Praised for its ‘strategic and comprehensive vision to solve problems’, and its 'proven knowledge of labour laws‘, Bustamante Fabara acts in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Its client base includes local companies and multinational retail brands based in Latin America, and its advice extends to labour risk due diligence processes and the termination of labour agreements. On the contentious side, the firm assists with collective bargaining agreements and dismissals, also displaying a specialism in the avoidance of both individual and collective litigation. It also continues to work on labour law issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, such as contractual issues. Such contentious matters are frequently undertaken by senior associate Vanessa Granizo Sanchez, who specialises in termination disputes. Seasoned litigators Patricia Ponce and Francisco Vacas, who often deals with collective claims, lead the group and are adept in administrative claims related to social security.

Jaramillo Dávila Abogados is skilled in working with unions, resolving collective conflicts and managing collective bargaining, with a strong presence in the energy, oil, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation and financial services industries. Fabián Jaramillo Terán, who ‘has extensive experience and excellent judgement in handling employment cases', and Diego Jaramillo Terán, a practitioner who focuses on counselling companies to avoid possible labour disputes and is also well versed in high-value employment cases related to benefits after termination, jointly lead the group. Elsewhere, Fabián Jaramillo Intriago, who returned to the firm in May 2024 having completed a Master of Law Studies at Harvard Law School, is experienced in labour disputes in the appellate, national and Supreme Court in Ecuador.

With strong experience in navigating complex labour relationships between employer and employee, the practitioners at Lexvalor Abogados are entrusted by local clients and large tech companies alike and are recognised for offering ‘highly specialised advice on topics such as contracting, collective bargaining and regulatory compliance’. In addition to its day-to-day labour law advice, the group’s labour law expertise also extends to obtaining visas for multinational clients, a key area for Carlos Carrión, who oversees the immigration law section of the department. Practice head Karla Villacís is well versed in social security law, occupational hazards and labour litigation, as is José Endara Madera. The pair ‘have demonstrated exceptional skill in negotiating labour disputes’ and are supported at the associate level by Vanessa Gómez Mosquera, who is engaged in some of the group’s large scale litigation.

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce advises clients on a range of issues, including day-to-day employment policy, and is also skilled in advising unions on labour claims relating to company-wide issues such as reorganisations. Javier Salvador heads up the team, offering clients a strong connection with national authorities, and senior associate Olga Castro also has strong connections with the ministry of labour, as well as a background in assisting with the navigation of employee and employer relationships. Notably, the group has benefited from the firm’s expansion into the city of Guayaquil, an important industrial city in Ecuador, where it acts for agricultural and aquaculture companies. Appointed practice director in March 2025, senior associate Esteban Baquero-Correa is another standout team member, whose knowledge of the insurance industry makes him well placed to advise employers on the interpretation of insurance policies.

Led by Edmundo Ramos, CorralRosales‘ workload features a significant amount of general employment law advice and employment due diligence, as well as advice on dismissal processes for just cause and defending against wrongful dismissal cases. The team is regularly called upon by global corporations with operations in Ecuador. The group’s deep bench extends to senior associate Mateo Zavala, who is an experienced litigator and is key for judicial disputes related to labour regulation. Ramón Paz y Miño is key for administrative issues, a strength of the wider group. This includes administrative proceedings before the Ministry of Labour, and day-to-day issues such as assisting companies with reviews of employee files. Associate Victoria Beltran is another key contact.

Highlighted for its ‘personalised attention and solutions-focused approach’, Dentons Paz Horowitz is skilled in labour litigation and wrongful termination cases, both in first-instance cases and at the appeal stage. Gabriel Santelices focuses on wrongful termination disputes and termination processes related to collective bargaining agreements. Practice head Patricia Andrade, who ‘stands out for her willingness to find efficient and innovative solutions to complex problems' is key for these matters, and her knowledge also covers profit-sharing matters. Francisco Moya is key for mediation, should clients require this in case of strains in employer and employee relationships; he also advises companies from a range of industries on the regulatory side of labour laws and how to mitigate litigation risks.

Commended by clients for its deep experience in labour law, Durini & Guerrero Abogados stands out for handling high-value labour disputes and the administrative elements of judicial labour proceedings, as well as collective dismissals. The team also displays an ability to resolve conflicts strategically before the need for litigation arises. José Danilo Román Fabara, Juan Francisco Guerrero Del Pozo and Tomás Barrionuevo Vaca head the team. Román Fabara works on labour policies and day-to-day HR issues within companies, while Barrionuevo Vaca continues to assist clients with upholding constitutional rights in the workplace, such as individual compensation issues. A further point of distinction for the group is its assistance to a range of large pharmaceutical companies operating in Ecuador.

Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados' team regularly assists clients in compensation claims, the termination of employment contracts and union matters such as collective bargaining agreements, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. The group is especially knowledgeable in drafting employment agreements, due to its composition of experienced regulatory lawyers and compliance specialists, such as Patricio Peña Romero, who is a founding member and President of the Ecuadorian Institute of Corporate Governance. On the contentious side, the group also benefits from the input of several accomplished litigators, and the team is skilled in mediation proceedings with trade unions. Marcelo Torres Bejarano and Peña Romero jointly lead the team and assist clients with guidance on implementing best practices for workplace safety and compliance. Associate Alejandra Cháves often supports on the group's key mandates.

Robalino's experienced team is extremely active in wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims. The group can also regularly be found advising on labour relations issues, such as collective bargaining agreements. Practice head Luis Carlos Fernández is a go-to practitioner in termination cases, notably those regarding wrongful termination due to their union positions. Fernández is supported by senior associate Melissa Arroyo, who is often consulted by human resources departments on day-to-day labour law issues such as hiring and dismissal procedures. Tax director Emilio Aguayo is another standout practitioner in the group - his former experience includes periods at both tax authority SRI and the Ministerio de Trabajo. The practice was significantly strengthened in September 2025 with the arrival of Marta Villagómez, formerly at Tobar ZVS, as labour practice director.

ECIJA GPA is called upon by a varied client base comprised of some of Ecuador’s leading companies in the hydrocarbon, hotels, pharmaceutical, environmental and automotive sectors, as well as entrepreneurs and individuals looking to bring claims such as unfair dismissals. The latter is an area of expertise for Juan José Palacios, who heads up the team alongside Francisco Dávalos, Byron Sotomayor and Juan Carlos Montenegro. Associate Carlos Aguirre brings experience in alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, and is noted for his ‘effective legal strategies that have favourably resolved labour disputes'.

Montsa - Immigration Law and Global Mobility, founded by Xavier Montesdeoca and co-led by senior associate Antonella Sánchez, specialises in corporate immigration services. With over 18 years of expertise, 15 of which were spent at Dentons Paz Horowitz, Montesdeoca established the practice to address the mobility challenges faced by multinational corporations. The practice provides specialised immigration law advice to Fortune 500 companies in sectors ranging from energy and technology to pharmaceuticals. Its advice covers visa strategy, compliance audits, work and residence permit management and regulatory matters.

Pino Elizalde Abogados has a core strength in providing corporate governance strategies to prevent potential litigation, and regularly appears before labour authorities, representing clients in administrative procedures and labour disputes, as well as drafting employment contracts. Practice head Jaime Arosemena ‘has a strategic vision for structuring effective labour solutions and efficiently managing conflicts’. He often advises on HR issues and conflict management within workplaces. Elsewhere, María Ritha Guillén is noted for providing ‘detailed analysis that allows for anticipating risks’.

Puente & Asociados handles a range of operational labour issues, including hiring and firing employees. The department is led by Guillermo Córdova and Miguel Ángel Puente, who often represent clients in unfair and untimely dismissal cases and provide advice on compliance with Ecuador’s labour code. The group is also well established in the tourism industry, which continues to feel the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the group continues to be involved in precedent-setting matters in this sector, such as those associated with the termination of employment relationships.

Romero Arteta Ponce has a strength in the oil and gas sector, and also counsels global automotive manufacturers operating in Ecuador. The group advises on labour agreements and settlements ending in litigation, as well as mediation. Gustavo Romero, Diego Romero and Carlos Cisneros head up the team, each with experience in a range of labour law matters. The latter brings previous in-house experience at the Ecuadorian Labour Ministry.

Following the September 2025 departure of practice director Marta Villagómez, Tobar ZVS appointed David Erazo as partner and head of the labour and employment practice the following month. Formerly at his own -eponymous- boutique for over 15 years, Erazo has a financial aspect to his practice that sees him handle tax as well as labour matters. Given the novelty of his arrival, it remains to be seen how the practice will consolidate under Erazo's leadership, but he has solid experience across labour negotiations and trials, regulatory approvals, labour compliance and representation before relevant tribunals, along with ongoing advisory and internal workplace policy matters.