Spanish client Colombia legal counsel
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that serves Spanish-speaking clients from Colombia with legal matters governed by US law. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder, is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and leads the firm’s US-law practice for international clientele. For Colombian clients who prefer to communicate in Spanish, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, who serves as a liaison and assists with Colombia-law dimensions of cross-border matters. All US-law aspects of a matter are handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, and can be reached at (888) 437-7747.
What US legal counsel means for Spanish-speaking clients from Colombia
When a Colombian national, a Colombian business, or a Spanish-speaking individual residing in Colombia needs legal representation in the United States, the matter requires a US-admitted attorney. US courts, USCIS, and other US agencies require that legal submissions and appearances be made by an attorney licensed in the relevant US jurisdiction. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides that US-licensed representation while also offering Spanish-language communication through its collaboration with Colombia-admitted Of Counsel. This means a Colombian client can discuss a US legal matter in Spanish with a professional who understands both the Colombian cultural context and the US legal framework, while the substantive US-law work is performed by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
The firm handles a range of US legal matters for Colombian clients, including US immigration petitions, cross-border family law issues, US business formation and transactions, and coordination of US litigation involving Colombian parties. Every matter begins with a consultation to identify which aspects are governed by US law and which, if any, involve Colombian law. The US-law side is handled entirely by the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. Where a matter also requires Colombian-law analysis, Eric Duport Jaramillo, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, provides that analysis in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys. This jurisdictional separation ensures that each legal question is addressed by an attorney licensed in the relevant country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have US legal counsel as a Spanish-speaking client from Colombia?
It means you work with a US-admitted attorney for your US legal matter while having the option to communicate in Spanish through the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel. The US attorney handles all substantive US-law work—court filings, immigration petitions, transactional documents—while the Colombia Of Counsel facilitates Spanish-language communication and provides cultural and jurisdictional context. This arrangement allows Colombian clients to fully understand their US legal position without language barriers, while ensuring that all US legal work is performed by an attorney licensed in the relevant US jurisdiction. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, also provides a convenient point of contact for clients in Colombia.
Do I need a US-admitted attorney for my US legal matter?
Yes—US courts, USCIS, and other US agencies require that legal representation be provided by an attorney admitted to practice in the relevant US jurisdiction. A Colombian-licensed attorney cannot file pleadings in a US court, appear on your behalf before a US immigration judge, or submit a US visa petition as your attorney of record. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. provides that US-licensed representation through Mr. Sris, who is admitted in five US jurisdictions. The firm’s Colombia Of Counsel, Eric Duport Jaramillo, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, assists with Colombian-law questions and Spanish-language communication but does not handle US-law matters.
Can I communicate with the firm entirely in Spanish?
Yes—the firm offers Spanish-language communication for Colombian clients through its Colombia Of Counsel. Eric Duport Jaramillo, a native Spanish speaker licensed in Colombia, facilitates consultations and correspondence in Spanish. This allows clients to discuss their US legal matters, ask questions, and receive explanations in Spanish without losing nuance. The substantive US legal documents—such as court pleadings, USCIS forms, and transactional agreements—are prepared in English by the firm’s US-admitted attorneys, as required by US legal practice. The Colombia Of Counsel ensures that Spanish-speaking clients understand every document and every step of the process.
What types of US legal matters does the firm handle for Colombian clients?
The firm handles US immigration matters, cross-border family law, US business formation and transactions, and coordination of US litigation involving Colombian parties. For US immigration, this includes family-based petitions, employment-based visas, and consular processing through the US Embassy in Bogotá. Cross-border family law matters include US divorce proceedings where one spouse resides in Colombia, international child custody disputes, and recognition of foreign marriages. For Colombian entrepreneurs and businesses, the firm assists with US entity formation, contract review, and cross-border transaction structuring. Each matter is evaluated to determine which aspects are governed by US law and which involve Colombian law.
How does the firm coordinate between its US attorneys and its Colombia Of Counsel?
The firm maintains a clear jurisdictional division: US-admitted attorneys handle all US-law work, and the Colombia Of Counsel handles Colombian-law questions and Spanish-language client communication. When a Colombian client contacts the firm, the initial consultation identifies the legal issues and the governing law for each. Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys take responsibility for every US-law aspect—preparing filings, representing the client before US agencies, and providing US legal advice. Eric Duport Jaramillo, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, addresses Colombian-law questions, facilitates Spanish-language communication, and serves as a cultural and jurisdictional liaison.
Who is Eric Duport Jaramillo and how does he assist Colombian clients?
Eric Duport Jaramillo is the firm’s Of Counsel for Colombia matters, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. He holds a law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and previously served as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Duport Jaramillo assists Colombian clients by facilitating Spanish-language consultations, providing Colombian-law analysis where a cross-border matter involves both US and Colombian legal questions, and serving as a point of contact at the firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only. He does not handle US-law matters, which remain the responsibility of the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.
What should I prepare before contacting the firm about a US legal matter?
Gather any relevant documents, a timeline of key events, and a clear statement of what you hope to achieve through US legal counsel. For US immigration matters, this includes passport copies, prior USCIS correspondence, and any visa or entry records. For cross-border family law, bring marriage certificates, birth certificates of children, and any existing court orders from Colombia or the US. For business matters, gather incorporation documents, contracts, and correspondence related to the US transaction or dispute. Having these materials ready, even in Spanish, allows the firm to assess your matter efficiently during the initial consultation. The Colombia Of Counsel can review Spanish-language documents and summarize them for the US-admitted attorneys.
How do I reach the firm from Colombia?
You can call the firm’s toll-free intake line at (888) 437-7747 or visit the firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only. The Pereira location, at Carrera 7 # 18-80, Oficina 606, Edificio Centro Financiero, provides a convenient in-person contact point for clients in Colombia’s coffee region and beyond. Consultations at the Pereira location are by appointment only and should be scheduled in advance by calling the toll-free number. The firm also communicates by email and can arrange video consultations for clients who cannot travel to Pereira. Spanish-speaking staff and the Colombia Of Counsel are available to assist with scheduling and initial inquiries.
Does the firm have a physical location in Colombia?
Yes—Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, at Carrera 7 # 18-80, Oficina 606, Edificio Centro Financiero, by appointment only. This location serves as a point of contact for Colombian clients and is where Eric Duport Jaramillo, the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel, is based. The Pereira location is not a separate law office practicing Colombian law; it is a location of the US law firm where Colombian clients can meet with the Colombia Of Counsel to discuss cross-border matters, receive Spanish-language consultations, and coordinate with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. All US-law work continues to be handled by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys from the firm’s US locations.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris is the founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., which he established in 1997. He is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. As the firm’s managing attorney, Mr. Sris leads the US-law practice for international clientele and serves as the responsible US attorney for all sriscounsel.com content under applicable US bar rules. His background includes service as a former prosecutor, and he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635, the bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). Mr. Sris handles the US-law dimensions of every cross-border matter the firm undertakes.
For Colombia matters, the firm works 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 practice with the firm is limited to matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for Colombian clients with the firm’s US-admitted attorneys. He holds a law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and brings experience from his prior service as 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 based at the firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only. All US-law aspects of any matter are handled exclusively by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys.