Our Team

We stand out for our creativity and unconventional thinking, which allows us to address legal issues effectively and innovatively. Furthermore, we stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and working methods to ensure greater efficiency in our services.

Ethics and professionalism are fundamental principles in our practice, strictly adhering to ethical standards and ensuring the confidentiality of matters handled.

Our lawyers

Felipe Rodríguez Moreno

Sofía Cárdenas Carrera

Nicolás Díaz Torres

Gabriela Maldonado Soliz

María Emilia Maldonado

Andrés Mancheno González

María Victoria Piedra Carrión

Gianina Naranjo Rivadeneira

Michelle Sarmiento Álvarez

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Dr. Felipe Andrés Rodríguez Moreno

University:

  • Lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

Postgraduate Degrees:

  • Doctor, Ph.D. (Cum Laude) in Criminal and Procedural Law from the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, 2016.
  • Master’s in Criminal Law from the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, 2012.
  • Master’s in Legal Argumentation from the Universidad de Alicante, Spain, 2015. Official Second-level Master’s Degree in Legal Argumentation from the Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy, 2016.
  • Master’s in Creative Writing from the Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Spain, 2021.

Specializations:

  • University Specialist in Victimology from the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, 2015. Specialized in Compliance from the Universidad de Loyola, Spain, 2022.
  • Contractual and Non-contractual Civil Liability at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, 2009.
  • German Criminal Dogmatics at Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Germany. International Criminal Law at Univesiteit Leiden y Grotuis Centre, The Hague, Netherlands, 2017.
  • Introduction to Psychology at the University of Toronto, Canada, 2019.
  • Examination and Cross-Examination at the Latin American Bar Association and the Universidad Anáhuac del Sur, Mexico City, 2015.
  • Bootcamp in Trial Advocacy at Temple University of Philadelphia, 2023.
  • Member of the International Compliance Association (2020 – 2021).
  • Affiliated with the Colegio de Abogados de Pichincha.
  • Founding member of the Red de Periodistas Libres.
  • Leaders League (Paris-based ranking) recognized the firm as Highly Recommended in 2021 in the White-Collar Dispute Resolution category.
  • Leaders League (Paris-based ranking) acknowledged him as the national leader in 2022 in the White-Collar Dispute Resolution category.
  • Leaders League (Paris-based ranking) acknowledged him as the national leader in 2023 in the White-Collar Dispute Resolution category.

Author of nine law books:

  1. “El Agente Infiltrado en el Estado de Derecho y de (In)Seguridad” (2012);
  2. “La Expansión del Derecho Penal Simbólico” (2013);
  3. “La Bipolaridad del Derecho Penal, Derecho Penal del Enemigo y otras clarividencias” (2014);
  4. “Verdad histórica y verdad procesal” (2016);
  5. “Manual de Delitos Contra el Honor y Libertad de Expresión” (2017);
  6. “Curso de Derecho Penal, Parte General, Tomo I: Introducción al Derecho Penal” (2018);
  7. “Curso de Derecho Penal, Parte General, Tomo II: Teoría del Delito” (2019);
  8. “Curso de Derecho Penal, Parte General, Tomo III: Teoría de la Pena” (2020);
  9. “Tratado de Derecho Procesal Penal, Tomo I” (2023).
  10. His books are sold in Ecuador, Argentina, Spain, and Mexico.


Co-author of 3 books:

  1. “Temas Penales, Estudios de Derecho Penal y Criminología, Medidas de Protección, víctima y victimización terciaria” (Ecuador – 2016);
  2. “Persona jurídica, Responsabilidad penal de las empresas y criminal compliance, Responsabilidad de las personas jurídicas y Criminal Compliance en Ecuador” (Mexico-2019);
  3. “Tratado Anglo-Iberoamericano en Compliance Penal, Criminal Compliance y la administrativización del Derecho Penal” (Editorial Tirant lo Blanch, Valencia, 2021).
  4. Author of several publications in national and international legal journals.
  5. Additionally, he has conducted international research under the guidance of Professor Klaus BODEMER from the University of Munich.
  6. Furthermore, he was a columnist for the newspaper “El Expreso” and is currently a columnist for “Primicias”.
  • Professor of Criminal Procedural Law and Specific Offenses at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
  • Professor of General Theory of Criminal Types in Complex Criminality in the Master’s program at the Universidad de las Américas.
  • Permanent guest professor in the Master’s program at the Universidad de Sevilla. 

Sofía Cárdenas Carrera

Highly qualified lawyer with an outstanding academic background and an impressive professional trajectory. She graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, and throughout her career, she has specialized in highly demanded areas such as Personal Data Protection and software technology management—fields that are crucial in today’s society and business world.

