Associates
María Elena Acuña Arréstegui
María Elena Acuña Arréstegui (Trujillo, 1989). Lawyer graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, with a specialization and a Master’s degree in Labor and Social Security Law from the same institution. She has solid experience in labor litigation at all levels, including highly complex cases related to reinstatements, nullity of dismissals, claims for damages, and disputes over economic benefits, both in individual and collective contexts.
She combines a rigorous technical understanding of legal proceedings with a deep comprehension of business dynamics, enabling her to design procedural and preventive strategies aligned with the company’s objectives.
Since 2017, she has held positions coordinating and leading litigation teams, managing a highly representative portfolio of cases involving one of the most prominent companies in the steel industry as well as other nationally recognized corporations. She also has experience in labor training programs and serves as a university lecturer.
Studies and Degrees:
- Master’s Degree in Labor and Social Security Law, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (2023)
- Second Specialization in Labor and Social Security Law, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (2017)
- Legal Skills and Oral Litigation Course, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (2017)
- Law Degree, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (2015)
Professional Experience
- Associate Lawyer at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, in charge of the firm’s office in Chimbote (2020 – February 2026)
- Coordinating Lawyer and Head of the Chimbote Office at Gonzales & Asociados Labor Consultants (2017 – 2020)
- Associate Lawyer at Gonzales & Asociados Labor Consultants (2015 – 2017)
Teaching Experience
- Lecturer for the Labor Law II course at Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya, Academic Term 2026-I (2026)
- Lecturer for the Labor Law I course at Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya, Academic Term 2025-II (2025)
- Course: Zero Tolerance: Strategies for Preventing Harassment and Bullying, Escuela de Mejora de la Gestión Pública (2025)
- Course: Labor Law under Law No. 29497 – New Labor Procedural Law, in collaboration with Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (2024)
- Speaker: “Business Labor Law Seminar,” ILAE – Instituto de Derecho Laboral Empresarial (2023)
- Speaker: “1st Seminar on Updates in Labor and Labor Procedural Law,” ILAE – Instituto de Derecho Laboral Empresarial (2023)
- Speaker: “2nd Seminar on Labor Arbitration and Collective Bargaining,” ARBITRI – Asociación Académica de Arbitraje (2023)
Main assignments and consultancies
Since 2017, she has served as Labor Litigation Coordinator, overseeing the management of the Northern region’s case portfolio, handling approximately over 1,000 active judicial proceedings for one of the most prominent companies in the steel industry, as well as for other leading market players. Her work has involved leading a team of legal professionals, providing specialized consultations, and designing strategies aimed at minimizing labor contingencies.
Publications
- Member of the Lima Bar Association
Languages
- Spanish and english