Bustamante Fabara integrates ‘an eclectic group of professionals into its team who undoubtedly make it a one-stop-shop firm like few others in the market’. The dispute resolution team draws on its expertise across civil, commercial, public and constitutional law to represent clients in high-profile judicial proceedings, including cases against the Ecuadorian state and the State Comptroller General’s Office. Public law disputes are a key strength for the department, which is also proficient in arbitration. The group is jointly led by María Rosa Fabara Vera, a reference in the market for litigation arising from public procurement issues, and Mariana Villagómez Álvarez, who focuses on corporate, banking, fiduciary and insurance disputes. Administrative, civil and arbitral conflicts are all key areas of activity for Francisco Dávila Caicedo, who shines in matters concerning public procurement.

Noted for its ‘experience and its passion for defending the interests of its clients’, Pérez Bustamante & Ponce excels in litigation and arbitration proceedings (at the domestic and international level) arising from commercial, civil and administrative disputes. Co-head Rodrigo Jijón-Letort stands out for his longstanding experience in mediation, judicial litigation and arbitration. He oversees the practice alongside Juan Manuel Marchán, who shines in arbitration cases involving the infrastructure, oil and gas and energy sectors, and Edgar Ulloa-Balladares, who focuses on litigation arising from civil, commercial, administrative, environmental and constitutional disputes. Patricio Quevedo-Vergara is recommended for litigation before the Supreme Court. The team was further strengthened by the addition of litigator Roberto Carmigniani, who joined from Carmigniani Pérez Abogados in July 2023. Javier Jaramillo-Troya - dual-qualified in Ecuador and New York - focuses on domestic arbitration, as well as civil, commercial, tort and administrative litigation, while Maria Teresa Borja is a name to note for international investment and commercial arbitrations.

Founded in Guayaquil, Consulegis Abogados provides legal advice on a host of dispute resolution matters, including civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. Debt collection actions, constitutional matters, contractual breaches and the enforcement of arbitral awards are all core areas of focus for the group. Xavier Castro Munoz specialises in litigation and arbitration, demonstrating notable strength in telecoms and freedom of expression disputes. Civil and criminal procedure specialist Carlos Cortaza Vinueza is a key contact for financial services clients; Roberto González Torre is noted for his experience in arbitration proceedings at the domestic and international level; and Carlos Martinez Viteri excels in civil, commercial, constitutional, criminal and insurance litigation. José Francisco Acosta is proficient in administrative and constitutional proceedings, while Diego Corral, who joined in November 2023, brings considerable experience in public law, human rights, anti-corruption and ESG issues.

CorralRosales represents a mix of local and international entities in a wide range of disputes at all levels of the judicial system. A go-to destination for construction disputes, the team is proficient in local and international arbitration proceedings, as well as civil, commercial and administrative litigation. Practice head Santiago Palacios handles high-stakes disputes in the financial services, insurance, energy, real estate and environment spaces. The firm’s dispute resolution offering was strengthened in September 2024 by the addition of former Bustamante Fabara partner Hugo García Larriva to lead the arbitration practice. Other individuals to note include: Xavier Rosales, whose areas of expertise cover domestic and international arbitration, as well as dispute board proceedings under ICC rules; Francisco Rosales, a seasoned arbitrator; and senior associates Mateo Zavala, who focuses on litigation involving civil, administrative, constitutional and employment law, and Carla Cepeda, who also joined from Bustamante Fabara in September 2024, and has notable strengths in disputes in the construction, energy and telecoms sectors.

Dentons Paz Horowitz represents national and foreign companies from the energy, aviation, tourism and pharmaceutical industries (among others) in judicial proceedings and commercial and investment arbitrations. Jorge Paz Durini oversees the dispute resolution team with three other practitioners: Leyre Suarez specialises in litigation arising from administrative, commercial, labour and civil disputes, while Gabriel Santelices and Patricia Andrade focus on labour claims. Juan Jose Mantilla is a name to note for public procurement and administrative litigation.