Currently leading the Intellectual Property and Corporate Business area at R&Co.

In addition to her law degree, she has continued her education with courses and specialized certifications in various legal areas, providing her with a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective.

Certified by Universidad de Northwestern in Personal Data Protection and Privacy. Certified by George Mason University in Washington and the World Intellectual Property Organization Summer Academy in General Intellectual Property and Intangible Asset Management.

Certified by the University of California, Davis, in Intellectual Property Licensing and Technology Transfer.

Certified by Mexico’s DEV.F. Academy in software comprehension and programming structure.

Experience:

She has worked in renowned legal firms, providing strategic legal advice and representing clients in complex cases.

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to present.
  • Rodríguez & León – July 2022 to July 2023.
  • Dentons Paz Horowitz – February 2017 to June 2022.

Practice Areas:

  • Criminal Law: Compliance and Anti-Corruption
  • Corporate and Societary Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Protection of Personal Data

Nicolás Díaz Torres

Passionate legal professional specializing in the field of Criminal Law. He graduated as a lawyer from the prestigious Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where he acquired a solid academic foundation in law.

Currently, he is in an advanced stage of his professional development, pursuing a Master’s in Criminal Law with a focus on Complex Criminality at the Universidad de las Américas. This specialization will allow him to gain a profound understanding of highly complex cases in the criminal field.

His passion for justice and commitment to defending the rights of his clients drive him to continue evolving in his legal practice.

Experience:

Thanks to his dedication and exceptional performance, he has consistently excelled in resolving cases.

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to present.
  • Rodríguez & León – April 2021 to July 2023.
  • Oviedo & Asociados – January 2021 to May 2021.
  • SDRLawyers Legal Consultants S.A. – July 2020 to December 2020.

Practice Area:

  • General Criminal Law.
  • Conflict Resolution.

Gabriela Maldonado Soliz

Committed lawyer dedicated to the pursuit of justice in the field of Criminal Law. Her focus on excellence and commitment to her clients has established her as a respected attorney in her area of expertise.

She holds a strong academic background, including studies at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and the Universidad de los Hemisferios, enriched with a Master’s in Criminal Law and Criminal Sciences from the prestigious Universities of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra.

She completed a Diploma in Oral Litigation, Adversarial Process with a Mention in Advanced Examination and Cross-Examination at Centro Iberoamericano de Estudios y Pensamiento (Cartagena – 2018).

Experience:

With a professional career spanning over a decade, she has worked in prominent law firms, gaining valuable experience in the criminal law field:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to present.
  • Rodríguez & León – January 2019 to July 2023.
  • Rodríguez León Núñez – 2016 to December 2018.
  • Ricardo Vaca Andrade & Associates – 2013 to 2016.

Publications:

She is the author of the publication “Iter Criminis and Attempt in the Light of Ecuadorian Criminal Law,” highlighting her commitment to the study and reflection on relevant topics in Criminal Law.

Practice Area:

  • General Criminal Law
  • Conflict Resolution

María Emilia Maldonado

Distinguished legal professional with a solid academic background and a consolidated trajectory in the legal field. She is a licensed lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where she acquired a strong foundation in legal fundamentals.

Her passion for Procedural Law led her to obtain an Advanced Specialization in this area from the renowned Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (UASB), allowing her to deepen her knowledge and skills in litigation and conflict resolution.

In pursuit of continuous professional development, she pursued a Master’s in Procedural Law from UASB, providing her with an advanced and updated perspective in this branch of law.

Aware of the importance of regulatory compliance and business ethics, she obtained a Compliance Diploma from the prestigious Universidad Loyola, Sevilla campus. This specialization in compliance has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical principles governing the current business world.

Experience:

She has accumulated valuable experience throughout her career in renowned legal firms and organizations:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to the present.
  • Rodríguez & León – October 2019 to July 2023.
  • SOA – Legal Advisors – June 2019 to October 2019.
  • Foundation for Law and Justice – April 2017 to October 2019.
  • Sempértegui Ontaneda Lawyers – May 2016 to June 2019.

Practice Areas:

  • Criminal Law: Compliance and Anti-Corruption
  • Civil Law: Movable and Real Estate Business, Debt Recovery, Obligations, and Legal Transactions
  • Administrative Law

Andrés Mancheno González

A skilled legal professional in Criminal Law with an exceptional academic background and a proven track record in the legal field. He earned his law degree from the prestigious Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where he gained a strong foundation in the fundamentals of law.

With a specialization in Criminal Law, he pursued a Master’s degree at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. This program provided him with an advanced and in-depth perspective in the field, enabling him to acquire specialized knowledge and skills to handle complex legal cases and challenges.

