Dentons Paz Horowitz > Quito, Ecuador > Firm Profile

Dentons Paz Horowitz > The Legal 500 Rankings

Ecuador > Dispute resolution Tier 2

The diverse workload handled by the dispute resolution team at Dentons Paz Horowitz includes public, administrative, constitutional, civil, labour, intellectual property, consumer protection and contract law cases. Senior associate Leyre Suarez and co-founder Jorge Paz Durini head the group, with the latter acting in international investment claims and private arbitration processes. The team sits within a firm which has a global reach, allowing it to leverage expertise in complex and high-profile judicial, commercial and regulatory disputes. The group is particularly active in the aviation, construction, energy, tourism, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, and is also active in public procurement and administrative law matters.

Ecuador > Labour and employment Tier 2

The employment and labour team at Dentons Paz Horowitz divides its time between assisting with labour audits, employment relationships and litigation involving unjustified dismissals and occupational accidents. Within the employment field, the firm showcases further capabilities in issues relating to labour unions and collective bargaining, handling contract, internal labour regulation and profit-sharing matters. Patricia Andrade leads the team, with considerable experience navigating breach of contract, wrongful termination and profit-sharing issues, accompanied by director Gabriel Santelices, who brings a broad understanding of civil, labour and constitutional litigation in addition to restructuring processes and compliance programmes. In recent developments, the firm saw the departure of Andrés Chong Qui.

Ecuador > Banking and finance Tier 3

Dentons Paz Horowitz continues to solidify its standing as a local powerhouse with significant international reach, made possible by the fact Dentons and Paz Horowitz combined efforts in the country in July 2021. The firm’s banking and finance group draws from this joint expertise to advise insurers, banks, investment funds, brokers and regulators on loan agreements, structurings, cross-border project financings, and guarantees and security instruments, with efforts steered by credit operations and regulatory compliance specialist Rocio Cordova in Quito. Legal director Maria Del Mar Heredia advises on complex M&A transactions in an array of industries.

Ecuador > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

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.

Ecuador > Energy and natural resources Tier 3

The energy and natural resources department at Dentons Paz Horowitz stands out for its ability to handle shifting trends, with significant knowledge of the mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Within these areas of focus, the team is particularly active in the implementation of electric and hydroelectric projects across the country, managing domestic and foreign investments. Co-founder Jorge Paz Durini spearheads these efforts, leveraging experience gained at his previous role at the Ecuadorian Mining Chamber and involvement in several oil exploration projects. The group also features fellow directors Gabriel Santelices, whose practice encompasses dispute resolution and the obtainment of concession agreements, and María del Mar Hereda, noted for a variety of M&A transactions.

Ecuador > Intellectual property Tier 3

Dentons Paz Horowitz showcases an extensive breadth of expertise, handling due diligence, audits, licensing agreements for trade marks, copyright and plant varieties, and the enforcement of a variety of IP rights. Co-founding partner Bruce Horowitz shares leadership of the practice with Gabriel Santelices, combining expertise in non-traditional marks such as sound marks and tactile marks, which makes up a niche area of focus for the group. Senior associate Verónica Chiriboga is another key contact, recognised for her work on trade mark prosecution and anti-counterfeiting matters, while Mónica Cortez, who coordinates the firm’s IP portfolio, works on trade mark and patent prosecutions. Former practice head Byron Robayo Arroyo left in January 2023.

Ecuador > Real estate Tier 3

Dentons Paz Horowitz combines project finance expertise with relevant knowledge of tax to advise on leasing agreements, permits and registrations, horizontal property declarations, title searches, and sale and purchase agreements. Verónica Mieles heads these efforts, having been promoted to the partnership in August 2022 from her previous role as director. She is well versed in all stages of construction projects, covering the commercial, residential and public law aspects. M&A transfers are a further key area of strength for the firm.

Ecuador > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

Dentons Paz Horowitz combines local expertise with international reach, providing advice on competition and international trade law for domestic and multinational companies. Key areas of work for the group include antitrust compliance, leniency applications, collection of evidence for filing complaints, pre-merger control and the handling of investigations by the Competition Authority. Director Eduardo Esparza spearheads these efforts, drawing from his experience in investigations of abuse of market power, agreements and restrictive practices at the Superintendence for Market Power Control; he is closely supported by the firm’s litigation and IP practices, which are often engaged to work on matters. Former practice head Byron Robayo departed the firm in January 2023.