Back to rankings
Ecuador
2

Banking and finance

Robalino logo

Robalino

More information
Robalino provides a broad range of financial institutions and corporates with sophisticaed compliance advice regarding regulatory matters as well as handling the full range of financing types. A trio of experienced practitioners co-head the group managing partner Javier Robalino, Martín Pallares and Rafael Serrano Maldonado. Senior figure, Robalino is a "go-to" figure for complex matters not only as regards finance but also for corporate transactions and arbitration. Pallares regularly handles cross-border transactions - a particular forte of the team - ranging from derivatives transactions to debt restructurings. Maldonado, in turn, has several years financial services' market experience, advising large global banks which continue to feature among the group’s diverse client base. Daniel Robalino brings further partner-level finance expertise to the group. In 2025 the group also acted as local counsel in a high-value secured lending mandate in the aviation industry, demonstrating strength in large-scale financing. Former associate practice director Carol Riofrio left the firm in October 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Professional treatment and availability towards the client.'

  • ‘The direct attention of the partner, who is present in the matter, either directly or by providing excellent guidance to his team. Javier Robalino, for his impeccable customer service.'

  • ‘The team is highly skilled, very responsive and provides high-quality, reasonable, practical advice.'

  • ‘Javier Robalino is a fantastic leader and is the first person you'd want to talk to entering the Ecuador legal market. Daniel Robalino is a top-notch practitioner with deep knowledge in areas such as antitrust, with a sophisticated understanding of legal and economic issues. Martin Pallares is a very hands-on partner who quickly understands your needs and delivers excellent advice in due time. His service-oriented approach stands out. Associate Carolina Reinoso is excellent at managing complex work streams in M&A and financing deals, keeping her teams on track to deliver timely and practical advice.’

Key clients

  • Kushki
  • Inswitch
  • Qubika
  • Credimatic
  • Kamina
  • Novopayment
  • Caf
  • Omninvest
  • Banco Procredit
  • DFC

Work highlights

Acted as local advisor to DFC during the most important ‘debt-for-nature’ bond swap, in Ecuador, valued at more than $1.5bn.
Advised Deutsche Bank Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and J.P. Morgan Securities on a security exchanged for company Avianca; the securities are $1100m globally.
Advised Omnives on the issuance and legalisation of a corporate guarantee before BBVA Perú for loans granted to SIME PERÚ for a total amount of $5,120,000.00.

Practice head

Martín Pallares; Javier Robalino; Rafael Serrano