Firms To Watch: Corporate and M&A

Boutique firm Solines y Asociados provides support to domestic and foreign companies of all sizes; the group calls upon practice head Santiago Solines‘ entrepreneurial experience and ability to work with multinationals on a range on complex M&A matters.

Corporate and M&A in Ecuador

Bustamante Fabara

Bustamante Fabara has a strong track record in domestic and foreign mergers and acquisitions, and regularly carries out due diligence on both the buyer and seller side. The department is ably led by María Rosa Fabara, José Rafael Bustamante Crespo, who ‘always has a strategy to solve a complicated situation’, and often leads the firm’s corporate transactional matters, and Juan Felipe Bustamante Crespo , who is a key name for cross-border work and is a key part of the group’s ability to assist foreign companies wishing to set up business in Ecuador. The trio are well supported by associate Kirina Gonzalez, who ‘has vast knowledge and offers continuous support‘. The firm saw further growth in September 2022 with the arrival of senior associate Juan Bernando Guarderas.

Practice head(s):

José Rafael Bustamante Crespo; Juan Felipe Bustamante Crespo; María Rosa Fabara


Testimonials

‘Kirina Gonzalez works in a very coordinated way. They are always attentive and ready to meet the company’s requirements regardless of deadline conditions or extraordinary situations.’

‘José Rafael Bustamante always has a strategy to solve a complicated situation. Kirina González has vast knowledge and gives continuous support.’

Key clients

Hapag Lloyd


Macquire Asset Management


Laboratorio Elea


Tiendas Industriales Asociadas


Pascal Universal


New Sea Development Services


Abako


Work highlights


  • Advising Hapag Lloyd on the execution of a binding agreement with SM SAAM to acquire 100% of the shares of SAAM Ports and SAAM Logistics.
  • Advised Pascal Universal, New Sea Development Services and Abako on the sale of 100% of the shares of Pacific Bank to Inversiones Atlantida.
  • Advising Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V on an agreement to purchase 50% of the shares of Colombian Odinsa, owner of airport concessionaires Opain and Corporación Quiport.

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce

Diego Pérez Ordoñez and Juan Manuel Marchán head the team at Pérez Bustamante & Ponce, which ‘stands out for its prompt responses and its ability to provide useful and practical solutions’. Marchán is described by one client as ‘always available to resolve concerns and provide quality advice‘, and Ordóñez stands out for his track record in M&A, having been involved in many of Ecuador’s landmark transactions. The group adopts a cross-practice approach and collaborates with the firm’s antitrust, tax, labour and litigation teams. At associate level, Andrés Brown-Pérez is the name to note; his previous stint at an international firm’s M&A department is an asset to the firm when handling cross-border transactions. Since publication, Brown-Pérez has been raised to the partnership - effective as of January 2024.

Practice head(s):

Diego Pérez Ordóñez; Juan Manuel Marchán


Testimonials

‘It is a team that is very present and available. They provided quality advice in the framework of a transaction that involved several jurisdictions. They stand out for their prompt responses and the ability to provide useful and practical solutions.’

‘The availability and attention to detail stands out. In the specific case of Juan Manuel Marchán, he was always available to resolve our concerns and provide quality advice.’

‘Top level professionals. Triple A people: Diego Pérez Ordóñez and Juan Manuel Marchán.’

‘Proactive, high quality.’

Key clients

Advent


Cinemark


Nexans


Manuchar


Heritage


Abercrombie and Kent


Prosegur Cash


International Schools Partnership


LATAM Airlines


Work highlights


  • Advised LATAM Airlines Group and LATAM-Airlines Ecuador with regard to Ecuadorian law guarantees in the context of DIP financing within the scope of the insolvency proceedings under Chapter 11.
  • Co-advising Abercrombie and Kent on the acquisition of Opergal and its six Ecuadorian subsidiaries.
  • Advised Spanish transnational corporation Prosegur Cash on the acquisition of a 85% equity interest in Representaciones Ordoñez y Negrete in Stage 1 and the remaining 15% in Stage 2.

