CorralRosales > Quito, Ecuador > Firm Profile
CorralRosales Offices
ROBLES E4-136 y AVENIDA AMAZONAS
EDIFICIO PROINCO CALISTO, PISO 12
QUITO
EC170517
Ecuador
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CorralRosales > The Legal 500 Rankings
Ecuador > Intellectual property Tier 1
CorralRosales is noted for its full-service IP offering for domestic and foreign clients, handling both contentious and non-contentious work in relation to patents, trade marks, franchising, copyright and design rights. With a client base focused largely on the pharmaceutical and technology industries, the team acts for the likes of Bayer, AstraZeneca, Samsung and Huawei on a range of patent prosecution and anti-counterfeiting matters. Leadership of the practice is shared between María Cecilia Romoleroux and Francisco Gallegos, who co-head the IP team, and chemical engineer Gabriel Kuri, who leads on patents’ matters. At associate level, senior Eduardo Ríos is noted as a key contact for litigation and anti-counterfeiting matters; the team also benefits from the expertise of Katherine González, whose experience includes time at the Ecuadorian IP office.Testimonials
‘It is a leading firm in IP matters in Ecuador. The trajectory and experience of the firm has made the firm’s recommendations the most innovative and at the same time efficient for the client.’
‘It is a firm that is committed to the issues of clients, provides assertive and current solutions; is always available for our consultations and in an almost immediate time we have an answer.’
‘They have a team that is always thinking about the needs of the client, reacting actively and professionally.’
‘María Cecilia is very active internationally, present in associations and events, which always keeps her as an international reference, updated on all the news. Francisco is a benchmark in quality of work, customer service, attention to detail.’
‘Personally, I have worked with Francisco Gallegos and Katherine González and the truth is that everything is impeccable! Professionalism and attention.’
‘The CorralRosales team keeps its clients constantly informed of legislative developments, through newsletters or simply by applying them to the specific cases that we present to them.’
‘Their main qualities are reactivity and availability to discuss in person any question that arises. Among the partners that I deal with the most, whose practice I can describe as outstanding is Maria Cecilia Romoleroux and Xavier Rosales.’
‘Maria Cecilia Romoleroux is one of the leaders in IP and stands out for her advice to companies around the world.’
Key clients
UCB Biopharma
Société Des Produits Nestlé
La Fabril
AstraZeneca
IKEA
Pacari
Sanofi
Bayer
Samsung
Huawei Technologies
Work highlights
- Acted for various luxury brands and electronic consumer goods companies in connection with seizures of counterfeit cosmetics in Ecuador, including an 800,000 item seizure of imitation footwear and accessories, and a 500,000 seizure of cellphone accessories.
- Representing America Movil in two judicial litigation actions in which courts held their sphere marks to be well-known, thereby conferring extended trade mark protection.
- Representing Damm in judicial litigation of the multi-territory dispute over rights to “Estrella”.
Ecuador > Competition and antitrust Tier 2
The competition practice at CorralRosales offers a service that extends to both contentious and non-contentious work, advising clients on merger control, unfair competition, abuse of market power claims and administrative and judicial proceedings. The practice is co-led by experienced senior partner Xavier Rosales, who has a ‘holistic view’ of competition and antitrust issues; and senior associate Ana Samudio, who has a strong background in administrative and regulatory matters. Francisco Rosales is another integral member of the practice, particularly for preventative competition strategies related to international.Practice head(s):
Xavier Rosales; Ana Samudio
Testimonials
‘Xavier and his team were very supportive and knowledgeable.’
‘Very good recommendations and review of cases. High collaboration and attention to urgent customer issues.’
‘Prepared, diligent, studious and knowledgeable about the subject.’
‘Very good firm with great legal knowledge and good service.’
‘They are an extremely efficient service, have quality, do thorough background work, and quickly build a loyalty to the service and the firm. They have always provided concrete solutions and viable alternatives for the proper functioning of the company.’
‘They are excellent lawyers; concrete but provide information aimed at generating action plans within the company.’
‘CorralRosales adds a lot of value to our company. Its members are subject matter experts and strategic in the solutions they provide. The firm’s team is always at the forefront of national and international issues and provides a holistic context for decision-making.’
