Brazilian investor counsel for Colombia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm that provides counsel to Brazilian investors on the US legal dimensions of cross-border investments involving Colombia. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys, led by Mr. Sris, handle US regulatory, corporate, and compliance matters, while Colombia-law issues are addressed through collaboration with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombia-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. For a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
Brazilian investors pursuing opportunities in Colombia face a multi-jurisdictional legal landscape that requires coordination between US counsel, Colombia counsel, and often Brazilian counsel. US law governs several critical aspects of cross-border transactions, even when the investment is located in Colombia. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) applies to US persons and companies, as well as to certain foreign entities that act in US territory, and it prohibits bribery of foreign officials. US anti-money laundering statutes, administered by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), impose due-diligence and reporting obligations on US financial institutions and businesses. Additionally, US securities laws may apply if the investment involves US investors, US-based fundraising, or securities traded in US markets. The firm advises Brazilian investors on structuring their US-side activities to comply with these requirements while preserving the commercial objectives of the Colombia-based project.
US tax considerations also arise when Brazilian investors use US entities or when US-source income is generated. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys can analyze the US tax implications of holding structures, repatriation strategies, and treaty-based benefits under US-Brazil tax agreements. Immigration law is another frequent concern: Brazilian executives and investors who need to travel to the United States for business meetings, site visits, or to oversee US-based operations may require appropriate US visas. The firm assists with B-1 business visitor visas, E-2 investor visas (where applicable), and L-1 intracompany transferee visas, always in compliance with US immigration regulations.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
The firm’s approach to Brazilian investor matters involving Colombia is built on a clear division of legal responsibility: US law is handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys, and Colombia law is handled by Eric Duport Jaramillo, the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he leads the US-side analysis of FCPA compliance, corporate structuring, tax, and immigration. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, provides Colombia-law analysis and coordinates with local Colombian institutions. This division ensures that each jurisdiction’s legal work is performed by an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction, consistent with US bar rules and Colombian professional regulations.
When a Brazilian investor engages the firm, the initial consultation typically identifies which legal issues are US-law matters and which are Colombia-law matters. The US-admitted attorneys then develop a strategy for the US components—such as forming a US holding company, ensuring FCPA compliance, or preparing a US visa petition—while Mr. Duport Jaramillo addresses the Colombia-side requirements, including corporate registration, local regulatory approvals, and Colombian tax considerations. The two sides collaborate as needed, but each attorney’s work remains within the scope of their respective licensure. The firm does not practice law in Brazil; Brazilian investors are encouraged to retain independent Brazilian counsel for matters governed by Brazilian law.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris, the 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 and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border matters, drawing on decades of practice in US federal and state law. The firm’s Of Counsel network includes attorneys licensed in foreign jurisdictions who collaborate with the US-admitted attorneys on matters involving foreign law. For Colombia-related engagements, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, whose background includes service as a former Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Duport Jaramillo is licensed in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar; his practice with the firm is limited to Colombia-law matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys.
The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, which facilitates coordination with Colombian institutions and clients. All US-law work is performed from the firm’s US locations, and all attorneys practicing US law are admitted in the relevant US jurisdictions. The firm does not hold itself out as practicing law in Brazil or in any jurisdiction where its attorneys are not licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What US legal issues do Brazilian investors face when investing in Colombia?
Brazilian investors may encounter US legal issues if their investment involves US persons, US companies, US financial institutions, or US-based fundraising. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) can apply to US companies and individuals, as well as to foreign entities that act in US territory, and it prohibits bribery of foreign officials. US anti-money laundering rules may require due diligence on the source of funds. US securities laws may apply if the investment is structured with US investors or if securities are offered in the United States. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys analyze each transaction to determine which US laws are triggered and advise on compliance.
Do I need a US lawyer if I am a Brazilian investor in a Colombia-based project?
You may need a US lawyer if any part of the transaction touches the United States—for example, if you use a US bank, form a US entity, raise capital from US investors, or have US-based partners. Even if the project is entirely in Colombia, US law can apply to the US-side activities. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys can assess whether US legal requirements are triggered and, if so, help you structure the US components to comply with applicable law. For Colombia-law matters, the firm collaborates with its Colombia Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar.
How does the firm handle the division between US law and Colombia law?
The firm maintains a strict jurisdictional separation: US-admitted attorneys handle all US-law matters, and the Colombia Of Counsel handles all Colombia-law matters. Mr. Sris and the firm’s other US-licensed attorneys are responsible for FCPA compliance, US corporate structuring, US tax analysis, and US immigration work. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, addresses Colombia-side requirements such as local corporate registration, regulatory approvals, and Colombian tax considerations. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney’s work is confined to the jurisdiction in which they are licensed.
What is the role of the Colombia Of Counsel?
Eric Duport Jaramillo serves as the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel, providing Colombia-law analysis and liaison services for international clients. He is licensed in Colombia and is not admitted in any US state bar. His role is limited to matters of Colombian law and to facilitating communication between the firm’s US-admitted attorneys and Colombian institutions, clients, and counterparties. He does not practice US law or provide US legal advice. For US-law matters, clients work directly with Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys.
How do I schedule a consultation about a cross-border investment involving Colombia?
You can schedule a consultation by calling the firm at (888) 437-7747. During the initial call, the firm’s intake staff will gather basic information about your matter and arrange a meeting with the appropriate attorney. If your matter involves both US and Colombia law, the consultation may include Mr. Sris (for US-law issues) and, where appropriate, Eric Duport Jaramillo (for Colombia-law issues). All consultations are by appointment only. The firm does not provide legal advice on Brazilian law; you should retain independent Brazilian counsel for any Brazil-law questions.
Does the firm assist with US visas for Brazilian investors or executives?
Yes, the firm’s US-admitted attorneys assist Brazilian investors and executives with US business visas, including B-1, E-2, and L-1 classifications, where the applicant meets the statutory requirements. The firm prepares and files the necessary petitions with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and advises on consular processing at US embassies and consulates. Immigration eligibility depends on the specific facts of each case, and the firm cannot guarantee a particular outcome. For visa matters that also involve Colombian immigration law, the firm can coordinate with its Colombia Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, to address any Colombia-side requirements.