Founded in 1948, Apolo Abogados has grown to four offices across Ecuador. Located in Guayaquil, Quito, Manta and Machala, the firm is best known for corporate and M&A advice.
Focusses / specialisms
Apolo Abogados is recognized for its work in the aquaculture and fishing industries. It also advises clients in the auto and consumer goods and services industries. The firm assists clients with acquisitions, corporate restructurings, mergers and other corporate transactional services.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include the Aqua-Gen, Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila Fajardo Group, Negocios Industriales Real, Groupo Fajardo, Montebrisacorp, Induauto Group, Delivery Hero, Urbaser and SC Johnson.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period the firm was active in M&A and project development.
The M&A team acted as legal counsel on multiple strategic acquisitions in the agriculture and food industries.
The project team was involved in a variety of matters with a particular emphasis on ports and infrastructure,
Partner Andrés Suárez Trujillo left the firm to join the Ministry of Agriculture as Vice Minister.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Ecuacultivos Group $17 million asset acquisition from Aguayo Group
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Financial services regulatory
“Experience, knowledge and recognition.”
M&A
“Apolo has a great work team, knowledgeable in acquisition and aquaculture. They know how to communicate, work as a team and protect the interests of their client, always advising the best option in acquisitions.”
“They have speed and resourcefulness. In Ecuador, small to mid-sized family-owned businesses tend to be unwilling to entertain offers or reveal sensitive data, especially with a potential competitor; we have hired different firms in the past for this same process and there is a notable difference in terms of success in this stage with the team at Apolo.”
Private equity
“This studio is well connected with our industry and our government, which lets them work smoothly.”
“They work really quickly with recommendations based on their broad expertise. “
Project development
“Speed and efficiency.”
José Gabriel Apolo
“Jose Gabriel has a variety of attributes that make him a complete and necessary lawyer for any industry. He knows a lot about various branches of law, and has helped us mainly in M&A, aquaculture and administrative. In addition to his knowledge of the law, he is a business facilitator, innovative, a very intuitive and analytical person.”
“Fast response and solves problems.”
“He is the most result-oriented lawyer I have had the pleasure of working with. Extremely consistent.”
Javier Cardoso
“Very involved personally with his customers' cases.”
Rafael Balda Santistevan
“Proactive, great professional, extensive knowledge and committed.”
“Very professional. Lots of availability when needed.”
“Rafael Balda is a great lawyer, knowledgeable in various branches of law. Over years of work, he has shown himself to be a very analytical and capable person. He proves various business opportunities very quickly, even finding agile and timely legal solutions. Always seeks to protect the customer.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and informed in different business sectors.”
Pino Elizade is an up-and-coming Ecuadorian firm, having been founded in 2017. The firm is headquartered in Guayaquil and is active in the financial and corporate and project development practice areas.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm advises local and international clients on corporate matters in general corporate advice, restructurings and acquisitions across a wide variety of industries. It also advises clients in banking, regulatory and transactional matters. In project development, the firm is active in the oil and gas, mining and infrastructure industries.
Key clients
Key clients for Pino Elizade include Core Petroleum, Panasonic, Americas Development, Traxys Europe, Wells Fargo, Cervecería Nacional, Morgan Stanley, Autoridad Portuaria Guayaquil, Jaguar Land Rover and EFG Capital Investment Group.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
In terms of financial and corporate work, the firm was active in banking, financial restructuring, asset acquisitions and financial regulatory services. The team had a particular focus on agrobusiness.
Projects work included developments mostly in real estate, as well as pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and oil and gas.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Biosuper $26 million asset acquisition
Grupo Fajardo $9 million acquisition
Open House $20 million real estate project
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Project development
“They are very professional, not only on the law side but also on the negotiation side. Very entrepreneurially orientated.”
Fernanda Guzman Amador
“Assertive and good communication.”
Daniel Pino
"Very proactive and business and finance oriented. Also knowledgeable of the law.”
Robalino Abogados was founded in 2020 out of a split from Ferrere’s Ecuador practice. It has four offices in Ecuador, located in Guayaquil, Machala, Manta and Quito.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is noted for its expertise in the finance sphere, where the team provides counsel to major multilateral and bilateral development banks and international private banks in a variety of financing roles across industry sectors. The firm’s members hold particularly specialized experience relating to the energy sector
The firm’s M&A team is also recognized for its involvement on both the acquire and seller side of sophisticated cross-border transactions.
Key clients
Key firm clients include Banco Guayaquil, Bank of America, Colgate, Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura, H&M and 3M.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
The financial and corporate team was active across a variety of matters including project finance, credit facilities, strategic acquisitions, and PPPs.
Partners Jesus Beltrán and Rafael Valdivieso left the firm to move to Bustamante Fabara.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Glenfarne Group 400MW natural gas plant development
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Banking and finance
“Accuracy, strategic advisory, transparency and integrity.”
Restructuring
“They are knowledgeable of the law, proactive and solution-oriented.”
Martin Pallares
“He is able to understand the details of the business and gives solutions and advisory with strategies for efficient attainment.“
Javier Robalino
“Javier has broad experience in different areas of the law, and communicates well with clients.”
“Availability, and willingness to support.”
Founded in 1956, Bustamante & Bustamante advises corporate clients, both local and international, in a variety of financial matters. It is based in Quito.
