Santiago Mediano hires Andrés Zapater as of counsel
Santiago Mediano has appointed Andrés Zapater as of counsel to bolster its offering for international clients, especially those from Ecuador and other Latin American markets. The hire targets a rising demand for structured legal guidance in cross-border investment, with a particular focus on real estate and broader business operations, states the law firm.
Zapater brings over 25 years of legal and business experience in Ecuador. He holds a doctorate in jurisprudence and a law degree from the Universidad Central del Ecuador, and has built a career combining legal practice with business management and advisory work for companies with international interests. Throughout his career, he has served clients across multiple sectors and acted as general attorney in Ecuador for international groups from Germany, Switzerland, France, and Spain.
In his new role, Zapater will support the firm in helping clients identify opportunities, assess risks, and structure their legal entry into the Spanish market — ensuring investment decisions are grounded in legal and market analysis rather than cultural affinity or short-term economic opportunity alone. The firm aims to channel projects and investments from markets including Ecuador, the United States, Panama, Costa Rica, and other Latin American and international jurisdictions.
Firm context
“Spain is attracting growing interest from Latin American and international companies and investors, but every transaction requires more than just the willingness to invest. It calls for legal judgement, an understanding of the investor’s home market, and the ability to structure the decision before executing it. The arrival of Andrés strengthens that link with those considering investing or expanding in Spain and allows us to support the process more effectively from the very first stage”, says Javier Berrocal, managing partner at Santiago Mediano.
