Atchuthan Sriskandarajah Colombia
When you need a US attorney who understands the legal and cultural landscape of Colombia, Atchuthan Sriskandarajah, Esq. (known as Mr. Sris) provides experienced counsel. Mr. Sris is the founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm with an international clientele founded in 1997. Admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, Mr. Sris handles US-side legal matters for clients whose lives, businesses, or legal disputes bridge the United States and Colombia. The firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel · Colombia Lead, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his involvement is limited to Colombian law matters and liaison support for international clients. For a consultation with Mr. Sris on your US legal needs connected to Colombia, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
Who Atchuthan Sriskandarajah Is
Atchuthan Sriskandarajah is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm with a cross-border practice that includes a location in Pereira, Colombia. A former prosecutor, Mr. Sris has decades of experience representing clients in Virginia, Maryland, DC, New Jersey, and New York. His background includes legislative involvement: he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635, which led to revisions of Va. Code § 20-107.3(g). For clients with connections to Colombia, Mr. Sris’s deep understanding of the US legal system is paired with a commitment to coordinating with Colombian legal professionals through the firm’s Of Counsel network.
US Legal Services with a Colombia Connection
Mr. Sris and his firm provide US legal representation for individuals and businesses with interests that span Colombia and the United States. Typical matters include US immigration for Colombian nationals, cross-border family law (international divorce, child custody, and recognition of foreign marriages), and US business transactions involving Colombian parties. Mr. Sris handles all US-law aspects of these cases, from USCIS petitions to state court litigation. When a matter also requires Colombian law advice, the firm refers clients to its Of Counsel in Colombia, such as Eric Duport Jaramillo, a Colombian-licensed attorney who works in coordination with the US legal team.
For example, a Colombian national seeking a US investor visa (E-2 or EB-5) needs a US immigration attorney to prepare the petition and a Colombian legal advisor to address Colombian source-of-funds documentation. Mr. Sris leads the US immigration side, while Eric Duport Jaramillo can provide Colombian law support. Similarly, a US citizen divorcing a Colombian spouse may need a US family law attorney for the domestic case and a Colombian attorney to handle any property or custody issues in Colombia. Mr. Sris manages the US proceeding and collaborates with Colombian Of Counsel as needed. All attorneys maintain strict jurisdictional boundaries; Mr. Sris is not admitted to practice Colombian law, and Colombian Of Counsel are not admitted to practice US law.
Working with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel · Colombia
Eric Duport Jaramillo is the firm’s Colombia Lead, licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar; his practice with Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is limited to Colombian law matters and to serving as a liaison for international clients with the firm’s US-licensed attorneys. Mr. Duport Jaramillo brings experience from his prior roles as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He earned his JD from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. Clients who require representation under Colombian law—whether for corporate, family, or administrative proceedings—can be connected to Mr. Duport Jaramillo through the firm. He does not provide US legal advice or appear before US courts or agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Atchuthan Sriskandarajah represent me in a Colombian court?
No, Mr. Sriskandarajah is not admitted to practice law in Colombia. He is admitted only in the United States. If your case requires representation in Colombia, the firm can refer you to Eric Duport Jaramillo, who is a Colombian-licensed attorney. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s work is limited to Colombian law, and he does not practice US law. For matters that require both US and Colombian legal work, Mr. Sris and Mr. Duport Jaramillo can coordinate as separate counsel, each handling only the law of the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
What types of US cases does Mr. Sris handle for Colombian clients?
Mr. Sris handles a wide range of US legal matters for Colombian nationals and US residents with Colombian ties. His practice includes family-based and employment-based immigration (I-130, I-140, I-485, and consular processing), cross-border divorce and child custody, and business law for US companies doing business with Colombia. He has experience guiding clients through the unique procedural issues that arise when foreign documents, such as Colombian marriage or birth certificates, must be authenticated for use in US proceedings. The specific approach depends on whether Colombia is a party to the applicable international conventions, such as the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (Colombia acceded in 2001).
How does the firm authenticate Colombian documents for use in the US?
Colombia is a contracting party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so most Colombian public documents can be authenticated by an apostille rather than consular legalization. An apostille issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies the signature and seal of the public official who issued the document, making it admissible in US proceedings under the Convention. For documents from non-signatory countries or certain specialized records, traditional chain-legalization through the Colombian consulate may be required. Mr. Sris helps clients determine the correct authentication path and works closely with Colombian Of Counsel to ensure documents comply with both countries’ requirements.
What should I know about international child custody with Colombia?
Colombia is a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This means that if a child is wrongfully removed from the United States to Colombia, or retained there, the Convention’s return mechanism is potentially available. Mr. Sris can represent parents seeking the return of a child under the Convention in US courts and can coordinate with Colombian-licensed counsel for proceedings in Colombia. Because the success of a Hague petition depends on the specific facts and the laws of both countries, early consultation with an experienced US attorney is critical.
Is Mr. Sris available for consultations in Spanish?
The firm offers Spanish-language support through its Colombia Of Counsel, not through Mr. Sris directly. Mr. Sris speaks English and Tamil. For consultations in Spanish, the firm can arrange a meeting with Eric Duport Jaramillo or another qualified Spanish-speaking professional. All consultations are by appointment only; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Does Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. have a physical office in Colombia?
Yes, the firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only. The address is Carrera 7 # 18-80, Oficina 606, Edificio Centro Financiero, Pereira, RDA, Colombia. This location serves as a meeting point for clients and a base for Colombian-law coordination through Of Counsel. The firm’s US headquarters remain in Virginia. All legal work is performed by attorneys licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
How can I contact Mr. Sriskandarajah about a Colombia-related US legal matter?
You can reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation with Mr. Sris. The intake team is ready to assist. Mention that your matter involves Colombia so that the firm can prepare for any cross-border coordination needs. There is no charge for the initial consultation, and all information is kept confidential. For Colombian-specific legal questions, you may also contact the Pereira location at +57 63419197 or colombia@sriscounsel.com.