Pérez Bustamante & Ponce is engaged in both the public sector, with matters relating to mining regulation by the Government of Ecuador, and the private sector, with large oil and gas companies featuring as key clients. The group has a broad range of environmental regulatory knowledge, while more broadly, it handles regulatory, commercial and environmental matters related to hydrocarbons, electricity and mining, as well as in the renewables sector. The experienced senior team - consisting of Francisco Roldán-Cobo, Sebastián Pérez-Arteta, Jaime Zaldumbide, María Isabel Aillón and Sebastián Cortez - was expanded further with the January 2025 promotion of Estefania Lopez-Verdu to the partnership, giving the firm considerable bench strength. Associate practice director María Paula Grijalva-Galárraga stands out for advice on land use in relation to power projects, including electricity and non-conventional renewable energy; also noted is recent senior associate Santiago Miño who has expanded the groups involvement in alternative energy and other sustainability projects. The April-2025 hire of specialist partner Rafael Pástor Vélez (plus three associates and four technical specialists) from his boutique law firm has significantly boosted the practice goup's environmental law capabilities.
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Key clients
- Entoria
- Adelca
- Pronaca
- Enerland
- Cobra
- Total Energies
- Neoen
- PCR
- Pluspetrol
- Codelco
Work highlights
Assisted Villonacoenergy with obtaining the declaration of public utility for some of the land required for the Villonaco III Wind Power Project.
Advised PetroOriental OCP holding on the regulatory, tax and antitrust requirements and the process to follow in Ecuador to be able to sign a share purchase agreement to sell its shares in OCP to Pampa Energía Bolivia.
Advised Petrolia on the negotiation and execution of two agreements with the Ministry of Energy and Mines for the execution of due amounts concerning the application of the stabilisation clause in Service Exploration and Production Contracts for Blocks 16 and 67.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Jaime Zaldumbide
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Sebastián Pérez Arteta
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Francisco Roldán Cobo; Sebastián Pérez Arteta; Jaime Zaldumbide; Sebastián Cortez; María Isabel Aillón