Gortaire will be tasked with structuring and leading the competition law department at national level, and strengthening the corporate, M&A and real estate areas of the firm.

He has more than 10 years’ experience advising both national and international companies in corporate, competition, M&A and real estate matters, focusing on distinct business sectors such as retail, automotive, construction, industrial and hotels, among others. He has advised on several global and national transactions, notably the advice given to Anheuser Bush InBev in its merger with SAB Miller in 2015 and 2016.

Before joining the firm, he worked for several Ecuadorian law firms such as Bustamante & Bustamante and Cordero, Moreno & Corral Abogados. He has also held the position of national director of competition at the Market Power Control Superintendence, and was a member of the team advising the aforementioned entity.

“Juan Andres is a lawyer with high ethical standards, dedicated to meeting the needs of his clients through an excellent service offering, who will add value to the firm in its growth at a national level, especially in competition law. It is for this reason that we are delighted to welcome him as part of our team,” said Santiago Alban, partner of the firm.

A graduate of San Francisco de Quito University (Ecuador), he holds a diploma in intellectual property from the American University Washington College of Law, as well as a diploma in finance from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Mexico).

He has also completed several courses in competition law. In addition, he is a member of the Ecuadorian Institute of Competition Law and is Legal Counsel for the Cuenca Chamber of Construction.