CorralRosales

CorralRosales ‘stands out for its practicality and great legal knowledge’ as well as its ‘leadership and effectiveness’. Its work often centres around advising international companies on day-to-day corporate issues and complex corporate transactions. Practice head Xavier Rosales counts Bayer and General Electric as key clients and leads the team out of Quito, and founding partner Francisco Rosales is a key point of contract for many multinational companies. Elsewhere, Milton Carrera is a name to note, with over 20 years of experience assisting clients in corporate issues and major deals. Since publication, the firm has promoted senior associate Rafael Serrano (compliance/FCPA, data privacy, and energy & natural resources) to the partnership - effective as of January 2024.

Practice head(s):

Xavier Rosales


Testimonials

‘CorralRosales stands out for its practicality and great legal knowledge, as well as an adequate price/quality ratio.’

‘Leadership and effectiveness.’             

‘You can count on efficiency, interest and consideration in meeting client needs.’

‘The team has proven to be quite competent in resolving issues related to our sector. Execution and provision of services quickly and with good client service. They show concern in kindly reminding the client of the procedures and deadlines for the advancement of the processes.’

Key clients

Nestlé


Bayer


IBM


Grupo Familia


COPEC


Immunotec


United Airlines


Mastercard


Fresenius Medical Care


BMI


Kyndryl


Nielsen


Claro


General Electric


Ferrero


Grünenthal


Terpel


Yilport


SAP


Work highlights


  • Advised Innovex Downhole Solutions on its incorporation and landing in Ecuador.
  • Advised Tecnandina on a new manufacturing facility, obtaining regulatory permits and drafting commercial documents, among other matters.
  • Advised Kyndryl Ecuador on its day-to-day corporate, commercial and regulatory matters.

ECIJA GPA

Michael Veintimilla and Karen Álava are the duo leading ECIJA GPA‘s team. The group advises domestic companies and international companies on issues such as corporate designing and organisation, entering the local market, M&A and corporate restructurings, among other areas. Veintimilla has more than 15 years of experience in these areas and is instrumental in attracting European clients to the group, particularly prominent European businesses looking to engage in cross-border work. By contrast, Álava continues to be central to the group’s work with Ecuadorian clients on issues such as corporate restructuring.

Practice head(s):

Michael Veintimilla; Karen Álava


Testimonials

‘The ECIJA team is organised by areas of specialisation, which helps provide adequate follow-up to the different legal issues that arise in our companies.’

Key clients

FERREMUNDO


Aper Ecuador


Laboratorios Ochoa & Ochoa


DKT Deutsche Kennzeichen Technik


Lile


Roxcel Holding


Shanghai Sunmi Technology


INEO UTS


Isispharma


Work highlights


  • Advised APER ECUADOR on becoming the first company in Ecuador to be qualified as an Online Market by request of third parties.
  • Advised Laboratorios Ochoa & Ochoa on an acquisition process by its direct competitors.
  • Advised Isispharma on setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in Ecuador.

Lexvalor Abogados

Clients of Lexvalor Abogados note that the firm's ‘dynamism and youth sets it apart from others‘, forming teams ‘which understand new business trends‘. Areas of growth in 2022 included mergers and acquisitions on both the buy and sell sides, where the team advised local and international companies, and assisting clients with investments in food and beverage production, consumer product manufacturing, technological applications and fuel distribution. The practice is jointly led by firm president Alfredo Peñaherrera Wright, founding partner Margoth Chiriboga Lopez and experienced M&A practitioner Juan Francisco Almeida.

Practice head(s):

Alfredo Peñaherrera Wright; Margoth Chiriboga López; Juan Francisco Almeida


Testimonials

‘Lexvalor has a diverse team of young lawyers who understand new business trends.’

‘I have been able to work with several Lexvalor partners and lawyers and I have been able to verify that they are very competent professionals. Their dynamism and youth is what sets them apart from other more traditional law firms.’

‘Lexvalor Abogados has a team of professionals with extensive knowledge in their practice areas, who are capable of providing timely responses. We work closely with Ricardo Peñaherrera and Alfredo Peñaherrera. In our work with Lexvalor we have seen their ability to find viable solutions to achieve our business. Instead of hindering business initiatives, they are good at finding creative and innovative solutions.’