‘Xavier Rosales is a strategic ally in the analysis and advice on competition matters for our operation. His holistic and strategic vision allows for a broad and assertive panorama. Ana Samudio maintains a close relationship with her clients, always being available to deal with any matter of interest in competition matters.’
Key clients
Nestlé
The Walt Disney Company
Unilever
Grupo Familia
COPEC
Clorox
United Airlines
Grünenthal
BMI
Immunotec
Claro
General Electric
Mondelez
SAP
AkzoNobel
Work highlights
- Advised Grupo Familia before the General Secretariat of the Andean Community, which initiated an investigation regarding alleged cartelization (price fixing) between Kimberly Clark and Grupo Familia in the tissue paper market in Ecuador.
- Represented The Walt Disney Company regarding the authorisation of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox before the Ecuadorian competition authority.
- Represented Nestlé subsidiary Terrafertil in an investigation into alleged unfair practices related to it’s product Nature’s Heart honey; the investigation was concluded without the imposition of sanctions.
Ecuador > Corporate and M&A Tier 2
CorralRosales often ‘exceeds expectations’ when it comes to instructing high-profile foreign businesses with regard to operations in Ecuador. With a full-service offering, the practice acts for the likes of Nestlé, Bayer and Marriot Hotels on a range of M&A, corporate restructurings, financing transactions and shareholder agreements. Recently, it acted for "Internet of Things" company Location World Holdings on a restructuring tailored towards the transfer of a holding company to a foreign market and the opening of several subsidiaries across Latin America. The matter was led by Leading this matter and heading the wider corporate practice is founding partner Xavier Rosales, who is highly-regarded for his work on complex cross-border transactions. Co-founding partner Francisco Rosales, along with Santiago Palacios and Rafael Rosales, round out the practice’s four-partner team, further extending the firm’s expertise regarding entry into the Ecuadorian market: all three are senior figures who have amassed considerable experience across the corporate transactional spectrum. From the associate ranks, seniors Milton Carrera and Ricardo Mancheno are both highlighted for their broad practices that range across corporate day-to-day matters to transactional and immigration work.Practice head(s):
Xavier Rosales
Testimonials
‘Corral Rosales is a firm that has an excellent reputation from different aspects, mainly in terms of experience and ethics. It is capable of offering legal services in the different branches of law, guaranteeing the experience, capacity, and knowledge of its team.’
‘They remain open to support their clients with the opening and availability of schedules according to the client’s needs. As an in-house lawyer for a company, I feel fully supported by the firm.’
‘Its adaptation during the pandemic was essential given the limitations of access to meetings and travel. I highlight the organization and discipline they have not only for the attention of queries and procedures but also the administrative part, especially the control of hours and billing.’
‘It is excellent, very thorough, excellent recommendations, high review of the case with alternatives and with the best options and times for the client.’
‘His times, his diligence, his recommendations, understanding the client’s business. Xavier Rosales and Milton Carrera.’
‘They manage to stand out both in the knowledge of the areas such as the business and customer needs. This allows them to respond by going the extra mile and exceeding customer expectations. I have worked with several law firms in Ecuador and none compare to CorralRosales.’
‘The service and attention to what the client needs. There will always be risks but the experience they have comes to light and gives them the peace of mind to think of solutions. Xavier Rosales is absolutely wonderful.’
Key clients
Nestlé
Bayer
IBM
Grupo Familia
COPEC
Immunotec
United Airlines
Mastercard
Fresenius Medical Care
BMI
Nielsen
Claro
General Electric
Ferrero
Grünenthal
Terpel
Yildirim
SAP
Syngenta
Securitas
Fresenius Kabi
Santillana
Work highlights
- Advised Nielsen in the sale of its Global Connect business to Advent International, on a matter valued at $2.7bn.
- Advised Palladin Consumer Retail Partners in the acquisition of a majority stake in Decowraps.
- Represented CBOE Global Markets in connection with the sale of ETF.com by ETFS Capital.
