UK investor counsel for Colombia
UK investors pursuing opportunities in Colombia face a complex legal environment that spans multiple jurisdictions. A transaction or business structure may implicate US securities laws, US anti-corruption statutes, US tax reporting obligations, and US immigration rules—even when the investment itself is in Colombia. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that advises UK investors on the US-law dimensions of their Colombia-focused activities. For Colombian-law matters, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar.
What this cross-border practice area covers
UK investors in Colombia must navigate US legal requirements whenever their investment touches US persons, US financial markets, or US-dollar transactions. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1 et seq.) applies to issuers of US-listed securities, US domestic concerns, and certain foreign persons acting in US territory. A UK investor who uses a US-based bank, engages a US agent, or holds US-listed securities may fall within the FCPA’s jurisdictional reach. US securities laws, including the registration and anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, can also apply when a Colombia-focused investment is structured through a US entity or offered to US investors. In addition, US tax reporting obligations under the Internal Revenue Code may arise from US-source income or from interests in US entities, and UK investors who need to travel to the United States for business may require appropriate US visa classification.
On the Colombian side, the investment is governed by Colombian corporate, tax, and foreign-investment regulations. Colombian law is a civil-law system rooted in the Colombian Civil Code of 1887, and foreign investors must comply with registration requirements before the Banco de la República and other Colombian agencies. Because the firm’s US-admitted attorneys do not practice Colombian law, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, for Colombian-law analysis. This dual-jurisdiction approach ensures that the US-law and Colombian-law aspects of a transaction are each handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel network handle these matters
Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys manage all US-law aspects of a UK investor’s Colombia-focused matter, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, provides Colombian-law support. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia. He is not admitted to practice law in the United States. His role is limited to Colombian-law matters and to serving as a liaison between the client and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. On a typical engagement, Mr. Sris or another US-admitted attorney reviews the transaction for FCPA exposure, US securities-law implications, US tax considerations, and any US immigration needs. Mr. Duport Jaramillo concurrently advises on Colombian corporate formation, foreign-investment registration, and local regulatory compliance. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney works strictly within the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
This structure allows the firm to offer integrated counsel without any attorney practicing law in a jurisdiction where they are not admitted. The client receives US-law advice from a US-licensed attorney and Colombian-law advice from a Colombian-licensed attorney, with clear separation of responsibilities. The firm does not hold itself out as a Colombian law firm, and Mr. Sris does not provide Colombian legal advice. For matters that require on-the-ground support in Colombia, Mr. Duport Jaramillo can assist from the firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only.
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 to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He founded the firm in 1997 and has built a cross-border 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 advising foreign investors on US regulatory compliance, cross-border transactions, and US immigration matters.
The firm’s Of Counsel network includes Eric Duport Jaramillo, who leads the Colombia practice. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is admitted to practice law in Colombia. He is not admitted to practice law in the United States. His 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 to the firm’s UK investor clients. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border investment matters.
Frequently asked questions
What US laws affect a UK investor’s Colombia project?
The principal US laws that can apply are the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, US securities laws, US tax laws, and US immigration laws. The FCPA prohibits bribery of foreign officials and requires accurate books and records for issuers. A UK investor who uses a US bank, engages a US agent, or holds US-listed securities may be subject to FCPA jurisdiction. US securities laws may apply if the investment is structured through a US entity or offered to US investors. US tax reporting obligations can arise from US-source income or from interests in US entities. For business travel to the United States, the investor may need a B-1 visa or, if the investor is establishing a US office, an E-2 treaty-investor visa (the UK is an E-2 treaty country). Each of these areas requires analysis by a US-licensed attorney.
Do I need a US lawyer if my investment is entirely in Colombia?
Yes, if any aspect of the investment touches the United States—such as US-dollar transactions, US-based counterparties, or US-listed securities—a US lawyer can help you assess and manage US legal exposure. Even a purely Colombian investment can trigger US reporting or compliance obligations if, for example, the investor is a US person for tax purposes or the investment vehicle is a US entity. A US-licensed attorney can identify these touchpoints and advise on compliance. For the Colombian-law side, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar.
How does the firm coordinate US and Colombian legal advice?
The firm assigns a US-admitted attorney to handle all US-law issues and engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, for Colombian-law matters. The two attorneys communicate as needed to ensure the overall strategy is coherent, but each works exclusively within their own licensure. The client receives separate advice on US law and Colombian law, with clear delineation of responsibility. This model avoids any unauthorized practice of law and gives the client confidence that each jurisdiction’s requirements are being addressed by a qualified professional.
What should I bring to an initial consultation?
Bring a summary of the proposed investment, the identities of any US-based parties or intermediaries, and any existing corporate documents. If the investment involves a US entity or US-listed securities, provide the relevant formation or offering documents. For Colombian-law aspects, any correspondence with Colombian regulators or local counsel is helpful. The firm will review the materials to identify US-law touchpoints and, with your permission, share relevant information with Mr. Duport Jaramillo for Colombian-law analysis. All consultations are by appointment only.
Can the firm help with US immigration for UK investors?
Yes, the firm’s US-admitted attorneys can advise on US visa options for UK investors who need to travel to the United States for business. Common classifications include the B-1 business visitor visa for short-term activities and the E-2 treaty-investor visa for nationals of the United Kingdom who are investing a substantial amount of capital in a US enterprise. The firm can assess eligibility, prepare the necessary petitions, and guide the investor through consular processing. Immigration advice is provided exclusively by US-licensed attorneys; Mr. Duport Jaramillo does not provide US immigration legal advice.
How do I contact the firm about a UK-Colombia investment matter?
You can reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys are available to discuss the US-law dimensions of your investment, and Mr. Duport Jaramillo can be engaged for Colombian-law support. Consultations are by appointment only. The firm’s principal US location is in Virginia, and it maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, for Colombian-law matters.