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. Apolo Abogados is recognized for its work in the aquaculture, fishing and food services 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.
Highlights
The firm’s banking and M&A practice was active on cross-border transactions including a maritime acquisition financing. The firm advised MANTARAYA FISHING CORPORATION.
The firm’s M&A practice was also involved in another cross-border acquisition, specifically regarding INDUSTRIAL PESQUERA SANTA PRISCILA being partially acquired by Mitsui & Co.
Again, in banking and finance, the firm advised ANDINO CHEMICHAL DEL ECUADOR ANDICHEM in a cross-border credit agreement awarded by Comerica Bank.
Key clients
Metal House, Towerbank, Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila
Testimonials
“Highest level of knowledge, impeccable service.” (Project Development client)
Highlights
The firm’s corporate work was complex, involving navigating challenges of family-owned businesses. In one instance, the firm advised the Ripaldi Family as Hunter in the restructuring of the family business. This was complex due to the family’s businesses in Ecuador, Peru and Colombia.
In another interesting matter, the firm advised Grupo Fajardo in its strategic investment designated to the initiation of an animal feed processing plant. This matter also involved a crucial asset acquisition related to the plant operations.
Key clients
Anheuser-Busch InBev, The Tesalia Springs Company, Grupo Fajardo, Odema, Minutocorp and Betterfly Ecuador.
Testimonials
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. 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.
Highlights
The firm worked with clients on domestic matters. In one example the firm advised Lowell Mineral Exploration Ecuador as borrowers in a senior secured debt facility granted by Orion Mine Finance Management. This financing is for the Warintz Project development. This is a significant transaction in the mining market of Ecuador.
The firm also advised Aceros Arequipa in relation to landing operations in Ecuador. The firm aided in incorporating an SPV, negotiating and lease agreement and other matters.
Key clients
ATP, Lowel Minerals, World Food Progamme and Smart Energy.
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.
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.