Lorna Taaca Patajo-Kapunan is a Filipino lawyer whose career has spanned nearly five decades of active practice in the Philippine legal system. Born in Manila, she has built a reputation through high profile litigation, corporate counsel work, intellectual property advocacy, and consistent public commentary on legal and social issues. Her professional path reflects both the influence of a family steeped in public service and her own sustained focus on courtroom advocacy, media engagement, and civic involvement.
As a senior partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, a columnist, radio host, and occasional political participant, Kapunan has handled cases that drew national attention while also maintaining a steady presence in corporate governance and rights based advocacy. This biography outlines her background, education, professional development, public roles, and personal commitments based on verified public records and statements.
Lorna Kapunan Early Life
Lorna Taaca Patajo was born on April 1, 1952, in Manila, Philippines. She is a Filipino by nationality. Her father, Lino M. Patajo, served as a justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and earlier held the position of chairman of the Commission on Elections. Her mother, Cristeta Taaca Patajo, worked as dean of the Manila Doctors School of Nursing, later served as vice president for academic affairs at United Doctors Medical Center, and sat as a member of the Professional Regulations Board for Nursing.
The Patajo family traces its roots to Tayug, Pangasinan. Her paternal grandfather, Domingo T. Patajo, served as municipal president of Tayug from 1900 to 1905 and later as an assemblyman in the Second Philippine Assembly. Her paternal grandmother was Angela Mejia Vda. de Patajo, also from Tayug. These provincial connections provided a foundation of public service that later shaped Kapunan’s own orientation toward law and civic duty, even though she was raised and educated in Metro Manila.
She completed her elementary and high school education at St. Mary’s College in Quezon City. The environment of a household led by a Supreme Court justice and a nursing education leader exposed her early to principles of discipline, public accountability, and professional excellence.
Lorna Kapunan Education
Kapunan earned an AB degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1973. She then proceeded to the University of the Philippines College of Law, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1978. Her classmates at the law school included Eduardo Roden E. Kapunan, whom she later married.
After entering practice, she pursued specialized training abroad. In 1997 she attended courses at the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation in Tokyo and a course for intellectual property experts organized by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarships. In November 1998 she participated in a World Intellectual Property Office program for the Asian region held in Taejon, Republic of Korea. In September 2005 she completed a course at the National Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. In July 2010 she took a summer course on International Humanitarian Law at Magdalene College, Cambridge University, in the United Kingdom.
These programs strengthened her competence in intellectual property, commercial law, and international humanitarian law, areas that became central to her later practice.
Lorna Kapunan Career
Kapunan began her legal career in 1978 as a senior associate at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz, known as ACCRA Law Offices. She remained there until 1986. That year she joined Roco Buñag Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna Law Offices as a senior partner. She later served as managing partner of the firm from 1996 to 1999. During this period she also acted as legal consultant to the office of Senator Raul S. Roco.
In 2009 she founded Kapunan Lotilla Garcia and Castillo Law Offices and served as senior partner until 2011. She then established Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, where she continues as senior partner. The firm became the first and only Philippine law firm to receive the Institutional Spirituality Quotient Award from the Bishops Businessmen Conference in 2008 and remains the sole Philippine member of the International Lawyers Network.
Litigation and High Profile Representation
Kapunan is widely recognized for her work as a litigator. She has represented clients in family law, estate and succession matters, criminal cases, and commercial disputes. Among the public figures she has advised or represented are basketball player James Yap, physician Hayden Kho, actress Rhian Ramos, and businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang. She briefly served as counsel for Janet Lim Napoles in a serious illegal detention case connected to the Priority Development Assistance Fund controversy before withdrawing from the representation.
She has also acted in environmental litigation. She was the first lawyer to obtain a Writ of Kalikasan from the Supreme Court in connection with the West Tower condominium oil spill case that affected Barangay Bangkal in Makati.
Corporate and Intellectual Property Practice
Beyond litigation, Kapunan’s practice covers licensing, franchising, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial law, and intellectual property. She has served as corporate secretary for several companies, including A. Soriano Corporation since 1998, Seven Seas Resorts and Leisure, Inc., Pamalican Island Holdings, Inc., Uni President Philippines, Inc., and others. She has also held directorships and advisory roles in various corporate and foundation entities.
She has been active in intellectual property organizations. She served as president of the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines from 1997 to 2002, later as chairman and then as board adviser. She founded the Intellectual Property Alumni Association and held leadership roles in the ASEAN Intellectual Property Association and the Asian Patent Attorneys Association.
Media and Public Commentary
Kapunan has maintained a consistent presence in media. She writes the column “Legally Speaking” for Business Mirror. She hosts the weekly radio and television program “Laban Para Sa Karapatan” (Fight for Your Rights) on DWIZ 882 AM and related platforms, airing on Saturdays. She has appeared as a co host on the program “Face 2 Face” on TV5 and One PH as one of the “trio tagapagpayo.” Earlier she hosted or co hosted legal discussion programs on other stations.
She regularly lectures for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education programs required by the Supreme Court, covering topics such as family law, the Code of Professional Responsibility, media and the client, and related subjects. She has spoken on women’s and children’s rights, domestic violence, the Safe Spaces Act, climate change, cyber bullying, diversity equity and inclusion, public officer accountability, and international humanitarian law.
