Ecija

Ecija handles local and international arbitration, civil and commercial litigation, mediation and public law disputes, along with constitutional actions against the Ministry of Environment in relation to infrastructure, energy, and mining projects. The group’s sizeable bench includes Blanca Gómez de la Torre, who leads on arbitration and infrastructure project disputes; the firm’s Ecuador managing partner, Gonzalo González, a veteran of the energy sector and its associated disputes; Juan Carlos Montenegro, head of the firm’s procedural and judicial area; and – in Guayaquil – Edgar Méndez handles public judicial proceedings. Younger partners include Byron Sotomayor, in Guayaquil; Manta-office head, Ingrid Rodríguez; and Gabriela Balseca, who leads on mediation matters. At associate level, practice director Christel Gaibor specialises in public law, arbitration and administrative litigation; and Manta-based senior associate María Gabriela Cando handles civil litigation, corporate counselling and dispute resolution. Associate director of the public law and regulatory department, Jaime Dousdebes, is also regularly involved in arbitral matters. All lawyers are located in Quito unless otherwise indicated.