ECIJA GPA > Quito, Ecuador > Firm Profile
ECIJA GPA Offices
AV. 12 DE OCTUBRE Y LINCOLN
OFICINA 1005
QUITO
Ecuador
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ECIJA GPA > The Legal 500 Rankings
Ecuador > Energy and natural resources Tier 1
Recommended for its ‘high level of preparation and individualised attention to each case’, ECIJA GPA‘s team is headed by Gonzalo González and Bayardo Poveda, who, together with other team members, offer clients advice on a broad range of complex issues. These include day-to-day matters, as well as advice on large transactions such as the migration of oil contracts, negotiation with the state concerning contracts, and the delegation of field operations. Practice co-head Poveda draws on over 20 years of experience in the energy sector. Energy expert Álvaro Ordoñez departed from the firm in December 2022 to join the Ministry of Energy and Mines.Practice head(s):
Gonzalo González; Bayardo Poveda
Testimonials
‘It is one of the best firms in Ecuador. The training of its partners is commendable and remarkable. The promptness with which they respond to requests from clients is worth recognising as well as their punctuality, and their high level of preparation and individualised attention to each case.’
‘The partners are some of the most exceptional in the country.’
‘The knowledge of its professionals in oil matters is unique.’
‘Excellent treatment and performance. Promptness and accuracy. Compliance.’
Key clients
Enap Sipetrol
Ecuador TLC
Wayra Energy
Petrobell
Grant Mining (Synergy Group)
Energy petrol
Baker Hughes
New Stratus Energy
Gasvesubio Consortium
DITEMAQ Consortium
Consepetro
Work highlights
- Advised Baker Hughes on a mutual work agreement with New Stratus Energy for the operations that it assumed in Ecuador.
- Advised Ecuador TLC in the filing of a lawsuit against Petroecuador for breach of contract to transport crude oil in the OCP (Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline).
Ecuador > Corporate and M&A Tier 2
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.
Ecuador > Dispute resolution Tier 2
ECIJA GPA's disputes group, which has ‘excellent knowledge and experience in disputes and the applicable laws’, continues to build the arbitration and mediation arm of its practice, fielding experts in international commercial and investment arbitration. The team, which ‘generates confidence‘, works on cases which run the gamut of industries from construction and telecoms to oil and gas. Administrative litigation is a particular area of expertise, in which Blanca Gomez De La Torre is an influential team member; she leads the department alongside Juan Carlos Montenegro and Byron Sotomayor.Practice head(s):
Blanca Gómez De La Torre; Juan Carlos Montenegro; Byron Sotomayor
Testimonials
‘ECIJA has a team that generates confidence.’
‘Excellent knowledge and experience in disputes and the applicable law. Management is adaptable to the specific case that we are working on with them.’
‘The ECIJA team is always ready to assist us promptly in case of any emergency.’
Key clients
Arcotel
Tecnovia Madeira-Sociedade De Empreitadas
Sinohydro Corporation
Bananevito
Ravcorp
Maquinarias y Vehiculos Mavesa
Petrobell
National Assembly of Ecuador
Quito Chamber of Commerce Oil Commission
DirecTv Ecuador
Ecuadorian cyclist Mario Pons Seeling
Mayra Benenaula
Driving School Facildrive Cia.
AHC Consortium
Luis Hurtado
Luciana Valdivieso
Work highlights
- Acted for Sinohydro Corporation as counsel in arbitration proceedings against Sakoto Construcciones.
- Advised Ravcorp on the collection of a promissory note drawn for the sum of $220,500.
- Advised Petrobell on the defence of a protection action proposed by the Wuaorani Bataboro community.
Ecuador > Tax Tier 2
ECIJA GPA has notable experience in the energy sector and is retained by major companies in this space to advise on tax issues, including the negotiation of VAT refunds, litigation, audits, planning and M&A. Besides energy, the firm is also active in the telecoms, real estate, retail and automotive sectors. Leadership of the team is divided between tax authority investigations specialist Paola Robalino in Quito, seasoned litigator Édgar Méndez in Guayaquil and commercial law expert Santiago Vega in Cuenca. Jessica Dillon backs these efforts from Quito, specialised in tax assessments and due diligence, supported by recent associate arrivals Norka Patiño and Soledad Isch, who joined in January 2022 and May 2022, respectively. These moves offset the loss of former associate Alberto Vivanco, who left in May 2022.Testimonials
‘Santiago Vega is a lawyer who is always available to attend to any concern or requirement. He is willing to listen clearly and explain exactly the situations that arise and what actions can be taken to solve them.’
‘The simplicity with which you interact with the team is one of the qualities that we consider most relevant.’
Key clients
Baker Hughes del Ecuador
Sinohydro Corporation
Hydrochina Corporation
Vivanco & Saltos Reliance
ENERCOR
DIRECTV Ecuador
MAQUINARIAS Y VEHICULOS MAVESA
Servicios publicitarios CREAMEDIOS
Corporacion Favorita
Work highlights
- Advised ENERCOR to demonstrate that it was subject to withholding in a foreign country, thus avoiding double taxation of income tax.
Ecuador > Competition and antitrust Tier 4
Ecuador > Labour and employment Tier 4
ECIJA GPA divides its practice between contentious and non-contentious matters, with the team active in a variety of collective conflicts involving clients in the hydrocarbon, hospitality, pharmaceutical, environmental and automotive industries. Byron Sotomayor steers these efforts alongside Francisco Dávalos, who combine considerable experience in individual and collective labour disputes.Practice head(s):
Byron Sotomayor; Francisco Dávalos
Key clients
CORENA
EFE News Agency
Decentralized Autonomous Government of the Riobamba canton (Municipality of Riobamba)
MAQUINARIAS Y VEHICULOS
Reencauchadora del Pacífico
Internacional de construcciones
Exportadora e importadora A & J S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised Corena on a trial where a former worker claimed compensation of $100k for an alleged work accident.
- Advised Maquinarias y Vehiculos Mavesa on a trial where ineffective dismissal was alleged by the plaintiff.
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Francisco Alarcón | Partner | View Profile | |
Blanca Gómez de la Torre | Partner | View Profile | |
Felipe González | Partner | View Profile | |
Gonzalo González | Managing Partner | View Profile | |
Sebastián López | Partner | View Profile | |
Edgar Méndez | Partner | View Profile | |
Edgar Méndez | Partner | View Profile | |
Xavier Molina | Partner | View Profile | |
Juan Carlos Montenegro | Partner | View Profile | |
Álvaro Ordoñez | Partner | View Profile | |
Bayardo Poveda | Partner | View Profile | |
Paola Robalino | Partner | View Profile | |
Ingrid Rodríguez | Partner | View Profile | |
Byron Sotomayor | Partner | View Profile | |
Juan Fernando Valdivieso | Partner | View Profile | |
Santiago Vega | Santiago Vega, partner of ECIJA GPA in Ecuador is a specialist in… | View Profile | |
Michael Veintimilla | Partner. Specialist corporate law, M&A, competition law, commercial law. | View Profile |
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Top Tier Firm Rankings
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