‘Ricardo and Alfredo Peñaherrera are extremely agile in their responses and have a business vision that allows them to propose creative and innovative solutions. Also, the firm is clearly aligned with our corporate values, an aspect that we value, as we are sure that in addition to its strong legal knowledge, the firm has a strong human sense.’

‘Lexvalor and its lawyers are aware of the issues that we ask them about, and they try to be quick in their responses and efforts.’

Key clients

Corporación Favorita


Vallejo Araujo


Nestlé Ecuador


DirecTV


Superdeporte


Ecuamolsa


Alpina Productos Alimenticios del Ecuador


Holdingpalmaca


Unión Cementera Nacional UCEM


Arbaro Fund


Galagolden


Chauca Haugan


GLS Constructores


JCEV Corp


Work highlights


  • Represented Arbaro Fund in its acquisition of Forestry Project and approximately 1,000 hectares of teak including purchase of land, biological assets, sawmills and machinery.
  • Advised Corporación Favorita on a capital increase of $50m for the investment and growth of the company in Ecuador.
  • Advised JCEV Corp on analysing the steps to follow to achieve efficiencies in the corporate structure and the conformation of a good corporate governance scheme for the group.

Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados

Marcelo Torres, who ‘shows a commitment to the interests of the client‘, leads the team at Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados together with Patricia Marchán, who ‘provides excellent service'. Together, the pair have over 30 years of experience in the commercial field between them. The team takes a multidisciplinary approach to draw on the expertise of dispute resolution expert Gonzalo Noboa Baquerizo and Francisco Larrea, who was promoted to partner in March 2023 and is a key contact for the group’s energy work, such as shareholder agreements and purchase agreements. The group is based in the firm’s offices in Quito and Guayaquil.

Practice head(s):

Marcelo Torres; Patricio Peña


Testimonials

‘It has a team of lawyers from various specialties.’ 

‘Marcelo Torres shows a commitment to the interests of the client. Patricia Marchán provides excellent service.’

‘The qualities of the partners are extraordinary.’

Key clients

Valcofe Group


Barry Callebaut Ecuador


Minutocorp Group


Empresa Pesquera Polar


Fenazucar


Soderal Sociedad de Destilación de Alcoholes


Exposynergy


Agrovictoria


Sociedad Nacional de Galápagos


Tierralta


Work highlights


  • Advised Valcofe Group on the acquisition of an agribusiness project in Playas-Ecuador.
  • Advised Soderal Sociedad de Destilación de Alcoholes on the subscription of a contract for the supply of ethanol to Petroecuador.
  • Advised Barry Callebaut on the due diligence, negotiation and acquisition processes of 640 hectares of cocoa farms for the project Farms of the Future.

Robalino

Robalino, co-led by Martín Pallares and Daniel Robalino, remains a popular choice for blue-chip national and multinational companies. The department regularly assists clients with large and complex M&A transactions within the Ecuadorian market, the volume of which continues to grow year-on-year. Elsewhere in the team, senior partner Javier Robalino handles a broad range of corporate matters, including cross-border M&A, foreign investment, complex disputes and international arbitration. The group deals with a variety of corporate and commercial matters, from high-end corporate and finance transactions to general corporate and commercial work. Former practice head Jesús Beltrán and senior associate Juan Bernando Guarderas left the firm in September 2022.

Practice head(s):

Martín Pallares Sevilla; Daniel Robalino Orellana


Key clients

BOMI


Corporación Omni Invest


H&M


Cargill


Kushki


Colgate Palmolive


Grupo Orbis


Grupo Laar


3M Corporation


Ufinet


Work highlights


  • Advising Kushki Pagos on the transition of its business model from a gateway processing model to a payment combinator, resulting in a deal value of $86m.
  • Advised Andean Tower Partners on its acquisition of the BTS Group.
  • Represented Total Eren on its bid for the Villonaco and El Aromo projects.

