Cusco legal counsel for investors
Investing in Cusco, Peru—whether in tourism, agriculture, real estate, or a local business—presents opportunities that often require coordination between US legal counsel and a lawyer admitted in Peru. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that assists US-based investors with the US-law dimensions of a Cusco investment while collaborating with a Peru-admitted Of Counsel for the Peru-law side. The firm does not practice Peru law; instead, it works with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Peru and is not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Mayandía’s role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. For a consultation on how the firm can support your Cusco investment, call (888) 437-7747.
How a US law firm supports an investment in Cusco, Peru
An investment in Cusco typically involves two distinct legal systems. The US-law side may include entity selection, securities compliance, tax structuring, and cross-border contracts governed by US law. The Peru-law side may include corporate registration, local permits, real estate due diligence, labor law, and regulatory approvals. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. handles the US-law aspects directly through its US-admitted attorneys. For the Peru-law aspects, the firm collaborates with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Peru (2009) and is not admitted in any US state bar. This division ensures that each component of the investment is addressed by a lawyer licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Because the firm does not maintain a location in Peru, all US-law work is performed from the firm’s Virginia principal location, by appointment only. Mr. Mayandía provides Peru-law support from his own practice. The two sides coordinate on transaction documents, regulatory filings, and due diligence, but each attorney remains responsible only for the law of the jurisdiction where they are admitted. This structure allows the investor to receive integrated guidance without any single attorney practicing law where they are not licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Peru-admitted lawyer to invest in Cusco?
Yes, a Peru-admitted lawyer is essential for any investment that involves Peru-law matters such as forming a local entity, acquiring real estate, or obtaining government permits. US-admitted attorneys cannot provide legal advice on Peru law. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. addresses this by collaborating with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted in Peru and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Mayandía handles the Peru-law side, while the firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle the US-law side. This dual-counsel approach helps ensure that both legal systems are properly addressed.
What US legal issues should I consider before investing in Cusco?
US investors should consider entity structure, tax implications, securities laws, and the enforceability of cross-border contracts. For example, choosing between a US LLC, a C-corporation, or a direct investment through a Peruvian entity can affect US tax liability and reporting obligations. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys can advise on these US-law matters, while the Peru-law aspects are handled by the Peru Of Counsel. Early coordination between the two sides can help avoid structuring mistakes that are costly to unwind.
How does the firm handle the division between US law and Peru law?
The firm maintains a strict jurisdictional separation: US-admitted attorneys handle all US-law matters, and the Peru Of Counsel handles all Peru-law matters. No attorney practices law in a jurisdiction where they are not admitted. When a transaction requires both US and Peru legal work, the two sides collaborate on the overall strategy, but each attorney’s advice is limited to their own jurisdiction. This approach is designed to comply with the unauthorized-practice-of-law rules in both countries.
Can the firm help with real estate purchases in Cusco?
The firm can assist with the US-law aspects of a Cusco real estate purchase, such as financing, entity formation, and tax planning, while the Peru-law aspects are handled by the Peru Of Counsel. Peru-law real estate matters—including title searches, notarial deeds, and registration with the Peruvian Public Registry—require a Peru-admitted lawyer. Mr. Mayandía, the firm’s Peru Of Counsel, is admitted in Peru and not admitted in any US state bar; he addresses those local requirements in coordination with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
What if I am a Peruvian investor looking to invest in the United States?
The firm can represent Peruvian investors on US-law matters, including visa strategy, entity formation, and regulatory compliance, through its US-admitted attorneys. For any Peru-law issues that arise—such as the tax treatment of the investment in Peru or the repatriation of funds—the firm collaborates with its Peru Of Counsel. The US-admitted attorneys do not advise on Peru law, and the Peru Of Counsel does not advise on US law. This separation preserves the integrity of each jurisdiction’s licensing rules.
Does the firm have an office in Cusco or Peru?
No, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not maintain a location in Peru. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys work from the Virginia principal location, by appointment only. The Peru-law support is provided by Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, from his own practice in Peru. The firm does not hold itself out as having a physical presence in Peru, and all US-law services are performed in the United States.
How do I start the process of investing in Cusco with the firm’s help?
Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial discussion, a US-admitted attorney will assess the US-law dimensions of your proposed investment and determine whether Peru-law support is needed. If so, the firm will coordinate with its Peru Of Counsel. All consultations are by appointment only, and no attorney-client relationship is formed until a formal engagement agreement is signed.
What types of investments in Cusco does the firm typically support?
The firm supports a range of US-law matters related to investments in Cusco, including hospitality ventures, agricultural projects, real estate development, and cross-border business acquisitions. The US-law work may involve entity formation, contract drafting, securities compliance, and tax planning. The Peru-law side—handled by the Peru Of Counsel—covers local corporate registration, permits, labor law, and regulatory approvals. The firm does not limit its support to any single industry; the legal needs of each investment are evaluated individually.
Is my US investment in Cusco protected by any international treaty?
The United States has a bilateral investment treaty with Peru, but the firm does not provide legal advice on the treaty’s application to a specific investment. Questions about treaty protections, investor-state dispute settlement, or the interpretation of the treaty’s substantive provisions are matters of international law that may require specialized counsel. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys can discuss the US-law framework for cross-border investments, and the Peru Of Counsel can address Peru-law considerations, but neither side offers treaty-specific legal advice.
What should I bring to the first consultation?
Bring a summary of your investment goals, any existing business plans, and information about the parties and assets involved. If you have already identified a specific property or business in Cusco, bring any available documentation. The US-admitted attorney will focus on the US-law issues, and if Peru-law support is needed, the firm will coordinate with the Peru Of Counsel. Having clear objectives helps both sides provide efficient guidance.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He has served as lead counsel on cross-border matters since founding the firm in 1997. For Peru-law matters, the firm works with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Peru (2009) and is not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Mayandía’s role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. All US-law aspects of a Cusco investment are handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.