English-speaking law firm Colombia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm founded in 1997 that serves an international clientele, including English-speaking clients with legal matters connected to Colombia. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm and a former prosecutor, is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For the Colombian-law dimension of cross-border matters, Eric Duport Jaramillo serves as Of Counsel for Colombia practice. Licensed in Colombia and not admitted in any US state bar, Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s practice with the firm is limited to Colombian law and to serving as a liaison for international clients with US-licensed attorneys. The firm maintains a location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, and works with clients whose legal needs span both US and Colombian jurisdictions. Whether you are a US business operating in Colombia, a Colombian national with US immigration questions, or an English speaker in Colombia seeking US legal guidance, the firm’s attorneys and Of Counsel network provide counsel in English. Reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your cross-border matter.
What an English-Speaking Law Firm Offers for Colombia-Related Matters
An English-speaking law firm serving Colombia-connected clients bridges the language gap in cross-border legal matters by providing US-licensed legal counsel in English while collaborating with Colombia-licensed attorneys on Colombian-law questions. For clients whose first or preferred language is English, navigating legal systems in two countries presents challenges beyond the law itself. Colombian legal proceedings, documents, and official communications are conducted in Spanish. A firm that communicates in English while maintaining professional relationships with qualified Colombian counsel removes a significant barrier to understanding the client’s legal position on both sides of the border.
The practical value extends across multiple practice areas. A US business negotiating a contract with a Colombian counterpart needs to understand both US contract law and Colombian commercial requirements. A family with assets in both countries needs coordinated counsel on estate planning. An individual seeking a US visa from Colombia benefits from counsel who can explain the process in English. In each scenario, the English-speaking US attorney serves as the client’s primary point of contact while the Colombia-licensed Of Counsel advises on Colombian-law elements. The client receives guidance in English on the full picture of their cross-border matter.
How Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. Handles Cross-Border Matters Involving Colombia
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. handles the US-law dimension of cross-border Colombia matters directly through its US-licensed attorneys while collaborating with Colombia-licensed Of Counsel on Colombian-law aspects, maintaining a strict jurisdictional separation that respects the limits of each attorney’s licensure. Mr. Sris, admitted in five US jurisdictions, serves as the responsible US attorney for the firm’s cross-border practice. When a matter involves Colombian law—such as Colombian corporate registration, Colombian family court proceedings, or Colombian notarial requirements—Eric Duport Jaramillo provides the Colombian-law perspective. The two sides coordinate as needed, but each attorney works exclusively within the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
This model reflects the reality that no single attorney is licensed in both the United States and Colombia for the practice of law. Cross-border legal work requires a team approach. The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, by appointment only, facilitates in-person meetings for clients in Colombia’s coffee region. The US-based attorneys and staff communicate in English, and Mr. Duport Jaramillo, who is fluent in English in addition to his native Spanish, serves as a bridge for clients who need Colombian-law input explained in English.
About the Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. and a former prosecutor, has practiced since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He oversees the firm’s cross-border practice and serves as the responsible US attorney for all sriscounsel.com content. 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 experience includes US immigration matters, cross-border family law, and business transactions involving international parties.
Eric Duport Jaramillo is Of Counsel for Colombia practice at Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. 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 US-licensed attorneys. Mr. Duport Jaramillo earned his law degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and previously served as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Colombia to the European Union and as Executive President of the Pereira Chamber of Commerce. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. His background in Colombian institutions and international diplomacy informs his work with the firm’s English-speaking clientele on matters involving Colombian law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both a US attorney and a Colombian attorney for my cross-border legal matter?
If your matter has both US-law and Colombian-law dimensions, you generally need counsel licensed in each jurisdiction. A US-licensed attorney cannot practice Colombian law, and a Colombian-licensed attorney cannot practice US law. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. addresses this through its collaboration with Colombia-licensed Of Counsel. The firm’s US attorneys handle the US-law aspects, and Mr. Duport Jaramillo advises on Colombian-law elements. For matters that are purely Colombian with no US-law component, you should consult an attorney admitted by the Consejo Superior de la Judicatura in Colombia.
Does the firm have a physical location in Colombia where I can meet with an attorney?
Yes, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. has a location in Pereira, Colombia, available by appointment only. The Pereira location, at Carrera 7 # 18-80, Oficina 606, Edificio Centro Financiero, serves as a meeting point for clients in Colombia. Mr. Duport Jaramillo, the firm’s Of Counsel for Colombia practice, is based in Colombia and can meet with clients at the Pereira location by appointment. For clients elsewhere in Colombia or abroad, consultations are also available by phone and video conference. To schedule an appointment at the Pereira location, contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.
What types of Colombia-related legal matters does the firm handle?
The firm handles US-law aspects of cross-border matters involving Colombia, including US immigration for Colombian nationals, US business transactions with Colombian parties, and cross-border family law where US courts are involved. Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-licensed attorneys serve as counsel on the US-law side.