Bustamante Fabara excels in the structuring of domestic and cross-border M&A, offering advice to a multitude of clients – including private equity firms and global conglomerates – on all aspects of corporate transactions. The firm has also facilitated the entry of foreign corporations into Ecuador, and demonstrates strength in joint ventures, capitalisations, and general corporate law matters. Juan Felipe Bustamante, who is singled out for his expertise in commercial contracts, corporate governance and business reorganisations, and José Rafael Bustamante C., who focuses on M&A deals, are noted for their ‘responsiveness’ and ‘timely and effective solutions‘. Managing partner María Rosa Fabara Vera is skilled at navigating complex cross-border transactions in the aviation, insurance, pharma, retail, banking and tech sectors, among others; Andrés Becdach offers key support in these matters. Kirina González plays a key role in the firm’s significant transactional mandates. Mariana Villagómez Álvarez is a key name from the firm.

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce is home to a 'highly trained' corporate and M&A practice 'with the business knowledge necessary to advise effectively' on multijurisdictional work, including complex deals that utilise the skills and participation of several of the firm’s teams - including labour, tax, antitrust and compliance. Diego Pérez-Ordoñez, who leads the M&A and antitrust practices, has a strong track record in landmark transactions in Ecuador. Juan Manuel Marchán-Maldonado advises both sellers and buyers on public and private M&A, joint ventures and asset dispositions across the retail, food and beverage, telecoms, energy and manufacturing sectors, among others. A key contact for multinationals, Pedro Manuel Pérez handles general corporate matters, and Esteban Ortiz-Mena specialises in corporate affairs and corporate governance. Andrés Brown-Pérez is skilled in cross-border matters, SPA negotiations and contractual issues; Roxana Aguirre-Avilés focuses on corporate restructurings and due diligence; and Daniel Dziouba excels in commercial mandates. Pedro Manuel Pérez joined from Carmigniani Pérez Abogados in 2023.

Noted for its ‘excellent service’, CorralRosales offers support to local companies and multinationals in transactional work and day-to-day corporate issues. M&A, business combinations, and corporate structuring are core areas of activity for the group, which has a strong track record in cross-border matters. Based in Quito, Xavier Rosales heads the corporate department and is supported by a diverse team, with key contacts including Santiago Palacios, who possesses over two decades of experience in corporate matters, Francisco Rosales, a name to note for international clients, and Rafael Rosales. Milton Carrera stands out for his expertise in corporate issues, M&A, and corporate immigration issues, while Ana Samudio is active in the competition, regulatory and TMT spaces, and Sofía Rosales assists with corporate restructuring and dissolutions.

ECIJA GPA acts for local and multinational clients from several industry sectors in M&A, corporate restructurings, as well as commercial and corporate law mandates. Noted for his ‘efficient and highly personalised service’, Michael Veintimilla co-leads the practice from the Quito office and is noted for his corporate restructuring expertise. Commercial law expert Santiago Vega, who is based in Cuenca, advises national and international companies navigating challenging business environments. Sitting in the Guayaquil office, Édgar Méndez handles significant corporate transactions, while Karen Álava assists large companies in Ecuador with corporate restructurings and commercial law matters. Gustavo Arrobo is another name to note in the corporate team in Quito.

Lexvalor Abogados is involved in key M&A transactions for prominent local and foreign companies, demonstrating strength in both buyer and seller-side mandates. In addition to transactional matters in the food and beverage, consumer goods, manufacturing and tech sectors, the group is also proficient in corporate restructurings, incorporations, and general corporate law matters. Founding partner Hector Barahona Moncayo oversees the relationships with correspondent firms in Latin America and worldwide, while Alfredo Peñaherrera Wright serves as president and director of the corporate division. Margoth Chiriboga Lopez co-chairs the corporate department, assisting with corporate and commercial mandates. Juan Francisco Almeida advises on M&A, reorganisation and investments in the start-up space. Also part of the core team, Ricardo Peñaherrera focuses on corporate, commercial and M&A matters.

Noted for its ‘personalised attention' and 'professionals with an excellent level of preparation’, Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados is experienced in domestic and multijurisdictional transactions in multiple industries. Its varied client roster features major foreign companies, prominent local enterprises, non-profit organisations and entrepreneurs. Corporate and commercial law specialist Marcelo Torres oversees the practice with founding partner Patricio Peña R., a name to note for corporates, private equity funds and financial institutions, and Francisco Larrea, who takes the lead on oil and gas, infrastructure and energy-related matters. Gonzalo Noboa Baquerizo and Patricia Marchán are other key contacts in the team.

The ‘innovative and agile’ corporate and M&A group at Robalino attracts instructions from international and local clients seeking advice on big-ticket M&A transactions, as well as corporate and commercial matters. The team, which is well versed in cross-border work, is under the joint leadership of Martín Pallares, whose experience covers M&A and private equity deals, and Daniel Robalino, a key contact for multinationals, funds and clients from the fintech, e-commerce and insurtech segments. Javier Robalino is a reference for multijurisdictional M&A and foreign investment. Christian Narvaez is often engaged in corporate mandates concerning the retail, fashion, e-commerce and pharma sectors. The practice group was further strengthened by the May 2024 hire of former Pérez Bustamante & Ponce partner Diego Palacios Brito; his broad expertise covers corporate, contractual, labour and administrative law matters.