Additionally, he holds a Diploma in Forensic Neuropsychopathology for Girls, Children, and Adolescents, which has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the neuropsychological aspects related to the legal field. This specialization allows him to approach cases from a unique perspective and provide expert guidance in matters involving minors.

Experience:

He has accumulated valuable experience in the legal field throughout his career, working with renowned legal firms and organizations:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to the present.
  • Rodríguez & León – January 2018 to July 2023.
  • INREDH – May 2017 to October 2017.
  • Horowitz Peace Legal Study – July 2016 to October 2016.

Practice Area:

  • General Criminal Law
  • Dispute Resolution

María Victoria Piedra Carrión

A prominent legal professional with a strong academic background and extensive experience in various legal areas. She graduated as a lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and specialized in Constitutional Law at the prestigious Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar.

She has complemented her education with a Special Diploma in Expert Family Litigation, which has provided her with additional skills to handle cases in this area. She has also received training in Mediation Techniques, strengthening her focus on alternative dispute resolution.

She has given master classes in training courses in Constitutional Law and Human Rights.

Experience:

With a solid professional track record, she has worked in different organizations, accumulating relevant experience in the legal field:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to the present.
  • Rodríguez & León – December 2021 to July 2023.
  • Idea Dignidad Foundation – November 2020 to the present.
  • Wayra Energy S.A. – November 2019 to November 2021.
  • Sinopec Service – August 2018 to October 2019.

Publications:

She is the author of a prominent publication titled ‘The Homologation of judicial judgments and arbitral awards in light of Private International Law: Potential conflicts with the General Organic Code of Proceedings,’ which demonstrates her commitment to research and contribution to legal knowledge.

Practice Area:

  • Civil Law: Movable and Real Estate Business, Debt Collection, Obligations, and Legal Transactions
  • Constitutional Law
  • Administrative Law
  • Labor Law
  • Conflict Resolution

Gianina Naranjo Rivadeneira

Highly qualified lawyer with a prominent specialization in Economic Criminal Law, Compliance, and Anti-Corruption. Her academic background includes a law degree awarded by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, as well as a Master’s in Criminal Law and Criminal Sciences obtained from the Universidad de Sevilla.

Experience:

With a solid track record in the practice of law, she has worked in renowned law firms, gaining experience in various legal areas:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to present.
  • Rodríguez & León – January 2019 to July 2023.
  • Rodríguez León Núñez – December 2017 to December 2018.
  • Pérez Bustamante & Ponce – July 2017 to November 2017.
  • Quevedo & Ponce – June 2016 to June 2017.

Publications:

She has demonstrated her passion for legal research and has contributed to the legal field with her publications:

  • “The body as political territory and law as an instrument of domination,” published in the journal: Estado & Comunes: Revista de Políticas y Problemas Públicos.
  • “Fraud, knowledge, and intent?” published in the indexed legal journal “Ruptura” in 2020.

Practice Area:

  • Criminal Law: Economic Criminal Law, Compliance, and Anti-Corruption.
  • Conflict Resolution.

Michelle Sarmiento Álvarez

Prominent legal professional with a solid academic background and extensive experience in various legal areas. She graduated as an attorney from the Courts of Justice of Ecuador at the prestigious Universidad del Azuay.

Additionally, she holds a specialization in Constitutional Law, being a Senior Specialist and Master in this field, both degrees obtained at the renowned Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. This advanced education has provided her with a profound perspective on constitutional matters and a specialized focus in this branch of law.

In pursuit of further perfecting her expertise, she earned a Master’s degree in Economic Criminal Law from the Universidad de la Rioja in Madrid, which has allowed her to acquire in-depth knowledge in the field of Criminal Law related to economic aspects.

To stay updated on the latest legal trends and developments, she has participated in several courses and events:

  • Fundamentals of anti-money laundering and anti-crime financing – September 2022.
  • International Congress: Implementation of compliance programs in Ecuador – August 2020.
  • Seminar: Best practices in combating transnational organized crime – July 2021.

Experience:

She has accumulated valuable experience in various renowned institutions and legal practices:

  • R&Co. – August 2023 to the present.
  • Rodríguez & León – July 2022 to July 2023.
  • National Assembly – October 2021 to June 2022.
  • Financial and Economic Analysis Unit – August 2020 to September 2021.
  • MS Legal Practice – January 2020 to July 2020.
  • Anti-Corruption Secretariat – April 2019 to December 2019.

Practice Area:

  • Criminal Law: Economic Criminal Law, Compliance and Anti-Corruption.
  • Conflict Resolution.