Colombia litigation lawyer
When a legal dispute crosses the border between the United States and Colombia, the procedural and strategic demands are unique. A Colombia litigation lawyer at Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. focuses on the US-side of that dispute — representing clients in federal and state courts across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York while coordinating with Colombian-licensed counsel for the Colombian-law dimension. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and lead US litigator, has handled complex cross-border matters since 1997. For Colombian-law support, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Whether you are a Colombian company enforcing a US judgment, a US-based party with assets in Colombia, or an individual facing litigation that spans both countries, the firm provides coordinated representation anchored in US procedure. To discuss your matter, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What this cross-border practice area covers
US litigation with a Colombian connection can take many forms. A Colombian corporation may need to sue a US supplier for breach of contract in a US federal court. A US judgment creditor may seek to domesticate and enforce a US money judgment against assets located in Colombia. Discovery in a US case may require obtaining documents or testimony from witnesses in Colombia, a process governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and, where applicable, by the procedures of the US district court in which the action is pending. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle every phase of the US litigation — from complaint through trial or settlement — while the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel advises on the Colombian-law implications of the dispute.
Cross-border litigation also frequently involves parallel proceedings. A family law matter may require a US divorce decree to be recognized in Colombia, or a Colombian custody order to be given effect in a US state court. Commercial disputes may implicate the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under US law. In each scenario, the US-side litigation is governed by the procedural and evidentiary rules of the US forum, and the firm’s attorneys are admitted to practice before those courts. The firm does not practice Colombian law; for any Colombian-law question, the client works directly with the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel network handle these matters
Mr. Sris, admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, serves as lead counsel on the US-side of every cross-border litigation matter. He directs all US court filings, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. When a matter requires an understanding of Colombian law — for example, to assess the enforceability of a US judgment in Colombia or to evaluate the effect of Colombian corporate law on a US contract dispute — the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo provides Colombian-law analysis and serves as a liaison with Colombian institutions, but he does not appear in US courts or advise on US law. This division ensures that each jurisdiction’s legal work is performed by an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction, consistent with the ethical rules governing the unauthorized practice of law.
The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia (by appointment only) facilitates in-person consultations for clients who are in Colombia and need to discuss the Colombian-law aspects of a matter with Mr. Duport Jaramillo. All US-law consultations are conducted by Mr. Sris or another US-licensed attorney of the firm, either at one of the firm’s US locations or by remote conference. The firm does not maintain a staff of attorneys; every non-Sris attorney works with the firm as Of Counsel, and no attorney-client relationship is formed with any Of Counsel except through the firm’s engagement letter.
About Mr. Sris and the Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced law since 1997. He is admitted to the bars of 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). His litigation experience spans criminal defense, family law, and civil disputes, and he has handled matters with cross-border dimensions for more than two decades.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience across US and foreign jurisdictions. The firm’s Of Counsel network includes attorneys licensed in Colombia, Peru, and other jurisdictions, each working with the firm on an independent basis. For Colombia-related litigation, Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, provides Colombian-law support. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys remain responsible for all US-law aspects of every engagement. Consultations are by appointment only; to schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Colombia litigation lawyer do?
A Colombia litigation lawyer at Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. handles the US-side of a legal dispute that involves Colombian parties, assets, or law. The attorney represents clients in US federal and state courts, manages discovery, argues motions, and tries cases when necessary. For the Colombian-law dimension, the firm collaborates with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar. This division allows the firm to address both the US procedural requirements and the Colombian legal context without any attorney practicing law in a jurisdiction where they are not admitted. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys are admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
Do I need a Colombian-licensed lawyer if my case is in a US court?
You do not need a Colombian-licensed lawyer to appear in a US court, but you may benefit from Colombian-law advice on issues that affect your US case. A US court applies its own procedural and evidentiary rules. However, questions of Colombian law — such as the validity of a Colombian contract, the effect of a Colombian corporate resolution, or the enforceability of a US judgment in Colombia — often require analysis by an attorney licensed in Colombia. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys handle the US litigation, and when Colombian-law questions arise, the firm engages Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, to provide that analysis. The two sides coordinate, but each attorney stays within their licensed jurisdiction.
How does the firm handle discovery that involves witnesses or documents in Colombia?
Discovery in a US case that requires evidence from Colombia is governed by the US court’s rules and, where applicable, by the procedures of the US district court. The firm’s US-licensed attorneys manage the discovery process under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the relevant state rules. Obtaining documents or testimony from Colombia may involve practical coordination with the firm’s Colombia Of Counsel, who can assist with locating witnesses and understanding Colombian document-retention practices, but the legal mechanism for compelling discovery is a matter of US law. The firm does not provide legal advice on Colombian discovery procedures; for that, the client would consult directly with the Colombia Of Counsel.
Can the firm enforce a US judgment in Colombia?
The firm’s US-licensed attorneys can assist with the US-side steps of enforcing a US judgment, but enforcement in Colombia requires Colombian-law proceedings handled by Colombian-licensed counsel. The firm can obtain a certified copy of the US judgment, prepare an affidavit of the judgment creditor, and coordinate with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, who can advise on the Colombian exequatur process. The firm does not itself practice Colombian law or appear in Colombian courts. The client would engage Mr. Duport Jaramillo separately for the Colombian enforcement action, with the firm’s US attorneys remaining available for any US-side follow-up.
What should I bring to an initial consultation about a cross-border litigation matter?
Bring any documents that describe the dispute, including contracts, court papers, correspondence, and any prior legal opinions, as well as a summary of the key facts and the parties’ locations. If the matter involves a Colombian entity, bring the entity’s registration documents and any Colombian-law contracts. The firm’s US-licensed attorney will review the US-law aspects, and if Colombian-law issues are present, the firm may arrange a separate consultation with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar. All consultations are by appointment only. To schedule, call (888) 437-7747.
How do I engage the firm for a US-Colombia litigation matter?
Contact Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation with a US-licensed attorney. During the consultation, the attorney will assess the US-law dimensions of your matter and determine whether Colombian-law support is needed. If so, the firm will coordinate with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, admitted to practice law in Colombian bar and not admitted in any US state bar, for the Colombian-law component. The firm’s engagement letter will clearly define the scope of representation and which attorney is responsible for each aspect. No attorney-client relationship is formed until an engagement letter is signed. For guidance on your specific cross-border situation, reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.