With offices in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, Durini & Guerrero Abogados handles the gamut of dispute resolution matters, standing out for its expertise in public law and civil litigation. Typical instructions for the group include constitutional actions, administrative appeals, mediation proceedings, and sanction cases involving public servants and officials. Juan Francisco Guerrero Del Pozo specialises in constitutional control and dispute resolution. Local and foreign clients regularly turn to Emilio Suárez Salazar for advice on constitutional and procedural law matters, and arbitrations. Xavier Palacios Abad is experienced in contentious matters involving the public sector, while Tomás Barrionuevo Vaca regularly advises on civil, labour, and administrative litigation.

Noted for its ‘high degree of experience’, the arbitration department at ECIJA GPA is active in domestic and international arbitration proceedings under ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, AAA/CIAC rules. Commercial and investment arbitrations, as well as collection claims and judicial recoveries are key strengths for the team, which predominantly acts for clients operating in the energy, construction, telecoms, and oil and gas sectors. In Quito, Juan Carlos Montenegro focuses on civil litigation, while Blanca Gomez De La Torre oversees the arbitration department. Gonzalo González, who specialises in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, Jaime Dousdebes, who handles constitutional and public procurement matters, and Christel Gaibor are other names to note in the same office. Byron Sotomayor  heads the dispute resolution team in Guayaquil, while Xavier Molina and Sebastián López are key contacts in Cuenca, and Ingrid Rodríguez oversees the civil litigation department in Manta.

Singled out for its experience in the financial, fiduciary and real estate sectors, Lexvalor Abogados is skilled in administrative, judicial, arbitration and mediation proceedings. Founding partner and co-head Daniela Irigoyen, who specialises in financial, securities and insurance law, has a strong track record in real estate and public law disputes. Fellow co-leader Juan Francisco Almeida advises on arbitration, debt restructuring matters and collection claims. Mariela Moreno is a key name for administrative, judicial and arbitration matters, while Iván Plascencia focuses on contractual and non-contractual liability cases.

The litigation department at Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados focuses on civil and commercial disputes, both in the judicial and administrative spheres. Based in Guayaquil, co-head Gonzalo Noboa Baquerizo has led the defence of judicial processes in different areas of law, most notably corporate, commercial, constitutional, criminal and administrative disputes. These are among Margarita Vélez Casanova's areas of activity, while Rafaela González  focuses on civil, administrative and contractual law. Patricio Peña Romero manages the dispute resolution team in Quito, where Henry Gaibor is a name to note for insolvencies and asset restructuring.

The dispute resolution practice at Pino Elizalde Abogados is led by Marco (Valentín) Elizalde, who specialises in administrative litigation and handles matters for clients from a multitude of industries, including oil and gas, mining, food and beverage, and retail. In addition to administrative and constitutional law matters, the group is also active in civil litigation, labour claims, commercial arbitration and bankruptcies. Jorge Cedeño plays a key role in insolvency proceedings, while Rafael Ulloa focuses on constitutional and administrative litigation.

Robalino is skilled at handling complex litigation cases and alternative dispute resolution matters, including mediation, local and international arbitration, and dispute boards. Managing partner Javier Robalino, chairman of the ICC arbitration commission in Ecuador, leads the practice with Luis Carlos Fernández, who oversees the labour practice, and Andrés Donoso, who heads the energy department. Cristina Viteri, who specialises in litigation and international arbitration specialist, is also part of the core team. Since publication, the firm has significantly strengthened it's offering with the November-2024  hire of the former executive director of Guayaquil's Chamber of Commerce, Juan Carlos Díaz Granados, as of counsel; in addition to his corporate and insurance expertise, he has particular know-how as regards alternatve dispute resolution.

Noted for its ‘dedication, empathy and knowledge‘, Romero Arteta Ponce has an impressive track record in arbitration, mediation and litigation matters, acting for clients from the industrial, automotive, banking, energy and insurance sectors. Practice head Diego Romero is an arbitrator at both the Centre of the Chamber of Commerce of Quito and the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce. Gustavo Romero is skilled in litigation, and Patricia Del Pozo‘s expertise extends to arbitration and mediation.

