Jaime

Jaime

Zaldumbide

Partner

Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources

Jaime

Jaime leads our Environmental and Energy practices.

Jaime is an experienced attorney in energy, exploration and exploitation of natural resources, and environmental law. He has spent decades advising oil and mining companies on their operations and negotiations in Ecuador and on the development of electricity and alternative energy projects. Thanks to his experience in this field, he is one of the most well-regarded experts in Ecuador.

From 2012 to 2016, Jaime practiced in Chile as Senior Counsel in the energy department of the prestigious law firm Carey Abogados.

Admitted to the bar in Chile and Ecuador, Jaime is one of the few Ecuadorian attorneys to be distinguished as a foreign expert by Chambers Global. 

 

Jaime is recommended by Who’s Who Legal as an expert in Energy, Mining and the Environment.

Languages

Spanish

English

Admissions

Ecuador

Chile

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce (1987 – present)

Speaker at various national and international events on energy mining and environmental issues (present)

Arbitrator, Construction Chamber of Quito, Ecuador (1998 – present)

Member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) (1992 – present)

President, Natural Resources and Energy Commission of the Ecuadorian – American Chamber of Commerce, Quito (2018)

Member, for two terms, Board of Directors, Pichincha Chamber of Industry, Ecuador (1995 – 1996 and 1999 – 2000)

Manager, Legal Department, Kerr McGee Ecuador Energy Corporation (now Anadarko) (1991 – 1995)

Private Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Ecuador (1984 -1987)

Member, International Committee, The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation)

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito (Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1983)

Universidad del País Vasco, San Sebastián, Spain (Master’s Degree in Environmental Law, 2005)

Universidad Harvard, Cambridge, U.S.A. (Negotiation Program, 1993)

Southern Methodist University, SMU, Texas, U.S.A. (Financial Planning for Oil Industry Managers, 1995)

Columbia University, U.S.A. (Program in Sustainable Development Practices, 2009)

Chambers Latin America 2025 (Energy and Natural Resources)

Más Menos

"Jaime Zaldumbide is highly knowledgeable about the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the development of alternative energy projects in Ecuador."

Chambers Latin America 2024 (Energy and Natural Resources)

Más Menos

Partner and co-head of department Jaime Zaldumbide is highly knowledgeable about the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the development of alternative energy projects in Ecuador.

The legal 500, 2024 (Energy & Natural Resources)

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"Hall of Fame"

IFLR1000, 2023

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“Highly Regarded”

Chambers Latin America 2023 (Energy and Natural Resources)

Más Menos

Partner and co-head of department Jaime Zaldumbide is highly knowledgeable about the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the development of alternative energy projects in Ecuador. "Jaime Zaldumbide has decades of expertise servicing clients. It is easy to work with him and understand his arguments."

The Legal 500, 2023 (Energy & Natural Resources)

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“Hall of Fame”

Chambers Latin America 2022 (Energy and Natural Resources)

Más Menos

Respected partner Jaime Zaldumbide is “an extremely intelligent and experienced lawyer who has a broad understanding of the oil and gas sector,” an observer applauds, adding: “He is able to analyse problems thoroughly and provide very good advice.” Jaime Zaldumbide is well placed to advise clients on the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the development of alternative energy projects.

The Legal 500, 2022 (Energy & Natural Resources)

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“Hall of Fame"

The Legal 500, 2021 (Energy & Natural Resources)

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“Leading Individual”

Chambers Latin America 2021 (Energy and Natural Resources)

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Jaime Zaldumbide is “a very experienced lawyer in the energy arena,” according to a client. Another source goes on to highlight his “good expertise in the mining industry,” while noting that he “offers knowledgeable solutions to our problems.” Zaldumbide’s practice further encompasses the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, environmental law and alternative energy projects.

Chambers Latin America 2020 (Energy and Natural Resources)

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Dynamic environment expert Jaime Zaldumbide is endorsed by clients, with one commenting: “There aren’t many lawyers in Ecuador who know environment regulation, but Jaime is one of them.” Another source enthuses that “it’s clear that he knows a lot about the mining industry in Ecuador, as well as the Chilean market.

The Legal 500, 2019 (Energy & Natural Resources)

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“Leading Individual”

LACCA 2020 (Energy & Administrative Law)

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LACCA Approved

Who’s Who Legal: Mining 2019

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“‘A highly recommended lawyer in the market’ with ‘significant experience in environmental regulations pertaining to mining operations in Chile, as well as exploration matters.’”

Chambers Latin America 2019 (Energy)

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“Clients highlight Jaime Zaldumbide for his “ability to combine a suite of multidisciplinary services with integrated solutions.” They also identify his experience of the highly developed mining industry in Chile as major plus point, which means that in the context of Ecuador “he’s very attuned to the regulatory issues”

Latin Lawyer 2018 (Environment)

Más Menos

“Key partner: Jaime Zaldumbide, former private secretary to the Ecuador’s energy and mines ministers, has substantial experience advising oil and mining companies on their operations and so understands their requirements in environmental law. Zaldumbide has a long career in environmental law that was enhanced during a four-year spell at Carey in Chile, given the country’s large natural resources industry ”

International Bar Association

Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN)

Pichincha Bar Association

Indigenous Rights and Community Relations in Ecuador

The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation), 2023.

Government Participation in Natural Resources Projects. The case of Ecuador

The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation), 2022.

Regulatory Developments and Managing Environmental Compliance.

Getting the Deal Through, Mining, 2019.

Mining 2018 – Ecuador.

Latin Lawyer Reference, 2018 – 2019.

Mining 2011 – Ecuador.

Latin Lawyer Reference, 2013 – 2016.

Environmental Ecuador.

Latin Lawyer Reference, 2011 – 2016.

The Mining Law Review.

United Kingdom: Law Business Research, Ecuador Chapter, 2012 – 2016.

Indigenous Rights Q&A Book.

The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Ecuador Chapter, 2016.