Emirati investor counsel for Colombia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that serves international clients with cross-border legal needs. For Emirati investors pursuing opportunities in Colombia, the firm provides US-side counsel on business structuring, immigration, anti-corruption compliance, and investment review, while coordinating with Colombia-licensed Of Counsel for Colombian law matters. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm’s Colombia practice is supported by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. To discuss your cross-border investment matter, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
Emirati investors seeking to enter the Colombian market face a dual legal landscape: US law governs the structure and compliance of many international transactions, while Colombian law governs local operations, taxation, and regulatory approvals. The firm’s cross-border inbound practice helps clients navigate the US legal dimensions of investing in Colombia. This includes selecting and forming the appropriate US entity (such as a Delaware corporation or limited liability company) to hold Colombian assets, advising on US anti-corruption obligations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and addressing US immigration options for investors and key personnel. The firm also assists with US export control and investment-review requirements, including filings before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) when a transaction implicates US national security interests.
Because the firm does not practice Colombian law, it collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s role is limited to Colombian law matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. This division ensures that US legal advice comes from US-admitted counsel and Colombian legal advice comes from a Colombian-licensed attorney, maintaining strict jurisdictional separation.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys handle all US-law aspects of an Emirati investor’s Colombia-focused project, while the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel addresses Colombian law questions. The process typically begins with a consultation to map the investor’s goals, the structure of the investment, and the jurisdictions involved. The firm then advises on entity formation, tax-efficient holding structures, FCPA compliance programs, and any required US regulatory filings. If the investor or key employees need US immigration status, the firm evaluates options such as the E-2 treaty investor visa (for nationals of treaty countries), the EB-5 immigrant investor program, or the L-1 intracompany transferee visa.
For Colombian law matters—such as incorporating a Colombian subsidiary, obtaining local regulatory approvals, or structuring a Colombian real estate acquisition—the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s practice with the firm is limited to Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. The US and Colombian sides collaborate as needed, but each attorney works strictly within their own licensure. This model gives Emirati investors a single point of coordination for both US and Colombian legal needs without any unauthorized practice of law.
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 and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. The firm’s US locations are in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York; its international location is in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only.
The firm’s Colombia practice is led by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s 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. His practice with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. All US-law matters are handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a US lawyer to invest in Colombia?
If your investment involves a US entity, US financing, US regulatory compliance, or US immigration for yourself or your employees, a US lawyer can help structure the US side of the transaction. Many Emirati investors use a US holding company to own Colombian assets, which triggers US corporate, tax, and anti-corruption laws. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys advise on these US-law aspects, while the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel handles Colombian law matters. This dual-counsel approach ensures that both legal systems are addressed without any attorney practicing outside their licensure.
How can a US law firm assist with Colombian investments?
The firm provides US legal services that are essential to cross-border investment, including entity formation, FCPA compliance, CFIUS review, and US immigration strategy. For example, a Delaware LLC can serve as the parent of a Colombian subsidiary, and the firm can form that LLC and advise on its ongoing US obligations. The firm does not practice Colombian law; for Colombian incorporation, tax registration, and local permits, it coordinates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar.
What US immigration options exist for Emirati investors?
Investors may qualify for US immigration benefits through the E-2 treaty investor visa (if they are a national of a treaty country), the EB-5 immigrant investor program, or the L-1 intracompany transferee visa. The E-2 visa requires a substantial investment in a US enterprise and is available only to nationals of countries that maintain a qualifying treaty with the United States. The EB-5 program offers a path to permanent residence for investors who create US jobs. The L-1 visa allows executives or managers of a foreign company to transfer to a related US entity. The firm evaluates each investor’s circumstances and advises on the most suitable US immigration strategy.
How does the firm handle Colombian law aspects?
Colombian law matters are handled by Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s practice with the firm is limited to Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. He advises on Colombian corporate formation, regulatory approvals, real estate transactions, and tax registration. The firm’s US-admitted attorneys do not provide Colombian legal advice, and Mr. Duport Jaramillo does not provide US legal advice. This division maintains strict jurisdictional separation and complies with applicable bar rules.
What is the FCPA and how does it affect Emirati investors?
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a US statute that prohibits bribery of foreign officials and requires accurate books and records for issuers of US securities. An Emirati investor who uses a US entity or who is a US issuer may be subject to the FCPA’s anti-bribery and accounting provisions. The firm advises on FCPA compliance programs, due diligence on local partners, and internal controls to mitigate corruption risk. The FCPA’s jurisdictional reach is broad, and the firm helps clients structure their investments to comply with US law while respecting Colombian anti-corruption requirements.
How do I get started?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial discussion, the firm will assess your investment goals, the jurisdictions involved, and the US and Colombian legal issues that may arise. The firm will then outline a coordinated approach that engages its US-admitted attorneys for US law matters and its Colombia Of Counsel for Colombian law matters. Consultations are by appointment only.