Atchuthan Sriskandarajah
Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. is the founder and principal attorney of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm with an international clientele. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He leads the firm’s Brand & Entity practice, helping businesses and entrepreneurs protect their trademarks, form US entities, and navigate cross-border commercial matters. For clients with interests in Colombia, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombia-law matters and serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
About Atchuthan Sriskandarajah
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and has built a practice that serves clients across the United States and abroad. His bar admissions cover five key US jurisdictions—Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York—giving the firm a broad footprint for federal and state matters. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience, and the firm has documented experience across multiple cross-border practice areas since 1997. Results may vary; prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
Mr. Sris’s approach to brand and entity work is grounded in practical business sense. He understands that a trademark or a corporate structure is not just a legal formality—it is a business asset that needs to be built, protected, and enforced. Whether a client is a Colombian entrepreneur entering the US market or a US company expanding abroad, Mr. Sris focuses on creating durable legal foundations that support long-term growth.
Brand & Entity Practice
The firm’s Brand & Entity practice covers the full lifecycle of a business’s identity. On the brand side, this includes US trademark clearance, registration, and enforcement under the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.). The firm handles applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), responds to office actions, and represents clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. For entity formation, the firm assists with selecting the right structure—LLC, corporation, or partnership—and handles the filings with state authorities such as the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The practice also includes obtaining federal Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the Internal Revenue Service, drafting operating agreements and bylaws, and maintaining corporate records.
Because the firm serves an international clientele, the Brand & Entity practice is designed to handle cross-border issues seamlessly. A foreign business that wants to protect its brand in the United States can file a US trademark application directly with the USPTO—no treaty is required. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys serve as the applicant’s representative before the USPTO, as required by USPTO rules for foreign-domiciled applicants. For entity formation, the firm can establish a US subsidiary or standalone entity for a foreign parent, ensuring compliance with state law and federal tax requirements.
Cross-Border Brand Protection for Colombian Businesses
Colombian companies looking to enter the US market often need to secure their brand rights early. The US trademark system allows a foreign applicant to file based on a bona fide intent to use the mark in US commerce, or based on a foreign registration or application. The firm guides Colombian clients through the US filing process, conducts clearance searches to identify potential conflicts, and advises on the strength of the proposed mark. Because US trademark rights are generally based on use in commerce, the firm also helps clients develop a strategy for putting the mark into use in a way that establishes priority.
For Colombia-law aspects—such as protecting a US brand in Colombia or addressing Colombian corporate requirements—the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. His role is limited to Colombia-law matters and serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. This division of responsibility ensures that each side of a cross-border matter is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
How the Firm Works with Colombian Clients
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only), which serves as a point of contact for Colombian clients and a base for the firm’s Colombia-law Of Counsel. When a Colombian business or individual engages the firm, the US-law work is performed by Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. If the matter also involves Colombian law, the firm brings in Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. His role is limited to Colombia-law matters and serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys of the firm.
Clients can communicate in English or Spanish. The firm’s intake process is designed to identify which legal issues are governed by US law and which by Colombian law, so that the right attorney handles each component. Consultations are by appointment; contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Colombian business register a US trademark without a treaty?
Yes, a Colombian business can file a US trademark application directly with the USPTO under the Lanham Act. No international treaty is required. The application may be based on a bona fide intent to use the mark in US commerce, or on a foreign registration or application. A US-licensed attorney must represent the foreign applicant before the USPTO. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys serve in that role and guide the client through clearance, filing, and prosecution.
What type of US business entity should a Colombian company form?
The choice depends on the company’s goals, but a limited liability company (LLC) or a C-corporation are common structures for foreign-owned US subsidiaries. An LLC offers flexibility and pass-through taxation, while a corporation may be preferred if the company plans to seek venture capital or go public. The firm helps clients evaluate the tax and liability implications and handles the formation filings with the appropriate state authority, such as the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Does the firm handle Colombian trademark matters?
The firm does not directly practice Colombian law, but it collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. His role is limited to Colombia-law matters and serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. For a Colombian trademark registration or enforcement, Mr. Duport Jaramillo would handle the Colombian side, while the firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle any US aspects.
How does the firm protect a brand that is used in both the US and Colombia?
The firm coordinates a dual-jurisdiction strategy: US trademark registration through the USPTO, and Colombian protection through its Colombia-law Of Counsel. The US-licensed attorneys file and prosecute the US application, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel (licensed in Colombia, not admitted in any US state bar), handles the Colombian filing. The two sides work together to ensure consistent brand positioning and to address cross-border enforcement issues.
What is the process for forming a US entity for a Colombian parent company?
The process typically involves choosing a state of formation, filing the formation documents, obtaining an EIN from the IRS, and drafting the governing documents. The firm advises on the choice of state (often Delaware, Virginia, or another state with a favorable business climate), prepares and files the articles of organization or incorporation, and obtains the EIN. It also drafts the operating agreement or bylaws and any necessary resolutions. The firm can serve as the registered agent if required.
Can the firm help with US trademark enforcement against infringers?
Yes, the firm represents clients in US trademark enforcement, including cease-and-desist letters, opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB, and federal court litigation. Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle all enforcement actions under the Lanham Act. If the infringement has a Colombian dimension, the firm coordinates with its Colombia-law Of Counsel for any necessary action in Colombia.
Is a US trademark valid in Colombia?
No, a US trademark registration protects the mark only in the United States. To obtain protection in Colombia, a separate Colombian trademark application must be filed through the Colombian intellectual property office. The firm’s Colombia-law Of Counsel, Eric Duport Jaramillo (licensed in Colombia, not admitted in any US state bar), can assist with that process in collaboration with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys.
How do I get started with the firm for a cross-border brand matter?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial discussion, the firm will identify which aspects of your matter are governed by US law and which by Colombian law, and will explain how the US-licensed attorneys and the Colombia-law Of Counsel will work together. Consultations are by appointment only.