Apolo Abogados

Apolo Abogados ‘has a multidisciplinary team of experts in different areas of law' and ‘is very well connected with the authorities in the area‘. Group head Rafael Balda Santistevan draws on previous experience from working in the private sector as a consultant for public and corporate affairs. The team includes several multidisciplinary lawyers, such as associate María José Arias, who deals with a range of corporate issues, as does the group more widely. These matters include transactions, corporate structuring and other corporate procedures.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Balda Santistevan


Testimonials

‘The firm is very transparent and efficient. We feel satisfied with the results and their way of treating us.’

‘They are very well connected with the authorities in the area, which helps a lot to make the procedures flow.’

‘They have a multidisciplinary team of experts in different areas of law and enjoy excellent prestige in Ecuador. Its management is highly efficient and effective.’

‘The people who make up the team are extremely professional, which transmits confidence in the legal matters on which they work.’

Key clients

Induauto


Deloitte & Touche Ecuador


MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company


Servicios y Agenciamientos Maritimos SAGEMAR


Grupasa Grupo Papelero


Produambien


Nordea Bank


Distrisoda


Opalis


PSA Marine Peru


Emibla


Normacpez


Caberopin


Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila


Xianmeilai


Urbaser


Delivery Hero


Pedidos Ya


Johnsonwax del Ecuador


Omarsa


Soluciones Globales de Vivienda Gloablvivienda


Work highlights


  • Assisted Soluciones de Vivienda Globalvivienda in negotiating a partnership with an Austrian group, aimed at developing a manufacturing facility for prefabricated PVC housing.
  • Advised Ecuacultivos Group on the negotiation and structuring of a complex deal to acquire Aguayo Group’s shrimping business operations.
  • Provided advice to MSC on several issues relating to the Container Stevedoring and Terminal Services Agreement entered into with Contecon Guayaquil and the possibility of compensation exposure.

Carmigniani Pérez Abogados

Pedro M. Pérez, who was made partner in January 2022, and founding partner Daniel Dziouba are the duo leading the corporate department at Carmigniani Pérez Abogados. The practice is well versed in a range of corporate matters, covering company structuring, management of administrative bodies, preparation of contracts for clients, and assistance in regulatory matters before control entities. Pérez is also adept at handling foreign investment matters. Roxana Aguirre Avilés is another key practitioner in the department. Associate and corporate lawyer Alfonso Trujillo left the firm in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Pedro M. Pérez; Daniel Dziouba


Key clients

Ecoventura (Opergal Group)


Expalsa Exportadora de Alimentos


Alimentos del Golfo (Exclusive Burger King Franchisee)


Oro Verde Hotels


QC Terminales Ecuador


Quimpac Ecuador


Quimpacsa


SAAM (Chilean Luksic Group)


Mars


Canodros (Silversea Cruises)


Ecuatoriana de Sal y Productos Químicos (Ecuasal)


Sinohydro Corporation


Volvo Construcion Equipment


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders of Ecoventura, part of the Opergal Group, on the sale of its shares for $72m to an international luxury tourism group.
  • Advised Expalsa Exportadora de Alimentos on the joint venture with French company JMI Aquaculture regarding the acquisition of Aquacultura Purocongo for a total of $16m.
  • Advised a group of Ecuadorian investors, who acquired the rights, interests and assets of the Burger King fast food franchise in Ecuador, on a transaction for a total value of $4m.

Dentons Paz Horowitz

Jorge Paz Durini, Agustin Acosta Cárdenas, Rocio Cordova, David Benalcazar and Juan Carlos Pérez run Dentons Paz Horowitz‘s team, noted for its ‘good knowledge of regulatory management that must be met in order to operate in the country’. The group is indeed well equipped to handle complex and regulatory matters such as advice on regulatory compliance and permits required by different industries, especially for new businesses and investments in Ecuador. Legal director Gabriel Santelices is a standout member of the team, with experience advising private companies on corporate restructuring processes and compliance and corporate governance systems.

