Atchuthan Sriskandarajah lawyer
Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm founded in 1997. Mr. Sriskandarajah is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm serves international clients with US legal needs, including cross-border brand protection and business entity formation. For Colombian businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to establish or protect their brand presence in the United States, Mr. Sriskandarajah provides US-side counsel on trademark registration, corporate structuring, and cross-border commercial matters. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is expanding its Of Counsel network into Colombia; once engaged, Colombian-law matters will be handled through an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura. To speak with Mr. Sriskandarajah about your US brand or entity needs, reach our firm at (888) 437-7747.
What Cross-Border Brand and Entity Practice Covers
Cross-border brand and entity practice encompasses US trademark registration, business entity formation, and brand-protection strategy for international clients entering the US market. For a Colombian business or entrepreneur, this means navigating the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark application process, selecting an appropriate US business structure—such as a limited liability company or corporation—and ensuring that the brand name, logo, or trade dress does not infringe on existing US marks. The practice also covers maintenance of US trademark registrations, including Section 8 and Section 15 filings under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq., and addressing cross-border disputes involving brand identity or corporate governance.
Colombian enterprises expanding into the United States face a dual legal landscape: Colombian corporate and commercial law governs the home entity, while US federal and state law governs the US subsidiary or brand presence. Mr. Sriskandarajah and his Of Counsel network address the US side of this equation—filing trademarks with the USPTO, forming US entities in the client’s chosen state of incorporation, and advising on US regulatory obligations that affect brand operations. For the Colombian-law dimensions of a cross-border brand strategy, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. will engage Colombia-admitted counsel through its expanding Of Counsel network when Colombian legal representation is required. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) serves as a point of contact for Colombian clients coordinating US legal matters.
How Mr. Sriskandarajah and His Of Counsel Network Handle Brand and Entity Matters
On US-substantive brand and entity matters, Mr. Sriskandarajah serves as lead counsel, handling USPTO filings, US entity formation, and US-side commercial agreements. When a Colombian business owner contacts the firm, the process begins with an assessment of the client’s US objectives: Are you registering a US trademark for an existing Colombian brand? Forming a Delaware corporation or Florida LLC to serve the US market? Negotiating a cross-border licensing agreement that implicates both Colombian and US law? Mr. Sriskandarajah identifies the US-law components and provides direct representation on those matters, drawing on his experience practicing since 1997 across multiple US jurisdictions.
Where a matter requires Colombian-law analysis—for example, verifying that a proposed US entity structure complies with Colombian foreign-investment regulations, or ensuring that a brand assignment is valid under Colombian commercial law—the firm will coordinate with Colombia-admitted Of Counsel when engaged. Until the firm’s Of Counsel presence in Colombia is formally established, clients who need immediate Colombian-law representation are advised to consult an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura. The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) to facilitate client communications and document coordination for cross-border matters.
About Mr. Sriskandarajah and Law Offices of SRIS, P.C.
Mr. Sriskandarajah, former prosecutor, founded Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sriskandarajah testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). He was involved in the introduction of Virginia House Joint Resolution HJR 573 (2017), recognizing Pongal Day in the Commonwealth. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. has locations across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, with its principal location in Fairfax, Virginia, and an international location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only). The firm serves an international clientele and is expanding its Of Counsel network to include Colombia-admitted attorneys for matters requiring Colombian-law representation.
Mr. Sriskandarajah and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US practice areas including trademark registration, business entity formation, cross-border commercial transactions, and related litigation. The firm’s approach to brand and entity matters emphasizes practical, business-oriented counsel: identifying the right US entity structure, conducting thorough trademark clearance searches, and advising on ongoing compliance obligations. Results may vary; prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Colombian business need a US lawyer to register a US trademark?
Yes—while a foreign applicant may file a US trademark application directly with the USPTO, US trademark law requires that a foreign-domiciled applicant designate a US-licensed attorney to represent them in all USPTO proceedings. This requirement, codified in 37 C.F.R. § 11.14, means that a Colombian company seeking US trademark protection must engage US counsel. Mr. Sriskandarajah, admitted in five US jurisdictions, serves as attorney of record for USPTO filings on behalf of international clients, handling the application, office-action responses, and post-registration maintenance. The substantive examination by the USPTO examines distinctiveness, likelihood of confusion with existing marks, and compliance with the Lanham Act. For guidance on your specific brand, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What US business entity types are available to a Colombian entrepreneur?
