Corporative Law

“THE FIRM This long-standing Ecuadorian firm has been involved in the commercial sector since the 1950s, and the nine-strong group remains active in a wide range of corporate elements. Recent areas of activity span mergers in aviation, acquisition of local automotive operations (including distribution) and due diligence work. Representative clients in the corporate space include Lloyds TSB, Toyota and Lafarge Cementos.

Sources say: “We have been working with this firm for years and we have complete trust in Romero Arteta Ponce. The lawyers provide an excellent and personalized service.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Market commentators praise Carmen Gomez, saying: “We have total trust in her,” and “her dedication is key in maintaining a great relationship with the firm.”

Gustavo Romero Ponce regularly advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial issues. He has recently acted for the likes of Delta Air Lines and GE. Department head Diego Romero Ponce leads on various transactions in this practice area. For example, he led the team that supported Micro-Vest Capital Management in its local banking operations.

The Legal 500 Latin America Survey : The full in-depth, comprehensive analysis of law firms in 63 jurisdictions is available to view at www.legal500.com

“Established in 1950, Romero Arteta Ponce is one of the oldest firms in Ecuador. It has developed considerable experience over the years and maintains a solid presence in the market. Corporate and M&A matters are a core practice for the small team which advises both local and international clients. The firm also has particular expertise in aviation, an area in which Amparo Romero has developed considerable experience. The firm represents a number of international airlines currently operating in Ecuador, including Delta Airlines. Gustavo Romero’s broad practice spans energy, commercial law, banking, IP and public law”.

We have the great pleasure to introduce to you our 60 years old experienced Law Firm (since 1950). Composed of highly qualified professionals, specialized in different areas of law, we are able to offer to our clients a personalized, efficient and professional service. The most important factor for our Law Firm is to provide thoughtful legal services and surveys with the highest professionalism and care to our clients.

I. Presentation of our Law Firm activities

Serving a wide-range of international and domestic clients, the firm has overseen numerous important projects to Ecuador’s development. They have included amongst others, the supply of services for the construction of oil refineries, pipelines, hydroelectric power plants, telecommunications, cement plants, and the contribution in different privatization projects in the areas of cellular communications, public utilities, as well as exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons legal advisory, such as:

Quito and Guayaquil International Airports Construction Project.

Advisory for the construction of the Cementos Selva Alegre’s facilities, actually Lafarge Cementos from France.

Representation of the banana exporting companies – Chiquita Brands.

Hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation participation contracts for several blocks.

Representation of Petroleum Services Contracts.

Rebuild of the Trans-Ecuadorian pipeline – Morrizon Knudsen.

Cell phone concession contract – IUSACEL-PORTA and other projects of interest, until they transferred the rights of the concession to a third party.

Representing the legal interest of the following airlines: Delta Airlines, Panagra, Eastern Airlines, Servivensa, Challenger Air Cargo, Martin Air.

Handling of the legal matters of Toyota Ecuador and Toyota Tsusho.

Handling of the legal operation of Lloyds Bank PLC, Wells Fargo.

Handling in Ecuador of Reinsurance Cases such as: Aeca case; Cubana de Aviación case; Icaro (Barcelona) case, Million Air Case, Gonzalez Suarez Military Accident in Quito among others.

Handling of Administrative Claims in different Public Institutions, including insurance cases.

Handling of a large number of lawsuits representing foreign companies such as: Reanult; Toyota; Kia.

Handling of an important number of Arbitration Cases, national and international such as: Ecuatoriana de Aviación vs Emsa Services, representing the Germany Company; Oiltrader vs Lafarge, representing the Frech Company among others.

Handling commercial matters for Toyota, Toyota Tsusho, Kia Motors, etc.

It is also worth pointing out, in the public concession context, that Romero Arteta Ponce Abogados has ample expertise in Ecuador’s important national petroleum industry.

Under the concession mechanism, the Ecuadorian Congress has passed legislation allowing the government to enter into concession/participation contracts with foreign petroleum companies.

Our firm has represented and counseled numerous companies in such agreements. Representative clients in this area include: Santa Fe Energy Resources Inc. (USA), Korea Petroleum Development Corporation (SOUTH KOREA), Petrobras (BRAZIL) and Triton Energy Company (USA), Suelopetrol.

Moreover, our Law Firm practices of course the Ecuadorian law in the following areas: tributary, aeronautical, telecommunications, mediation and arbitration, banking and insurance, franchising, business and commercial law, concessions, immigration, electronic commerce, employment law, trusts and probate law, international affairs, intellectual property, etc. We also advise in different matters the following Embassies in Ecuador: US Embassy; Switzerland Embassy; French Embassy, Estonia Consulate among others.

II. Recommendations about us

Established in 1950, Romero Arteta Ponce is one of the oldest, most successful and important law firm in Ecuador.

It is ranked among the five greatest and most prestigious firms in the country by Chamber & Partner; Latin Lawyer 250; The Legal 500; IFLR 1000.

The firm is recommended by Latin Lawyer:

“A Who’s Who of Latin American Law Firms” after comprehensive research by this independent publication; Chamber & Partners independent publication; IFLR 1000 “The Guide to the World´s Leading Financial Law Firms”, independents publications.

Our law firm has been honored with the distinction of being selected the Ecuadorian representative of “Meritas Law Firms Wordwide” www.meritas.com the second largest network of independent law firms in the world. Additionally, Romero Arteta Ponce Abogados is listed in, amongst others, the Martindale Hubbell International Law Directory, The American Bar, and the United States Embassy Legal Referral Directory.