Ecuador > Dispute resolution Tier 2
CorralRosales is particularly active in the field of civil, commercial and administrative litigation. It is also active in arbitral matters and has experience in alternative dispute resolution and mediation. The team is led by Santiago Palacios, with a focus on the real estate, insurance, energy and finance sectors; he represents clients in a broad range of litigious and arbitral disputes and has a particular niche in procurement disputes. Additional partner level participation is provided by managing partner Xavier Rosales who is noted for arbitration cases and disputes relating to competition; while at associate level, senior Mateo Zavala, undertakes civil, administrative, constitutional and labour litigation (including procedural elements), along with administrative sanctioning proceedings.Ecuador > Tax Tier 2
Andrea Moya leads the tax practice at CorralRosales, which focuses on advising clients with respect to complex transactions, share and asset transfers, customs regulations, and corporate restructurings. The team also represents clients in contentious issues - a case in point being its recent representation of the Association of Airline Representatives in Ecuador (ARLAE) before the National Court of Justice. Additional figure of note include senior partner Xavier Rosales who is noted for his advice on tax issues in relation to corporate transactions; and senior associate Ricardo Mancheno, a tax advisory specialist who also has experience in administrative and judicial proceedings.Practice head(s):
Andrea Moya
Testimonials
‘CorralRosales and its management team have supported us in the process of setting up our holding company in record time. They have a very extensive knowledge of tax issues in various countries in the LatAm region, with very good contacts and advisors.’
‘Our company had the complexity of having four subsidiaries in different countries, and that we were in a fundraising process and we had to formalize the corporate and tax structure in record time and they succeeded. Prior to the relationship with CorralRosales, we had advice from another firm who were unable to resolve the complex situation.’
‘They are globalized lawyers, they have a very competent know-how and network of contacts.’
‘They are agile in the processes and their recommendations show the expertise of years of consulting. In addition, we are a growing startup and they were able to adjust to our economic and time reality, something remarkable in the sector.’
Key clients
Payless ShoeSource
United Parcel Service
COPA Airlines
Ferrero
Terpel
Location World
La Industria Harinera
Nestlé
Matallana
Raúl Coka Barriga
Münich Re
Hannover Re
Pollux
Dipac Manta
Bayer
Faprefa
Idukay
DHL
Work highlights
- Challenged the validity of an amendment made to the Internal Tax Regime Law Regulations on behalf of the ARLAE.
- Obtained the reimbursement of outflow tax paid in 2020 and considered as tax credit for Bayer.
- Acted for Automotores y Anexos (AYASA) in requests for several reimbursements before the Customs Authority for excess tax paid on the import of vehicles.
Ecuador > Labour and employment Tier 3
CorralRosales‘ fields a dedicated labour team with a broad offering – with dismissal procedures, restructurings, collective bargaining, and representations before the labour ministry taking center stage. The practice is led by Edmundo Ramos, whose recent mandates include advising Securitas Ecuador on reaching a settlement in relation to the company’s former General Manager. At associate level, senior Ramón Paz y Miño, supports the team in a range of proceedings. However, Marta Villagómez moved to Tobar ZVS in August 2022.Practice head(s):
Edmundo Ramos
Testimonials
‘The firm has an efficient response time to orders placed.’
‘Edmundo Ramos and Martha Villagómez are lawyers with enormous experience in the labour field, who are always attentive to answering the queries and/or requirements that are requested of them.’
‘The team has a lot of experience in this branch of law. Knows the essence of our company and thereby provides clear solutions within a clear compliance framework.’
‘They maintain proximity with the positions of the authority on duty, which allows them to provide a proactive service.’
‘Edmundo Ramos maintains extensive knowledge on the subject. He is clear in his answers and offers a range of opportunities in decision making. Marta Villagómez is a key support for the labour service provided.’
Key clients
Nestlé
Mastercard
RB Reckitt Benckiser
Grünenthal
Novartis
Payless ShoeSource
Lumen
Copa Airlines
Avon
AIG
Claro
BMI
Eriksson
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Zurich
United Airlines
TMF
Kyndryl
Nielsen
ZTE
NTT Data
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
Work highlights
- Represented Labceras in relation to claims from former employees alleging the wrongful application of “force majeure” to terminate the employment relationship.