A Colombian entrepreneur may form a US corporation (C-corporation or S-corporation), a limited liability company (LLC), or a registered branch of the Colombian entity, depending on tax objectives, liability considerations, and the nature of the US operations. The LLC is a common choice for its pass-through taxation and operational flexibility; the C-corporation is often preferred when the business anticipates US venture-capital investment. S-corporation status is generally unavailable to non-resident alien shareholders. The choice of state of incorporation—Delaware, Florida, Virginia, or another state—affects filing requirements, annual-report obligations, and franchise taxes. Mr. Sriskandarajah advises Colombian clients on entity selection and formation, coordinating with the client’s Colombian legal and tax advisors on home-country implications. To discuss the details of your US entity formation, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does the firm handle the Colombian-law side of a cross-border brand matter?
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. handles the US-law components directly through Mr. Sriskandarajah and coordinates Colombian-law needs through its expanding Of Counsel network. Until the firm formally engages Colombia-admitted Of Counsel, clients who require immediate Colombian legal representation—such as registering a Colombian trademark with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) or forming a Colombian sociedad—should consult an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) serves as a client-relations and document-coordination point. When the Of Counsel network is active in Colombia, the Colombian-admitted attorney handles Colombian-law matters while Mr. Sriskandarajah handles the US side, with the two sides collaborating as the matter requires. For a consultation on cross-border brand and entity counsel, reach Mr. Sriskandarajah at (888) 437-7747.
What should I bring to a consultation about US brand or entity formation?
Bring your existing Colombian business registration documents, a description of your brand (name, logo, and the goods or services you offer or plan to offer in the US), and your US business objectives. If you have already used the brand in US commerce, bring evidence of that use—such as sales records, website screenshots showing US customers, or trade-show materials. For entity formation, be prepared to discuss the ownership structure of the Colombian entity, the planned US activities, and your tax objectives. Mr. Sriskandarajah uses this information to assess trademark availability, recommend an entity structure, and identify potential US regulatory issues. Consultations are by appointment. To schedule, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Does the firm handle Colombian trademark registration or Colombian entity formation?
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm and does not currently provide direct Colombian trademark registration or Colombian entity formation services. These matters require representation by an attorney admitted to practice in Colombia and registered with the appropriate Colombian authorities. The firm is expanding its Of Counsel network to include Colombia-admitted attorneys who will handle Colombian-law matters in coordination with Mr. Sriskandarajah’s US-side representation. When the Colombia Of Counsel engagement is complete, the firm will offer coordinated US-Colombia brand and entity services. In the interim, Colombian-law matters should be directed to an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura. For US-side brand and entity counsel, reach Mr. Sriskandarajah at (888) 437-7747.
What is the difference between US common-law trademark rights and USPTO registration?
US common-law trademark rights arise from actual use of a mark in commerce within a geographic area and are enforceable without registration, while USPTO federal registration under the Lanham Act confers nationwide priority, a legal presumption of validity, and access to federal courts for infringement claims. A Colombian business that sells products in the US under an unregistered mark may have common-law rights in the regions where sales occur, but those rights are geographically limited and harder to enforce than a federal registration. Federal registration on the Principal Register also enables use of the ® symbol, listing with US Customs and Border Protection to block infringing imports, and eligibility for incontestability after five years of continuous use. Mr. Sriskandarajah counsels international clients on whether federal registration is warranted based on their US market presence and growth plans. For guidance on US trademark strategy, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How do I reach the firm from Colombia?
Colombian clients may reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. through the US toll-free number (888) 437-7747, the Colombia toll-free number (888) 437-7747, the Pereira location line at +57 63419197, or by email at colombia@sriscounsel.com. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) provides a local point of contact for document drop-off, notarization coordination, and in-person consultation scheduling when Mr. Sriskandarajah or other firm representatives are present. Virtual consultations are available by videoconference. All legal services on US-law matters are provided by Mr. Sriskandarajah as a US-admitted attorney. For general inquiries or to schedule a consultation, reach our firm at any of the numbers above.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary. Attorney responsible for this advertising in the State of New Jersey: Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq.
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. attorneys are admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm collaborates with foreign-jurisdiction Of Counsel attorneys on matters involving foreign law. No attorney in the firm or its Of Counsel network practices law in a jurisdiction where they are not admitted. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm with an international clientele. Foreign attorneys collaborating with the firm are not admitted to the practice of law in any US state and their work is limited to matters of foreign law and to liaison roles with US-licensed attorneys.
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