Colombia client counsel for Spain deals
Colombian businesses and investors pursuing opportunities in Spain encounter a multi-jurisdictional legal environment that demands careful cross-border coordination. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. serves as strategic US-based counsel for Colombian clients engaged in Spanish transactions, offering US legal guidance while bridging the gap to qualified Spanish and Colombian legal professionals. We advise on the US regulatory, anti-corruption, and sanctions dimensions of Spain-facing deals, and we coordinate with independent Spanish counsel to handle Spanish law requirements. Our location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) provides a direct point of contact for Colombian clients, complemented by our US-licensed attorneys who manage the US-side of the engagement. Eric Duport Jaramillo, our Of Counsel Colombia Lead (licensed in Colombia; not admitted in any US state bar; his practice with the firm is limited to Colombian law and liaison roles with US-licensed attorneys), assists Colombian clients in understanding the cross-border interfaces. Whether you are structuring a distribution agreement, acquiring Spanish real estate, or forming a joint venture, we help you navigate the legal landscape efficiently. Reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How we support Colombian clients with Spain transactions
Our cross-border outbound model combines US legal oversight, Colombian liaison capability, and coordination with Spanish local counsel. For a Colombian client entering the Spanish market, the US law dimension may arise through financing structures, technology export controls, or the involvement of US-sanctioned counterparties. Even when the deal is between Colombia and Spain, the US-enforced sanctions regime of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) can have extraterritorial effect if US-dollar transactions, US goods, or US persons are involved. We review the transaction for OFAC exposure, assist with sanctions-list screening, and advise on appropriate risk-mitigation measures. We also address any potential application of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), particularly if the transaction involves payments to Spanish officials or interactions with state-owned enterprises.
For the substantive Spanish law aspects—corporate formation, real estate transfer documents, commercial contracts governed by Spanish law—we engage independent Spanish-licensed legal professionals. We manage the communication, translate legal concepts between legal systems, and ensure that the Spanish advice is properly integrated into the overall plan. On the Colombian side, Eric Duport Jaramillo serves as a liaison, helping Colombian clients articulate their business objectives and ensuring that Colombian law requirements (such as currency exchange controls or corporate authorizations) are not overlooked. This division of labor—US attorney lead, Colombian liaison, and Spanish independent counsel—provides comprehensive coverage while respecting licensing boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is cross-border outbound counsel?
Cross-border outbound counsel focuses on helping clients from one country engage in legal matters that involve a foreign jurisdiction. In this context, a Colombian client needing legal assistance for a deal in Spain requires advice that spans Colombian, Spanish, and potentially US law. A single law firm cannot typically practice in all three jurisdictions, so the model relies on collaboration: a primary coordinating counsel (here, our US firm) manages the engagement and works with licensed attorneys in the other relevant countries.
How does Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. assist with Spanish legal matters if it is a US firm?
We do not practice Spanish law; we coordinate with independent Spanish lawyers who are licensed in Spain. Our role is to structure the engagement, identify what legal work must be performed under Spanish law, and connect you with vetted Spanish counsel. We then manage the communication so that all legal advice is consistent and no jurisdictional requirement is missed. This is analogous to the way a general contractor coordinates subcontractors—each specialized professional handles their own licensed area.
Who handles the Colombian law side?
At present, Eric Duport Jaramillo, our Of Counsel Colombia Lead, assists as a Colombian-licensed liaison. He is admitted in Colombia and not in any US state bar. He helps Colombian clients understand cross-border considerations and can identify Colombian-law issues that may affect the transaction, but he does not act as attorney of record for Spanish law. For full Colombian legal representation, we can recommend independent Colombian counsel if needed.
What US regulations apply to a Colombia-Spain deal?
Several US regulatory regimes can apply even when the parties are Colombian and Spanish. The most common are OFAC sanctions, which can restrict dealings with certain countries, entities, or individuals, and the FCPA, which prohibits corrupt payments to foreign officials. If the transaction involves US-dollar payments, US-origin goods, or US financial institutions, US export controls may also apply. We screen the transaction against current sanctions lists and advise on compliance measures.
Do I need separate lawyers for each country?
Yes, in most cross-border transactions it is advisable to have lawyers licensed in each relevant jurisdiction. Spanish courts and Spanish notaries require documents prepared or reviewed by a Spanish-licensed attorney. Similarly, Colombian law matters should be handled by a Colombian-admitted lawyer. Our firm facilitates the assembly of this multi-jurisdictional team so that you do not have to manage separate counsel independently.
How does the firm ensure OFAC sanctions compliance?
We screen the parties, the countries involved, and the payment chain against the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List as of the date of the engagement. If any sanctions concern arises, we advise on licensing requirements, divestiture strategies, or alternative structures. Because sanctions programs change frequently, every assessment includes a current check of the OFAC website and a recommendation to re-screen periodically.
What about the FCPA?
The FCPA can reach a Colombian company or a Spanish entity if any act in furtherance of a corrupt payment occurs in US territory or through US means of commerce. We evaluate whether the transaction involves interactions with Spanish officials, whether there is any state-owned enterprise involvement, and whether the transaction structure raises “red flags” under the statute. Our advice focuses on compliance, due diligence, and the correct documentation of legitimate expenses.
How do I get started with a Spain transaction?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule an initial consultation. We will discuss your business objectives, identify the legal jurisdictions involved, and outline a proposed engagement structure. If necessary, we will also coordinate with Eric Duport Jaramillo for Colombian-side considerations and identify appropriate Spanish counsel. All consultations are by appointment; no attorney-client relationship is formed until a written engagement agreement is signed.
What types of Spain deals does the firm handle?
We advise on commercial agreements, real estate acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring having a Spanish connection. While we do not practice Spanish law, we can structure the US-law aspects of the transaction—such as the choice-of-law governing a master agreement—and coordinate with Spanish counsel on the local-law elements. Our model is flexible and can accommodate a single transaction or ongoing advisory needs.
Is the firm’s advice covered by attorney-client privilege?
Yes, communications with our US-licensed attorneys for the purpose of seeking legal advice are protected by the attorney-client privilege. When we engage Spanish or Colombian co-counsel, we generally arrange for those communications to also be privileged to the extent allowed by the respective jurisdiction’s rules. We discuss confidentiality arrangements at the outset of every engagement.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris, Founder and Managing Attorney 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 has built a cross-border practice that combines US legal acumen with strategic international coordination. Eric Duport Jaramillo serves as the firm’s Of Counsel 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 matters of Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys at the firm. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel offer extensive combined legal experience, enabling clients to pursue cross-border transactions with confidence.