"I highly recommend the services of María Elena and Raúl...

...for your in-country adoption needs. They have a heart for the children of Peru, and serve not only as legal counsel, but they have become our friends..."

Jeff and Tammy Martin

Schertz, Texas

About Us

Raúl Alva & María Elena Baldassari are Attorneys at Law that have dedicated the last 35 years of their lives to representing and advising families on international adoptions and matters of civil and family law in Peru. María Elena and Raúl are acknowledged by many as the most renowned and reputable adoption lawyers in Peru.

María Elena studied law in the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Raúl studied law in the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Both wrote their theses on adoption.

Upon graduation, María Elena continued her studies in the Peruvian Diplomatic Academy, where she graduated as a Diplomat in International Relationships. A few years later, María Elena was appointed as a Minors Judge in the city of Callao. In the meantime, Raúl became part of the legal team of Volkswagen Peru.

After gathering enough experience to stand on their own feet, María Elena and Raúl decided to establish their own law firm and dedicate their activities to their areas of main expertise, adoptions and civil and family law.

Nowadays, María Elena represents the adoption agency Villa Hope International Adoptions. She assists and represents families from the entire United States in their application, adoption and post-adoption processes.

Raúl represents and assists Peruvian or mix (one of the spouses is Peruvian) families in their application, adoption, and post-adoption processes as well. Peruvian families are represented before the family courts, and mix families before the Adoptions Office at the Ministry for Women and Social Development (MIMDES).

As a member of the Lima Bar of attorneys for over 35 years, Raúl represents clients on matters of Civil and Family Law.