Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, secured two court victories on behalf of the Republic of Ecuador and its state-owned entity, Corporacion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones EP (CNT), which provides telecommunications services in Ecuador.
The plaintiff, Convergia Inc., entered foreign judgment in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County, Florida against CNT, in the amount of $19.1 million. After obtaining a default judgment, the plaintiff attempted to seize CNT's assets in Miami, including a series of electronic routers that provide internet services to millions of Ecuadorians.
Akerman moved to vacate the judgment on several grounds, including sovereign immunity and the failure to comply with the requirements for recognition. Following a three-day hearing, the Court ruled the plaintiff's foreign judgment was not enforceable in Ecuador and hereby vacating and closing the case.
In a second case, a plaintiff filed an action against the Republic of Ecuador seeking $400 million in damages against the sovereign state of Ecuador and two of its state-owned instrumentalities arising out of a purported agreement to develop the Free Zone for the Port of Guayaquil.
Akerman moved to dismiss on the grounds that the action was barred by Foreign Sovereign Immunity. After seeking several extensions of time to respond to a motion to dismiss, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action.
The Akerman team was led by International Litigation and Arbitration Partner Francisco A. Rodriguez with the assistance of Associate Andrew Dominguez of the firm's International Practice in Miami.
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Akerman’s International team excels at helping clients cope with the unpredictable. By analyzing changing political and legal conditions in real time, we aid our clients in making better-informed decisions. Our team guides multinational corporations seeking to establish and expand their U.S. presence, as well as U.S. market leaders and disruptors entering new markets outside the U.S. In addition, our dedicated international litigation and arbitration lawyers are aggressive advocates with an outstanding record of accomplishment in resolving complex international disputes in the U.S. and in multiple foreign jurisdictions.