Private Function FindPanel(ByVal name As String) As Panel
        For Each c As Control In Me.Controls
            If TypeOf (c) Is Panel AndAlso c.Name.ToUpper.Equals(name.ToUpper) _
              Then
                Return DirectCast(c, Panel)
            End If
        Next
        Return Nothing
    End Function

        Dim p As Panel = Me.FindPanel("Panel1")
        If p Is Nothing Then Return
        p.BringToFront()
 End Sub