- Advised Payless ShoeSource in connection with a sanctioning proceeding started by the Social Security Institute and that argues that reducing employee’s workday schedule during the pandemic lockdown was unlawful.
- Advised IBM on Latin-American spin-off process, which in Ecuador involved employment subrogation of over 100 employees.
Ecuador > Real estate Tier 4
CorralRosales houses a real estate team that is primarily focused on sale and lease agreements. Quito-based partner Santiago Palacios has oversight of the practice and handles real estate transaction-related dispute resolution matters; Guayaquil-based senior associate Ramón Paz y Miño also noted as a contact for real estate matters.CorralRosales > Firm Profile
CorralRosales is a prominent law firm in Ecuador. Since its incorporation, the firm has focused on providing legal services in the different areas demanded by local and multinational companies with operations and interests in Ecuador. CorralRosales’ current portfolio of clients, which includes international and multinational companies from the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, who operate in the most diverse sectors and industries, denotes the high degree of trust in the analysis, legal advice and creative solutions CorralRosales provides.
CorralRosales 40+ years of experience in advising and representing corporate clients in key fields for business, especially corporate, employment, tax, competition, intellectual property, regulatory and litigation, endorse CorralRosales’ local and international standing. The well-doing of the team of specialized professionals that make up CorralRosales, has led the firm to be highlighted by the main international legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, IFLR 1000, Latin Lawyer, The Legal 500, Leaders League, WTR, among others.
Some of the clients that have trusted the firm thanks to its business-oriented approach include: AIG, Avon, Banco Pichincha, Conecel (Claro), IBM, Google, General Electric, Marriott Hotels, Mastercard, Nestlé, Novartis and Repsol.
Main areas of practice
Corporate/M&A: CorralRosales has a strong track record advising national and international clients in the incorporation of companies, day to day corporate legal advice, and complex corporate transactions and operations. The firm is highly renowned for its experience in M&A transactions, successfully dealing with share purchase agreements; asset purchase agreements; drafting, preparation and review of contracts and other documents; commercial trusts; international leases; and preparation of due diligence reports.
Intellectual property: the team is one of the most respected in the region, comprising lawyers, agents, and technical staff, who provide services in IP and counseling. It offers cutting edge services in every aspect of IP law, including patent, trademark, copyright, design, litigation, anti-counterfeiting, comprehensive portfolio management, prosecution, enforcement and more. It is one of the few firms with an Ecuadorian regulatory and litigation practice within its IP organization. The IP regulatory practice assists companies in highly regulated industries (including pharma, medical devices, agribusiness, food, and beverages) obtaining proper authorizations from government agencies.
Labour law and immigration: CorralRosales advises domestic and foreign companies in all areas related to the employer-employee relationship. This includes day-to-day issues as employment agreements tailored to specific needs, internal work regulations, consultations on hiring alternatives, employment of disabled employees, among others. The firm performs employment due diligence and work on tailoring the best alternatives to cope with existing risks or liabilities. The firm also has experience in handling litigation and administrative claims, as well as collective bargaining proceedings. It offers a wide range of corporate immigration services, including obtaining work permits, temporary visas, work visas and permanent resident visas to expatriates and foreign employees.
Dispute resolution: CorralRosales covers all Ecuadorian courts and venues — effectively representing local and foreign clients in a wide spectrum of disputes. Members have experience in civil, administrative and arbitral disputes as well as industry specific cases including aviation, automotive, banking, pharmaceutical, retail, food and beverage, and telecoms. The firm’s litigation strategy considers the characteristics of the client, their sector and the legal avenue applicable to the case. This provides clients with an exhaustive analysis of the risks associated with the dispute and establish mitigation and preventive mechanisms.
Banking and finance and capital markets: advising private banks, multilateral agencies, as well as domestic and multinational companies in the negotiation and structuring of financial transactions. Lawyers in the area rely on multi-disciplinary teams that include experts in finance, tax, and sector-specific regulation. Drafting, preparation, and review of agreements and other loan documents; financial structuring; project financing, secured transactions; as well as day to day general advice. Additionally, the firm is highly knowledgeable in capital markets law, including regulatory matters, public stock and bond offerings, as well as debt restructurings.
