BUSTAMANTE FABARA is proud to announce the promotion of Gustavo Almeida and Bruno Pesantes to the position of Directors, effective from April 1, 2025. This strategic move reflects our continued commitment to excellence and further strengthens our leadership in the areas of Environment, Energy & Natural Resources.
As we evolve to meet the complex and ever-changing needs of our clients, this milestone reaffirms BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s mission to provide innovative and high-impact legal solutions. The promotion of these outstanding professionals enhances our ability to deliver world-class legal services across Ecuador and beyond.
About Gustavo Almeida
Gustavo Almeida, now Director at BUSTAMANTE FABARA, advises local and international companies in energy regulation, oil & gas, mining, environmental law, and infrastructure.
He brings a deep understanding of energy project structuring, having led regulatory approvals for generation, self-generation, and distributed generation initiatives. Gustavo has successfully negotiated concession contracts, PPAs, and infrastructure agreements.
With extensive in-house experience at Ecuador’s largest oil and gas company, Gustavo offers valuable insight into production sharing and service contracts, integrated services with financing, and regulatory matters. His mining practice includes legal support on enabling titles, royalty agreements, compliance, and due diligence. Gustavo’s environmental law practice includes performing due diligence, obtaining environmental permits, challenging sanctions, and advising on environmental compliance across sectors. He has also advised on landmark transactions with a significant environmental component. Beyond his legal practice, Gustavo is the founding president of the Ecuadorian Institute of Energy and Natural Resources Law (IEDERN), a former adjunct professor of Administrative Law, and a recognized thought leader in his field. He has been ranked as a Leading Associate in Energy and Natural Resources by The Legal 500.
About Bruno Pesantes
Bruno Pesantes, also appointed as Director, advises national and international clients. His practice is primarily focused on energy and natural resources, with a special emphasis on regulatory law in mining, oil & gas, as well as environmental and corporate law.
He has extensive experience in the oil & gas industry, particularly in regulatory, strategic, environmental, and operational matters. He actively participates in major contract negotiations with the State and the National Oil Company.
In the mining sector, Bruno supports clients in obtaining government authorizations and provides counsel on regulatory, environmental, and project structuring matters. He also has vast experience in complex transactions and acquisitions of mining projects, as well as negotiations with the State for the signing of strategic agreements and in international disputes.
In environmental law, Bruno advises companies from various sectors on regulatory compliance, environmental permitting, audits, and due diligence. He has worked on high-impact projects, helping to mitigate environmental risks, manage community conflicts, and implement new regulations to ensure legal compliance in business operations.
Furthermore, Bruno is a founding member and first vice president of the Ecuadorian Institute of Energy and Natural Resources Law (IEDERN).
These appointments reflect BUSTAMANTE FABARA’s focus on professional development, strategic growth, and delivering exceptional legal counsel in highly specialized and regulated sectors.