Diego Ramírez Mesec > Bustamante Fabara > Quito, Ecuador > Lawyer Profile

Bustamante Fabara
Av. Patria
E4-69 y Amazonas
QUITO
Ecuador

Position

Diego has a broad international perspective, forged in his academic training and extensive professional experience as a diplomat and lawyer. After obtaining his law degree an JD, he trained at the Diplomatic Academy and then pursued postgraduate studies in the United States. A member of the Foreign Service for almost 20 years, he served in the Embassies in Bogotá and Washington as well as in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, and also held positions of trust in the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade, Competitiveness, Integration and Fisheries.  He was involved in the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and later for the Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America.

In private practice he has advised international clients (from the United States, Europe, Latin America, China and Japan) as well as local companies, in countless commercial and financial transactions for a combined amount in excess of USD 20 billion (including the largest debt-for-nature swap to date, the first issue of a Sovereign Social Bond, and other complex financing structures, meriting international recognition by prestigious international rankings.  His practice extends to foreign investment, international arbitration, antitrust, banking & finance and telecommunications.

Diego advised Credit Suisse on the structuring of the largest blue bond issue in history, in support of marine conservation and natural capital of the Galapagos Islands; the transaction also involves significant benefits in public debt reduction for the Republic of Ecuador.

Career

  • 2022 – Present: Professor of Private International Law, Universidad de las Américas (UDLA).
  • 2021 – 2022: Partner, BUSTAMANTE FABARA S.A.S.
  • 2005 – 2021: Partner, FABARA & COMPAÑÍA ABOGADOS C.L.
  • 2004 – 2005: Undersecretary, Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Competitiveness (MICIP).
  • 2003 – 2004: Senior Advisor, MICIP 
  • 2002: Chief of Staff, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • 1997 – 2001: Economic and Commercial Attaché, Embassy of Ecuador, Washington, DC – USA.
  • 1986 – 1996: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Languages

English

Lawyer Rankings

Ecuador > Banking and finance

(Leading individuals)

Diego Ramírez MesecBustamante Fabara

The sizeable banking and finance department at Bustamante Fabara stands out for its cross-border expertise, showcasing the ability to handle secured and unsecured corporate lending as well as complex issues relating to capital markets. An additional specialism for the group is thematic bond transactions, where it plays an active role in the launch of green, blue, social and sustainable bonds. The practice increased its capabilities with the September 2022 hire of Jesús Beltrán – formerly the head of banking at Robalino – to its roster of experienced professionals; he acts as co-head of the team alongside Diego Ramírez Mesec, who is often retained by foreign lenders and financial institutions. Other key developments include the arrival of senior associates Patricio Santos, Belén Jaramillo and Juan Bernardo Guarderas, following Beltran in his move and adding considerable regulatory and transactional experience. The team’s advice to International Finance Corporation, Symbiotics Investments and LAGreen in their subscription to a $79m blue bond issuance by Banco Internacional is a key highlight in this respect.