Political Involvement
Kapunan served as secretary general of Aksyon Demokratiko from 2009 to 2010 and later as party leader in 2016. She worked on the presidential campaigns of Senator Raul Roco in 1998 and 2004. In the 2016 elections she ran for the Senate under the Partido Galing at Puso ticket of Grace Poe and under the Aksyon Demokratiko banner. She did not win a seat.
In 2025 she volunteered as a private prosecutor in the House of Representatives panel for the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. She participated actively in the Senate trial, presenting evidence and examining witnesses on matters related to confidential funds.
Lorna Kapunan Awards
Kapunan received the Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award in Corporate Law in 1995. In 1988 she served as bar examiner in Commercial Law. The University of the Philippines recognized her as an Outstanding Woman of UP in 1998. In 2016 the Filipina Women’s Network named her one of the 100 most influential Filipina women leaders worldwide.
She was listed among the Top 100 Lawyers in the Philippines for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. Additional recognitions include the global Women in Law Awards for Corporate Law Philippines, Asia’s Iconic Award for Law, the Linguistic Intelligence Award in 2024, the ASEAN Women Best Entrepreneur Award in 2024, the Philippine Choice Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Service in 2025, and Asia’s Legacy of Justice and Legal Excellence Award in 2025. She has also received the First Tala Award from the Global Artistic Collaboration for Empowerment and nominations under other regional leadership awards. She is a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society.
Lorna Kapunan Advocacy and Civic Work
Kapunan has long advocated for women’s and children’s rights, environmental protection, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. She serves or has served as legal adviser to Ballet Philippines and the TOWNS Foundation. She has been a governor and counselor of the Philippine Red Cross, representing the organization at International Committee of the Red Cross conferences on international humanitarian law. She has sat on the board of advisers of the World Wildlife Fund Philippines and held leadership roles in the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines, the Rotary Club of Sampaguita, Zonta International, and other civic groups.
She has worked with Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya, an organization that promotes economic nationalism and anti corruption efforts. Her interest in the rights of artists and performers has earned her a reputation as a lawyer who protects the equity and royalty interests of celebrities and creative professionals.
Lorna Kapunan Personal Life
Kapunan married Eduardo Roden E. Kapunan, a former Regional Trial Court judge and her classmate at the University of the Philippines College of Law. He predeceased her. The couple had five sons: Lino Chris P. Kapunan (born 1974), Marko Edoardo P. Kapunan (born 1979), Ceasario Rex P. Kapunan (born 1988), Eduardo Roden P. Kapunan Jr. (born 1992), and Reginald Patrick P. Kapunan (born 1995, deceased).
Two of her sons, Lino and Choi (Ceasario Rex), and one grandson, Kyle Linus Kapunan, are lawyers. Lino currently serves as managing partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices. Kapunan has three grandsons. She has spoken publicly about balancing professional demands with family responsibilities and about the simple pleasures of private life, including time spent with her dogs.
She maintains an active schedule of professional, media, and civic commitments while continuing to practice law from her firm’s offices in the Ortigas Center area of Pasig.
Conclusion
Lorna Taaca Patajo Kapunan has sustained a legal career that combines rigorous courtroom work, corporate counsel, intellectual property expertise, and public advocacy. From her early years at ACCRA through the founding of her own firm and her later roles in media and political processes, she has remained engaged with both the technical demands of law and broader questions of rights, accountability, and public service. Her record reflects a consistent commitment to professional standards and to causes involving women, children, the environment, and the creative sector. As she continues to practice and appear in public forums, her work remains part of the ongoing conversation about law and society in the Philippines.
FAQs
Who is Atty. Lorna Kapunan?
Atty. Lorna Taaca Patajo Kapunan is a Filipino lawyer, senior partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, columnist, and radio host. She has practiced law since 1978 and is known for litigation, corporate work, intellectual property, and advocacy on women’s rights and environmental issues.
When and where was Lorna Kapunan born?
She was born on April 1, 1952, in Manila, Philippines.
What is Lorna Kapunan’s educational background?
She holds an AB in Political Science (1973) and a Bachelor of Laws (1978) from the University of the Philippines. She later completed specialized courses in Japan, Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom on intellectual property and international humanitarian law.
What law firms has Lorna Kapunan worked with?
She began at ACCRA Law Offices, later became a senior partner at Roco Buñag Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna, founded Kapunan Lotilla Garcia and Castillo, and currently serves as senior partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices.
Has Lorna Kapunan run for public office?
Yes. She ran for the Senate in 2016 under the ticket of Grace Poe and Aksyon Demokratiko but was not elected. She earlier served in leadership roles within Aksyon Demokratiko and worked on the campaigns of Senator Raul Roco.
What awards has Lorna Kapunan received?
Notable recognitions include the TOWNS Award in Corporate Law (1995), Outstanding Woman of the University of the Philippines (1998), FWN 100 Most Influential Filipina Women (2016), Top 100 Lawyers listings (2019–2021), Women in Law Awards, ASEAN Women Best Entrepreneur Award (2024), and several regional and national honors for legal excellence and humanitarian service.
Is Lorna Kapunan involved in media?
Yes. She writes the column “Legally Speaking” for Business Mirror and hosts the program “Laban Para Sa Karapatan” on DWIZ. She has also appeared regularly on television discussion programs.
What are some of Lorna Kapunan’s known clients or cases?
Public records mention representation or counsel involving James Yap, Hayden Kho, Rhian Ramos, Atong Ang, and a brief engagement with Janet Lim Napoles. She also secured the first Writ of Kalikasan in the West Tower oil spill case.