Focusses / specialisms
The financial and corporate group is capable in a variety of areas, including M&A, private equity, project finance, credit agreements, loans and refinancing.
Key clients
Notable clients of the firm include Veolia, Nomura Securities, AT&T, Grupo Werthein, DirecTV, Seguros Equinoccial, Equivida Compañía de Seguros, Barnana, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Phoenix Tower International Ecuador.
Founded in 1956, Bustamante & Bustamante advises corporate clients, local and international, in a variety of financial matters. It is based in Quito.
Focusses / specialisms
The financial and corporate group is capable in a variety of areas, including M&A, private equity, project finance, credit agreements, loans and refinancing.
Key clients
Notable clients for the firm include Phoenix Tower International, Itaú Corpbanca, Banco Santander, Credicorp / Scotiabank and European Investment Bank.
CCB Abogados is an Ecuadorian firm located in the capital city of Quito.
Focusses/specialisms
The firm is active in a variety of practices within the financial and corporate sphere, including M&A and restructuring, in addition to maintaining a notable project development practice which emphasizes procurement work. The CCB team hold specialized experience across a variety of industries, including the automotive sector, energy, media, retail, technology and telecommunications.
Key clients
Among the firm’s key clients are Autofenix, China National Electric Engineering, CiberC, Endeavor, Enerpetrol, Grant Thornton, New Fortress Energy and ZTE.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
“There is direct involvement by the firm’s main partners. They are experts in their areas of knowledge and in dealing with their clients.”
Project development: energy
“Deep understanding of regulatory and public contractual terms, as well as of private sector needs.”
Established in 1975, Coronel & Perez is a highly regarded firm in Ecuador, known for its international and local work. The firm has offices located in Quito and Guayaquil.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is active in banking and finance, assisting banks and financial institutions in structuring credit agreements, loans and cross-border financing.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Republic of Ecuador, BICSA, Citibank, FLAR, Advance Global Capital and Latitude 20 Capital Partners.
Client feedback” 31st edition (2020/2021)
Banking
"Knowledge. Responsiveness."
"We always received advice on the different alternatives we have to get better negotiation."
Banking and finance
"Professionalism."
Founded in 1997, ECIJA is a global, Iberian-American firm with initial roots in Spain. Since its conception, it has expanded to include 30 offices in 16 countries across the western hemisphere, in addition to maintaining an international China desk. As a result of its merger with Ecuadorian firm GPA Abogados, the firm’s presence now includes four locations across Ecuador in Cuenca, Guayaquil, Manta and the capital city of Quito.
Focusses/specialisms
The firm is noted for its activity in the financial and corporate sphere, particularly in the practice of M&A, as well as in project development. The firm is particularly active in the energy and transportation sectors.
Key clients
Among the firm’s key clients are Alstom, CIM, the NGE Group and Ineo UTS.
Noboa Peña Larrea & Torres was founded in 2003. It has two locations, with offices in Quito and Guayaquil. The firm is a member of the Martindale network.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm advises public and private entities in corporate and M&A matters. It advises both buyers and sellers. In terms of banking work the firm assists in loans.
The projects team is strong in energy and mining work, where it advises international and Ecuadorian investors in bids and renewable and non-renewable development.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Nestle, Goldman Sachs, Roddome Pharmaceutical, Citibank and Banco Santander.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Asset finance
“Complete local knowledge in assessing all needs of the company to do due diligence of the company to be purchased."
Investment fund: Retail funds
"They have a lot of experience so we trust in this firm."
M&A
"Extensive knowledge on the subject. Good at communicating all aspects of the deal in terms easy to understand for non-lawyers."
Project development: Energy
"They have a great team, very good knowledge of the energy field."
"Knowledgeable of the industry and very diligent."
Pérez Bustamante & Ponce was founded in 1916 and services clients from its two offices in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is noted for its ability across a diversity of practice areas including capital markets, finance, M&A, project finance, project development and restructuring.
The firm’s capital markets involvement focus largely on the debt side, where the firm is particularly active in representing sovereign bond issuers.
In the project finance space, the firm is active in advising on the lender side of mining, renewable energy and other projects.
Key clients
Among the firm’s key clients are Altius, Banco Pichincha, DP World, FMO, IBT Group, Procesadora Nacional de Alimentos PRONACA and Visa.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
“Lot of experience in natural resources. Good communication. Deep knowledge of the mining sector.”
Project development: Energy
“They have a clear knowledge of regulations, as well of the business approach required to serve in the interest of the company.”
Romero Arteta Ponce Law Firm was founded in 1950 and provides counsel to clients from its office in the capital city of Ecuador. The firm is a member of the Meritas global network of independent law firms.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm represents an impressive array of clients from industries including aviation, infrastructure, insurance, oil and gas, technology and transportation in relation to a variety of financial and corporate matters.
Key clients
Key clients include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Nissan, Siemens, Timberland and Toyota.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2021/2022)
Financial services
“Deep knowledge, full availability, and reasonable response times.”
Founded in 1993, Tobar ZVS is based in Quito.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm represents clients in all aspects of energy, infrastructure, mining and natural resources projects, including the finance, bidding and development stages. The team is currently involved in a particularly high concentration of major Ecuadorian mining concessions.
Key client
Among the firm’s key clients are Aurania, Challenger Exploration, Lumina, Minera Mesaloma and SolGold.