Competition/antitrust: the firm covers all areas of competition and antitrust, together with regulatory and consumer protection matters, including representation of clients in investigation proceedings and related litigation, as well as negotiation of leniency and similar agreements. The team participates in complex mergers, acquisitions, integrations, antitrust due diligence and development of good practices and policies.
Compliance: advising domestic and international clients on compliance issues. Investigations dealing with government procurement and private dealings. Development and enforcement of compliance policies and compliance due diligence. Specialized team in high-profile investigations, the review, and implementation of compliance programs and the due diligence of third parties in the context of M&A, distribution, and other transactions.
Energy and natural resources: the department is divided into three industries: mining, oil and gas, and electricity. It advises clients on numerous administrative procedures for obtaining permits, licenses, concessions, and authorizations within their respective fields. The firm has substantive knowledge of the different industries, so it can advise on all stages involving the client’s business. Environmental: The firm has experience in the different environmental fields, advising clients on obtaining permits, defense on sanctioning proceedings, environmental damage, preventive due diligence and advice on good environmental and social practices.
Public procurement: CorralRosales has an extensive background advising on all aspects of public procurement in Ecuador, including public-private partnerships. The firm advises clients on pre-contractual matters, negotiation, and execution of all type of agreements and resolution of related disputes, including consulting agreement, the supply of goods and rendering of services to government entities. Additionally, the team has broad experience advising clients on audit proceedings conducted by the government audit agencies.
Tax and customs: CorralRosales provides advising services and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The firm has successfully sponsored lawsuits against tax assessments made by the Internal Revenue Service and the National Customs Service of Ecuador to local and international clients. In addition, the department has participated in due diligence processes, the analysis of tax consequences derived from processes of acquisition or merger of businesses, the analysis of risks in complex transactions and the drafting of structures for tax planning.
TMT: the experienced team serves major clients across the TMT sector, including leading telecoms companies, digital business and IT. It is renowned for its work in contentious, regulatory and transactional matters.
Languages: Spanish, English
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antitrust and competition | Ana Samudio | asamudio@corralrosales.com | |
| Antitrust and competition | Xavier Rosales | xrosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Arbitration | Santiago Palacios | spalacios@corralrosales.com | |
| Arbitration | Francisco Rosales | frosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Aviation | Xavier Rosales | xrosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Banking and finance | Santiago Palacios | spalacios@corralrosales.com | |
| Banking and finance | Xavier Rosales | xrosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Corporate/commercial/M&A | Xavier Rosales | xrosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Corporate/commercial/M&A | Milton Carrera | mcarrera@corralrosales.com | |
| Compliance/FCPA | Francisco Rosales | frosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Compliance/FCPA | Rafael Serrano | rserrano@corralrosales.com | |
| Data Protection | Rafael Serrano | rserrano@corralrosales.com | |
| Dispute Resolution | Santiago Palacios | spalacios@corralrosales.com | |
| Dispute Resolution | Ramón Paz y Miño | rpazymino@corralrosales.com | |
| Energy and natural resources | Rafael Serrano | rserrano@corralrosales.com | |
| Foreign Trade | Andrea Moya | amoya@corralrosales.com | |
| Insurance | Santiago Palacios | spalacios@corralrosales.com | |
| Insurance | Xavier Rosales | xrosales@corralrosales.com | |
| Intellectual property | María Cecilia Romoleroux | maria@corralrosales.com | |
| Intellectual property | Francisco Gallegos | francisco@corralrosales.com | |
| Labour | Edmundo Ramos | eramos@corralrosales.com | |
| Labour | Marta Villagómez | mvillagomez@corralrosales.com | |
| Public Procurement | Jimmy Rodriguez | jirodriguez@corralrosales.com | |
| Regulatory | Felipe Samaniego | felipe@corralrosales.com | |
| Tax and Customs | Andrea Moya | amoya@corralrosales.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Staff Figures
Other fee-earners : 26 Total staff : 80Languages
English SpanishMemberships
L2B Aviation TAGLawOther
Partners : 10- Intellectual property
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Competition and antitrust
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Tax