+593 939953837 | 0990203330 | 0999821782 magdalena@velezillingworth.com
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About Us

Dr. Magdalena Vélez Egüez is the Founding and Managing Partner of Vélez & Illingworth | Derecho y Justicia. Practicing in Ecuador since 1988, she has extensive experience in private practice, corporate and commercial law, public institutions, foreign investment, real estate, private wealth and strategic legal advisory work.

Her career combines decades of private practice with senior public-sector and institutional experience, including work involving public policy, state modernization, productive-sector planning and major projects in the energy, real estate and financial sectors.

She has advised public institutions, national and international companies, investors and private clients. Her practice emphasizes preventive counsel, sound legal structure and the long-term protection of businesses, family interests and private wealth.

Dr. Magdalena Velez

Managing Partner — Legal Affairs and Strategy

Education & Professional Credentials

  • J.D. — Universidad Central del Ecuador 1988

  • Bachelor's Degree in Public and Social Sciences — Universidad Central del Ecuador

  • Board Certified Lawyer of the Courts and Tribunals of the Republic of Ecuador

  • Post-doctorate in International Law

  • Member of the Quito Bar Association (since 1988)

Core areas of practice

    • Corporate structuring and corporate governance

    • Estate and succession planning

    • Foreign investment and project structuring

    • Real estate law and housing developments

    • Energy, infrastructure, and strategic projects

    • Structural administrative law and institutional design

Experience

Managing Partner 

Derecho y Justicia S.A. – Interconsulting Asesores Empresariales (1998-Present)
Boutique legal consultancy for families, businesses, and assets. Asset audits, succession planning, corporate restructuring, foreign investment, real estate and contract law. Columnist and trainer in national media.

Viceminister & General Manager

Ministry of Foreign Trade, Integration, and Fisheries (1999)
Technical coordination of the productive sector and formulation of public policies.

Technical coordinator and advisor

Secretary of State for Production (1999)
Development of the Strategic Plan for Ecuador's Productive Sector and interministerial coordination.

Legal Counsel

National Council for State Modernization – CONAM (1993–1994)
Direct participation in the drafting of the Law Creating CONAM and processes of state modernization.

Legal counsel

Vice Presidency of the Republic of Ecuador (1993–1994)
Member of the Commission for the Construction of New Airports in Ecuador.

Legal Advisor to the IESS (IRS of Ecuador)

Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security - IESS (1995)
Institutional restructuring, investment analysis, divestments, and profitability. Legal management of enforcement proceedings with 98% effective recovery rate..

Partner

G.V.G. Associados, Law Firm (1990–1996)
Comprehensive advisor to foreign investors and citizens (Colombia, China, Japan, Lebanon, among others).

Associate Partner

Estudio Jurídico Terán & Terán (1989–1990)
Corporate advisor

Legal Counsel

National Institute for Children and Families (INFA) (1988–1992)
Legal advisor to the First Lady of the Republic.

J. David Alexander Illingworth

 Legal Coordination and Operations

Education & Professional Credentials

    • Bachelor of Laws  — Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (UIDE)

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — Texas A&M University–Victoria

    • MPH (courses completed, thesis pending) — USFQ

    • Associate of Arts & Associate of Science — Victoria College

Practice Areas

  • Legal and operational coordination of corporate and property matters

  • Legal research, drafting and matter coordination

  • Real estate law and administrative procedures

  • Civil and administrative matters

  • Research and case support in constitutional proceedings

  • Client, notarial, registry and public-institution coordination

    J. David Illingworth is part of the team at Vélez & Illingworth | Derecho & Justicia Law Firm, where he focuses on legal coordination operations, foreign-client matters and the practical execution of corporate, property and cross-border work under the direction of the firm’s licensed attorneys where required. de asuntos corporativos, patrimoniales e inmobiliarios del estudio.

    His profile combines ongoing legal training with a solid foundation in psychology, project management, and operations, providing a practical vision focused on order, control, and compliance. It acts as an operational link between legal management and the effective implementation of each process, ensuring document traceability, administrative compliance, and clear communication with clients, authorities, and counterparties.

    He works natively in both English and Spanish and is particularly involved in matters concerning foreign clients and interests spanning Ecuador and the United States.

    Legal Coordination and Legal Assistance

    Derecho y Justicia (2024-Present)
    Direct support to the firm's legal department. Legal research, drafting and reviewing contracts, organizing files, following up on municipal, notarial, and registry procedures, and providing support in constitutional and administrative proceedings.

    Jaime del Salto — Independent Attorney (2023)
    Legal research in civil and mining law. Preparation of legal documents and support in procedural management.

    Chief Operating Officer

    Vélez & Illingworth LLC (2021–2024)
    Operational management of housing projects. Coordination with authorities, investors, and contractors. Control of deadlines, budget, and risk management.

    Director of Operations

    AVI Assets LLC (2019–2022)
    Asset and property management in Texas. Logistical coordination, operational control, and customer and stakeholder relations.

    Strategic Projects and Representative Clients

    National and International Companies Advised

    • Philips of Ecuador

    • Mitsui

    • Pacific Northwest Distributor (Canadá)

    • Steve Wynn – M.D.G. International Inc.

    • Alamar International Inc. (Toronto, Canadá)

    • Cytrus Trust S.A.

    • COMERVAL Co. Ltd.

    • PROFISA Securities House Inc.

    • Ecuafactor Brokerage Firm

    • Tropical Country Real Estate Agency

    • Global Dental, Inc.

    • Indumaq S.A.

    • Chemisan Inc. (Mexico)

    • Interibis Co. Ltd.

    • Agripetrol Co. Ltd.

    Public and Institutional Sector

    • Office of the President of the Republic of Ecuador

    • Vice-Presidency of the Republic

    • National Council for State Modernisation (CONAM)

    • Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS)

    • Ministry of Foreign Trade

    • Secretary of State for Production

    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador

    • New Airports Commission

    Energy, Infrastructure, and Major Projects

    • COMERFORBE Ltd. — 50 MW energy project

    • Pacific North West Distributor (Canadá) — 200 MW energy project

    • North West Pacific Distributor

    • Mass housing projects with international financing (Canada, USA, Austria)

    If you would like to discuss a legal matter with our team, our office is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

    Contact Us