapunan, her Classmate in UP Law School. She has five sons and three grandsons. All her sons (except one Architect and Digital Advertising Expert) and grandsons are lawyers or future lawyers. Her eldest son, Lino, is now a Managing Partner in the Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices.

Atty. Kapunan is an advocate for women and children’s rights and the environment. She has the distinction of being the first to have obtained a Writ of Kalikasan from the Supreme Court for her West Tower/Barangay Bangkal oil spill case. She is Legal Counsel of Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME), which advocates economic nationalism and champions the fight against poverty and corruption in all branches of the Government.