Pérez Bustamante & Ponce (PBP) is the largest full-service law firm in Ecuador, consistently considered a leader in the legal market and a trusted advisor for national and international clients. The firm has offices in Quito and Guayaquil and outreach throughout Ecuador.

PBP endeavors to understand clients’ challenges and needs. Its multi-practice teams have an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges of each sector.

PBP's team has both local and international experience. Several members have attended renowned local and international universities and have worked at first-rate law firms around the world. Furthermore, a number of the firms attorneys have been admitted to practice in the State of New York, District of Columbia, Spain, Chile, Colombia and other jurisdictions.

PBP has consistently been honored as Ecuadorian Firm of the Year by Chambers Latin America (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009) and by Who´s Who Legal (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010). Also in 2019 the firm was recognized by International Tax Review (ITR) as Ecuador Tax Firm of the Year.

PBP believes that pro bono work is inseparable from the practice of law. In 1987, it founded Fundación Fabián Ponce Ordóñez to coordinate and optimise the firm’s pro bono resources and maximise its scope.

PBP strives to be an increasingly inclusive firm and endeavors to promote the leadership and professional development of women.

Some of the most relevant international services:

International Arbitration
The team has extensive experience in ICSID and ICC cases.

Tax
PBP’s Tax Unit is one of its core practice areas. With a multidisciplinary focus it provides private and corporate clients with tax advice, planning and representation in litigation and claims.

Banking, Finance and Insurance
The firm assists foreign and local banks and multilaterals and insurers and reinsurers in their activities in Ecuador.

Energy and Natural Resources
PBP has led the negotiation, signing and implementation of major projects in Ecuador’s oil, gas, mining, hydroelectric and alternative energy industries.

Mergers and Acquisitions
The firm is at the forefront of structuring and executing mergers and acquisitions. They actively participate in multinational teams and work closely with other international legal professionals.

Infrastructure and Project Finance
Infrastructure has been a very active area for PBP over the past few years. The firm advised on the Posorja Port development, the first Public Private Partnership project to be executed in Ecuador.

Competition and Antitrust practice
The team specialize in merger control authorizations and in non-transactional work, including investigations, due diligence and litigation before the local antitrust authority.

Compliance and Anti-Corruption
PBP is a pioneer in the region in this area. It advises local and foreign clients in all compliance matters, including design and implementation of compliance programs, pre-acquisition corruption risk assessments, compliance due diligence, internal investigations, remediation and litigation.

Labor and Immigration
PBP advises clients on how to face and adapt to the growing demands of recently enacted regulations in this area, including employment, social security and immigration issues.

Intellectual Property
PBP´s IP practice combines a long track record with a dynamic and up-to-date team of experts. It is best known for handling local and/or foreign trademark portfolios, dispute resolution and IP due diligence processes.

Environmental Law
PBP advises on environmental matters involving preventive compliance, elaboration of policies and environmental claims, within a very stringent local environmental legislation.