Practice head(s):

Jorge Paz Durini; Agustín Acosta Cárdenas; Rocío Córdova; David Benalcázar; Juan Carlos Pérez


Testimonials

‘They know how the pharmaceutical industry works. Other skills they have are a good knowledge of regulatory management that must be met in order to operate in the country, brand management, and knowledge of laws focused on free competition.’

‘It’s a nice experience working with Denton’s Paz Horowitz and they have good technology.’

Key clients

Austrofood


Pioneer Global Holding


Saipem


Industrias Alimenticias Ecuatorianas Inalecsa


Mission Aviation Fellowship


Applus+


Barrick Gold Corporation


TC Trascontinental


Vikinka Travels


Webb Fontaine


Corriente Resources


Work highlights


  • Advised Industrias Alimenticias Ecuatorianas Inalecsa on its corporate structure.
  • Advised Applus+ on the acquisition of a Colombian company (K2 Ingeniería) and its branch in Ecuador.

Durini & Guerrero Abogados

Felipe Durini Andrade and senior associate Andrea Elizabeth Paredes Campaña lead the practice at Durini & Guerrero Abogados, which is commended for its ‘agility and knowledge‘. Andrade works on commercial matters and negotiation, and Campaña, who joined the group in May 2022, brings with her a wealth of commercial experience, bolstering the group’s regulatory practice. Clients hail from a wide range of sectors, but the group is particularly experienced in the food and beverage, automotive, agriculture and technology sectors. Former practice head Max Salcedo Guzmán departed the firm in May 2022.

Practice head(s):

Felipe Durini Andrade; Andre Elizabeth Paredes Campaña


Testimonials

‘The responses are on time.’

‘Personalised attention and easy-to-understand guidelines.’

‘The team collaborates with us and demonstrates knowledge in their areas. They have a consolidated team that is willing to resolve our concerns. The team is very diligent in meeting our requirements and providing solutions to new developments in the law.’

Key clients

S&R Developers


EQR-Equatoroses


Planpromin


Comercial Cano Lastra Compañia Limitada


Grupo KIA


Inmobiliaria Valseriana


Grupo Hanaska


Nipro Medical Corporation


Proají


Starmotors


Easysoft


Metrocar


Austrobank Overseas


Hanaska Group


Negocios Automotrices NeoHyundai


Proaji


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders of Planpromin to carry out a comprehensive reform of the company’s bylaws.
  • Advised Nipro Medical Corporation in relation to a capital increase in cash amounting to $6.77m.
  • Conducted due diligence for Advised Metrocar so that the new management could have an initial diagnosis of the company.

Pino Elizalde Abogados

Founded in 2017, the Guayaquil-based Pino Elizalde Abogados is a popular choice for multinational companies doing business in Ecuador. Daniel Pino, the group head, is a standout practitioner in this regard. The group operates in a cross-departmental fashion, regularly collaborating with the firm’s antitrust, intellectual property and litigation teams, and is engaged in a range of issues such as M&A transactions, joint ventures and regulatory compliance. Jaime Arosemena excels in M&A, particularly in deals with related intellectual property issues. At the associate level, Fernanda Guzmán is a key contact, particularly for companies operating in sectors such as oil, mining and natural resources. In an important development, since publication the firm has opened a Quito office - effective as of February 2024.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Pino


Key clients

Anheuser-Busch Inbev


The Tesalia Springs Company


Biosuper-Pigalle


Laboratorios Dr. A Bjarner


Grupo Fajardo


Tropicalfruit Export


Biofeeder


Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila


Ecoluxen


Mincosmo


Assistcard


Procesadora Nacional de Alimentos


Tiendas Industriales Asociadas TIA


Frutadeli


Grupo Liris


Ecuador Kakao Processing Proecuakao


Omarsa


Univisa


VPCEC


Work highlights


  • Assisted the Tesalia Springs Company with the analysis of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the transportation, logistics distribution and commercialisation of its products.
  • Advised Grupo Fajarado on corporate matters, including a recent M&A transaction in Ecuador.
  • Advised Anheuser-Busch InBev on commercial contracts, antitrust issues and corporate restructuring.

