COUNSELS/CONSULTANTS

  1. Name:

    Suren de Silva

    Called to the Bar:

    1997

    Number of Years with the Firm:

    6 Years

    Academic/ Professional Qualifications:

    • Masters in Law (LLM) (University College London) (University of London) (1997-1998). (Emphasis on regulation of financial markets, law and practice of foreign investment in emerging economies, privatization);
    • LLB (Hons.) (University of Wales College of Cardiff) (1993-1995);
    • Attorney-At-Law, Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (June1997);
    • Of Gray’s Inn, Barrister-At-Law (England and Wales) (July 1996);
    • Special Training Program on Commercial Law at City University, Hong Kong, (April 2002) under a World Bank scholarship;
    • Council Member and Convenor, of the Constitutional Amendment Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka;
    • Member of the National Intellectual Property Commission [2002/2003]

    Areas of Practice:

    • Dispute Resolution
    • Project Finance and infrastructure Projects
    • Securitisation
    • Admiralty, Shipping and International Trade

    Work Experience:

    • May 2003 – to date: Counsel/ Consultant (Special Projects), M/s D.L. & F De Saram
    • January 1999 – April 2003: State Counsel, Attorney General’s Department, Sri Lanka- engaged in legal work on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), its agencies and its corporations/drafting and reviewing legislation and advising the GOSL on the constitutionality of proposed legislation, acting as an advisor to Ministerial Select Committees set up by Parliament in its role of recommending new legislation to parliament, negotiating contracts on behalf of GOSL with the private sector and foreign entities, handling litigation on behalf of GOSL, advising Government Corporations through the Public Enterprise Reform Commission on their restructuring by privatization and/or by forming strategic private/public partnerships.

    Contact details:

    Telephone: 9411 2 695782
    Fax:  9411 2 695410
    Email: suren@desaram.com

  2. Name:

    Anuruddha Perera

    Called to the Bar:

    1997

    Number of Years with the Firm:

    6 Years

    Academic/ Professional Qualifications:

    • Masters in Law (LLM -University of Cambridge) (1998-1999)  (Emphasis on International Commercial Litigation, Exchange Control Inquiries, Investment Law and Arbitration. Intellectual Property Law (Emphasis on Trade Marks and Patents), White Collar Crimes and Commercial Fraud);
    • Alumni of The Hague Academy of International Law (1998);
    • Attorney-at-Law, Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (1993-1996);
    • Fellow Cambridge Commonwealth Society;

    Areas of Practice:

    • Corporate and Commercial Litigation
    • Foreign Investment - Exchange Control Inquiries
    • Dispute Resolution including Customs Inquiries
    • Intellectual Property
    • White Collar Crimes and Commercial Fraud

    Work Experience:

    May 2003 to date: Counsel/Consultant to M/s. D.L. & F. De Saram, Attorneys-at-Law in the aforementioned areas of practice;
    Junior Counsel – Chambers of G.E. Chitty, Attorney-at-Law former Registrar Law of the Sea Tribunal – Hamburg, Germany;
    Assistant - Judge C.G. Weeramantry - former Vice President - International Court of Justice The Hague – Netherlands;
    August 1999 – 2003: State Counsel - Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka – Engaged in all Civil and Commercial litigation with emphasis on  Commercial Litigation, Investment Law, Arbitration, Exchange Control Inquiries both domestic and international and Customs Inquiries and advising Government Corporations, Departments and Ministries on the said matters

    Contact details:

    Telephone: 9411 2 695782
    Fax:  9411 2 695410
    Email: anu@desaram.com

  3. Name:

    Jivan Goonetilleke

    Called to the Bar:

    2008

    Number of Years with the Firm:

    1 Year

    Academic/ Professional Qualifications:

    • LL.B (Hons.) from the University of London (external) in 2005;
    • B.A (Bachelor of Arts Degree) from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in 2006;
    • Post Graduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2009; 
    • Attorney-At-Law, Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of  Sri Lanka (August 2008)

    Areas of Practice:

    • Corporate and Commercial
    • Dispute Resolution

    Work Experience:

    2008 to date: Counsel/Consultant to M/s. D.L. & F. De Saram, Attorneys-at-Law in the aforementioned areas of practice

    Contact details:

    Telephone: 9411 2 695782
    Fax:  9411 2 695410
    Email: jivan@desaram.com

  4. Derrick Perera

    Over 50 years experience in the profession and a Partner of the firm since 1983. On retirement in 2002, continues to serve the partnership as a Consultant.

    Contact: desaram@desaram.com

  5. John Henricus De Saram

    Was originally in private legal practice in Sri Lanka and thereafter, for many years, was a member of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs in New York and later Director of its Office of Legal Counsel. Subsequently, was a Member of the International Law Commission and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN from 1998-2002.

    His association with our firm and his having a base in the United States will enhance the private and public international law coverage and expertise that DL&F De Saram can offer its clientele.

    Contact: desaram@desaram.com

TERMS OF USE