Colombia M&A lawyer
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions involving Colombian companies or assets require careful coordination between US and Colombian legal frameworks. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm founded in 1997, represents international clients in US-side M&A transactions where a Colombian party is the buyer, seller, or target. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For the Colombian-law dimension of a deal, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar; that role is limited to Colombia-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. To discuss a cross-border M&A matter, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What cross-border M&A with a Colombian component involves
A merger or acquisition that crosses the US-Colombia border typically raises two distinct sets of legal issues. On the US side, the transaction may be subject to federal securities laws, state corporate statutes, and regulatory filings. On the Colombian side, the deal must comply with Colombian corporate law, foreign-investment regulations, and tax rules. The two legal systems operate independently, and a transaction that satisfies one does not automatically satisfy the other. A US-licensed attorney handles the US-law work, while a Colombian-licensed attorney handles the Colombian-law work. The two sides collaborate to ensure the overall transaction structure is coherent, but each attorney works strictly within the jurisdiction where they are admitted.
Common US-law tasks in a Colombia-related M&A include drafting and negotiating the purchase agreement under US law, conducting due diligence on US-based assets or subsidiaries, preparing SEC filings if a US public company is involved, and advising on US antitrust or CFIUS review. The US attorney also addresses US tax consequences of the transaction structure. On the Colombian side, the Of Counsel attorney reviews the transaction for compliance with Colombian corporate formalities, foreign-exchange controls, and any sector-specific restrictions. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) facilitates in-person coordination when needed.
How Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. handles Colombia-related M&A
When a client engages the firm for a cross-border M&A matter, Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys take the lead on all US-law aspects. They work with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, who provides Colombian-law analysis and local due-diligence support. The division of responsibility is explicit: the firm drafts the US-governed documents, advises on US regulatory requirements, and represents the client before US agencies; the Colombian Of Counsel advises on Colombian corporate law, reviews Colombian-law contracts, and coordinates with Colombian notaries and registries. The two sides share information as needed but maintain strict jurisdictional separation to avoid unauthorized practice of law.
The firm’s approach is designed to give the client a single point of contact for the US-law work while ensuring that Colombian-law issues are handled by a qualified Colombian attorney. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US and Colombian jurisdictions. The firm does not promise specific outcomes or timelines, and every matter is evaluated on its own facts. Consultations are by appointment; contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to discuss a potential transaction.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He founded the firm in 1997 and has built a practice that serves international clients with US legal needs. Mr. Sris 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). His legislative involvement reflects a commitment to understanding the statutes that affect clients.
For Colombia-related matters, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s background includes service as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He brings deep knowledge of Colombian corporate and regulatory law. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) allows for direct coordination when a transaction requires on-the-ground support. All US-law work remains under the supervision of Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a US lawyer and a Colombian lawyer for a cross-border M&A deal?
Yes, a cross-border M&A transaction typically requires separate US and Colombian legal counsel because each country’s laws govern different aspects of the deal. A US-licensed attorney handles the US-law components—such as drafting the purchase agreement under US law, addressing SEC or state corporate requirements, and advising on US tax and antitrust issues. A Colombian-licensed attorney handles Colombian corporate law, foreign-investment regulations, and local due diligence. The two attorneys collaborate but each works only within the jurisdiction where they are admitted. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides the US-side representation and coordinates with its Colombia Of Counsel for the Colombian-law side.
What US regulatory approvals might a Colombia-related M&A require?
Depending on the transaction, US regulatory approvals may include Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust filing, CFIUS review, or SEC registration. If the deal involves a US public company, federal securities laws under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 may require disclosure filings. Transactions in sensitive industries may trigger review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The US-admitted attorneys at the firm evaluate which filings are necessary and guide the client through the process. Colombian regulatory approvals are handled separately by the Colombian Of Counsel.
How does the firm handle due diligence on a Colombian target company?
US-side due diligence focuses on US-based assets, contracts, and liabilities, while Colombian-side due diligence is conducted by the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel. The firm reviews US-law governed agreements, intellectual property registrations, litigation dockets, and regulatory compliance. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, leads the Colombian due diligence, examining corporate books, Colombian-law contracts, tax filings, and any local litigation. The two sides share findings under a coordinated confidentiality framework, but each attorney’s analysis is limited to the law of the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
Can the firm structure a deal to minimize US tax exposure for a Colombian seller?
Yes, the firm can advise on US tax aspects of the transaction structure, but Colombian tax consequences must be addressed by Colombian counsel. The US-admitted attorneys analyze the US tax implications of different deal structures—such as asset sale versus stock sale—and work with the client’s US tax advisors. The Colombian Of Counsel separately evaluates Colombian tax treatment. The two sides coordinate to avoid double-taxation issues, but each tax analysis is jurisdiction-specific. The firm does not provide tax advice outside the scope of the transaction’s legal structuring.
What is the role of the Pereira location in an M&A engagement?
The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) serves as a base for the Colombia Of Counsel and facilitates in-person meetings when a transaction requires local presence. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, operates from that location. It allows the firm to coordinate document execution, notarial acts, and registry filings in Colombia without relying solely on remote communication. All US-law work remains centered in the firm’s US locations, and the Pereira location does not constitute a law office for the practice of US law.
How do I start a cross-border M&A engagement with the firm?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial discussion, Mr. Sris or a US-admitted attorney will assess the US-law aspects of the proposed transaction and determine whether Colombian-law support is needed. If so, the firm will engage Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, for the Colombian-law component. The firm will then outline the scope of work, the division of responsibilities between US and Colombian counsel, and the anticipated fee arrangement. All consultations are by appointment only.