Spingarn

Sebastián Saá Tamayo, Andrés Narváez and Diego Armas run Spingarn‘s team, which ‘generates trust and offers constant support‘ and is ‘capable of understanding the needs of the clients’. Saá Tamayo has national and international experience in M&A transactions. On the regulatory side, Armas is a go-to practitioner, who also has extensive expertise in negotiation processes. The group’s growing client base includes international energy companies, an area of expertise for Lisset Armijos in particular.

Practice head(s):

Sebastián Saá; Andrés Narváez; Diego Armas


Testimonials

‘A smart team that is capable of understanding the needs of the clients, but they strive to adapt their advice to the needs we have. This, in my opinion, is a great differentiator from other firms.’

‘They are lawyers who generate trust and offer constant support, which is very important to us.’

‘Lisseth Armijos is aware of our needs and processes, takes very good care of clients and redirects our requests internally to the firm’s specialist lawyers, constantly following up to obtain the necessary answers.’

‘It is a team that has very deep knowledge of the subject matter being consulted. Very technical.’

‘Assertive communication, strategy in each case, suggestion of practical improvements.’

Key clients

Navent Group


Multitrabajos.com


Grupo Sur Atlántida


Ixion


Adelca


Jmi Group


Entoria Energy


Payjoy


PetroTal


QBE Europe


Gran Tierra Energy


La Equidad Seguros


Holex Flower


MICROFACTORYCAPITAL-MFC


Pecksambiente


Compañía Minera La Plata


Puntonet


Quito Motors SA Comercial e Industrial


Amazonashot


Enchapes decorativos SA Endesa


Omninvest


Good Brands Ecuador


Servifreno


Vinos y Espirituosos Vinesa


Inversiones Inmobiliarias Guayaquil Igsa


Work highlights


  • Advised Aceria del Ecuador on a transaction with Intercorp Retail and Homecenters Peruanos.
  • Advising Grupo Sur Atlántida on the acquisition of three Ecuadorian companies (Crediprime, CapitalPrime and GoPrime).
  • Advised Holex Flower on its corporate structure, commercial contracts, supply chain, export requirements, investment contracts and other requirements linked to its establishment in Ecuador.

Tobar ZVS

Founding and managing partner Bernardo Tobar, who has over thirty years of infrastructure experience, leads the Tobar ZVS team and bolsters the group’s corporate work in this sector. Another key team member is Alvaro Sevilla, who works on the structure of legal vehicles for businesses, commercial contracting, M&A and project financing. The full-service team is also proficient in corporate design, restructuring, governance and corporate tax. As a whole, the firm incorporates technology, and provides clients with an online self-service facility (ExponentiaLaw) for some issues.

Practice head(s):

Bernardo Tobar


Testimonials

‘Practicality, speed of response, business sense, expertise.’

Key clients

Polaris Renewable Energy


Flower Investment Capital Fund


NBC Universal


Lumina Gold Corp


Sony Pictures Entertainment


The Walt Disney Company


The Coca-Cola Company


Airbnb


Plantec


China Road and Bridge Corporation


SolGold Plc


Oleducto de Crudos Pesados OCP Ecuador


Stracon


Work highlights


  • Advised Polaris Infrastructure as lead and only counsel on the acquisition of a hydroelectric plant located in Ecuador for $28m.
  • Advised Flower Investment Capital Fund, operating as Elite Flowers Group, on a corporate restructuring in order to achieve investment grading.
  • Advised NBC Universal on regulatory matters concerning the network’s broadcasts, including rights relating to children and adolescents.

Cevallos Casals Balseca & Bilbao Abogados

Cevallos Casals Balseca & Bilbao Abogados‘ corporate group is noted for its ‘thorough knowledge of corporate, tax and other related matters‘. At the helm is Carlos Julio Balseca Avila, who is particularly active in the group’s mandates involving foreign investment projects. The group is known for its public sector work, and senior associate Valeria Naranjo from the public procurement team is a key name to note. More broadly, the group is commended for its reviewing of public contracts and includes team members from the group’s labour department.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Julio Balseca


Testimonials

‘Knowledge of the company, its needs and solutions is excellent. The reviewing of public contracts is good.’

