Lorena Benítez Garzón
Berne
Summary
Ecuadorian lawyer with extensive experience in financial legal advice, regulation, and supervision. Proven track record in senior roles within Ecuador's financial sector, including positions at the Superintendency of Banks and Insurance, Superintendency of Popular and Solidarity Economy, and the Central Bank of Ecuador. Adept at leading legal teams, conducting research, and developing regulations. Strong commitment to financial inclusion and education, especially for vulnerable sectors. Founder of ASESORES JURÍDICOS PROFESIONALES ESPECIALIZADOS (AJPE-LEGAL) since 2005.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
National Director Of Legal Advice / National Legal Manager
SUPERINTENDENCY OF POPULAR AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY OF ECUADOR
02.2020 - 09.2022
- Led a legal team responsible for research, analysis, and legal guidance on financial matters
- Trained internal and external stakeholders on supervisory standards and best practices
- Served as the technical secretary of the regulatory committee and participated in public events representing the Superintendency
Bilingual Mediator
AFFORDABLE MEDIATION LLC.
09.2018 - 12.2019
- Conducted bilingual mediations in commercial and family matters
- Initiated the "win-win" project to promote the benefits of mediation in the Latino community.
Legal Adviser / Deputy Director
SUPERINTENDENCY OF BANKS AND INSURANCE OF ECUADOR
02.2008 - 11.2014
- Provided legal advice to the Superintendent of Banks and Deputy Superintendent
- Led technical teams in conducting research, comparative law studies, and drafting regulations
- Played a pivotal role in significant national projects, including the Social Security Bank Law.
Legal Adviser Of The Centralized Deposit Of Securities
CENTRAL BANK OF ECUADOR (BCE)
05.2011 - 12.2012
- Advised the Central Bank of Ecuador on stock market matters
- Analyzed trust agreements of major national companies and contributed to regulation development.
Legal Advisor of The National Board Director
TRANSPORT NATIONAL COUNCIL
04.2007 - 01.2008
- Legal counterpart of the multidisciplinary team dedicated to the research, design and preparation of the first Land Transportation and Transit bill.
Parliamentary Adviser
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF ECUADOR
05.2006 - 04.2007
- Researched, analyzed, and prepared bills for parliamentary approval
- Appointed coordinating president of the body of parliamentary advisors
Partner
ASESORES JURÍDICOS PROFESIONALES ESPECIALIZADOS, AJPE LEGAL S.C.C.
01.2005 - Current
- Founded and managed a legal advisory company specializing in corporate, financial, and technological matters.
Education
LL.M International Business Law - International Law
University of Lausanne
Lausanne09.2025
Diploma in Financial Inclusion - Financial Law
CAF Development Bank of Latin America
Quito11.2022
Certificate in Compliance - Law And Compliance
San Francisco De Quito University
Quito05.2022
Master's Degree in Civil Law And Civil Procedure - Civil Law
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Loja - Ecuador06.2020
Master's Degree in Social Security And Labor Law S - Labor Law And Social Security Regulations
Alcalá De Henares University
Alcalá De Henares - Spain02.2011
Lawyer - Law
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Loja10.2005
Bachelor in Political And Social Sciences - Social Sciences
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Loja04.2005
Skills
- Legal Advising
- Financial Regulation
- Supervision
- Drafting Regulations
- Mediation
- Comparative Law
- Financial Inclusion
- Compliance
- Team Leadership
Additional Certifications
- Certification in American Law, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA LAW SCHOOL, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., 2017
- Certified International Intern in the “Training Programme for Pension Reform”, SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY / BICON AB INSURANCE TRAINING AND CONSULTING, Stockholm, Sweden, 2009
Internships And Scholarships
- LL.M INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW, awarded a scholarship from the Spark of Hope Foundation (to the date)
- DEVELOPMENT BANK OF LATIN AMERICA (CAF), awarded a direct scholarship from CAF for a financial inclusion program.
- MINISTRY OF COMMERCE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA – INTERNATIONAL POVERTY REDUCTION CENTER IN CHINA, awarded a scholarship for the "Seminar on Rural Development and Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries for Government Officials"
- SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY, awarded with an internship in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on economic development and social security
- AFFORDABLE MEDIATION LLC., internship in mediation in commercial and family matters in Phoenix - Arizona (U.S.A)
Languages
Spanish
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Advanced (C1)
French
Upper intermediate (B2)
References Available
- Xavier Villavicencio Ph. D. – former Deputy Superintendent of Banks
Extension Associate – department of Agricultural Economics
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
2401 E. Business 83. Weslasco, TX 78596, USA
Xavier.villavicencio@ag.tamu.edu
- Dr. Carlos Coloma – former National Intendent of Social Security / Superintendency of Banks
+593 99 454 0034
cdcolomah@gmail.com
- Ing. Janeth Maldonado - former Deputy Manager of The Central Bank Of Ecuador
janethomr613@gmail.com
+593 99 872 7242
- Prof. S. Mariela Méndez Prado – former Deputy Superintendent of Banks
ORCID: 0000-0003-2978-2424
www.marielamendezprado.com
+593 99 716 0975
ESPOL Escuela Politécnica del Litoral
Timeline
National Director Of Legal Advice / National Legal Manager
SUPERINTENDENCY OF POPULAR AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY OF ECUADOR
02.2020 - 09.2022
Bilingual Mediator
AFFORDABLE MEDIATION LLC.
09.2018 - 12.2019
Legal Adviser Of The Centralized Deposit Of Securities
CENTRAL BANK OF ECUADOR (BCE)
05.2011 - 12.2012
Legal Adviser / Deputy Director
SUPERINTENDENCY OF BANKS AND INSURANCE OF ECUADOR
02.2008 - 11.2014
Legal Advisor of The National Board Director
TRANSPORT NATIONAL COUNCIL
04.2007 - 01.2008
Parliamentary Adviser
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF ECUADOR
05.2006 - 04.2007
Partner
ASESORES JURÍDICOS PROFESIONALES ESPECIALIZADOS, AJPE LEGAL S.C.C.
01.2005 - Current
LL.M International Business Law - International Law
University of Lausanne
Diploma in Financial Inclusion - Financial Law
CAF Development Bank of Latin America
Certificate in Compliance - Law And Compliance
San Francisco De Quito University
Master's Degree in Civil Law And Civil Procedure - Civil Law
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Master's Degree in Social Security And Labor Law S - Labor Law And Social Security Regulations
Alcalá De Henares University
Lawyer - Law
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Bachelor in Political And Social Sciences - Social Sciences
UTPL Catholic University of Loja
Similar Profiles
Alessia Kay Commendatore SmithAlessia Kay Commendatore Smith
Securities Market Inspection and Analysis Officer - Directorate of Prevention at Superintendency of the Securities MarketSecurities Market Inspection and Analysis Officer - Directorate of Prevention at Superintendency of the Securities Market
Sonia ValdesSonia Valdes
COORDINATOR OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE VULNERABLE POPULATION at NATIONAL HEALTH SUPERINTENDENCYCOORDINATOR OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE VULNERABLE POPULATION at NATIONAL HEALTH SUPERINTENDENCY
Nelly SiebenNelly Sieben
Market Inspection and Analysis Officer at Stock Market Superintendency Of PanamaMarket Inspection and Analysis Officer at Stock Market Superintendency Of Panama