Graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 2000, ranking number 24 in her batch. She likewise holds a double degree in Psychology and Business Management from the De La Salle University.
In 2000, Ms. Guirnalda joined Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco Law Offices, then known as Carpio Villaraza & Cruz, until 2010. Working for almost ten years in a firm known for its premiere litigation and dispute resolution expertise, Ms. Guirnalda strengthened and sharpened her litigation skills for Corporate, Commercial, Civil, Labor, and Intellectual Property Litigation, including Appellate Practice, representing both local and multinational companies before the Trial Courts, Quasi-Judicial Agencies, and the Appellate Courts.
In 2010, Ms. Guirnalda joined the corporate world as Assistant Vice President of BDO Unibank, Inc. from May 2010 until March 2014, where she was the Team Head for the Remedial Management – Asset Recovery Litigation Unit handling the Corporate and Commercial cases of BDO. As Team Head for one of the biggest banks in the Philippines, she focused on the:
(i) litigation of bank cases before trial courts, quasi-judicial agencies and appellate courts;
(ii) review of complaints, petitions, motions, memoranda and other pleadings prepared and drafted by her team of lawyers;
(iii) preparation of Transactional Documents, Agreements, and Contracts;
(iv) preparation of legal opinions for the bank; and
(v) management and monitoring of International Arbitration Cases before the SIAC involving the Bank. She supervised a team of at least six lawyers and a number of non-legal staff.
Before joining SPCMB, Ms. Guirnalda was a Senior GDN Counsel of Accenture, Inc. from March 2014 up to June 2016. Accenture is a multinational IT, Consulting and BPO company with worldwide presence. Ms. Guirnalda handled the legal, regulatory, and compliance matters of the delivery network of Accenture Philippines with focus on the Technology, Digital, and Consulting business of the company. She likewise handled the data privacy compliance matters for the business and contract review for the company.
Ms. Guirnalda joined SPCMB as Partner in 2016. She is likewise a PDRCI-Trained Arbitrator and File Counsel.