Pino Elizalde Abogados

Pino/Elizalde’s philosophy is team work. The firm strongly believes in the maximizing and long-lasting effects of synergy. It understands that the business environment in Ecuador is complex and, as such, in order to implement comprehensive solutions, its lawyers combine their strengths, knowledge and capabilities, with the highest ethical standards, to meet the needs of clients in the most effective and efficient manner.

History: Pino/Elizalde was established in February 2017 by Daniel Pino, Marco A Elizalde “Valentin”, and Jaime Arosemena. Its main office is located in Guayaquil, but it also has operations in Quito, and outreach throughout the whole country.

Practice areas: The firm focuses on the different areas of law, which allows it to provide comprehensive and complete advice to meet the needs of clients.

Corporate and M&A: Pino Elizalde provides counsel in the structuring of companies for the development of businesses in Ecuador, searching for the most efficient legal set up that fits the needs of clients. It provides counsel in all aspects relating to the ordinary operation of businesses, as well as mergers and acquisitions of local and foreign corporations from the beginning of the structure, including the legal and mandatory audit, processing and obtaining authorization from competent authorities and other permits from regulatory entities for different industries, as well as the preparation of sales/purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, funding agreements and other agreements relating to the transaction.

Dispute resolution: the arbitration and litigation department of the firm handles controversies relating to constitutional, administrative, arbitration, civil and commercial guarantees and rights. In litigation, its attorneys have represented clients in complex cases before the constitutional, civil, commercial and administrative courts, in issues relating to the violation of their constitutional rights, administrative-judicial relations, public contracting, distribution, commercial agency, civil liability, international commercial contracts, consumer protection and competition law.

Energy and natural resources: in projects relating to the hydrocarbon industries and renewable energies, the firm provides a comprehensive service to clients regarding contracts, regulatory matters, corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, financing and project finance. In addition, it provides counsel in issues relating to the mining industry, in the exploration, extraction and commercialization phases, as well as the paperwork necessary to change those phases. It is prepared to actively participate in the design and negotiation of contracts aiming to acquire mining participations, by means of transfer agreements, purchase option agreements, cessions, joint ventures, or any other form that fit the interests of each client and each situation. Likewise, it provides service in the preparation, presentation, follow up, allocation, and registration of mining applications, change of phases, supervising the revision and processing of permits, authorizations, registrations and license required in each phase of the mining activity.

Banking law finance: the banking department of the firm has members qualified in banking and financial regulations, providing advice to companies and banking and non-banking financial institutions during the process of authorization, incorporation, organization and operation of local or foreign financial institutions in Ecuador, as well as providing counsel during the process of negotiation, structuring, follow up and legal consults about financial, banking and stock market operations.

Competition and antitrust: the firm provides counsel in matters regarding free competition, monopolies and disloyal competition, advising clients in preventive aspects as well as in the solution of conflicts, and the management of administrative procedures before de Superintendence of the Control of Market Power and related legal proceedings. The firm offers its clients the design and implementation of audits and preventive programs to assure the compliance with the antitrust laws; the counsel in processes of advanced notices to the Superintendence of the Control of Market Power; and the representation and counsel in investigations and proceedings relating to anti-competitive practices and agreements.

Tax: its tax attorneys provide counsel to clients according to the needs of their corporations, acquittal of consults, tax planning, comprehensive preventive revisions, support during audits and sponsoring tax administrative proceedings and tax judicial processes.

Intellectual property, franchises and distribution: it advises clients in the protection and registration of brands, patents, trade secrets and copyrights, as well as drafting all types of license and franchise agreements and carrying out legal audits regarding the protection of intangible assets. Also, its attorneys have a broad experience in administrative proceedings, in the preparation and litigation of civil actions relating to intellectual property, including infringements of trademarks, copyrights, forgery, unfair competition, and comprehensive defense of the intellectual property rights.

Labor: the services it provides in labor law include providing counsel in drafting labor contracts, identification of labor risks, compensations, dismissals, and individual and collective labor conflicts, restructuring of personnel, corporate reorganizations, implementation of salary policies, expatriate regimes, among others.

We have offices in Guayaquil and Quito.