ECIJA GPA > Quito, Ecuador > Firm Profile

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.