Bustamante Fabara stands out for the breadth of its tax service offering, which covers tax planning and contentious matters before administrative bodies and judicial courts. On the advisory front, the group is adept in advising domestic and international clients – including private and publicly traded companies, and high-net-worth individuals – on tax structuring mandates, direct and indirect taxation issues, and transfer pricing. Practice head Diego Pino, who was promoted to partner in 2024, has extensive knowledge of tax planning and tax optimisation matters, as well as tax disputes. Juan Carlos Bustamante is noted for his strong track record in cross-border transactions. Sofía Gordillo brings together considerable expertise in both tax and corporate law, while director María Fernanda Saá focuses on domestic and international taxation mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent support and communication.’

  • ‘They focus first on fully understanding the business model and the reality of each company, to then be able to propose well-grounded tax solutions. The experience they have in various industries has allowed them to support us with innovative tax strategies.'

  • ‘The team has a very good balance between youth and experience. This allows us to have confidence that they are technically prepared and up to date with the standards. On the other hand, the youth and innovative ideas component of the team is also very important for the constant changes that companies have.'

  • 'María Fernanda Saá: an excellent professional who is very dedicated to responding to client's needs promptly; excellent communication and support.'

  • 'We appreciate that Bustamante Fabara's team is client-oriented and adapts to the client's needs. We are satisfied that the team always offers us several alternatives to solve the consultations that arise, which demonstrates the broad handling of the issues, and their dedication and commitment to the client.'
  • 'We appreciate the high degree of professionalism, experience and knowledge of the professionals dedicated to our company's matters. We have had the opportunity to have direct and permanent contact with Sofia Gordillo and with Diego Pino. We are pleased that the professionals maintain continuous contact with the company, including constant telephone communications and video conferences when they are in contact with us.'

Key clients

  • Abbott Laboratorios Del Ecuador
  • Tiendas Industriales Asociadas Tia
  • Biela y Bebidas del Ecuador BIELESA (Heineken)
  • Grupo Ortiz
  • B. Braun Medical
  • Aglomerados Cotopaxi
  • Icesa
  • Lactalis Del Ecuador
  • Pepsico Alimentos Del Ecuador
  • Pfizer Cia
  • Oriflame Del Ecuador
  • Pharmabrand
  • Sociedad Hotelera Cotopaxi
  • Tessa Rosses
  • Mitsui
  • Maresa
  • South Ecuameridian
  • Basf
  • Jsv belzarubezhstroy
  • Olympic juice
  • Construmercado
  • Grupo Cid
  • Bimbo
  • Fadesa
  • Grupo Maderero Empresarial Gem Corp, Sl
  • Yango
  • Bmi Del Ecuador Compañía de Seguros De Vida
  • Depconsa
  • Technology holding
  • La Llave S.a. De Comercio
  • DLI Piper Martinez Beltran

Work highlights

  • Represented Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador in the tax court and the constitutional court in matters arising from the tariff classification of pharmaceutical products.
  • Advised Tiendas Industriales Asociadas Tia on a tax dispute with the IRS, successfully challenging the IRS's interpretation of dividend payments for 2016 and 2017.
  • Represented Mitsui & Co. in an agreement to invest $360m in the largest shrimp farm in the world named Santa Priscila.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Diego Pino