Canadian client Peru legal counsel
For a Canadian individual or business facing a legal matter that touches Peru, finding the right counsel can feel like navigating two unfamiliar legal systems at once. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides a structured cross-border solution. The firm is a US law firm, founded in 1997, with a principal location in Virginia and additional locations in Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. It does not practice Peru law directly, but it collaborates with a carefully selected Peru-admitted Of Counsel, Martín Mayandía, who is licensed in Peru and not admitted in any US state bar. This arrangement allows the firm to assist Canadian clients by handling any US-law dimensions of a matter while Mr. Mayandía addresses the Peru-law side, all under a coordinated strategy. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys, led by Mr. Sris, remain the primary point of contact for the client, ensuring that the engagement is managed from a US legal framework while respecting the distinct requirements of Peruvian law. To discuss how this cross-border model can apply to your situation, call (888) 437-7747.
How a Canadian client can secure Peru legal counsel through a US law firm
When a Canadian client needs legal assistance involving Peru, the typical options are to engage a Peruvian law firm directly or to work through a Canadian lawyer who then retains Peruvian counsel. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. offers a third path: a US law firm that serves as the central coordinator, providing US legal advice where relevant and collaborating with a Peru-admitted Of Counsel for the Peruvian law components. This model is particularly useful when the matter has a US nexus—for example, a Canadian company doing business in the United States that also has operations or disputes in Peru—or when the client prefers to work with a firm accustomed to managing multi-jurisdictional engagements in English.
Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. is the principal attorney and founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For Peru-law matters, the firm works with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Peru (2009) and not admitted in any US state bar; that role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. The client engages the firm, and the firm, in turn, coordinates with Mr. Mayandía on the Peru-specific issues. This structure keeps the client’s relationship with a single point of accountability while ensuring that Peruvian legal work is performed by a lawyer licensed in that jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a US law firm help a Canadian with a legal matter in Peru?
Yes, a US law firm can assist a Canadian client with a Peru-related matter by collaborating with a Peru-admitted Of Counsel. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not practice Peru law directly, but it works with Martín Mayandía, who is licensed in Peru. The firm handles any US-law aspects of the matter and coordinates the overall strategy, while Mr. Mayandía provides the Peru-law advice. This arrangement is especially helpful when the matter involves both US and Peruvian legal issues, or when the client values having a single English-speaking point of contact to manage the cross-border coordination.
Do I need a lawyer admitted in Peru for a Peru legal issue?
Yes, Peruvian law generally requires that legal advice on Peru law and representation before Peruvian authorities be provided by a lawyer admitted to practice in Peru. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not hold itself out as practicing Peru law. Instead, the firm engages Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted to the Peruvian bar. Mr. Mayandía is not admitted in any US state bar, and his role is limited to Peru-law matters. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle any US-law dimensions, and the client benefits from a coordinated approach without the firm overstepping its licensure boundaries.
How does the firm divide work between US law and Peru law?
The firm assigns US-law tasks to its US-admitted attorneys and Peru-law tasks to its Peru-admitted Of Counsel, with Mr. Sris overseeing the overall matter. For example, if a Canadian client’s matter involves a contract governed by New York law and a related dispute in Peru, the firm’s US attorneys would address the New York law issues, while Martín Mayandía would handle the Peruvian litigation or regulatory aspects. The two sides collaborate as needed, but each attorney works strictly within the jurisdiction where they are licensed. This division is designed to comply with unauthorized practice of law rules in both countries.
What types of Peru-related matters can the firm assist with?
The firm can assist with a broad range of cross-border matters that have a Peru component, provided the engagement is structured through its Peru Of Counsel. Common areas include business transactions involving Peruvian entities, cross-border family law (such as recognition of a Peruvian marriage or divorce), estate matters with assets in Peru, and US immigration issues for Peruvian nationals. The firm does not handle matters that are purely Peruvian domestic law with no US nexus, but it can often serve as a bridge for Canadian clients who need both US and Peruvian legal support.
Is the firm’s Peru Of Counsel admitted to practice in Canada?
No, Martín Mayandía is admitted to practice law in Peru only; he is not admitted in Canada or any US state. His role with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to Peru-law matters. If a Canadian client’s matter also requires advice on Canadian law, the firm can coordinate with Canadian counsel at the client’s direction, but the firm itself does not provide Canadian legal advice. The firm’s value lies in managing the US-Peru cross-border dimension and serving as the client’s primary point of contact for that portion of the matter.
How do I contact the firm about a Peru matter?
You can reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. by calling (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. The firm’s intake team will gather basic information about your matter and, if appropriate, arrange a discussion with Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney. Because the firm collaborates with Martín Mayandía on Peru-law issues, the initial consultation will focus on understanding the US-law aspects and determining how the Peru Of Counsel can support your objectives. Consultations are by appointment only.
Does the firm have an office in Peru?
No, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not have a location in Peru. The firm’s locations are in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Its collaboration with Martín Mayandía is conducted remotely, using secure communication channels. The firm does not hold itself out as having a physical presence in Peru, and all Peru-law work is performed by Mr. Mayandía from his own practice.
What languages are spoken by the attorneys handling Peru matters?
Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys conduct business in English, while Martín Mayandía is fluent in Spanish and English. This bilingual capability is essential for Peru matters, where documents and communications with Peruvian authorities are typically in Spanish. The firm can receive and review Spanish-language materials through Mr. Mayandía and provide English-language summaries and advice to the client. If a client prefers to communicate in French, the firm can accommodate that through its network, but the primary working languages for Peru engagements are English and Spanish.
Can the firm represent me in Peruvian courts?
The firm itself cannot appear in Peruvian courts, but it can coordinate representation through its Peru-admitted Of Counsel. Martín Mayandía, as a licensed Peruvian attorney, can appear before Peruvian tribunals and administrative bodies. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. would manage the overall case strategy, handle any US-law issues, and serve as the client’s primary contact, while Mr. Mayandía would handle the court appearances and filings in Peru. The client would typically sign a separate engagement letter with Mr. Mayandía for the Peru-specific representation, with the firm facilitating the arrangement.
What should I prepare before contacting the firm about a Peru matter?
To make the most of an initial consultation, gather any relevant documents, a timeline of events, and a clear description of your objectives. For Peru-related matters, it is helpful to have copies of any Peruvian contracts, court papers, or official correspondence, even if they are in Spanish. The firm will review these materials with its Of Counsel to assess the Peru-law dimensions. Also be prepared to discuss any US connections—such as business operations, assets, or family members in the United States—because those factors often determine how the firm can add value to a cross-border engagement.
How does the firm charge for Peru-related matters?
Fees vary by case and are discussed during the initial consultation. Because each cross-border matter is unique, the firm does not publish a fixed fee schedule. The engagement structure typically involves a fee agreement with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. for the US-law services and a separate arrangement with Martín Mayandía for the Peru-law work. The firm can provide an estimate of the overall cost after reviewing the specifics of your matter. There is no charge for the initial inquiry, but formal legal work begins only after a signed engagement letter.
Can the firm help if my matter involves both Peru and another Latin American country?
Yes, the firm’s Of Counsel network includes attorneys admitted in other Latin American jurisdictions, allowing it to coordinate multi-country matters. In addition to its Peru Of Counsel, the firm collaborates with lawyers licensed in Colombia and can, through its network, assist with matters involving other countries in the region. The same model applies: the firm’s US-admitted attorneys manage the overall engagement, and each foreign-law component is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant country. This structure is designed to provide a single point of contact for the client while respecting each jurisdiction’s licensure requirements.