Colombia local counsel for foreign clients
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997, serving international clients with US legal needs. For matters involving Colombian law, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. His practice with the firm is limited to Colombian law matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and leads the US-side representation. Whether you are a foreign business entering the US market, an individual with cross-border family or immigration concerns, or a US entity with interests in Colombia, the firm provides coordinated US-Colombia counsel. Reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
What This Cross-Border Practice Area Covers
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. assists foreign clients with a wide range of US legal matters, including business formation and transactions, contract negotiation, immigration, family law, estate planning, and civil litigation. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle all aspects of US law, from preparing filings and appearing in US courts to advising on federal and state regulatory compliance. For clients whose matters also touch Colombian law—such as the validity of a Colombian marriage, the enforcement of a Colombian judgment, or the requirements of Colombian corporate law—the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, to provide Colombian-law analysis and liaison. This dual-structure ensures that each jurisdiction’s legal requirements are addressed by an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction.
Cross-border practice frequently involves procedural mechanisms that differ by country. Under US law, service of process on a defendant abroad may be accomplished through the Hague Service Convention if the foreign country is a signatory, or through letters rogatory if it is not. Similarly, the authentication of foreign public documents for use in US proceedings may require an apostille under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention or consular legalization, depending on the issuing country’s treaty status. The firm’s US attorneys manage these procedural steps and coordinate with Eric Duport Jaramillo for any Colombian-law requirements, such as obtaining certified copies of Colombian records or advising on Colombian notarial practice. The firm also handles cross-border family law matters, including international divorce, child custody, and the recognition of foreign marriages under the lex loci celebrationis doctrine, as well as US immigration matters for Colombian nationals, from visa petitions to consular processing.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Network Handle These Matters
Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys are responsible for all US-law aspects of a cross-border engagement. They prepare pleadings, appear in US courts, advise on US statutes and regulations, and communicate with US government agencies. For the Colombian-law dimension, the firm works with 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 matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. He provides Colombian legal analysis, assists with Colombian document procurement and authentication, and advises on the requirements of Colombian civil, commercial, and family law. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, facilitates in-person coordination when needed, though all consultations are by appointment only.
This division of responsibility is designed to comply with US unauthorized-practice-of-law rules and Colombian bar regulations. No US-licensed attorney at the firm provides Colombian legal advice, and Mr. Duport Jaramillo does not provide US legal advice or appear in US proceedings. The two sides collaborate as needed, but each attorney’s work is confined to the jurisdiction in which they are admitted. Clients benefit from a single point of contact—Mr. Sris—who coordinates the US and Colombian components, ensuring that deadlines are met and that the legal strategy is consistent across borders. The firm’s approach is particularly valuable for matters such as US-Colombia business transactions, where US securities or contract law intersects with Colombian corporate formalities, or for family law cases where a US court must consider Colombian marital property regimes.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Network
Mr. Sris is the founder and managing attorney of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. A former prosecutor, he is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. 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). He was also involved in the introduction of Virginia House Joint Resolution HJR 573 (2017), recognizing Pongal Day in the Commonwealth.
Eric Duport Jaramillo serves as Of Counsel for Colombia matters. Licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, his 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. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s 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 holds a law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border matters, and the firm’s US locations in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, together with its location in Pereira, Colombia, allow the firm to serve clients across multiple time zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “local counsel” mean in a US-Colombia context?
Local counsel is an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction who handles the legal work governed by that jurisdiction’s law. For US matters, Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys serve as local counsel, advising on federal and state law and appearing in US courts. For Colombian matters, Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, serves as local counsel, providing Colombian-law analysis and liaison. The firm coordinates both sides so that the client has a unified strategy without any attorney practicing outside their licensure. This structure is especially important in cross-border litigation, where a US court may need an opinion on Colombian law, or in transactions where Colombian corporate documents must be reconciled with US contract requirements.
Do I need a Colombian lawyer if my case is in a US court?
If your case involves issues of Colombian law—such as the validity of a Colombian marriage, the interpretation of a Colombian contract, or the effect of a Colombian judgment—the US court may require evidence of Colombian law. In those situations, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo to provide Colombian-law analysis and, if necessary, an expert report or affidavit. The US-side representation, including all court appearances and filings, remains with Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. The client does not need to retain separate Colombian counsel independently; the firm manages the engagement of Mr. Duport Jaramillo as part of the overall representation, ensuring that the Colombian-law component is handled by a licensed Colombian attorney.
How does the firm handle cross-border service of process?
Service of process on a defendant located abroad is governed by US procedural law and any applicable international convention. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and many state counterparts, service may be effected through the Hague Service Convention if the destination country is a signatory, or through letters rogatory if it is not. The firm’s US attorneys prepare the necessary request, translate documents as required, and coordinate with foreign counsel—including Eric Duport Jaramillo for Colombia—to ensure that service complies with local law. The firm also advises on alternative methods such as service by publication or substituted service when permitted by the court. Each case is assessed individually to determine the most efficient and legally sound approach.
Can the firm assist with US immigration matters for Colombian nationals?
Yes. Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle the full range of US immigration matters, including family-based and employment-based visa petitions, consular processing, adjustment of status, and removal defense. Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, serves as a liaison for Spanish-speaking clients, drawing on his experience with Colombian institutions and his fluency in Spanish and English. His role is limited to facilitating communication and assisting with Colombian document procurement; all US immigration legal advice and representation is provided by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, allows for in-person consultations with Mr. Duport Jaramillo when needed, though all US immigration consultations are conducted by a US-licensed attorney.
What should I bring to an initial consultation?
Bring any documents relevant to your matter, including court orders, contracts, marriage certificates, immigration notices, corporate records, and correspondence with government agencies. For cross-border matters, it is helpful to have both the original foreign-language documents and certified English translations, if available. The firm can arrange translation services if needed. Consultations are by appointment only and may be conducted in English or Spanish. During the consultation, Mr. Sris will assess the US-law aspects of your case and determine whether Colombian-law input from Eric Duport Jaramillo is required. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a written engagement agreement is signed.