Tobar ZVS handles the full spectrum of corporate and transactional work, covering corporate restructuring, governance issues, and M&A for domestic and international clients across the agribusiness, tech, mining, insurance and media sectors. Founder and managing partner Bernardo Tobar routinely advises investors and corporates on cross-border transactions such as M&A and private equity deals. Alvaro Sevilla plays a key role in commercial contracting and M&A, and René De Sola has broad experience in corporate law covering both Venezuela and Ecuador. Hipatia Donoso brings together expertise in M&A, corporate law and data protection matters.

Apolo Abogados advises public and private sector clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including incorporations, joint ventures, disposals and M&A. The group is particularly active in the automotive, agribusiness, financial services, insurance, energy and shipping industries. Rafael Balda Santistevan heads the practice that also includes María José Arias, a name to note for general corporate matters. Andrés Suarez Trujillo rejoined the firm following a stint as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ‘highly competent team’ at Dentons Paz Horowitz assists national and international clients with mergers, acquisitions, disposals and the incorporation and regulatory oversight of companies. Managing partner Agustin Acosta Cárdenas is a key individual in the group, which also features co-founder Jorge Paz Durini, a contact for consequential deals in the mining, telecoms and energy sectors. Other noteworthy practitioners include Rocio Cordova, who is experienced in corporate, contractual and transactional matters, recently promoted partner Maria Del Mar Heredia, who assists with M&A and contracts in the energy, mining and real estate segments, and Valeria Rosero, who has a strong following of clients from the life sciences space.

With offices in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, Durini & Guerrero Abogados advises companies and trusts on the full range of corporate matters, from shareholder issues to capital increases, spin-offs, mergers and corporate disputes. Felipe Durini Andrade is recommended for commercial, contractual and contentious work, while Juan Francisco Guerrero and Emilio Suárez stand out for their expertise in dispute resolution. Daniela Salgado Poveda is a key contact for the structuring of fiduciary businesses; she also handles real estate and corporate matters.

Pino Elizalde Abogados fields a ‘large team that handles various issues’, including M&A, joint ventures, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and corporate restructurings, both on a local and multinational level. Practice head Daniel Pino is a key port of call for multinational companies doing business in Ecuador; he is also skilled in corporate restructurings and general corporate law matters in the oil and gas, mining, natural resources, retail, pharma and agribusiness sectors. Jaime Arosemena focuses on M&A projects for clients operating in the food and beverage, pharma, oil, mining and natural resources spaces. Marco (Valentín) Elizalde is another name to note in the team. Fernanda Guzmán stands out at the associate level for her involvement in corporate and M&A mandates in an array of sectors.

Spingarn possesses a solid track record in complex transnational M&A deals, shareholder agreements, and joint ventures across a host of sectors. Co-head Sebastián Saá Tamayo specialises in investment protection and international transactions, while fellow co-leader Diego Armas brings together expertise in corporate and tax law. Lisseth Armijos Romero offers key support in international negotiations, mergers, acquisitions and the corporate aspects of competition law matters.

Domestic and international clients operating in the automotive, renewable energy, insurance, healthcare and consumer goods sectors, among others, regularly turn to Almeida Guzmán & Asociados for assistance with M&A, investment contracts, corporate restructuring, commercial matters and related disputes. Practice head José Urizar handles corporate, commercial and transactional work, which are also core areas of activity for Alberto Brown. Both are noted for being 'skilled negotiators' who 'offer diverse views to unlock the points of disagreement between the parties'.Priscilla Merino is a name to note for commercial and corporate disputes.

Noted for its 'ability to provide high-quality legal services and exceptional results', Cevallos Casals Balseca & Bilbao Abogados is well positioned to advise on a wide range of corporate and M&A matters, including acquisitions, disposals, incorporations, due diligence, corporate governance and liquidations. Practice head Carlos Julio Balseca Avila - 'an excellent professional who stands out for his attention and diligence' - excels in M&A transactions, commercial contracts and corporate governance.

Under the leadership of Mario Flor, Jorge Pizarro, and Roque Bustamante, Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado Abogados has built a strong reputation for handling complex transactions across the energy, natural resources, telecoms, and retail sectors. The team is further bolstered by Verónica Ruales, who brings expertise in commercial matters, and Juan Andrés Gortaire, a name to note for corporate governance and M&A deals.

Heka Law Firm offers domestic and foreign clients a wide range of corporate and commercial services, from M&A and corporate structuring to corporate governance, compliance, and commercial agreements. Mauricio Subía is proficient in corporate matters and the structuring of new investments in the country, while Daniel Fernández-Salvador is sought after for his expertise in corporate restructuring processes. Juan Andrés Gortaire is a key contact for M&A and the implementation of corporate governance practices, and Andrés Terán takes the lead on data protection and tech-related mandates. Also part of the core team, Mateo Sánchez specialises in corporate transactions and financial matters.

Romero Arteta Ponce‘s broad corporate and commercial service offering covers advice on the negotiation of contracts and commercial matters, due diligence, M&A deals as well as the creation of new companies. The practice is led by a capable duo: Diego Romero is experienced in the purchase and sale of companies, demonstrating a wealth of experience in representing the selling shareholders, while Gustavo Romero focuses on share deals. Patricia Del Pozo handles corporate and commercial matters.