The litigation department at Apolo Abogados is active in defending banks and commercial businesses engaged in contractual disputes, land litigation, debt collections and damages lawsuits. The firm draws on its network with other players across the US, Central America, the UK and Europe to assist the country's leading exporters in cross-border claims. Joaquin Zevallos F. specialises in civil and commercial disputes, advising clients on litigation and arbitration proceedings. He oversees the group with Andrés Cervantes, who excels in constitutional litigation. Javier Cardoso Andrade and Víctor Carrión are active in cross-border litigation involving shipping, insurance, torts, personal injury, commercial, civil and international trade cases.

Noted for fielding a team of ‘very experienced and well-connected people’, Cevallos Casals Balseca & Bilbao Abogados handles contentious matters for a range of international and multinational businesses across the globe, including the US, China and Europe, in industries ranging from media and telecoms to automotive. The team is led by Roberto Bilbao, a contact for judicial litigation and arbitration, and Daniela Cevallos Casals, who focuses on administrative, public procurement, telecoms and tech-related mandates. Luis Anibal Garcés Paredes is a key name for recovery and financial lawsuits.

DLL Abogados handles litigation and arbitration at a national level, demonstrating strength in labour, civil, commercial and administrative disputes. Members of the team have acted as arbitrators and mediators in the International Arbitration Centre (CIAM), as well as secretaries of arbitration panels before the Centre of Arbitration of the Chambers of Commerce of Quito. Leopoldo González Ruiz co-leads the team alongside Xavier Sisa Cepeda. Jessahé Navarrete Villalva is another key point of contact in the team.

Led by Marco Morales Tobar, boutique firm Estudio Jurídico Morales & Asociados acts for public and private entities in mediation, litigation, arbitration, annulment proceedings and appeals. It is home to a 'team of lawyers with strong expertise in constitutional law, public tenders, and civil law litigation'. Key contacts include Marco Morales Andrade, Pablo Morales Andrade and Edisson Morales, the latter of whom is counsel of choice for family-owned businesses.

The dispute resolution team at Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado Abogados offers clients deep expertise in both domestic and international arbitration proceedings and is also well placed to advise on litigation matters arising from constitutional, civil, commercial and administrative disputes. Roque Bustamante leads the practice with Mario Flor, who is highly active in the energy and natural resources sectors, a key focus for the firm. The team also stands out in tax controversy disputes, where Juan Carlos Peñafiel brings particular expertise, and in labour cases, a key area of expertise for Alfonso Becerra.

López Ribadeneira Mora is skilled in administrative litigation, arbitration and constitutional law disputes, often acting for clients from the construction, natural resources, infrastructure,  telecoms and agribusiness sectors. Practice head Daniel López Suárez has extensive experience in disputes related to public procurement and contentious proceedings against the state and its institutions. These are also key areas of focus for Sebastián Mora. Maria de Lourdes Maldonado handles judicial litigation arising from constitutional, civil, commercial, labour, administrative and IP disputes, as well as mediation and arbitration.

Meythaler & Zambrano Abogados is well positioned to represent clients from the pharma, construction, food, chemicals, telecoms, tech, manufacturing and transport sectors in arbitration proceedings and litigation before the state courts. The group has significant experience in contentious matters arising from contractual breaches, damages actions, recovery claims and IP disputes, among others. Jose Meythaler Baquero handles civil and commercial litigation as well as administrative disputes in the hydrocarbons, agribusiness, and pharma industries. He oversees the department with Vanesa Aguirre Guzmán, who is experienced in disputes against public entities. Jhon Esteban Mora Bassante excels in competition disputes, while Juan José Peña Medina focuses on litigation and arbitration at the national level.

Tobar ZVS offers comprehensive dispute resolution services to clients across various industries, from mining, insurance, food and drink, to plant breeding and construction. Most notably, the team has a niche focus on protecting and defending plant breeders’ rights. It also stands out for its strong track record in insurance disputes, benefitting from an alliance with Kennedys USA. René De Sola oversees the relationship between both firms, and is the name to note for insurance matters. Oscar Vela Descalzo leads the dispute resolution unit and is experienced in commercial litigation, mediation and arbitration. Marielena Zary handles insurance mandates, as well as litigation and arbitration proceedings, while María Paz is noted for her experience in contentious issues in the tourism, healthcare, construction and consumer goods spaces.