Colombia compliance lawyer
When a US company or individual does business in Colombia, or a Colombian entity enters the US market, the legal landscape spans two distinct regulatory systems. A Colombia compliance lawyer helps clients navigate the intersection of US federal law—including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), export controls, and anti-money laundering requirements—and Colombian commercial and regulatory frameworks. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm founded in 1997, provides US-side compliance counsel to clients with Colombian interests. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle the US-law dimension, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, serves as a liaison on Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. For a consultation, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
What US–Colombia Compliance Covers
US–Colombia compliance involves the body of US federal statutes and regulations that apply to cross-border business activity involving Colombia. The core framework is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1 et seq.), which prohibits bribery of foreign officials and requires accurate books and records. The FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions reach US issuers, domestic concerns, and certain foreign persons acting in US territory. A US company with a Colombian subsidiary, or a Colombian company listed on a US exchange, must maintain an FCPA compliance program that addresses both the US parent’s obligations and the local operating environment.
Beyond the FCPA, US export controls administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. Parts 730–774) may restrict the transfer of certain goods, software, or technology to Colombia. Anti-money laundering (AML) obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311–5332) and related FinCEN rules also apply to US financial institutions and certain non-financial businesses. A compliance program must be tailored to the specific Colombian business context—including local anti-corruption laws, currency controls, and the oversight of the Colombian Superintendence of Companies—while remaining anchored in US legal requirements.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys provide the US-law compliance analysis, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, contributes Colombian-law perspective as a liaison. Mr. Sris, admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, leads the US-side work: reviewing FCPA exposure, drafting compliance policies, conducting internal investigations, and representing clients before US agencies. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, advises on Colombian legal requirements and institutional practice, ensuring that US compliance measures are operationally viable in Colombia. The two sides collaborate as needed, but the US-law advice is rendered solely by the US-admitted attorneys, and the Colombian-law perspective is provided by Mr. Duport Jaramillo in his capacity as a Colombian-licensed attorney.
This division of labor respects the jurisdictional boundaries of each attorney’s licensure. A US company facing an FCPA inquiry related to its Colombian operations, for example, would receive US defense representation from Mr. Sris and his US-admitted colleagues, while Mr. Duport Jaramillo would assist with understanding Colombian evidentiary rules, local regulatory expectations, and the practical implications of any Colombian parallel proceeding. The firm does not practice Colombian law; it collaborates with a Colombian-licensed Of Counsel to bridge the two systems.
About Mr. Sris and the firm 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 experience includes representing companies and individuals in federal investigations, cross-border transactions, and compliance program design.
The firm’s Of Counsel network includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is a former Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and former Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. His background provides valuable insight into Colombian regulatory and institutional dynamics. He serves as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys at the firm, ensuring that US compliance strategies are informed by an understanding of Colombian law and practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Colombia compliance lawyer do?
A Colombia compliance lawyer advises clients on US legal requirements that apply to business activities involving Colombia, such as the FCPA, export controls, and AML rules. The lawyer helps design and implement compliance programs, conducts due diligence on Colombian partners and transactions, and represents clients in US government investigations. The role is US-law focused; the lawyer does not practice Colombian law but collaborates with Colombian-licensed counsel to ensure the program works in the local environment. For a consultation, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a US lawyer and a Colombian lawyer for compliance?
Yes, a cross-border compliance matter typically requires both a US-admitted attorney and a Colombian-licensed attorney. The US lawyer handles FCPA, export control, and AML obligations under US law. The Colombian lawyer advises on local anti-corruption statutes, currency regulations, and interactions with Colombian authorities. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides the US-side counsel, and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, serves as the Colombian-law liaison. This dual structure ensures that each jurisdiction’s legal requirements are addressed by an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction.
How does the FCPA apply to business in Colombia?
The FCPA applies to US companies, US citizens, and certain foreign persons who engage in bribery of Colombian government officials or fail to maintain accurate books and records. The anti-bribery provisions (15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, 78dd-2, 78dd-3) prohibit corrupt payments to foreign officials to obtain or retain business. The accounting provisions require issuers to keep books that accurately reflect transactions and to maintain internal controls. A US parent company can be liable for the actions of its Colombian subsidiary if it authorized or knowingly disregarded the conduct. A robust compliance program tailored to the Colombian operating environment is essential.
What export controls apply to Colombia?
US export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) may apply to the export of certain dual-use items, software, or technology to Colombia. While Colombia is not subject to comprehensive US embargoes, specific items may require a BIS license depending on the end-user, end-use, or the item’s classification on the Commerce Control List. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130) also apply to defense articles and services. A compliance review should assess whether the proposed transaction triggers a licensing requirement. For guidance on your specific situation, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Can the firm help with a Colombian internal investigation?
Yes, the firm can lead a US-side internal investigation into potential FCPA or other US-law violations involving Colombian operations. Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys would direct the investigation, conduct interviews, review documents, and report findings to the board or US authorities as appropriate. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, would assist with understanding Colombian legal privileges, data privacy restrictions, and local procedural requirements. The investigation remains under the direction of US counsel to preserve attorney-client privilege under US law.
How do I engage the firm for a US–Colombia compliance matter?
To discuss a US–Colombia compliance matter, contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. An initial consultation will identify the US legal issues, the Colombian-law dimensions, and the appropriate engagement structure. The firm will confirm whether Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney will serve as lead US counsel, and whether Eric Duport Jaramillo will serve as Colombian-law liaison. All engagements are structured to respect the jurisdictional limits of each attorney’s licensure.