‘Thorough knowledge of corporate, tax and financial other related matters allows timely and immediate attention.’

Key clients

OCP Tech


Berkanafarma


Brandlive


Locucer


Farmalatam


Work highlights


  • Negotiated contracts on behalf of Berkanafarma, including with the foreign contractor that manufactures pharmaceutical products.
  • Assisted Brandlive in the incorporation of the company as well as the structuring of its business in line with its entry into the Ecuadorian market.
  • Advised Farmalatam on its entry into the Ecuadorian market, including the incorporation of the company and formalisation of contracts and permits.

Coronel & Pérez

Cesar Coronel Jones and managing partner Octavio Rosselli head Coronel & Pérez‘s corporate team, with former practice head Hernán Pérez Loose on temporary leave as Ecuador’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. Coronel Jones was previously the president of the Ecuadorian Academy of Corporate Law and has a great deal of experience in a range of sectors. Rosselli is a go-to practitioner for complex corporate transactions. The wider team is notable for its strong relationships with shareholders, managers and general counsels of large corporations.

Practice head(s):

César Cornel Jones; Octavio Rosselli


Key clients

Cristalería del Ecuador (CRIDESA)


Metropolitan Touring Group


Wellbore Integrity Solutions


Electroquil


Amdocs


Chubb


Sar Energy


Sumifru Ecuador


Upfield


Expolisa


Work highlights


  • Advised Cristalería del Ecuador (CRIDESA) on various matters and provided general corporate law advice.
  • Advised Metropolitan Touring Group on drafting commercial contracts and other matters.
  • Advised Wellbore Integrity Solutions on drafting commercial contracts and other matters.

Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado Abogados

Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado Abogadosdemonstrates responsibility, accuracy and promptness’, under the joint leadership of Mario Flor, Jorge Pizarro and Roque Bustamante. The group stands out for its work in transactions in the energy, natural resources, telecoms and retail sectors. Verónica Ruales is well equipped to handle corporate and commercial advisory work within the team.

Practice head(s):

Mario Flor; Jorge Pizarro; Roque Bustamante


Testimonials

‘Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado has contributed notably with advice on critical issues for the company, demonstrating responsibility, accuracy and promptness.’

‘I enjoyed working with the team. They were very kind, very professional, very timely, and very accurate.’

‘Mario Flor negotiated well. I wish to highlight not only his professionalism but his human qualities.’

Key clients

Telealfacom


Primax Comercial del Ecuador


Sunstone Metals


Dundee Precious Metals


Geopark


Transdev


Work highlights


  • Advised Transdev-Metro de Medellin on the tender process, negotiation and signing of the Metro de Quito operation contract.
  • Advised Primax Comercial del Ecuador on negotiations of agreements for the import of gasoline.
  • Acted on behalf of Dundee Precious Metals in the negotiating and drafting of an investment protection agreement with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production.

Romero Arteta Ponce

Leveraging its position as an Ecuadorian member of the Meritas international legal alliance, Romero Arteta Ponce’s ‘committed and efficient’ team counts large multinational companies among its key clients. The department's work often involves negotiations of contracts and commercial matters, due diligence, and advice on mergers and new companies. Diego Romero co-leads the team alongside managing partner Gustavo Romero; the former has over 30 years’ experience in commercial law and is on the board of directors for several Ecuadorian companies.

Practice head(s):

Diego Romero; Gustavo Romero


Testimonials

‘The team is committed and efficient. The queries are dealt with in a professional manner and on time.’

‘Gustavo Romero is an excellent professional.’

Key clients

Siemens


Agip Eni Italy


JTI Japan Tobacco Inter


Toyota del Ecuador


Toyota Tsusho del Ecuador


Bloomberg


Latam Autos


CasaBaca


Jones Day


Torres Guarín


Zaimella del Ecuado


Logicalis Ecuador


Pronaca Alimentos


Berlitz Corporation


Nissan


Siemens Energy


Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee


Microvest


Energizer


Climec


Laboratorios Ballerina